Columns

Viewpoint: Boarded and Belittled

by Paul Calder, Posted June 17, 2013

On the first morning of our trip from Miami to Bimini we were “pulled over” by a speedboat full of heavily armed Customs and Border Protection agents. At the time, three friends and I were sailing away from the United States at a stately two-and-a-half knots and were still within 10 miles of Miami.

The Essence of Seamanship

by Tom Cunliffe, Posted June 14, 2013

“Send me an article on the essence of seamanship,” was the editor’s brief. I wonder what you would have included in this article if he had asked you. I can tell you, it isn’t easy.

Editor's note: Blame Games

by Peter Nielsen, Posted May 16, 2013

One reason I like sailing is that it is one of the few endeavors in which the concept of individual responsibility still has meaning. It is much easier to blame someone or something else for the consequences of your decisions than to admit any fault on your own part—it goes back as far as Eve and the serpent—but on a small boat you soon run out of things to point your finger at.

Why I'll Never Lead my Lines Aft

by Benjamin Eriksen, Posted May 1, 2013

There is a popular notion, heralded by most modern sailors, that leading all lines aft to the cockpit will simplify your life. I’m here to disagree.

Voice of Experience: Cutting Loose Down Under

by Andy Schell, Posted April 30, 2013

I first went to New Zealand in 2006. I was 20 years old and setting off on my first long journey away from home, bound for Brisbane, Australia, for a semester of college at the University of Queensland.

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 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.

From the Editor: All Dressed Up

by Peter Nielsen, Posted March 11, 2013

Like most sailors, I have accumulated a wide range of boat-related clothing over the years. And also—like most sailors, I suspect—I still possess almost all of it.

Windshifts: I Love this Time of Year

by Tim Kent, Posted March 4, 2013

I love this time of year. In Wisconsin, April is when people prep boats to go back in the water. It has been a long, hard winter of reliving last year’s races at the bar, reading magazine stories about other people sailing in warmer weather, visiting ocean racing websites and yearning. And now it’s time for the northern sailor’s rite of spring: getting ready to launch.

Voice of Experience: Up Against It

by Duane Bennett, Posted February 27, 2013

The wind was too light to sail, so we started out motoring. Soon, however, my buddy’s motor started heating up. The access hatch was buried under camping gear, and he didn’t want to investigate right then, so he shut his engine down, and I took his boat in tow.