r/sailing • u/dickwae • 10h ago
r/sailing • u/SVAuspicious • Jun 08 '26
No politics
Seeing more posts and comments that are politics.
When we (moderators) see them we'll remove them and give you a temporary ban to get your attention.
We can't be everywhere, so as always we depend on members of the community to report posts and comments that aren't appropriate. Keep the flotsam and jetsam out of r/sailing .
Fun quiz for the day: what's the difference between flotsam and jetsam?
r/sailing • u/waubers • Jul 25 '25
Annapolis boat show
Hello all! Does anyone have suggestions for how to approach the Annapolis boat show? I'm sitting on a boatload of frequent flier miles, and we have a friend who lives sort of between DC and Baltimore, so we're thinking of going to visit that friend and also do a day or two at the boat show.
We sort of unintentionally wound up at the Miami boat show a few years ago and had a good time just touring all the different boats and chatting with folks, and that was before we owned a sailboat or had taken our ASA 101 and 103s.
I need new sails for my O'Day 272, so I thought chatting with folks there would be worth the cost of the ticket alone, not to mention all the other cool stuff I'm sure there is to see. Also, we're looking for charter companies to talk to about charter in the either the BVI or Bahamas sometime in 2026. Not sure there will be many there, but there were a few at Miami.
Does anyone have a suggested approach? Like, is it worth going for more than one day? Is the VIP ticket worthwhile (i.e. is all the food and drink otherwise super expensive?) Are there any must-catch seminars (especially for a relatively inexperienced couple)?
I've been to lot of gaming-related cons over the years, and with some of them thee is definitely a "right way" to approach it (I'm looking at you, GenCon), but I have no real idea of the scale of this show, the walkability, etc...
Thanks!
r/sailing • u/VCC8060Main • 10h ago
Racing Rules when downwind
Excuse my rushed sketch.
The situation is this. Different divisions racing on the same race area, us in a skiff with an asymmetrical spinnaker attempting to cross the bow of a J24 running downwind on symmetrical. We're both in seperate races, but any manoeuvres would make us lose time. Both sailing proper course.
We call the J24 up but they refuse because we "can't luff them up". We gybe out because we weren't going to take bets against a 1.5 ton boat, but had some confusion on how the rules apply. Under R.11 we should be able to push them up and not luff them, but would R.17 apply here?
r/sailing • u/ShrekNFionaVonSwamp • 3h ago
Med mooring ?
While med mooring in a cross wind, is it acceptable/professional to cross the stern lines to help keep the stern parallel to the dock? Or am I missing a skill… attaching the stern line without crossing them is not working for me in a skill building VR (quest) lesson plan.
Anchor/slime line doesn’t matter.. I’m just trying to keep the boat straight once I’m tied up and the engine is in neutral.
r/sailing • u/BrendanIrish • 19h ago
"A J/24 Turning Up-Side Down" - link in comments to an odd story.
r/sailing • u/AdSame5555 • 10h ago
What are the best social event your sailing club has organised? Looking for easy, affordable ideas!
We are a UK sailing club, and a few of us would like to organise a relaxed evening to bring our newer sailors and the established crowd together.
We have a late tide coming up, so it seems a good opportunity for everyone to stay on after sailing, warm up and get to know each other.
Two lovely volunteers have offered to put together a spud buffet with a selection of fillings or a taco buffet, and we are thinking about adding bingo, a few games or a short quiz. Nothing too formal or expensive - just a welcoming evening.
I would love to hear what has worked at your club:
- Which socials have people really enjoyed?
- Any games that help people mix without feeling like forced icebreakers?
- Has anyone hired a bingo caller or entertainer for a small club evening? Was it worth it?
- How do you encourage newer members to come along when they don’t know many people yet?
Happy to hear ideas from other sports or community clubs too. We’ve got enthusiasm and potatoes/tacos - just need a little inspiration...
r/sailing • u/TangoLimaGolf • 7h ago
Tips on wiring terminal blocks
I found a loose wire going to a terminal block behind the panel. I’m struggling on how to release/connect the wire back in. It also seems like it shouldn’t have been an open bare wire and had some sort of crimp fitting on the end.
r/sailing • u/blackcatunderaladder • 7h ago
Attaching solar panels to bimini
Sorry if this has been asked. I just bought a couple of 100w flexible solar panels with grommets attached in the corners and I would like to put them on my bimini. Eight or more strong magnets above my compass seems instinctively like a bad idea (?), and I'd rather not punch a bunch of holes in the canvas in case I change the set up -- this is my first solar forey. Can anyone talk me through their non permanent and/or elegant set up?
r/sailing • u/jeezarchristron • 1d ago
About to buy my first cruiser
I found a tartan 37 for a fair price, the records and pictures look good enough to drive 10+ hours to lay my eyes on her. I plan to live aboard for a few years as I take a break from IT.
The boat sits in the great lakes now on the hard. In April I plan to spend the season learning how to sail something larger than 16 feet ( I plan to have an instructor) while adding some modern tech. At the end of the season I will run the ditch into the gulf then to the keys.
