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Learn to Sail in Greece with Athens Sailing Academy

Learn to sail in the stunning waters of Greece with Athens Sailing Academy, the oldest ASA-affiliated school in Europe. Based on Poros Island, we offer week-long courses for all skill levels, including women’s programs, advanced navigation, and offshore mile-building. Sail through the Saronic Gulf and Cyclades aboard modern Jeanneau yachts while learning from expert instructors. Enjoy warm seas, ideal weather, rich culture, and unforgettable cruising in one of the world’s most celebrated sailing destinations.

Summer Sailing Trip Buying Guide at West Marine

As the summer winds continue to blow, we romanticize the long days at the dock or afternoons lounging on the hook in our favorite anchorages. Whether you’re cruising for a weekend or planning a longer voyage, having the right gear on board can mean the difference between “laid-back luxury” and “where’s the duct tape?”

Smooth Sailing Starts Ashore

Before you chase the horizon, take the time to inspect the boat that’ll carry you there. A smooth sail starts with smart preparation – topside, below deck, and in every system in between.

Prepare to Cross an Ocean

You might join a finely tuned crew with a seasoned skipper – or a boat making its first big leap. Either way, preparation is critical. Success offshore starts long before you leave the dock.

Wind vs. Wifi

There’s an old saying passed down through seasoned skippers: You don’t really know sailing until something goes wrong. No matter how many hours you spend watching videos or reading manuals, nothing prepares you quite like the sudden slap of wind, the crunch of a bad tack, or when your rigging breaks in the middle of a daysail.

Swimming with Outboards

When a 25HP Yamaha slipped into 16 feet of Caribbean water, a simple sail day turned into an unexpected recovery mission. What followed was a crash course in corrosion control, mechanical triage, and lessons in complacency. With quick thinking, fresh water, and a lot of patience, the engine was revived, starting on the first pull. This salty tale proves even sunken gear can be saved if you act fast, stay calm, and never underestimate the power of preparation.

Seasickness Prevention 101

Seasickness is a form of motion sickness triggered when the brain receives conflicting messages from the eyes, inner ears, and sensory nerves. While your body may be on a stable deck, your inner ears feel the rise and fall of the waves, and the disconnect can send your system into a tailspin.

How to Sail The West Coast of Vancouver Island

Hidden coves, towering cliffs, and untamed seas promise adventure to those bold enough to seek it.

July Is National Learn To Sail Month

July is National Learn to Sail month, and at American Sailing, we believe sailing is for everyone. We've made it our mission to lower the barrier to entry as much as possible for women, veterans, and everyone in between to participate in this adventurous, beautiful, life-changing sport.

The 2025 Lenny Shabes Sailing Festival is in the Books

If you ever wondered what a vacation looks like when sailors, sunshine, and a whole lot of rum come together—this was it. The Lenny Shabes Sailing Festival brought the energy, the camaraderie, and the unforgettable moments that would’ve made Lenny himself raise a glass.

Self-Taught or School-Taught Sailing: Which is Better?

When it comes to learning to sail, this old saying rings especially true. Whether you’re nervously approaching a crowded dock or reefing a mainsail as a squall builds, the ocean doesn’t wait for you to figure it out. So should you teach yourself, learn from friends, or take a course at a sailing school?

From 7-Up to Nuns in Red

Understanding the U.S. Aids to Navigation System (ATONs) is essential for safe and confident navigation. In this guide, you’ll get a clear explanation of how to distinguish channel markers, interpret their shapes and numbers, and remember their placement whether you’re sailing up the East Coast or out to sea.

Understanding Lift

If you’ve ever wondered how a sailboat moves forward – even when it’s not running with the wind – you’re not alone. It seems almost magical: a boat with no engine gliding to windward under nothing more than a sheet of cloth. But there’s a beautiful explanation behind it all, rooted in physics and refined by sailors over centuries. The secret? Lift.

Things a Marine Survey Can’t Tell You

Enhance your sailing skills by engaging all six senses—sight, hearing, touch, smell, taste, and intuition—to navigate, troubleshoot, and fully experience life on the water.

Sailing Through Stress: Understanding the Stress Continuum at Sea

Enhance your sailing skills by engaging all six senses—sight, hearing, touch, smell, taste, and intuition—to navigate, troubleshoot, and fully experience life on the water.

2025 Father’s Day Gift Guide for Sailors

Father’s Day is coming up, and if the dad in your life knows how to rig a reef, eyeball the wind, or crack a cold one after setting anchor, skip the usual socks and gadgets. Get him something that makes sense for the sailor he is—gear he’ll actually use, appreciate, and brag about on the dock.

How to Be a Great Sailing Crew in 3 Steps

Steve Hunt, professional sailor and high school sailing coach, distills decades of experience into three essential characteristics that define a great crew: mindset, skill, and communication.

So You’ve Taken a Sailing Course… Now What?

You passed a sailing course. Now what? Explore some real-world, practical ways to stay on the water, build your skills, and become a confident sailor – no matter where you’re starting from.