Am I just gun-shy after the "Balloon Boy" hoax or are there legitimate reasons to question whether Jessica Watson is really sailing around the world? What evidence can you find to support the theory that this is another hoax and what evidence can you find that refutes that theory? [more inside]
posted by kellygreen on Oct 27, 2009 - 20 answers

Career Filter: My goal is to spend a few years (maybe more) living at sea as professional crew on a ship/yacht/tall ship. How do I get there quickly but responsibly? What training? What is the job market like? What jobs to look for? Help!? [more inside]
posted by DetonatedManiac on Oct 22, 2009 - 9 answers

HatFilter: I'm looking for a functional, stylish hat for sailing (worried mostly about sun not foul weather protection). Bonus points for a unique, "adventure" flavor like Indiana Jones. [more inside]
posted by DetonatedManiac on Aug 17, 2009 - 25 answers

How to have a great time on a learn-to-sail course? I'm going with a fairly new boyfriend who I really like but don't know terribly well yet. We'll be sharing a cabin in a fairly small sailing boat for a week in cramped conditions and very hot weather. We'll be doing some night sailing with trips into port every other day or so. [more inside]
posted by hazyjane on Aug 6, 2009 - 19 answers

Sailing in the Mediterranean? [more inside]
posted by paulramshaw on Jul 16, 2009 - 4 answers

Long term goal, become a permanent solo sailboat cruiser. Immediate goal: I just want to learn to sail and maintain a sailboat proficiently. Advice? [more inside]
posted by DetonatedManiac on Jul 12, 2009 - 16 answers

Where (literally) on Puget Sound should my wife teach me how to sail our 16ft Hobie Cat? [more inside]
posted by Netzapper on Jun 25, 2009 - 1 answer

Sailors, artists, and sailor-artists, help! I have three winches that I'd like to do something artistic with. [more inside]
posted by zap rowsdower on Jun 22, 2009 - 4 answers

Ahoy Ye sailors! Asking for a small piece of fiction I'm writing. How long would it take to sail (modern boats/yachts) from Los Angeles to San Francisco, and then from SF to Hawaii? Any personal experiences, details, or links to such adventures welcome.
posted by elendil71 on May 28, 2009 - 6 answers

Unidentified Dutch pen-and-ink drawing: anyone familiar with this type of ship? [more inside]
posted by RedReplicant on Feb 25, 2009 - 10 answers

I need to prove myself a man. Help me plan a sailing rite-of-passage/adventure. [more inside]
posted by mjewkes on Jan 18, 2009 - 7 answers

Anywhere to rent a sailboat on a lake near San Diego? [more inside]
posted by mamessner on Nov 23, 2008 - 4 answers

Is mid-September through the end of October a good time for small boat (16'-22') sailing in Lake Michigan at Chicago? Wind speeds, air and water temperature, rain, etc.?
posted by Jackson on Sep 14, 2008 - 2 answers

How can I get out on the water in Portland, Oregon? When I visited Boston a friend took me out sailing on the Charles river. They had some sort of community program where you could take lessons and then take out boats you were certified for. It was a lot of fun, so I'm wondering if there's anything similar, not too expensive, in Portland. Rowing might be interesting too, or just some way to boat around without actually owning a boat. I have lots of experience listening to Sloop John B, if that helps?
posted by Post-it Goat on Jul 7, 2008 - 7 answers

Novel Research Filter III: What's it like to travel long distance on a yacht with kids? [more inside]
posted by Xurando on Jun 27, 2008 - 7 answers

Where can I get a cheap rowboat? [more inside]
posted by LSK on Apr 20, 2008 - 13 answers

Can you help me find a good sailing simulator that includes ocean racing?
posted by alasdefuego on Mar 3, 2008 - 1 answer

How do you attack a sailing ship with a fast rowing-boat? [more inside]
posted by TheophileEscargot on Feb 27, 2008 - 9 answers

Is fractional boat ownership all it's cracked up to be? If you have first- or second-hand experience with it, would you recommend it? [more inside]
posted by HE Amb. T. S. L. DuVal on Jan 17, 2008 - 6 answers

Bookfilter: looking for a book I read as a kid involving a sick kid and sailing. The wrinkle? I read it in German, so I don't even know if this book exists in English. Obviously, there's [more inside]
posted by yggdrasil on Jan 4, 2008 - 1 answer

Where can I find a reputable charity that takes underprivileged kids sailing? [more inside]
posted by peacecorn on Dec 11, 2007 - 6 answers

Advice on bareboat sailing in the Caribbean. Four of us intend to spend a week sailing in the Caribbean in early February. Our group knowledge of the Caribbean is very limited. One of the group is a master sailor, so we should be able to rent a bareboat of our liking anywhere they're available. But with so many islands and so many boat rental places, it's hard to know how to decide on an itinerary. Suggestions?
posted by Jackson on Nov 14, 2007 - 8 answers

