American Sailing Journal

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// Operation “Plastic Pollution Purge”

Plastic pollution is choking our oceans, trickling into our local rivers, lakes and streams, poisoning wildlife — and all of us. The United Nations estimates that by the year 2050, we will have more plastic debris in our oceans than fish. The restaurant industry and the European Union is fighting back by starting to ban plastic straws. And now the American Sailing Association is joining the fight with a new crusade called Operation “Plastic Pollution Purge.”

“Plastic pollution is not an ocean, river, lake or stream problem, it’s a people problem. We must do our part to discourage everyone from trashing our waterways with plastic bottles, bags, cups, utensils and plates,” says Lenny Shabes, CEO and founder of the American Sailing Association. “We want everyone out on a boat to clean up trash wherever and whenever they see it. Always bring back more plastic than you take. If we all do our part, we can make a difference by raising awareness and reducing the amount of plastic debris in the water.”

Learn more by visiting asa.com/plastic-pollution-purge/ and show your support by posting pictures of the trash you collect on social media with the #ASAPlasticPollutionPurge

// NEW Docking Made Easy Episode

ASA’s popular Docking Made Easy educational video series has a new episode that walks sailors through how to use the twin screws on a cruising catamaran to maneuver the boat. The lesson uses open water drills to teach the basics, demonstrating how to rotate the catamaran as well as practicing backing up to a fender in the water. By performing these drills you will learn how a cruising catamaran behaves enabling you to take on the challenge of docking.

Watch The Video >>

// Interesting Things at the Top of World

In 2018, the Earth’s Magnetic North Pole - a wandering location where lines of magnetic force enter the Earth perpendicularly - is predicted by computer modeling of satellite data to pass closer to the Geographic North Pole than at any other time in its recorded history after English philosopher William Gilbert first calculated its existence in 1590 (published in 1600). The reason we, as mariners and navigators, are interested in this is because of magnetic variation and its effect upon our ship’s compass - the difference in degrees between what our compass “feels” as Magnetic North versus True North.

// 7 Great Summer Sailing Reads

Alright! It’s here, the summer has arrived and there is much sailing to be done. And after a day on the water, what’s better than relaxing on the foredeck (maybe even in a hammock?) and reading a book about sailing. Here’s a list, in no particular order, that is worth the effort.

See Our List >>

// Gone In An Instant

A man overboard incident at the 2017 Chicago Race to Mackinac teaches important boat safety lessons.