2021 October 1
Whenever a newcomer comes to town I usher him or her to our priceless waterfront and we talk sailing. If I see even a flicker of curiosity, I suggest sailing lessons. Our town benefits greatly from on
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2021 October 1
A friend finally threw in the towel after more than 12 excruciating hours in a doublehanded race sailed in a windless void so persistent that 80% of the fleet dropped out. He and his mate furled
2021 September 1
I was considering the 55th anniversary of SAILING, and I asked the question, “What is the one thing that binds all SAILING readers together aside, of course, from great photos and even greater
2021 September 1
This magazine has reached another milestone, or waypoint if you wish, and that requires a genuflection at the altar of technology.
Technology has taken SAILING to the point where, on its 55th anniver
2021 July 1
If you’re a child of the 1960s or before, you may recall the first oil embargo when prices spiked and shortages had drivers wasting weekends in line at the gas pump, like we saw in May 2021 on the E
2021 July 1
I have nothing against the decadently plush accommodations flaunted by many of today’s monohulled and multihulled cruising boats. In fact, I am delighted to sail in their laps of luxury when cr
2021 June 1
She Who Must Be Obeyed is a big believer in affirmations. Until she entered my life one spring vacation many moons ago, I freely admit that I didn’t know what an affirmation was. Or, at least, I did
2021 June 1
New ESCAPE 75. First customer is TNZ.”
That was the headline above two photos that appeared on a Facebook page last fall. One of the pictures was of the just-launched 75-foot Team New Zealand Ameri
2021 April 1
Here’s a tip for productive use of that surplus time made available by pandemic protocols: Dive into your repository of disused sailing clutter and excavate your old loran receiver. You might need i
2021 March 31
Sailing can seem bicameral—like a 50/50 Senate—split between racers whose passion is intense competition, strategy and speed, and cruisers seeking fun-in-the-sun and vacations to exotic locales.
2021 March 1
Last weekend, with a fine breeze blowing, I decided to take the Laser out. Me to She Who Must Be Obeyed: “Hey, honey, do you know where my oxygen tank and mouthpiece are?”
SWMBO to me: “Where t
2021 March 1
We used to publish “green issues” of SAILING. The theme of these special issues was protecting the water and air in which we sail. A cover line on the 2011 green issue read: “Save the sea: What
2021 January 1
Before Covid-19, sailing seemed stuck in place: it was the same boats moored in the same marina sailing to the same destination or starting on the same line and racing the same course against the sa
2021 January 1
It’s blowing like stink.
It’s blowing a hooley.
It’s blowing dogs off chains.
Anyway you want to say it, the breeze is up.
The world and its waters are getting windier.
Increases in t
2020 November 1
Full disclosure. I love showers. Hot showers. Long, hot showers. I have done some of my best thinking during a leisurely shower, and it reached the point where I installed my own waterproof notepad: a
2020 November 1
I’m not qualified to fly an F-16 at Mach 2 (or any other speed) or climb El Capitan solo without a rope (or any other way), so I’ve had to find other outlets for occasional doses of adrenaline. On
2020 October 1
The question I’m asked about most often is about family sailing. The scenario differs only slightly: Usually a parent of teenagers aspires to sail in a family group, but can’t convince the kids to
2020 October 1
While being mildly entertained reading a novel titled “North of Havana,” one of Randy Wayne White’s water-based Florida capers, I bumped into this profound observation by the author: “It’s o
2020 September 1
Didn’t you cut it a little close to Point Loma?” my friend Jon said on the phone the other day.
“What are you talking about?” I said.
“I’m looking at the course you laid out to cl
2020 September 1
When the coronavirus started taking over the dry-land world, I started planning my escape. It would be on sailboat, of course. The First Mate and I would depart these troubled sho
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This rugged pilothouse cutter can handle the rough stuff in comfort
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This small oceangoing cruiser can be built by DIY builders
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This folding trimaran for fun cruising offers plenty of options
