A century ago, 300 individual communities dotted the islands of Penobscot Bay, Maine, each independently thriving off the land and sea. Today, the town of Rockland is one of 15 remaining communities, and it takes its role of culture-preserver seriously.
I like to consider myself something of a professional charter sailor. I’ve booked dozens of vacations under sail for myself and for others, and have read and written numerous articles on making chartering better, smarter, cheaper and more fun. So what could a charter broker possibly tell me that I don’t already know?
Admit it: there’s something unbeatable about sailing in your home waters. You know every tidal pattern, every obscured rock and every fluky habit of the wind. You could navigate with your eyes closed, though you’d never close your eyes, for fear of missing out on the scenery.
Eighty-some thousand miles and two children later, we crept up on Alaska from the west, sailing from Hokkaido, Japan, down the Aleutian chain in May aboard Seal, our 56-foot aluminum cutter.
When we tell folks we sail in Kansas, they are never quite sure if they should believe us. With deep roots in America’s Old West, Kansas is more likely to be associated with prairie schooners—a nickname for covered wagons—than schooners with keels and masts.
To superstitious sailors, the ocean holds many perils—some more legendary than others. There’s the Kraken, that fearsome tentacled beast that drags ships into the ocean’s depths, the ghost ship Flying Dutchman, the cursed Bermuda Triangle and, of course, the Gulf of Tehuantepec.
Sailors in the United States have become increasingly interested in environmental responsibility. Most modern marinas have up-to-date pumpout stations with fuel-spill kits and recycling containers close at hand.
One of the joys of cruising is that it enables us to visit extraordinary places, places we may not have even heard of were we not cruising: places like Selvagem Grande, the largest of Portugal’s Ilhas Selvagens, or Savage Islands: population two humans, one dog and 40,000 very noisy seabirds
On board any cruising boat, charts and guides are pivotal for route-planning. But have you ever thought about how those guides are created? We checked in with the co-authors of an ICW cruising guide to get the skinny on guide-writing and ICW cruising.
When most of us think about cruising in Sweden, we imagine a place that’s expensive and cold, with Volvos and Nordic beauties galore, and well-built boats with hefty price tags. The blondes are there, all right. So are the Volvos and the boats, but costly and chilly it is not.
There’s nothing quite like the adrenaline at the start of a race.
A cruise through the Pacific islands of Panama reveals another side of the country known mostly for its canal.
Against the backdrop of a lush and vibrant Caribbean island, this regatta offers fierce competition, challenging conditions, and a friendly social scene.
The sailing scene in Antigua is fantastic, but head to shore and check out this island’s history, stunning nature, and vibrant culture.
A first look at the stunning new Dufour 48, which SAIL had the opportunity to be the first U.S. magazine to test and review in Palma de Mallorca. The boat will be making its U.S. debut at the Annapolis Sailboat Show this October.
The national governing body for sailing in the United States has announced that Zhik will be its official technical apparel supplier.
Your Majesty, there is no second… In 1851, the schooner America won the first 100 Guineas Cup, which was later renamed the America’s Cup. Upon
The Hawaiian voyaging canoe Hōkūle‘a celebrates 50 years of voyaging,
education, and heart with the people who made it all possible.
Craig Wood, a British sailor and triple amputee, is currently crossing the Pacific Ocean solo. After two gennaker failures, he’s racing to arrive in Japan before typhoon season sets in.
Catalina Yachts and its sister company, True North Yachts, have been sold to Michael Reardon, founder and CEO of Daedalus Yachts.
