Cruising tips
SAIL's Tip of the Week
Presented by VETUS MAXWELL Got a tip? Send it to sailmail@sailmagazine.com Steering by Numbers Keeping a tiller-steered yacht on course in an awkward sea at night can be like trying to achieve a straight, level flight on a gusty day in a World War I biplane. In fact, teaching ...read more
Is Charter Yacht Ownership Right for You?
Owning a yacht in charter sounds exotic and enticing, and it may have crossed your mind to give it a try. Maybe you’ve heard stories of good experiences (or bad ones). Maybe you haven’t heard any stories, but you’ve romanticized the idea into the perfect lifestyle. Before you ...read more
Cruising Tips: Understanding Set and Drift Tactics
An understanding of the effects of set and drift is vital for coastal sailors; it can make the difference between an enjoyable passage or a struggle to reach your destination against a foul current. As an example, let’s plan a Gulf Stream crossing from Miami to Gun Cay, Bahamas. ...read more
High-resolution, Power-frugal Solid-state Digital Radar
Radar remains the single most important collision-avoidance device available to both leisure and commercial sea-going vessels, and now that a clutch of high-performance, instant-on solid-state radar systems have come onto the market, sailors can buy high-definition radar at a ...read more
What Causes a Sea Breeze?
My first solo offshore passage was marked by sunshine, gentle breezes and easy sailing. But there was nothing gentle about my return to land. Tempestuous head winds stilted my landfall as my little boat crashed through waves. By the time I was nearing the entrance to the ...read more