New Sailor Resource Center
We’ve been testing gear and publishing sailing wisdom since 1974. Here’s the curated shortlist of our best articles to get you started—from buying your first boat to staying safe at sea.
Buying Your First Boat
Find out where to begin the search, what to look for, and how to avoid costly mistakes before you sign anything.
Sailing Basics and Seamanship
Learn the fundamentals of handling a sailboat, from trimming sails to reading the weather, that every skipper needs to master.
- Master the Sailing Basics: Never Stop Learning the Little Things
- Reading the Telltales on Your Sails
- Headsails and Spinnakers: How to Explain Their Functions to a Beginner
- Essential Knots and How To Tie Them
- Reading the Weather
- The Importance of Sea State in Weather Planning
- NauticEd: The Best Way to Learn Sailing’s Rules of the Road
Safety at Sea
Here’s our advice about the gear, procedures and mindset that keep sailors alive—from PFDs and harnesses to person-overboard recovery.
Anchoring
Learn how to choose the right hook, size your rode, set it properly, and sleep soundly when the wind increases.
Basic Boat Maintenance
Here’s our advice about the essential upkeep every boat owner needs to understand to keep a boat reliable and safe—from rigging, engine, and hull maintenance to seasonal checks for those in colder waters.
Electronics and Navigation
In the sea of shiny, enticing electronics, we teach you what devices are essential, where to find them at affordable prices, and how to use their functions.
Essential Gear
Learn which clothing, tools and onboard essentials are worth investing in—and how to shop smart to make your boat dollars go further.