Captain's Blog

Couple heeled into the wind

Rained Out

Navy Warships Mike and Kim Talbot moved from Las Vegas to Williamsburg to be closer to their daughter. They were eager to get out on the water, which Vegas lacks considerably. But first, they were held up driving across the Coleman Bridge because a US Navy warship was transiting on

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How Sailing Charter Started

How Charter Sailing Started

Special to the KCSA Bulletin People wonder, How did you start the sailing business?” It started with a few words, Let’s go sail the York River. The object was to let couples sail a serene three hours. In retirement, Kingsmill resident Bill O’Donovan has pursued a charter boat business to

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Sailing Serenely

Sailing Serenely

People wonder out loud, “Is sailing a serene experience?” Entirely! A couple from the Shenandoah Valley went to Richmond to visit old friends in May 2018. Then they included a trip to Williamsburg where we wound up sailing serenely on the York River. Right off the bat, we saw dolphins

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How to Sail Like a Pro

How to Sail Like a Pro

People ask, “What’s the best way to sail like a pro?” Don’t forget to wear an ascot. WATCH VIDEOS—This is a good first step because you can choose from myriad short videos on You Tube to see how things work. Focus at first on the Close Reach, Beam Reach and

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She Said Yes While Sailing

She Said Yes While Sailing

  Sometimes I get asked, “Do men propose to women on the boat?” Yes indeed. Brent Russell surprised his girlfriend Andrea Lefont with a sailing cruise on the York River, where he proposed marriage on the bow. She was stunned. He and I had arranged it so that we would

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Hurricane Coming

Hurricane Coming

People ask, “What do you do in a hurricane?” The latest thing to do near Williamsburg is to batten down the hatches for the hurricane coming. Not since Isabel 19 years ago has a Cat 4 threatened the Virginia coast. At York River Yacht Haven, the yard crew pulled 33

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50 Shades of Improved Sailing Ego

Shades of Improved Ego

People wonder, “Is sailing an ego trip?” When you start out to sail, you set yourself apart from the rest of mankind who lack your ambition. You have chosen an adventure that takes time to learn, time to hone, time to perfect. Not everyone can do it. Already you feel

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Learning to Sail Big

Learning to Sail Big

Two fellows from Hampton Roads set out on a brilliant Saturday morning to advance their sailing skills by learning to sail big. Dan Fisher and Jim Brock took the ASA 101 basic keelboat course separately. Now they assembled for the next step, ASA 103 intermediate coastal cruising. They had never

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