Columns

Voice of Experience: When Ciguatera Strikes

by Jan Hein, Posted April 5, 2012

After over five months of sailing from the Pacific Northwest, down the west coast of North America, through the Panama Canal and on into the Caribbean, we were finally approaching St. Maarten. We were only 100 miles from our final destination, and a giddy feeling of anticipation had begun to set in.

Voice of Experience: Snagged!

by Beth Ann Mathews, Posted September 27, 2012

“Jim! What’s wrong?” I shouted as I sprinted half-awake toward the companionway with Glen, our 11-year old son, close on my heels. The roar of our diesel engine thundering into reverse had yanked me from my sleep.

Voice of Experience: A Rough Season Opener

by Isidoro J. Perez, Posted March 20, 2013

In the Northeast the arrival of spring brings much anticipated preparations for the start of the sailing season. In my case, this includes trailering Windseeker south to Island Heights in New Jersey where I have a yard commission the boat.

Gear Lust

by Peter Nielsen, Posted June 18, 2012

After writing last month’s note about minimalist cruisers Thies Matzen and Kicki Ericson and their exploits in the much-traveled 30-foot sloop Wanderer III, I was overcome by some uncharacteristic soul-searching.

October Caption Contest

by Sail Staff, Posted September 30, 2012

Situated at Malvarrosa beach in Valencia, Spain, this fountain, Fuente De Agua, is dedicated to the sea, the winds and the coast. All it's missing is a caption.

Windshifts: The Harrington Rule

by Paul VanDevelder, Posted March 29, 2013

One beautiful August evening last summer we were sailing to meet friends in the Canadian Gulf Islands when the wind died. The tidal current just happened to be at peak ebb on Boundary Pass, so we furled the sails and fired up the engine.

Voice of Experience: A Tied-Up Propeller

by Sheldon Jones, Posted May 3, 2012

My wife and I were aboard Eftihia, our Beneteau 331, sailing from Jost Van Dyke to Beef Island one beautiful afternoon in the British Virgin Islands. Our plan was to rendezvous with friends for dinner at The Last Resort in Trellis Bay, which lay a few miles to windward through restricted waters.