9 Best Places to Sail in The USA

By: Destinations, Learn To Sail

Do you sail where you call home or are you eager to experience new sailing grounds? The United States has an ample amount of options when it comes to sailing and they each come with varied sailing conditions. The next time you plan a sailing vacation consider one of these destinations. Florida What is it about Florida that makes us want to visit? Is it the great Cuban food or the long stretches of sand or the vast multicultural population? I think it might be the varied sailing grounds from Key West to the Gulf to the east coast of …

Sail Local: Sailing The Great Lakes

By: Destinations, Schools

Take a look at a map of the United States and the Great Lakes seem to be dwarfed by the two large bodies of water on the east and the west. Don’t let that fool you, the Great Lakes are huge and they offer a varied experience when it comes to sailing. If the ocean is not in your backyard, find a lake. We say “#saillocal” and find a school nearby to help you work on your sailing, teach you some skills or just introduce you to some new sailing friends. Sail the Great Lakes At over 95,000 square miles, …

What Is Your Role on a Boat?

By: Charter, Learn To Sail

Your ASA sailing education will prepare you to be a skipper on a sailing vessel and with that comes the responsibility of keeping your crew safe and ensuring the safety of the vessel you are sailing.  You will also have a crew and responsibilities are spread among those on the boat with you. What type of sailor are you and what role do you take on the boat? The Roles on a Boat When on a charter sailing vacation your group will share responsibilities. While the skipper and mate will take the lead on running the boat, many important tasks …

Do You Use Your VHF Radio?

By: Sailing Tips

 VHF radio is the primary means of urgent communication between boats, shore facilities, and emergency services. VHF Signals travel line-of-sight with typical ranges of 20 to 30 nautical miles. Recreational boats under 65 feet are not required to have a VHF radio but most sailboats and powerboats carry one aboard because of its simplicity, convenience, reliability, and, above all, it is a vital part of the safety equipment.   VHF Channel Designations Each VHF channel is assigned a designation as to who can use it and for what purposes. The channels Commonly Used by recreational craft in the US are as …

Ports We Love: Sailing The Amalfi Coast

By: Cruising Tips, Destinations

We walked to the top of the street to stretch our legs after a day of sailing. The sun baked the colorful hillsides and the air was rich with the smell of citrus.  After a climb up what appeared to be abandoned stairs we were greeted with a trail along the canyon and a stream that flowed below us. Across the valley were rows and rows of lemon trees on the steep hillside.  This is the Amalfi that we had never seen on postcards. This is the Amalfi that sailors should experience. High above the tourist attraction that is the …

Sail Buffalo Junior Sailing Program

By: Learn To Sail, Schools

This summer American Sailing Affiliate, Sail Buffalo, had a tremendously successful summer Youth Sailing program. 400 youth sailors hit the water to learn the art of sailing.   Sail Buffalo Sailing Director, Pierre Wallinder noted, “Our philosophy was to focus on the fun aspect and go with the weather versus racing in a variety of boat sizes. We also use both SUPs and canoes in inclement weather.” If you take a look at the kids in the program you can see that everybody is smiling. The Sail Buffalo Junior Sail Camp does more than teach sailing. They work on life lessons …

Product Review: Ronstan Rope Bag, Winch Handle Pocket & Drink Holder

By: Equipment, Partners, Product Review

I don’t enjoy admitting this, but I am a messy sailor. I don’t always coil the lines correctly, and my knots don’t look as good as they should. In addition, my cockpit lacks organization, and when I look through some of the compartments on my boat, I start to rethink if I have what it takes to be called a sailor.  After all, aren’t sailors fastidious and meticulously neat? Aren’t your lines always supposed to be in order? Luckily for me, Ronstan has identified my flaw and is helping. So, this month we are looking at Ronstan rope bags, winch …