--- title: Sailing Virgins Blog | General description: General | Sailing Virgins Offshore Keelboat Caribbean Sailing School Blog --- [+1 (415) 619 2704](tel:+14156192704) [![Sailing Virgins](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/hubfs/TSSR-Dec2017/Images%20/logo4x.png "Sailing Virgins")](https://sailingvirgins.com/) [![Sailing Virgins](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/hubfs/TSSR-Dec2017/Images%20/sailing_virgins_square_e_1024_blank-op.png "Sailing Virgins")](https://sailingvirgins.com/) - [Home](https://sailingvirgins.com/) - Destinations - [BVI](https://sailingvirgins.com/destinations/bvi) - [Croatia](https://sailingvirgins.com/destinations/croatia) - [Brittany](https://sailingvirgins.com/destinations/brittany) - [Tahiti](https://sailingvirgins.com/destinations/tahiti) - [Madeira](https://sailingvirgins.com/destinations/madeira) - How it Works - [Course Checklist](https://sailingvirgins.com/how_works/course-checklist) - [Important Information](https://sailingvirgins.com/how_works/important-information) - [How to Get to Us](https://sailingvirgins.com/how_works/how-to-get-to-us) - [FAQ](https://sailingvirgins.com/how_works/faq) - About Us - [About Us](https://sailingvirgins.com/about_us) - [Our Instructors](https://sailingvirgins.com/about_us/our_instructors) - [Our Boats](https://sailingvirgins.com/about_us/our_boats) - [Blog](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog) - [Contact Us](https://sailingvirgins.com/contact_us) ## Topic: general ## [Understanding Sailboat Right of Way Rules (COLREGs Made Simple)](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/understanding-sailboat-right-of-way-rules-colregs-made-simple) by [Clara Suggett](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/author/clara-suggett) / IN [General](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/general) / April 21, 2026 Understanding sailboat right-of-way rules is one of the first things every sailor should tackle before heading out on the water. [Read More](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/understanding-sailboat-right-of-way-rules-colregs-made-simple) ## [Using a Chartplotter and Traditional Navigation Together: A Hybrid Approach](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/using-a-chartplotter-and-traditional-navigation-together-a-hybrid-approach) by [Clara Suggett](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/author/clara-suggett) / IN [General](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/general) / March 26, 2026 Chartplotters make navigation fast, but they can fail at the worst time. Paper charts and compass bearings give you a backup you can trust when the screen stops... [Read More](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/using-a-chartplotter-and-traditional-navigation-together-a-hybrid-approach) ## [Reading Wind and Wave Patterns: Weather-Routing Fundamentals](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/reading-wind-and-wave-patterns-weather-routing-fundamentals) by [Clara Suggett](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/author/clara-suggett) / IN [General](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/general) / September 19, 2025 *When you're offshore, the forecast only tells part of the story. The sky, the waves, and the wind tell the rest.* [Read More](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/reading-wind-and-wave-patterns-weather-routing-fundamentals) ## [Using a Handheld VHF: Channel Selection, Mayday Procedures & Etiquette](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/using-a-handheld-vhf-channel-selection-mayday-procedures-etiquette) by [Clara Suggett](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/author/clara-suggett) / IN [General](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/general) / September 12, 2025 *When you're out on the water, a handheld VHF radio connects you to the rest of the boating world. It lets you reach nearby vessels, marinas, and emergency services...* [Read More](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/using-a-handheld-vhf-channel-selection-mayday-procedures-etiquette) ## [Plotting a Course with Compass and Parallel Rulers (No Electronics Needed)](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/plotting-a-course-with-compass-and-parallel-rulers-no-electronics-needed) by [Clara Suggett](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/author/clara-suggett) / IN [General](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/general) / September 05, 2025 *Plotting a course with a compass might sound old school. But when your chartplotter glitches or your battery dies, what then?* [Read More](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/plotting-a-course-with-compass-and-parallel-rulers-no-electronics-needed) ## [When, Why and How to Emergency Anchor](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/emergency-anchoring-guide-sailing-safety-techniques) by [Clara Suggett](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/author/clara-suggett) / IN [Insider](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/insider), [Sailing Tips](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/sailing-tips), [Guide](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/guide), [General](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/general), [Ski](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/ski) / September 04, 2025 *The Moment Every Sailor Fears - And How to Master It* [Read More](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/emergency-anchoring-guide-sailing-safety-techniques) ## [Advanced Anchoring Techniques: Setting and Retrieving in Sand, Mud & Grass](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/advanced-anchoring-techniques-setting-and-retrieving-in-sand-mud-grass) by [Clara Suggett](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/author/clara-suggett) / IN [General](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/general), [Beginner](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/beginner) / August 29, 2025 *Ever woken up at anchor and realized your boat isn’t where you left it? That sinking feeling (haha sorry) can ruin a night. Whether you're settling in for the...