Doug Ryan Let’s have a little heart-to-heart about something that’s becoming more and more common out on the water: sailors – especially newer ones – relying too much on their tech and not enough on their instincts. And I get it. Today’s boats are floating computers. You’ve got autopilots that steer better than most humans, chartplotters that … Read more
How Owners of 1970s–80s Cruising Sailboats (25–45 Feet) Can Get the Most Bang for Their Buck If you sail the U.S. or Canadian coasts (or the Great Lakes), you already know one hard truth: the best deal in boating today is a well-maintained older fiberglass cruiser.Catalina, Pearson, O’Day, C&C, Hunter, Tanzer, Cal, Newport—these boats were … Read more
Sailing Back in Style There’s something magical about seeing a classic-looking sailboat gliding silently across the water. It’s not just nostalgia—it’s a full-blown comeback. All across the U.S. and Canada, sailors are falling in love with boats that look like they belong in a Hemingway novel but sail like a Tesla. Whether it’s brand-new designs … Read more
Hooked on Sailing, but Not on Debt? Thinking about getting into sailing but not ready to sell your car, house, and dog to buy a new boat? You’re in good company. For new sailors in the U.S. and Canada, a 40-year-old sailboat between 25 and 45 feet might be the ticket to life on the … Read more
There’s a friendly battle raging at marinas and yacht clubs: classic boats vs. modern boats. Ever heard an old-timer grumble, “They just don’t make ’em like they used to,” while patting the teak rail of a 1975 sloop? Or a tech-savvy sailor brag about their brand-new boat’s push-button sails and high-speed hull? 🌊 The debate … Read more
Ahoy there! If you’re a newly retired dreamer with visions of wind in your hair and salt spray on your face, you might be considering buying your first sailboat. Even better? Restoring a classic fiberglass beauty with your own two hands. It’s the perfect blend of therapy, challenge, and good old-fashioned tinkering. Let’s dive into … Read more
Let me tell you a secret: I own a 32-foot Catalina 320 sailboat, and I pay for it all with what I earn online. Not a penny from my regular job goes towards it. I started in 2018 with an affiliate marketing website to earn extra money. Since then I’ve tried websites, Youtube, Facebook and … Read more
Ah, the dream: a salty old 1978 cruiser sitting in the boatyard, faded hull but proud lines. The seller says, “She just needs a little TLC.” You picture sunsets, sea breezes, rum in the cockpit. But deep down, you suspect “TLC” might mean “Tons of Labor and Cash.” If you’ve been scrolling through listings for … Read more
Let’s not sugarcoat it — if you’re dreaming of buying a brand new sailboat in 2025, and you’re not already sitting on a pile of money, you can forget it.That dream? It’s toast. Gone. Sunk like a leaky dinghy in a squall. Once upon a time, a hardworking couple could save up, sell their house, … Read more
Imagine a 750‑mile race from Port Townsend, WA to Ketchikan, AK – no motors, no support crew, all guts. That’s the Race to Alaska (R2AK), a madcap endurance marathon on water. Organizers describe it as a “throwdown with one of the most storied and unforgiving coastal passages.” Racers battle tidal rapids, steep waves, 20‑knot currents, … Read more