West Coast Sailing Blog

Enjoying a sail on the Hansa 303W universal access design dinghy.West Coast Sailing proudly sponsored the 2017 US Sailing National Sailing Programs Symposium, held February 16-18 in Austin, Texas. This exceptionally well-run conference is all about professional development for sailing program directors and coaches.Chris and Andrew at the West Coast Sailing BoothGeorge, Chris and Andrew from our shop had a great time catching up with our customers from all over the country and we even got to enjo …

Gill have re-launched their bestselling and industry-leading jacket, the OS2.The OS2 range encompasses technical jackets and trousers for both men and women. Redesigned to bring style and substance to offshore sailing, the new OS2 combines the brand’s tradition of robust engineering with numerous improvements in detail, as well as a contemporary range of colors from Bright Lime to Blue. The OS2 Jacket and OS2 Trousers for Men and Women are available now at West Coast Sailing.The OS2 collections …

The International Laser Class Association (ILCA) is pleased to announce the release of a class-legal composite top mast section that is expected to be available for purchase in early 2017.Because the new mast was designed with the exact same weight and bend characteristics as the existing aluminum upper sections, it will not provide a performance advantage but instead will eliminate the permanent bending problems associated with the aluminum spars.“ILCA’s policy regarding the introduction of new …

The classic neoprene wetsuit has long be a staple for the active dinghy sailor. Thanks to apparel manufacturers like Gill, Zhik, Magic Marine, and others, sailors have great options for sailing wetsuits. In this article we'll look at why you might want to consider one for your kit and what options and styles are available.How does a wetsuit work?The purpose of a wetsuit is to provide warmth and protection in cold water or cold air sailing environments. Most are made from neoprene, a synthetic r …

The Latest from C-Vane Wind IndicatorsC-Vane, the sailing accessory company owned by top Laser sailor and coach Ryan Minth, is well known for the popular yellow vane on their wind indicators for Laser, Sunfish, and other small dinghy sailboats. Always seeking to innovate and offer new solutions, We're pleased to introduce a new wind indicator from C-Vane, the C-Vane PRO Laser Bow Wind Indicator.Innovation Meets EaseThis unique wind indicator features a low friction vane attached to a short (~7") …