Changing Course Downwind A run or running free is essentially sailing with the wind pushing the boat from behind. When you fall off from close-hauled to reaching, you ease the…
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Sailing Rules of the Road When Sailboat Meets Sailboat There are only three basic possibilities, and three basic boating rules of the road to follow, when your sailboat approaches another…
The Stephen Gray Family recently won and completed a Live Aboard Cruising Course at Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina in Ft. Myers Beach, FL. Hear about their experience in this…
Lulls and Puffs As you sail along you may suddenly feel a dramatic drop in wind strength. You have sailed into a lull, and the apparent wind has gone forward…
Interview With Steve and Doris Colgate in Annapolis Offshore Sailing School’s own Steve and Doris Colgate were busy at this month’s U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis. Here’s a recap of…
Rudderless Drill Reprinted from “Fundamentals of Sailing, Cruising, & Racing” by Steve Colgate; published by W.W. Norton & Co. Another drill one hopes never to have to use is sailing…
Grounding Tips for Sailors A slight miscalculation can lead to sudden stops. Use these tips for a speedy recovery back to safe water. As with any aspect of sailing, a…
Check the Little Things Before Setting Sail Here is an old proverb that seems so appropriate to sailing:
Sailing trivia is a great way to get your non-sailing friends interested in sailing. It’s also fun to challenge experienced sailors when you’re relaxing on deck or enjoying a beer…
As the velocity of the wind increases or decreases, you need to adjust the draft of your sails for the best efficiency. For instance, you set sail in a 10-knot…
