Founder of Sailing Virgins with over a decade of experience teaching sailing in the Caribbean and Mediterranean.
Certified: ASA Instructor · USCG Captain
Articles
Years Experience
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 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Knowing how to sail upwind efficiently is what separates a sailor who's just holding on from one who's actually making progress. Most people point the bow toward the wind, trim in tight, and wonder...
Heaving-to under a spinnaker isn't actually possible. But knowing how to transition from a flying kite to a storm-ready boat? That's what separates confident sailors from panicked ones. When a squall...
Sail shape adjustment determines whether a boat accelerates, heels excessively, or fights the helm. For most sailors, the search starts after the boat feels slow. As conditions change, it’s not...
Trimming the mainsail feels simple until you sail a boat with a different mainsail. Full batten and partial batten mainsails react differently to wind and trim controls. That changes how you use the...
Ever watched someone drop their phone into the sea and vanish in seconds? Now, picture a person instead. That’s what makes man-overboard (MOB) recovery so important. Water and wind can hide someone...
Ever had your keelboat lean over and the helm loaded up in seconds? That's a heel feeding weather helm. The boat starts turning into the wind, so you crank the rudder to hold course. Now the rudder...
Why Getting Your ASA 101 to 104 in One Week Is a Bad Idea We get asked this question all the time: Can I get my ASA 101 to 104 in one week? There are sailing schools out there that offer this, and I...
Thailand is the center of the sailing scene, with calm bays, short passages, and dependable marina services. Limestone cliffs rise from clear water. Longtail boats cross quiet channels. Meals...
Planning before & after your Madeira sailing course is part of a great sailing experience. A calm arrival sets the tone, and a few extra days ashore let everything sink in. Madeira feels alive...
Croatia offers a mix of steady winds, calm seas, and a coastline filled with character. Split places you close to bright island harbors, sheltered bays, and a historic center shaped by Roman...
Planning what to do before and after your Greece sailing course helps you settle in and feel ready for the week ahead. Athens offers lively food spots, coastal views, and simple ways to get...