Feature

Racing for the rum in Miami

Published on March 2nd, 2026

For one week each winter, the famed Coconut Grove neighborhood of Miami becomes the epicenter of the sailing world. Olympians meet amateurs on the dock. America’s Cup veterans share weather notes with rising talent. You cannot ... Read More →

Feature

Eight Bells: Guus Bierman

Published on March 5th, 2026

Guus Bierman, founder of Contender Sailcloth, passed away peacefully on March 2, 2026. He was 87 years of age. Guus was a passionate sailor and yachtsman, for whom sailing always connected the dots in life. Equally ... Read More →

Feature

Technology is hard to stop

Published on March 5th, 2026

by Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt Sailing News When the autonomous driving company Waymo revealed plans to enter the San Diego market, organizations that represent taxi and other transit options were opposed. “No corporation should be allowed to ... Read More →

Feature

Online testing fails to improve safety

Published on March 5th, 2026

by Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt Sailing News I am in my sixties, and all tests of some consequences were taken 40+ years ago. They involved textbooks, classrooms, instructors, and paper exams. A lot has changed since then. ... Read More →

Feature

Significant safety law being proposed

Published on March 5th, 2026

In the USA, all children under 13 years old are required to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket while on a moving recreational vessel, a wearable life jacket must be on board for each person, ... Read More →

Feature

Opening bar to the wider public

Published on March 5th, 2026

Steve Armitage, chief executive of Yachting New Zealand, offers this update about the liquor law in his country: If you are not already aware, the Government has recently announced proposed changes to the Sale and Supply ... Read More →

Feature

Sailing suffers without youth retention

Published on March 5th, 2026

Dear Curmudgeon: Sailing is, first and foremost, a sport, a sport of the highest achievements, which is included in the Olympic Games. For a sports sailing club, its main goal is to find as many children ... Read More →

Feature

Visible signal of generational investment

Published on March 5th, 2026

The Star Class was among the iconic Olympic events, attracting the best of the best to challenge others in this 22-foot 9-inch two-person keelboat. But its era, which began in 1932, came to an end in ... Read More →

Curmudgeon's Observation

Curmudgeon’s Observation

Published on March 4th, 2026

“All those who believe in psycho kinesis, raise my hand.” – Steven Wright Providing “insight” since 1997, the Curmudgeon’s Observation has been a hallmark of the Scuttlebutt Newsletter which delivers a digest of major sailing news, ... Read More →

Feature

Survey delivers an uncomfortable truth

Published on March 4th, 2026

The 2019 Strategic Review into Women in Sailing explored gender balance and made a case for change to address disparities within the sport. The report identified nine recommendations to balance the playing field, and six years ... Read More →

Feature

Eight Bells: Bob Kieding

Published on March 4th, 2026

Prominent boating supporter Robert B. Kieding, 88, passed away February 16, 2026 in Santa Barbara, CA. Born in Evanston, Illinois, Bob began sailing an 8’ single-handed pram at the age of eight, and never looked back. ... Read More →