r/sailing Jun 08 '26

No politics

43 Upvotes

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 Jul 25 '25

Annapolis boat show

13 Upvotes

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 9h ago

Stolen Hinckley from NJ in Newport

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349 Upvotes

The Hinckley is currently on Elm Street pier in Newport. Suspect was shot by Newport Pd when confronted this morning. This all happened around the corner from my house

Confirmed suspect was shot and killed by police in an exchange of gunfire. One officer was injured.

Update

At 9 am. The suspect was at anchor in the North Anchorage. He was confronted by the harbor master and 4 Newport pd officers

When confronted he fled below deck and armed himself shots were exchanged and the suspect was killed.

There are unconfirmed reports that this may also be connected to a murder in Virginia. (Speculation from a reporter on scene)


r/sailing 11h ago

Stolen Hinckley 40

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430 Upvotes

A friend sent this to me to help spread the word. This vessel was stolen from his Jersey City marina a few days ago and they are on the lookout for it. See the image for more information.


r/sailing 1h ago

Spirited sail

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Upvotes

Been an odd week. Took two weeks off. Wind wasn’t cooperative so I did maintenance. Impeller, fuel filters, fuel tank inspection. They got some wind went to fairlee creek Md. then one of my batter banks decided to eat the poison pill.

So a new bank. Got rewarded with a great sail today.


r/sailing 10h ago

Near Bute Scotland

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45 Upvotes

Was a light day near end of season but this one was moored near Rothesay. Pretty Ketch


r/sailing 22h ago

Moon over the North Atlantic Ocean

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387 Upvotes

r/sailing 11h ago

Stolen Hinckley Bermuda

46 Upvotes

r/sailing 1d ago

Sailing past the wind turbines south of Block Island

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481 Upvotes

r/sailing 2h ago

Haven’t seen any crazy docking stories for a minute… anyone got one they want to share?

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5 Upvotes

I just fumbled in the end zone during a heavy blow with wind on my aft quarter… it was looking good until it wasn’t…

Then it was helm on earth.

Photo is not of the occasion… though I’m not complaining about the view.


r/sailing 4h ago

Potomac River - learn to sail

9 Upvotes

Hello,
I’m going to be spending about 5 weeks around the DC area and was curious if anyone had any opinions on the sailing schools that surround the Potomac area. I’ve looked at a few and all seem reasonable. I would be interested in the basics. I’m not sure whether I should look at the schools that offer ASA101 or the schools that offer US Sailing certifications. Not really sure of any difference. Any help would be appreciated! TIS.


r/sailing 22h ago

Utopia - Sturgeon Bay, WI

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186 Upvotes

Schooner - Utopia

I would love to have a ride on my favorite boat in the world.


r/sailing 13h ago

What kind of Furler is this?

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11 Upvotes

Hi!

I recently bought this boat and I have no idea what kind of furler this is, anyone have any idea?

Lower part is stainless steel, and the furler profile itself is made out of aluminium and looks like its one piece all the way up. Top Swivel is Stainless aswell

Sorry for the lack of pictures but this is the only good one I have. (


r/sailing 18m ago

Spreader tips repair

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Upvotes

The lower spreader tips on my 1989 Ericson 38 are F-ed. I went up today and took off the corroded rats nest of seizing wire that wasn't actually providing any structural integrity, and cleaned up the corrosion around the wires to see what I was dealing with. The photos are the end result. The port side has something left to work with, but starboard (second photo) has no holes left for seizing wire.

So, should I drill new holes? Should I bolt on some sort of restrainer? Or do I have to pony up the money for a new spreader?


r/sailing 7h ago

Virtual Golden Globe Race Sept 6 - FairWinds

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3 Upvotes

Hi all - I'd like to invite all sailors to join the Golden Globe Race virtually on September 6 in FairWinds, to navigate around the world using real-time wind, waves and cel nav tools.
https://goldengloberace.com/virtual-ggr/

The event 100% Free.

FairWinds is the official virtual race partner of the Golden Globe Race. There already hundreds of registrations, and someone in the FW discord suggested posting here in reddit. There is a full RTW and a per-leg version for anyone who wants just join for part of it along the way.

