Planning a Sailing Vacation

By: Charter, Destinations

There comes a moment when you are sprawled out on a beautiful beach and you look out at the ocean and see a sailboat and you wish you had opted for some time on the water. That doesn’t happen to you? Ok, we’re actually talking to those of you who see the sailboat and want to go sailing. Why not learn to sail while on vacation? Taking a sailing vacation is as easy as planning any other type of getaway except that you’ll learn to sail while on holiday and you’ll earn a few ASA Sailing certifications while on vacation.We …

Considering a Catamaran Charter? Know The Language

By: Charter, Cruising Tips

If you are considering a charter there is a good chance you’ll be thinking about a catamaran for your sailing vacation. While you should pick up ASA’s Cruising Catamarans Made Easy or consider taking ASA 114, Cruising Catamaran, you might want to brush up on the vocabulary that is specific to catamarans. If you feel like you need a major refresher on boat terms, check out our piece on Sailing Terms Everyone Should Know.

Exploring the Chesapeake Bay

By: Charter, Cruising Tips, Destinations

Exploring the Chesapeake Bay During the Arabella Cruise By Gwen Mayes American Sailing has partnered with the Manhattan Yacht Club to offer charter cruises on Arabella.  This month ASA Members were on Arabella cruising the Chesapeake Bay. Aboard the vessel was Gwen Mayes, a writer and local expert who lent her expertise and local knowledge to the voyage. She put together this exploratory guide to the region for all ASA Members. The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States; the third largest in the world.  It runs nearly 200 miles long and including all its tributaries is …

Ready to Bareboat Charter in the BVI?

By: Charter, Cruising Tips, Destinations

Getting aboard your bareboat charter is the goal when you get your ASA sailing certifications. Where do you begin? For many, it is a sailing vacation in the British Virgin Islands so we decided to share a couple of itineraries with you to help in your planning process. If you are ready to charter a bareboat excursion, this is a good way to start. If you are thinking about expanding your sailing knowledge and need a carrot dangled out in front of you, this is it.  Typical sailors who have taken ASA 101, ASA 103, and ASA 104 begin thinking …

Chartering in Europe?

By: Charter, Destinations, Learn To Sail

One of the coolest things about sailing is the access it provides to some of the most amazing places the planet has to offer. Although plenty of these places are right here in the United States, many of us crave destinations far far away, and making that possible is a big part of what the American Sailing Association is all about. Chartering overseas is on the bucket list of many a sailor, but making it happen comes with a stipulation or two. A sizable number of countries require an International Proficiency Certificate that lets them know the charterer is trained, …

Can We Charter This Summer?

By: Charter, Destinations

You can taste summer in the air and the idea of a long-deserved vacation is in the back of your mind. So, assuming it is safe to travel, have you begun to figure out where you will go? Wait, is it safe to travel this summer?  Can we charter a boat this summer? Where do we find out this information? Yes, first things first. Let’s figure out if we can safely go sailing in places other than where we currently reside.   Things You Must Accept: You will need to get tested before you arrive at any international destination. You will …

Sailing Destination: Italy’s Amalfi Coast

By: American Sailing Association, Charter

It’s a hard job, but somebody’s got to do it. I’ve just returned from a week of cruising on the Amalfi Coast, a region of southern Italy known for its stunning views of the Tyrrhenian Sea, delicious seafood and the local speciality liquer–Limoncello. Though my trip was in late March, the tourist (and sailing) season doesn’t really get cranked up until mid-April. However, from my base in the cliffside town of Positano (pictured at left) I got to experience first-hand the rich maritime history of this region, and scout out the must-see destinations for a cruiser or charterer. Positano’s relationship …