Sail Magazine

by Adam Cort

Adam Cort is SAIL’s executive editor. He lives and sails in the Boston area.

Antenna, Wind Vane Saves Space

by Adam Cort, Posted June 30, 2010

Shakespeare's Galaxy 5445 antenna and wind vane combination saves space at the top of the mast by combining multiple functions in a single piece of gear. The system is lightweight and minimizes windage aloft, while solderless connectors simplify installation and subsequent removal for storage. The antenna’s 3dB whip measures 3ft and a PL-259 connector and a 65ft RG-58 coax cable are included. The

Fair Winds For Newport Bermuda

by Adam Cort, Posted June 18, 2010

Forecaster are predicting fair winds during the early stages of the 47th Newport Bermuda Race, which starts today off Newport, Rhode Island.The 184-boat international fleet is the third largest in the race’s 104-year history, with nearly 2,000 sailors making the 635-mile passage across the Gulf Stream to the finish off St. David’s Head, Bermuda.The race should take two to three days

Sunderland Found

by Adam Cort, Posted June 11, 2010

Sixteen-year-old solo sailor Abby Sunderland has been located adrift in the Indian Ocean and a French fishing boat is on its way to rescue her.According to Sunderland’s family, an Australian search and rescue team has made contact with Abby and she is not injured. Her boat Wild Eyes, however, has been dismasted, and Australian authorities estimate it could be another day before

Head-to-Head Grilling

by Adam Cort, Posted June 9, 2010

One of the best things about being an editor at SAIL is learning new things from our writers. Case in point: I’ve never been much of an onboard griller, but Jan’s article got me thinking. It also got me wondering about the plusses and minuses of charcoal vs. gas, so I borrowed a ChefsMate Gas Grill from Magma Products and a Stow-N-Go charcoal grill from Kuuma Grills to put the two methods to the

Safe Passage to St. Maarten

by Adam Cort, Posted May 20, 2010

For many of the crew—myself included—it was the stuff of dreams. Thundering past the committee boat was the Wally 82 Highland Fling. Off in the distance, the Reichel/Pugh 90 Rambler threw in a quick gybe as the R/P 75 Titan 15 suddenly appeared from under our genoa, her razor-sharp bow slicing the cobalt waves. It was day two of the 30th annual St. Maarten Heineken Regatta. Skies were blue, it

Milwaukee Opens Sailing Facility

by Adam Cort, Posted May 20, 2010

The Milwaukee Community Sailing Center (MCSC), perched on the shores of Lake Michigan, is celebrating the completion of a new 6,000 ft2 building that includes everything from expanded classroom facilities to indoor plumbing. Nice!Founded in 1979, MCSC offers sailing classes for adults and sailing programs for at-risk kids. It maintains a fleet of about 75 boats, comprised of everything

34th America's Cup Press Conference

by Adam Cort, Posted May 7, 2010

At a press conference in Rome, the defender and challenger of record for the 34th America’s Cup revealed a timeline and, more importantly, a philosophical approach to the regatta, which they hope will repair the damage of the 33rd Cup match.“Diktat has been replaced by discussion, confrontation by consultation…. Our minds and our ears are open. We are receptive to ideas,” said Russell

Wind Data from a Distance

by Adam Cort, Posted May 3, 2010

With a Racer’s Edge wind sensor from Catch the Wind Inc., it is now possible to precisely measure the wind direction and velocity hundreds of yards away. The handheld fiber-optic device—which was part of BMW Oracle’s technical arsenal for the 33rd America’s Cup—weighs about 18lb and uses a pulsating laser to detect what the wind is up to, an approach that allows it to work even in poor

Princess Royal Visits New Southerly Factory

by Adam Cort, Posted April 30, 2010

Talk about a send-off! HRH, The Princess Royal Ann, the only daughter of England’s Queen Elizabeth II paid a visit the Northshore Yachts shipyard on Monday 19th April to preside over the opening of the company’s new Southerly factory.Accompanied by local dignitaries, Princess Ann met CEO Lester Abbott and toured the company’s new 13,000 square-foot facility, which is located in Itchenor,

J/24 Raised from Bermuda’s Great Sound

by Adam Cort, Posted April 29, 2010

A local salvage crew has recovered Erin, the J/24 that sank on Tuesday after broaching in heavy air at the Barcardi Bermuda International Invitational Race Week regatta.Erin went down midway through the downwind leg of Race 5 in 30 knots of wind, after she rounded up in a broach that put her mast in the water, flooding the cockpit and cabin. Her crew was immediately