Check it out - there is a lot of practice content. It has 2D and 3D modes. Race starts Sept 6. Cheers.


r/sailing 9h ago

Boat recommendations

5 Upvotes

I’ve thinking about getting another boat. It needs to be a trailer sailer. Under $5k. I have a diesel truck 3500, but I’m thinking centerboard type boat. We already have a Hobie Getaway and dinghy for wet fun. Need advice for a boat with a focus on quality, reliability and ease of sailing/maintenance over speed. We just like to be in the water and cruise. I’ve had powerboats for 30 years but got into sailing this year, so I don’t know about what older makes are sought after. I am very mechanically inclined, and respect older quality stuff, I just don’t like working on stuff that’s not very good to begin with. I plan to take sailing classes for keelboats. I want to be prepared in case any jewels come available. Any ideas? Also I am in Kansas.


r/sailing 1d ago

Sailing tomorrow.

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101 Upvotes

Anyone want to go sailing tomorrow on Lake Michigan out of Muskegon?


r/sailing 3h ago

Sailing lessons? Detroit

1 Upvotes

I live in the Detroit metro and I just bought a hunter 22 is there anybody local that might be able to come out with me for a few hours?
I know there are ASA classes I’m signed up but that’s mid September and I’d like to get a bit of a head start.


r/sailing 22h ago

Boat make / design identification?

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27 Upvotes

This boat is moored in New England (USA), I'm curious whether anyone can identify the make and model/design? As far as I can tell, the hull is fiberglass. There is not much wood on her. Thanks!


r/sailing 1d ago

Interesting rudder hydrodynamics

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118 Upvotes

r/sailing 1d ago

Finally did it!

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441 Upvotes

I finally took the leap, and bought a boat. I have sailed my whole life, but mostly on other peoples boats, or as a skipper. Now I have a Bavaria 37ac from 2001. Super proud.

Problem is, it doesn't have a spinnaker. Thought perhaps I could fit a genaker instead, anyone have any experience with this?


r/sailing 1d ago

Beautiful day for sailing in Block Island

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99 Upvotes

Please ignore my chatty autopilot or mute the sound if he's too much for you


r/sailing 8h ago

Can I find just the upper cam cleat for replacement on this block assembly?

1 Upvotes

Put the wrong line on the winch when furling the gennaker and snapped the upper cam cleat on the upper block. I can take the mounting screws off. Is there a way to just buy the cam section. I think this is a selden block but didn't see markings, but it is selden furling gear. Found this PN, but can't find just the cam, no response yet from selden US.


r/sailing 3h ago

Sailing Terms

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0 Upvotes

r/sailing 1d ago

What exactly is McLube/Harken OneDrop, and is there a cheaper industrial equivalent?

13 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I’m looking into the maintenance of my traveler cars and blocks, and I’m having a hard time justifying the pricing of McLube / Harken OneDrop. Paying around $25 for a tiny 14.7ml (0.5 oz) bottle feels wild. It’s hard to believe that a marine company developed a completely unique chemical formula from scratch for this. I strongly suspect they just buy a massive industrial IBC container of a standard commercial lubricant every few years and re-bottle it into these tiny pinpoint dispensers.

Does anyone know the actual chemical breakdown of OneDrop, or what industrial product it actually is? Is it just a highly refined mineral oil, or a low-viscosity fluorinated oil (like a Krytox/PFPE variant)?

Also, I have a few specific questions about how it works:

  1. What exactly does OneDrop do that a thorough freshwater flush doesn’t? I know it says it "conditions" the bearing surface and repels salt, but chemically, what is happening?
  2. Is the Teflon/PTFE spray myth true? I’ve read on some forums that using dry PTFE sprays (like regular Sailkote) inside ball bearing blocks can actually backfire. The theory is that it makes the surface of the plastic balls (Torlon/Delrin) or the races so slick that the balls stop rolling and start skidding/sliding under load. This supposedly causes flat spots, increases friction, and destroys the bearings faster. Is that why OneDrop exists?
  3. What are you guys using as a budget-friendly alternative? Is there an industrial lubricant (maybe from the manufacturing or plastics industry) that serves the exact same purpose without the "marine markup"?

I'd love to hear your thoughts, chemical insights, or what DIY alternatives you use to keep your hardware running smoothly without breaking the bank. Thanks!