The Sailing Virgins Blog

How to Communicate as a Crew: Sailing Hand Signals & Commands

Learn how to communicate as a crew with hand signals and commands for docking, anchoring, reefing, and man overboard drills.

Understanding Boat Polars: Sailing Faster Using Performance Data

Find your target speed and angle by understanding boat polars. Book a Sailing Virgins course and train it on your next passage.

How to Sail Downwind Safely: Preventing Accidental Gybes

Learn how to sail downwind safely with tips on sail trim, steering, and crew coordination to avoid an accidental gybe.

5 Best Sailing Apps for Navigation, Weather, and Anchoring

Compare the best sailing apps for navigation, weather, and anchoring, from Windy's forecasts to MarineTraffic's ship tracking data.

How to Perform a Quick Rig Check Before Every Sail

Not sure how to perform a quick rig check before every sail? This step-by-step guide covers everything from the mast base to your engine.

Sailing with Currents and Tides: Techniques for Better Passage Planning

Sailing with currents and tides affects your depth, speed, and track. Learn how to plan routes, time departures, and stay on your intended track.

How to Dock a Catamaran vs. a Monohull (Key Differences)

Beginner’s Guide to Sailboat Steering: Helm Balance and Feel

Learn the basics of sailboat steering with helm grip tips, sail trim rules, and four drills you can run on your first day at the helm.

How to Sail in Light Wind: Techniques for Keeping the Boat Moving

Learn how to sail in light wind. Get your sail shape, crew weight, steering, and momentum right so your sailboat keeps moving when the breeze dies off.

How to Trim a Genoa Properly: Sheet Lead, Twist & Shape

If you want to squeeze more speed and comfort out of a 40-foot-plus yacht, learn how to trim a genoa. A well-trimmed genoa keeps the boat balanced, cuts heel, and takes strain off the helm. This...

Sailing in Strong Winds: Boat Handling and Sail Setup Tips

Sailing in strong winds is one of those moments that separates weekend sailors from seasoned skippers. The boat's heeling hard, gear's sliding off the counter below, and every gust demands a quick...

How to Practice Navigation Without GPS (Old-School Sailing Skills)

There's a reason ASA courses still teach sailors how to practice navigation without GPS. Chartplotters can malfunction while you're out at sea, and a dead battery shouldn't mean a lost crew. Sailors...

What to Do If Your Anchor Drags at Night (Emergency Response Guide)

No one drops anchor expecting to wake up drifting toward a reef. But weather changes and tides reverse. Knowing what to do if your anchor drags at night turns a jarring alarm at 3 AM into a situation...

How to Use Spring Lines for Stress-Free Docking

Learning how to use spring lines is one of the most practical docking skills any sailor can pick up. Wind and current don't stop pushing just when you're trying to pull into a marina. They keep...

How to Med-Moor Like a Pro (Mediterranean Mooring Techniques)

Learning how to med-moor is one of the biggest milestones for any sailor heading to the Mediterranean. Picture backing stern-first into a tight spot between two expensive yachts while a crosswind...

Understanding Sailboat Right of Way Rules (COLREGs Made Simple)

Understanding sailboat right-of-way rules is one of the first things every sailor should tackle before heading out on the water. Who goes first when two boats meet on open water? What happens when a...

Bareboat Charter Pre-Departure Checklist

Your bareboat charter pre-departure checklist is the one thing standing between you and a stress-free week on the water. You've blocked the paid time off, booked the yacht, and rallied the crew. Now...