Scuttlebutt Sailing News

Scuttlebutt Sailing News is your go-to source for important sailing updates, insights, commentary, and community chatter, all with a focus on North America. Founded in 1997, Scuttlebutt Sailing News was one of the pioneers in bringing sailing content to the Internet at a time when email was just becoming popular. Initially, founder Tom Leweck aimed to cover Southern California, but as the audience expanded, so did the range of topics covered. Instead of waiting for a monthly print magazine, sailors can now receive daily email updates, keeping them informed in near real-time. Since its inception, Scuttlebutt has prioritized integrity in its reporting. We are committed to enhancing the sailing community by providing reliable sailing news every day.

National

English

Newsletter (Digital)

Outlet metrics

Domain Authority

Ranking

Global

#404678

United States

#194641

News and Media

#6311

Traffic sources

Monthly visitors

Articles

Confusion won't help sell this boat

1 week ago | sailingscuttlebutt.com | Craig Leweck

Published on May 7th, 2025by Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt Sailing News The 2013 America's Cup initiated a significant shift, trading monohulls for catamarans on San Francisco Bay. While the AC72 broke new ground in performance as it introduced foiling to the world, it broke a lot of eggs along the way. The USA defender capsized and nearly destroyed their boat. A capsize by the Swedish challenger led to a fatality.
Emergencies at sea aren't neat and tidy

1 week ago | sailingscuttlebutt.com | Nikki Henderson

Published on May 2nd, 2025by Nikki Henderson Did you ever catch the news of Tapio Lehtinen's boat sinking in the Indian Ocean? What a learning opportunity that was for any budding SALTS out there. The short story:Tapio's boat started to sink whilst he was sleeping. He woke up to a 'BANG' and floorboards floating. The boat was going down fast. He deployed the life-raft and threw the emergency comms bag and survival suit bag on deck.
Can team racing events get it together?

1 week ago | sailingscuttlebutt.com | Craig Leweck

Published on May 2nd, 2025by Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt Sailing News As much as I admire team racing, I have a certain disdain for the event organizers. It's nothing personal, and they are not fully to blame. World Sailing is complicit, as they are the authority on everything. Plus general ignorance is a contributing factor. My problem? The inconsistency in event names. The High School racing calendar lists the Team Race National Championship, but its NOR calls it the Team Racing National Championship.
Different kinds of mixed crew

2 weeks ago | sailingscuttlebutt.com | Craig Leweck

Published on April 29th, 2025by Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt Sailing News With the ultra-high level of competition in J/70 one design racing, the class association has been busy building bridges. While the main trophies typically require a significant budget for new equipment and professional crew, there are now sub-divisions to spread out the ribbons. * Corinthian Division: For people that qualify for World Sailing Group 1 categorization. This is where the amateurs can shine.
In sailing, safety still isn't 'cool'

2 weeks ago | sailingscuttlebutt.com | Nikki Henderson

Published on April 27th, 2025by Nikki Henderson When skippering, I check my safety calls by asking myself, "If I had to stand up in court, could I justify my choices / actions?"It works, mostly. Except, sailing is inherently risky. And, I've always wondered - would I be ever be able to fully justify leaving the safety of shore? So is anything that happens at sea actually justifiable? At some point, I decided to leave the dock and sail towards danger. Could I defend that choice? Risk is confusing.
Will sailmaking return to the USA?

2 weeks ago | sailingscuttlebutt.com | Craig Leweck

Published on April 27th, 2025by Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt Sailing News I began making racing sails in 1983, and did so for the next 12 years. I had no previous skills, but I made fast sails. Looking back, I was lucky, as sail production has moved to Asia, and domestic sailmakers are a dying breed. But I was still stunned a few years back when a new sail for my 8-foot Sabot, bought from a local sailmaker, included a shipping charge. It was built in Asia, and I was angry at myself for not knowing.
Waving the golden wand

3 weeks ago | sailingscuttlebutt.com | Craig Leweck

Published on April 23rd, 2025by Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt Sailing News I was cleaning out the Scuttlebutt inbox, and found an email exchange with a friend regarding the youth years of sailing. My take may not be popular, but you know what they say: Opinions are like a**holes - everybody has one:College Sailing has always been great and still is, though kids are often selecting schools for the team and not for their education.
Should the America's Cup be worried?

3 weeks ago | sailingscuttlebutt.com | Craig Leweck

Published on April 21st, 2025by Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt Sailing News The quiet period between America's Cup events hasn't been too quiet. The Challenger of Record had a divorce and the Defense split from its 3-time winning skipper. Conversely, there's little known about the next America's Cup, which is increasingly odd given the desire to maintain interest in a crowded commercial sporting landscape.
Sailing's been very, very good to me

3 weeks ago | sailingscuttlebutt.com | Craig Leweck

Published on April 19th, 2025by Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt Sailing News I know I'm lucky that at 62, the conversation during my annual physical has little to do with health. My parents clocking days in their 90s, so I've got good DNA, but sailing has been good for me too. "I fully believe the fountain of youth is swirling around the cockpit bailer of a Thistle," contends Bill Faude, Marketing guru for Harken. He's not wrong.
Soap opera for Sailing at 2028 Olympics

3 weeks ago | sailingscuttlebutt.com | Craig Leweck

Published on April 17th, 2025by Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt Sailing News It was April 15, known as Tax Day in the USA for the deadline to submit individual income tax returns to the federal government. But in 2025, it would also be when a badly scripted soap opera was released for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. The plot was the Sailing venue, which is not yet known, for the one Olympic sport that needs to know. Basketball is basketball anywhere. Swimming is swimming anywhere.