So you’ve checked out of ASA 101, 103 and you’re in the middle of completing 104. You know you like this sailing stuff and you also know that you are going to buy a boat of your own. Yachtworld.com has been bookmarked and your lunch breaks are spent scrolling, clicking and dreaming. We understand. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you consider buying a sailboat.
Ah, the sextant… that odd magical contraption that sleeps in an aged wooden box and stored in a seldom-used locker. Every once in a while you break it out and it’s glorious to behold – there’s poetry in its very existence. You look at the curves and the shiny mirrors, then you spin the dials – they feel substantial and real. You gaze at the increment markers and numbers and hold it in your hand just as Captain Cook’s navigator did with something oh so similar. As you feel the weight of this incredible innovative invention you mutter, “I wish … Continue reading Let’s Talk About Sextants!
The concept of a sailing rally has been made popular because cruising sailors realized that making long passages with the support of an organization and a good number of fellow adventurers was a fun and safe way to sail long distances.
We had the privilege of catching up with world-renowned sailor Peter Isler to get his thoughts on the state of sailing and racing today:
Do you think there are enough apparel companies out there, that care about the ocean, to enable us to dress a person entirely in clothing made from recycled plastics?
With summer in full bloom, I sit here on a mooring thinking… What are some things I’ve learned the hard way on this boat? There are more than this but this is what I came up with today. Feel free to share your own if you’re not too proud.
Sail trim is a big part of a sailor’s knowledge base. Here’s a little quiz to see if you know what you’re doing when you’re out sailing!
Ayme Sinclair is just an ordinary sailor, but at the same time she is anything but. Like many of us, she races with her team on Wednesday nights, then heads back to the club to have a couple of cocktails and some laughs. Some nights they do pretty well, some nights just okay, but it’s always a good time. The most distinct difference between Ayme’s team and the rest of the fleet is her crew is made up of sailors of different races and genders while most of the fleet is not. There is no animosity, there’s no bigotry, but … Continue reading Diversity in Sailing – Where Is It?
Sailmaking is an ever-changing, constantly developing and always interesting element of sailing so we like to keep up with the latest trends and technologies. North Sails is consistently on the cutting edge of sailmaking innovation and their 3 di sails are a shining example. ASA visited the loft in Minen Nevada where they produce sails that we see on the Volvo Ocean Race, the America’s Cup and nearly every other high profile race. For a sailors, it’s the most fascinating experience you’ll ever have in a desert! Enjoy the tour!
These days, when you think about round the world races, images of high tech surfboard-like carbon fiber boats with enormous black sails sailing downwind at 21-knots come to mind. There’s a square-jawed professional sailor at the helm, staring up the tall mast at a sail that bears the name of a company we all know. These wonders of technology are walking that tightrope of overall weight and durability. The skipper measures the weight of the hands on his watch and prays that carbon mast is as strong as they say. It’s truly fun to watch and follow but is it … Continue reading Bringin’ Back Tough – The Golden Globe Race is a Solo Round the World Race for Sailors Like Us
