5 Green Travel Tips: How to Equip Your Sailboat for Green Travel
Sailing is a popular eco-friendly travel option that allows you to see another side of the Virgin Islands that many people simply fly over. However, sailing sustainably requires some planning and understanding of what you need to bring along for the journey. Take a look at some helpful tips we put together so that you…
Boat Safety Briefing: How To Use a Dinghy
When you take a live-aboard sailing trip with Go Sail VI, you may spend more time than you think on a dinghy. What’s a dinghy? You’ve probably heard the term, but maybe you’re not all that familiar with the handy little boat stored on or next to a yacht. This small but mighty watercraft is…
Ways Sailors Can Support Marine Conservation Efforts
More and more sailors are pitching in to help promote marine conservation, and for good reason—even small actions can make a large impact. This article lays out a few ways you can protect the sea through ecotourism and sailing best practices. Learn more about how to help marine conservation before booking a bareboat with Go…
Captain’s Log: A Family Affair
The Basics The boat: Beau Budd, a 2022 Lagoon 46 Crew: Captain Trevon (instructor) and First Mate Stephanie ASA Students: Christi, Rick, and Lane Courses Completed: ASA 104 (Bareboat Cruising), ASA 114 (Cruising Catamaran) Day 1: A Family Affair The students met with Captain Trevon and First Mate Stephanie at Nanny Cay. Christi, Rick, and…
Boat Safety Briefing: Understanding The Electrical Panel
Sailboat maintenance is an essential part of owning a yacht and comes in handy when you charter a bareboat, too. As part of our ASA sailing courses in the Virgin Islands, all students are required to attend a boat briefing with a charter checkout attendant before setting sail. These briefings help you to understand how…
Sailing: Eco-Adventure with a Purpose
Reducing our carbon footprint when traveling is crucial to preserving our national parks and oceans. While many of us travel by air, an eco-tour on a sailboat is a more sustainable mode of transportation, especially when island hopping in the Virgin Islands. Go Sail Virgin Islands offers eco-friendly travel experiences in the Caribbean Sea. Our…
Sailing Story: Nina and Jake
Nina is all about throwing her husband, Jake, head first into new adventures. “I have never been on a sailboat in my life,” Jake said. “We lived out of a little airplane, a little Cesna, for a while – you know… I had just gotten used to that— and she’s like, ok I think I…
Environmentally and Socially Responsible Ways to Sail
Sustainable sailing practices are increasingly popular among amateur and professional sailors—and for good reason! Most sailors want to reduce their carbon footprint when traveling. Doing so is especially important for maintaining the reefs and clear waters of the Caribbean Sea. Before you set sail in the Virgin Islands, take a few minutes to familiarize yourself…
Boat Briefing: Everything You Need to Know About Engines
Before you set sail, it’s important to understand a sailboat’s mechanics. Students taking ASA sailing courses at Go Sail VI always meet with a charter checkout attendant before sailing to understand how to operate the boat, ask pertinent questions, and get a refresher on the fundamentals of sailing. But it never hurts to plan ahead,…
FAQ: ASA Docking Endorsement
Many sailors are a bit uneasy when docking a boat before and after sailing. Understandably so! It’s no easy feat to maneuver even smaller boats in and out of crowded harbors—but it’s also necessary. There are many factors to consider when chartering a bareboat, and a docking endorsement is at the top of the list…
Boat Safety Briefing: At the Helm
Familiarizing yourself with the helm and steering station before your Virgin Islands sailing vacation can help you gain confidence steering a sailboat even before you leave the dock! The sailboat’s charter checkout attendant will walk you through the features of the gauges, steering wheel, and engine controls during your in-person sailboat safety briefing. We also…
Beyond ASA Courses: Increasing Your Nautical Miles
So, you’ve finished the basic courses and are ready to start sailing solo. Congratulations—the time and effort will pay off once you’re on the water! Not only can this help you avoid getting caught in irons once you hire a bareboat charter, but it’s also lots of fun to learn new skills. Mile building is…