Author: Chris

“How do I get experience sailing offshore?” Many Sail Mentor readers are planning to do ambitious things in their sailboats, including crossing Oceans (or at least Seas).  Jumping off into…

When they start out, people are usually intimidated by the process of learning to sail.  It all seems so complicated.  There are all of these ropes all over the place…

I’m excited to present Sail Mentor’s first guest submission.  I reached out to Renée on Cruisers Forum after she shared how excited she was about her first sailing course.  I…

Ernest Shackleton: The ultimate winter sailor The summer sailing season is over for those of us far enough up in the Northern Hemisphere to get a winter.  People are busy…

  A few weeks ago, I received an email from Tim, a subscriber who has a common fear: Another big fear of mine is mechanics. The internal combustion engine and…

As we re-entered Vancouver’s False Creek last weekend, we were greeted by a very sad sight.  A local boat was on the beach after strong overnight winds.  I know this…

After our second time around the islet, we went and got the anchor out.  It was the first time I’d ever heard a racing skipper called for the anchor in…

Deb and T.J. Akey had a dream:  Why not retire onto a sailboat and cruise the Caribbean?  The only small issue was that neither of them had been on a…

Seasickness Sucks! There are no two ways about it.  In fact, I’d strongly recommend not being seasick.  Believe me, I’m an expert.  There are plenty of happy, well-fed fish in…

My 13 month old son explaining to me how the chart plotter works. With a distinctive “Pfffft,†the Killer Whale surfaced ten feet off our port bow.  My 5 year…