* [Read More](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/advanced-anchoring-techniques-setting-and-retrieving-in-sand-mud-grass) ## [Is Sailing Actually A Sport?](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/is-sailing-actually-a-sport) by [Clara Suggett](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/author/clara-suggett) / IN [General](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/general), [Athlete](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/athlete), [Performance](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/performance), [Ski](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/ski) / August 11, 2025 *Spoiler alert: It involves way more than lounging on deck with a cocktail (although there can be some of that too!)* [Read More](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/is-sailing-actually-a-sport) ## [Watched SLV and Oliver Widger? Here's How to Start Your Own Sailing Journey](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/start-your-sailing-journey) by [Clara Suggett](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/author/clara-suggett) / IN [Insider](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/insider), [General](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/general), [Beginner](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/beginner), [First Time](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/first-time), [Ski](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/ski) / July 30, 2025 *Stop watching other people's sailing adventures and start planning your own - because the gap between YouTube viewer and certified skipper is smaller than you think.* [Read More](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/start-your-sailing-journey) ## [Docking Under Sail: Precise Boat Handling in Tight Marinas](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/docking-under-sail-precise-boat-handling-in-tight-marinas) by [Clara Suggett](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/author/clara-suggett) / IN [Insider](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/insider), [General](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/general), [Athlete](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/athlete), [First Time](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/first-time), [Skill Transfer](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/skill-transfer), [Ski](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/ski) / July 29, 2025 Docking under sail is one of the most rewarding skills a sailor can learn. It requires focus, timing, and a solid understanding of how your boat moves through the... [Read More](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/docking-under-sail-precise-boat-handling-in-tight-marinas) [1](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/general/page/1) [2](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/general/page/2) [3](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/general/page/3) S ### Recent Posts ### ARCHIVES - [August 2016 (11)](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/archive/2016/08) - [May 2023 (11)](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/archive/2023/05) - [April 2023 (10)](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/archive/2023/04) - [September 2016 (8)](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/archive/2016/09) - [July 2025 (7)](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/archive/2025/07) - [June 2025 (6)](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/archive/2025/06) - [November 2016 (5)](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/archive/2016/11) - [March 2026 (5)](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/archive/2026/03) - [April 2026 (5)](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/archive/2026/04) - [September 2025 (4)](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/archive/2025/09) - 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[gear tips (1)](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/gear-tips) - [golf (1)](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/golf) - [golf vs sailing (1)](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/golf-vs-sailing) - [iphone (1)](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/iphone) - [lead (1)](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/lead) - [rpet (1)](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/rpet) - [safety brief yacht (1)](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/safety-brief-yacht) - [tahiti (1)](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/tahiti) - [texas (1)](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/texas) - [the yacht week (1)](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/the-yacht-week) - [trip review (1)](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/trip-review) see all #### ABOUT US The founders of Sailing Virgins started things as a result of having some incredible sailing seasons in the Mediterranean and Caribbean working for sailing company The Yacht Week. James then worked for and for a while managed Tortola Sailing School. In 2016 he branched off and started Sailing Virgins. We LOVE how sailing is changing. Top speeds in the America’s Cup were thirteen knots not so long ago. Now they’re 45 knots. If you’re excited by that, we’re with you. Giddy up! #### CONTACT US - Wickhams Cay 2 Road Town, Tortola VG1110, British Virgin Islands - [+1 (272) 999-1920](tel:+12729991920) - [info@sailingvirgins.com](mailto:info@sailingvirgins.com) © LOVE SAILING VIRGINS 2016-2024 - [Contact Us](https://sailingvirgins.com/contact_us) - [Terms & Conditions](https://sailingvirgins.com/terms-and-conditions) - [Privacy Policy](https://sailingvirgins.com/privacy-policy)