'Thanks for inviting me to a days sailing' gift? [more inside]
posted by Joe Rocket on Nov 9, 2007 - 8 answers

Sailors of MeFi unite -- with any advice you have for a first-timer on a short-ish sail! [more inside]
posted by kalimac on Oct 2, 2007 - 6 answers

Sailors - I may have the opportunity to spend a week sailing with a personal instructor in San Diego in September or October in the bays and perhaps just off shore in a 28 ft sloop. Is this a good time of the year for sailing? What will the sailing weather be like? - air and water temperature, winds, etc. Any recommendations? Thanks.
posted by Jackson on Aug 22, 2007 - 6 answers

My wife bought me a sailboat! Now what? [more inside]
posted by jacobian on Jun 12, 2007 - 15 answers

Through providence, luck, or my ability to be completely spontaneous, I've just landed a job crewing on a catamaran headed from Miami to Panama, then up to Seattle. The catch is that I have absolutely no experience doing anything like this. [more inside]
posted by soviet sleepover on May 15, 2007 - 16 answers

Where can I get deck plans for pirate ships? Websites are welcome, a good book or two of many different ship plans would be ideal. [more inside]
posted by Rubber Soul on Mar 26, 2007 - 8 answers

How do I disburse scholarships for an after-school program to underprivileged youth, who have little or no parental support? [more inside]
posted by conch soup on Mar 10, 2007 - 5 answers

In reading Jim Kunstler's latest column, one of his claims piqued my interest. [more inside]
posted by quite unimportant on Feb 5, 2007 - 8 answers

So you have an accident at sea; who investigates? [more inside]
posted by Tenuki on Nov 27, 2006 - 5 answers

Before there were motors, how did Tall Ships leave port? [more inside]
posted by yeti on Aug 26, 2006 - 6 answers

VacationFilter: I am planning to rent (bareboat) a sailboat in Croatia and sail on the Croatian Islands / Rivera. The problem is [more inside]
posted by zia on Jul 5, 2006 - 4 answers

I'm exceedingly susceptible to seasickness. I'm an avid scuba diver, and I'm now learning how to sail. Both activities put me in smallish boats, and if there's any chop, it's only a matter of time before I am leaning over the side. I don't want my inner ears to keep me from doing things that I enjoy. Please share your tips on keeping your inner ears happy and your lunch down. [more inside]
posted by ambrosia on Apr 3, 2006 - 18 answers

What is the best brand / model of coastal sailing foul weather gear? [more inside]
posted by lucasks on Dec 27, 2005 - 5 answers

I started listening to Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian and am seeking books and documentaries that will explain all of the naval terms and jargon. [more inside]
posted by meta87 on Dec 11, 2005 - 16 answers

Sailboat question, sort of. At the very end of the Dead Like Me episode "Unfinished Business" (from the first season), George is seen sailing alone in a gorgeous wooden sailboat... [more inside]
posted by bricoleur on Nov 15, 2005 - 27 answers

What do I do to go about renting a sailing yacht? I've always wanted to go yachting and seeing "Dead Calm" the other day convinced me. I'm landlocked and have only steered boats of the outboard motor variety. I see that yacht rentals exist, but what training do I need? Can a few classes suffice? Are yachts affordable to the average joe? Would a non-sailing yacht be easier (and considerably cheaper) for a land lover? [more inside]
posted by geoff. on Aug 16, 2005 - 16 answers

Is it possible to establish internet connectivity on a sail boat off land, and if yes, how?
posted by semmi on Jul 15, 2005 - 7 answers

Last week as I was driving over the Charles River in Boston, MA I saw a group of small sailboats with numbers on the sails. They were all moving and changing direction very fast, and it seemed that there was an orange ball floating amongst them. Is this some sort of polo-like game? Anybody have any info on what the heck they were doing?
posted by splatta on Jun 20, 2005 - 7 answers

I am running away to sea. What should I take for my personal comfort and entertainment (project ideas)? Any other tips for a first timer? [more inside]
posted by AnnaRat on Apr 12, 2005 - 29 answers

How do I get into competitive sailing? Primarily multi-hull open ocean regattas? (mi) [more inside]
posted by omidius on Jan 26, 2005 - 4 answers

Scientists, sailors, meteorologists: I need a buoy! I'm looking for a small buoy hull for some scientific instrumentation. [more inside] [more inside]
posted by Nothing on Aug 18, 2004 - 6 answers

I'd like to learn how to sail. Where should I start? [more inside]
posted by skwm on Jul 22, 2004 - 11 answers