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2016 May 1
 Istvan Kopar’s story of his 1990 solo circumnavigation is a mesmerizing tale. The overall plot line may be similar to other sailing adventures, but what makes this a remarkable read is the voice. This Hungarian-born sailor has a fresh perspective which results in fascinating, tangible details coming across the page. 
2016 May 1

Simple electric heads are better than they used to be and can easily replace a manual model

When a marine head goes bad there is usually a story to tell, and it’s never a good one. A clog or a leak can ruin a weekend. Even a properly working head can be awkward to explain to guests, “Well, you do your business, flip this lever, pump this lever and then don’t forget to flip that lever back or you can sink the boat!” Invariably, the guest has a problem. Often they ask for assistance that is neither fun to request or give. Or worse, they don’t ask. 
2016 May 1

The country’s top sailing instructors share what makes a good teacher and how to get the most out of a sailing school

For many would-be sailors, their first sailing experience will come in a formal learning environment with an instructor guiding them through it. Sailing instructors are ambassadors of the sport and may be one of the most important factors in whether someone becomes a lifelong sailor or returns to their landlubber roots. It’s a tall order for instructors, who take the responsibility seriously. Every year, thousands of sailors take a class to learn new skills or improve and expand their sailing knowledge, but how do you know you’re getting the most out of a learning experience?
2016 May 1

Four 20-somethings entrusted with bringing a donated boat back to a stateside sailing program turned a delivery into a race of a lifetime and a quest to test their sailing mettle

 Come back alive, and bring the boat back alive.” Over and over those words played through Hobie Ponting’s head as he boarded a plane to England. He and his team had set off to Hamble, England, to take delivery of a Class 40 sailboat that had been donated to Oakcliff Sailing. The plan was to return to the States via the inaugural Royal Ocean Racing Club Transatlantic Race, departing from the Canary Islands and finishing in Grenada. None of them had ever sailed a Class 40. None of the crew had ever crossed an ocean.  None of them knew what awaited them other than 7,000 miles of ocean sailing.
2016 April 25

The new sharing economy comes to sailing would-be sailors into owners through boat-sharing clubs

 For many sailors, the dream of boat ownership is always present. But making it a reality means overcoming the big fear: the terrifying possibility that you could plunk down a fair amount of mone
2016 April 15

Skip Novak has been exploring Tierra del Fuego for 30 years, and a cruise with his Pelagic Expeditions through this unspoiled wilderness, into fjords and even around Cape Horn, makes for an unforgettable sailing experience

Cruise the beautiful Beagle Channel, including possibly sail around Cape Horn, with Skip Novak's Pelagic Expeditions.
2016 April 1

The Tobago Cays are a bit of heaven on Earth, where sea turtles and cruisers play in the warm Caribbean water

 The Tobago Cays are a divine cluster of isles in the Grenadines, in the southeastern Caribbean. But their out-of-the-way location can make this piece of heaven a bit hellish to get to. Roughly 30 nautical miles south of St. Vincent and 30 nautical miles north of Grenada, a visit requires a bluewater sail through the passes between the Windward Islands.
2016 April 1

Take steps to avoid lightning strikes, but be prepared if the odds are not in your favor

 To truly understand lightning and make a strategy for safe sailing, the best place to start is the fine print in your insurance policy. 
2016 March 10

Table of Contents

 Features  Just sail Practical purists are sailing the world engine-free and finding a list of reasons why cruising sans iron genny is the way to go One to remember A boat�
2016 March 1

A boat’s delivery to its new home becomes an unforgettable passage when the boat’s acclaimed designer, Nigel Irens, comes along for the ride

Twenty years ago, I was working at the office of Classic Boat magazine when I got a call to review a boat on the River Dart. It was the latest design by that doyen of modern multihull design Nigel Irens, best known as the designer of ENZA, Ellen MacArthur’s record-breaking B&Q and several Gunboat multihulls. 
2016 March 1

Whether your boat has enjoyed a winter off or it’s time to take on some annual chores, our guide to fitting out will make sure your boat is ready for a great year of sailing

Whether your boat has enjoyed a winter off or it’s time to take on some annual chores, our guide to fitting out will make sure your boat is ready for a great year of sailing
2016 March 1

Practical purists are sailing the world engine-free and finding a list of reasons why cruising sans iron genny is the way to go

When a cruising tale starts with the words, “We had no engine and ... ,” it usually means a disaster story is about to follow. Most sailors get a knot in their stomach at the thought of losing an engine while trying to anchor somewhere new, entering a busy harbor at night or attempting to dock their boat. Those are the panic-inducing moments that we prepare for but secretly hope never happen. There are some sailors though who go through these scenarios on purpose. Sailing without an engine is not a new idea, but it’s one that is catching on slowly but surely with long-term cruisers all around the world. 
2016 March 1

Some of the best team leaders in the sport share tips on how to always get asked to sail again

 Finding an opportunity to go racing, whether it be on a Hunter 336 for a weekly beer can series or a professionally crewed TP52, can be daunting. All the way through the ranks, most sailboat teams are tight little units with core groups of regulars. Standing on the dock with a sign, or registering with an online crewfinder are ways to get a spot on a boat. Word-of-mouth helps too. But it’s what you make of those opportunities that will determine your racing career trajectory, no matter how small your aspirations.
2016 March 1
 Rig tuning relies on accurate, repeatable results. Spinlock’s Rig-Sense has a composite lead spring calibrated to output loads to a direct linear scale
2016 March 1
 New ProLine tethers from Wichard have innovative snap hooks made from forged aluminum, for strength and rust-resistance, while remaining extremely light.
2016 March 1
 The TackingMaster is a wrist-worn navigation device that helps racing sailors track wind shifts and trends to make educated tactical decisions.
2016 March 1
Garmin’s Quatix 3 is the first general-purpose watch that incorporates navigational features and marine tools that sailors will appreciate. 
2016 March 1
 The SOS Distress Light from Weems & Plath is approved by the United States Coast Guard for use in lieu of traditional pyrotechnic flares.
2016 March 1
 The warp factor speeds that the latest generation maxi multihulls can reach is hard to conceive of even for experienced performance sailors. For example the fastest offshore sailboat in the world, the French 130-foot trimaran Spindrift2, covered 908.2 nautical miles in one day in its previous incarnation as Banque Populaire V

Perry on Design

  • This rugged pilothouse cutter can handle the rough stuff in comfort

  • This small oceangoing cruiser can be built by DIY builders

  • This folding trimaran for fun cruising offers plenty of options

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