--- title: Sailing Virgins Blog | how to description: how to | 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: how-to ## [Essential Gear for Your First Sailing Adventure (2023)](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/essential-gear-for-your-first-sailing-adventure-2023) by [James Kell](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/author/james-kell) / IN [how to](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/how-to), [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), [Gear](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/gear), [vacation](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/vacation) / April 24, 2023 # Embarking on Your First Sailing Adventure: Must-Have Gear and Essential Tips If the call of the open sea has you dreaming of crisp sea breezes, vibrant sunsets, and... [Read More](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/essential-gear-for-your-first-sailing-adventure-2023) ## [How to Pick Up a Mooring Ball](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/how-to-pick-up-a-mooring-ball) by [James Kell](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/author/james-kell) / IN [how to](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/how-to), [Sailing Tips](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/sailing-tips), [youtube](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/youtube) / April 08, 2018 ### Picking up mooring balls is a key sailing skill. Here's how to do it well.  Picking up a mooring ball and securing it effectively to your boat is a technique. If it... [Read More](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/how-to-pick-up-a-mooring-ball) ## [How To Anchor Stern-To (Video)](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/how-to-anchor-stern-to) by [James Kell](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/author/james-kell) / IN [how to](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/how-to), [Sailing Tips](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/sailing-tips), [youtube](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/youtube) / March 25, 2018 ## Anchoring stern-to can be daunting. Here's how we do it. Knowing how to anchor stern-to is critical if you want to enjoy your sailing vacation in the Mediterrenean.... [Read More](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/how-to-anchor-stern-to) ## [How to Become a Yacht Week Skipper](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/how-to-become-a-yacht-week-skipper) by [James Kell](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/author/james-kell) / IN [how to](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/how-to), [the yacht week](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/the-yacht-week) / March 07, 2018 ## Possibly the Best Job In Sailing Here at Sailing Virgins, we are often asked about what it takes to become a skipper for The Yacht Week. We should know: all... [Read More](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/how-to-become-a-yacht-week-skipper) ## [How To Anchor - 10 Tips](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/how-to-anchor) by [James Kell](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/author/james-kell) / IN [how to](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/how-to), [Sailing Tips](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/sailing-tips) / February 25, 2018 ## Anchor well, sleep well Anchoring is a fundamental skill in sailing. However unless you are living on your boat or sailing for a living, there are several important... [Read More](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/how-to-anchor) ## [Best Way To Get To Martinique](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/best-way-to-get-to-martinique) by [James Kell](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/author/james-kell) / IN [how to](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/how-to) / November 04, 2017 ## From Boston To The French West Indies For $100 Looking for the best way to get to Martinique? Here are some suggestions that could help save you both time and... [Read More](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/best-way-to-get-to-martinique) ## [Simplest Man Overboard Recovery Procedure](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/simplest-man-overboard-procedure) by [James Kell](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/author/james-kell) / IN [how to](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/how-to) / October 17, 2017 ## My Favourite MOB Recovery: First 3 Steps This blog post demonstrates my favourite, simplest Man Overboard (MOB) recovery procedure. In sailing, there is a saying... [Read More](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/simplest-man-overboard-procedure) ## [7 Tips To Finding Your Perfect Crew](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/7-tips-to-finding-your-perfect-crew) by [James Kell](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/author/james-kell) / IN [how to](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/how-to) / September 06, 2017 ## **...THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A GOOD VACATION AND A GREAT ONE.** The choice of people can make or break an experience. In sailing, there comes a time when you need to... [Read More](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/7-tips-to-finding-your-perfect-crew) ## [9 Tips for Chartering in the French West Indies](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/9-tips-for-chartering-in-the-french-west-indies) by [James Kell](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/author/james-kell) / IN [how to](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/how-to) / August 14, 2017 ## Sailing in St Martin, St Barths, Guadeloupe and Martinique The first question I get asked when mentioning chartering a yacht in the French West Indies (FWI) tends... [Read More](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/9-tips-for-chartering-in-the-french-west-indies) ## [How To Prepare For A Sailing Course](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/how-to-prepare-for-a-sailing-course) by [James Kell](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/author/james-kell) / IN [how to](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/how-to) / August 04, 2017 ## What to bring, what to read, where to go... You've just invested in a sailing course and you want to come well prepared. This guide provides you with information... [Read More](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/how-to-prepare-for-a-sailing-course) [1](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/how-to/page/1) [2](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/how-to/page/2) [3](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/how-to/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)