SailMentor
The Journal
When the Ocean is a River: Ocean and Tidal Current Basics
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…
How NOT to Buy a Cruising Boat – A Book Review
Deb and T.J. Akey had a dream: Â Why not retire onto a sailboat and cruise the Caribbean? Â The only small issue was that neither of them had been on a…
Strategies for Seasick Sailors
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…
Sailing with Kids – From Around the Bay to Around the World
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…
Two Sailboats Sailing in the Same Direction Is a Race
There’s an old saying: “One Sailboat is Sailing. Two Sailboats Are Racing” In other words, sailors tend to have a bit of a competitive streak. Most will try to out-sail…
Become the Confident Skipper of Your Own Sailboat : Start Here
Welcome to Sail Mentor! The purpose of this site is to help you become the confident skipper of your own sailboat, whether you are a complete novice or have been…
How Much Will My First Sailboat Cost? (Hint: A Lot Less Than You Think)
One of the most common misconceptions is that buying and maintaining a sailboat is too expensive for most people. I paid $1500 for a 1/3 share in a 40-year-old 26′…
My First Sailboat: What Should I Buy?
Although some sailors choose to just charter periodically or join a sailing club, most aspire to eventually have a sailboat of their own. With your own sailboat, you can go…
How to Learn to Sail
You’ve watched the beautiful sailboats gracing the bay as the sun sets, you’ve read articles about how much fun sailing is, maybe you’ve been out with a friend or paid…
Why You Should Learn to Sail
If she can learn to sail, you can too! If you’ve never sailed before, then sailing can seem a bit daunting and a bit confusing. How hard is it to…
How to Sail for Free as Racing Crew
One common piece of advice for new or aspiring sailors is to join a racing crew. Â This can be a great (and free) way to get out on the water…