Articles - American Sailing

Articles

Reliefband

ReliefBand Review: Finding Relief from Motion Sickness On and Off the Water

Discover how ReliefBand eases motion sickness for sailors and travelers—on the road, at sea, and everywhere in between.
PETT Method

P.E.T.T: Prepare Execute Trim Tidy Up

The P.E.T.T. method: Prepare, Execute, Trim, Tidy Up. A simple framework for mastering smooth, safe, and efficient sailing.
September-Mile-Builder

September Mile Builder to the Dodecanese Islands

September Mile Builder: Sail Athens’ 450-mile offshore voyage tested skills, built confidence, and forged lasting crew camaraderie.
Boat Battery

How to Extend Your Boat Battery’s Lifespan

How to Extend Your Boat Battery’s Lifespan. Smart maintenance, charging, and monitoring tips from cruising experts Gio and Julie Cappelli.
Annapolis Boat Show boat on the water

2025 Annapolis Boat Show Recap

2025 Annapolis Boat Show: From scenic sails to new tech launches, this year’s show celebrated sailing, connection, and innovation.
Sailing with Sight and Sound Students

Sailing Beyond Sight and Sound

St. Augustine Sailing and FSDB empower students with visual impairments to learn sailing through touch, sound, and inclusive, hands-on experiences on the water.

The Art of Anchoring

The art of anchoring. Learn techniques about types, scope, setting, and tips to keep your boat secure and your time on the water stress-free.

American Sailing Welcomes Nick Harvey to Its Board of Directors

American Sailing, the nation’s leading authority on sailing education and advocacy, today announced the appointment of Nick Harvey to its Board of Directors.
dont hog the helm

Don’t Hog The Helm

Sharing the helm turns passengers into sailors. Engage your guests, teach with patience, and make every sailing day unforgettable.
White Knuckle shuffle docked boat

The White-Knuckle Shuffle

Sometimes the greatest barrier to freedom on the water isn’t the sea itself but the stories we tell ourselves at the dock.
Heaving to

Heaving To

Sometimes the most valuable skill on the water is knowing how to pause. Creating balance between wind, sails, and sea allows sailors to find safety, rest, and clarity when it matters most.
Women Sailing Instructors

Women Teaching Sailing

Discover how women sailing instructors are teaching with confidence and connection, empowering students and inspiring more women to lead on the water.

That’s a Wrap: North U Performance Race Week 2025

From the breezes of Seattle to the trade winds of St. Thomas, from the sunshine of St. Petersburg’s all-women’s week to the classic waters of Annapolis and the new frontier in Austin, Texas — the 2025 North U Performance Race Week series was one for the books.

Two Important Things

Key Lessons in Safety, Sail Handling, Docking, and Navigation

Adventure, Glory, and Bugs

The Race to Mackinac blends adventure, chaos, and magic—Great Lakes sailing’s highlight with storms, stars, bugs, and unforgettable stories.

Ready, Set, …Instruct?

Dreaming of a career on the water? Becoming an ASA sailing instructor offers freedom, flexibility, and the chance to share your passion for sailing while helping others grow their skills. The world needs more instructors, why not you?

Sailboat Racing – Is It Right for You?

When I first started sailing, racing was the easiest way to get on a boat. Walk the dock the day before or even the morning of the race with a six-pack of good beer and you’ll get noticed. Greet the crew and ask if they need help. Someone always does. Crew drop out at the last minute, and skippers are desperate for “rail meat.”

Situational Awareness

Pilots know exactly what this phrase means. For everyone else, the concept becomes clear with practice – lots of it. True situational awareness eventually becomes intuitive, but it starts as a conscious effort.