Serious Blowback
Sail with Capt. Marc
Capt. Marc, veteran of multiple ocean crossings, and instructional pro, invites you to join him for lessons and/or excursions under sail. By special arrangement only.
- Up to six sailors aboard J/42, Songline
- Develop skills and confidence
- Offshore passage-making opportunities
- Performance sailing for speed and safety
- Skippered charters in exotic locations
- Shakedown on your boat
- Deliveries
Lead Story
Abby Sunderland Lost (and found) in Me-Space
Update: Sailor Abby Sunderland found safe in Indian Ocean (Reuters) - A 16-year-old California girl trying to sail solo around the world is safe and well after a massive search and rescue was launched in the Indian Ocean when she triggered distress signals, her parents and Australian authorities said Friday. Sixteen year-old solo circumnavigator, Abby Sunderland... »
Unintended Destinations
People give various reasons to explain why they put to sea in small sailing boats but once underway, those reasons are overwhelmed by the immensity of their undertaking. Our will becomes transformed by the demands of our enterprise, often driving us toward unintended destinations. The persistent illusion that we are in control our destiny... »
Seasickness Solutions
After many hundreds of hours behind the helm I was never sea sick, however, a couple of years ago I signed on as crew (along with my wife), on a crossing of the Gulf of Mexico from St. Pete to Isla Mirada/Cancun, Mexico aboard a 53’ sloop. The first two days of the four... »
60 Knot Sailing
Bill Lee is famously quoted as saying “Fast is fun”. How about 60 knots of sailing fun? Length - 18 meters Beam - 24.5 meters Mast Height - 27 meters Height of Lateral Foils - 6.5 meters Weight at Takeoff with 5 crew - 6.5 tons Weight in Flight with Wind Ballast - 7 tons Main Sail Area - 165 square... »
Einstein and Boat Shrinkage
Einstein explained that the faster one goes, the smaller the dimensions of objects become until, at the speed of light, that contraction causes those objects to become infinitesimally tiny. My boat must be much faster than I thought because I have found that as I venture father offshore where the wind and sea get up... »
San Francisco Bay Reconnaissance
For many years we raced on the SF Bay. Events like the Three Bridge Fiasco, Delta Ditch Run, Silver Eagle, and Double-Handed Farallones provided us with many thrills and challenges. Now it's time to slow down the pace and take a bit of time to smell the roses. »
San Francisco Bay Panorama
We are almost ready to release "Monterey Bay- Inside Out" and just getting started with San Francisco Bay. Here's a 360 degree view of San Francisco Bay from atop Angel Island. »
Fresh Video Clip - Sailing on Monterey Bay
It’s been a while since my last Sail the Channel entry. My excuse? I’ve been messing around in boats almost non-stop during the past few months. After my excursions in the Caribbean, I found myself committed to quite a few classes on the Monterey Bay. I also spent about three weeks on a... »