Performance Reefing?

How to trim roller furling sails when reefed  (published June 2013) Like it or not, furling sails are the new norm. Sure, furling headsails have been […]

Shifty Eyes

What are all these wind shifts about and how can cruisers take advantage?  (published June 2013) Every sailor knows the wind is never static. We know […]

Live It, Learn It

Hands-on sail repair and maintenance with Carol Hasse and crew  (published April 2013) Though my home was moored in the shadow of Carol Hasse’s front door […]

Up, Up and Away

Tips and tricks for going aloft safely  (published February 2013) Climbing a sailboat’s rig is not something that prudent sailors should have to do on a […]

Avoid Boom Doom

Rigging a preventer or boom brake  (published November 2012) Warning: The only way to start this is with a dramatic, yet frightening reality.  “BOOM” isn’t exactly […]

Adding Reef Points

(published September 2012) Any experienced cruising sailor knows the importance of being able to reef your sails in heavy weather to reduce power and heeling. As […]

Sheet Lead

One of the easiest sail trimming mistakes to avoid is over-sheeting. Simply remember the phrase, “When in doubt, let it out.” Let the sheet out until […]

Sail Purchasing 101

(published April 2012) Buying a sail is a lot like buying a car—there are different makes and models from different manufacturers in different price ranges. The […]

Twist in Your Sails

How to control (and why)  (published February 2012) When sailing around with friends or clients, I’m often critical of how other vessels trim their sails. Anyone […]