My question is for those who own or have owned a 86 Tartan 37. ( or any similar year)
Any thing in particular I need to check specific to these boats?
I plan to see her Monday. If like what I see i will make a contingent offer pending inspection and sea trials. Any other info/advice you may have would be great.
r/sailing • u/Friendly_Subject4096 • 1d ago
Refinishing teak
I need to refinish some teak on my sailboat. I plan on using a heat gun to strip it, and then use teak oil. Can I do this now? Or should I wait until spring? The boat will spent the winter uncovered in chicago. Thanks!
r/sailing • u/Western-Stock-1023 • 2d ago
Considering a blue water live aboard
Looking at a 1986 Liberty 458 for under $200k. A high quality blue water cruiser, but are there any thoughts on what else I might consider before I pull the trigger? Thoughts? Any advice welcome.
Teak decks removed, external chain plates, excellently maintained.
r/sailing • u/doedelflaps • 1d ago
If you have a Victron Orion XS, give it an update! (Emergency) reverse charging is here!
Just watched this Q&A video and apparently they introduced a new feature where you can reverse charge your starter battery in case of emergency. Sounds like they're slowly building towards complete reverse-charging. It works on all Orion XS models! I had to update my Victron Connect app before the update would show up btw.
r/sailing • u/petron5000 • 1d ago
J/22 trailer — looking for a stronger bolt-on bow stop for 2" winch post
I have a J/22 on a Triad trailer with a 2" square steel winch post. The existing bow roller bracket has bent, and I'd like to replace it with something sturdier.
I'm looking for a horizontal bow stop similar to the one in the second photo, ideally with a single centered polyurethane V-stop mounted below the bow eye.
I'd like to keep my existing winch and tower, and bolt the replacement directly to the 2" upright using U-bolts. No welding if possible.
Has anyone done something similar or know of an off-the-shelf bracket that would work?
Photos show my current setup and the design I'm trying to replicate.
r/sailing • u/X_kansas_x • 1d ago
Wire rope outhaul repair - keep or swap for Dyneema?
I’m putting my boat away for winter and noticed this chafing on the wire rope outhaul. Obviously it needs a repair before next season. Based on your experience, is it better to keep the wire, or swap for something like Dyneema? There is enough wire that I can pull enough length out of the boom to make a new crimped eye. I’d need to buy ferrules and a crimping tool which make me interested in going to Dyneema, which I already have aboard. Is wire superior for this outhaul? I’d like to do this the best way.
r/sailing • u/Agreeable_Tamarack • 1d ago
Table base
A friend with a 50 year old Hinckley asked me to make a small table top that would sit on a 2-7/8" post that would occasionally replace the larger dining table, which connects to the top of the center board, which doubles as part of the table. I need to find s piece of hardware to mount the new top and it has to lock on like the original hardware because it Will be attached close to one end rather than in the center. Attaching photos of the post, the hardware that mounts to the table top and a sketch of what I want to do. I'm looking for advice on where to look for hardware like this. Preferably stainless but that might not be possible. Appreciate any advice, thanks
r/sailing • u/MutedJudgment2663 • 1d ago
Racine, WI
So I live in the Twin Cities and race my First 235 here. I have been poking around, looking at boats, especially when it gets colder and then even more once we are frozen in. I well know the issues with having two boats in the same seasons. I have seen a couple of decent cruisers in the Racine area, I am looking at Lake Michigan for now as I don't want to do Superior for my own reasons. Anyone keep their boat in Racine? Wondering about the yacht club, Reefpoint, and Harborside. Of course Harborside limits one to 36 feet or less which is just fine and the yacht club EDIT: looks really nice. Anyone with experiences?
r/sailing • u/Lumpy-Sea-388 • 1d ago
Needs a new home
This boat in the post is a sister ship of the Pardey boat “Serafyn.”
She needs a new home with a restorer to finish the job.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14xrz57YUSf/?mibextid=wwXIfr
r/sailing • u/dirtyvm • 3d ago
Beautiful day sail
Sailing from haahopu bay to hooumi bay 50nm or so after all these tacks. For all you northerners who are already missing the warm breeze and sunshine.
Making 6knots 18knot wind on our Beneteau 50. Just the staysail out because of all the tacking.
r/sailing • u/oncwonk • 3d ago
Indentify make
Grok couldn't help. Reddit ? Really like the hard enclosure.
r/sailing • u/Lycent243 • 2d ago
Portlight repair/replace
I have two portlights that are leaking (one worse than the other). They are old and the plastic is getting brittle. Part of me wants to me a new one out of wood and install it. Part of me wants to just caulk it and hope for the best. None of me wants to replace it with a brand new metal one. I'm looking for the following to help make the decision:
- Suggestions on where to get reasonably priced portlights (new/used)
- Thoughts on caulking old plastic portlights
- Stories about making your own and whether and what you ran into to get that done
Thanks all!
r/sailing • u/conoronon • 2d ago
Is this osmosis?
Got the boat lifted yesterday after a couple of months in freshwater, usually in seawater. It was last out in April when it was recently antifouled and no signs of this then.