Here is the 2021 SailZing review of highlights, popular content, and contributors. This is our 4th annual end-of-year review.
Highlights
For your SailZing editors, the highlights of 2021 were our continued audience growth and the rollout of Skills Kits, our new resource for sailing schools.
In 2021, we posted over 50 substantive articles on SailZing.com and 15 new videos on our YouTube channel. Our website readership increased more than 10% in 2021 compared to 2020 and has increased every year since we began in 2017. Our YouTube views increased from around 177,000 views in 2020 to over 201,000 views (1.6 million minutes!) in 2021.
The response to our content affirms our belief that we can make a difference by breaking down the complex sport of sailing into nuggets to help you sail faster and smarter.
We introduced a major new service in April 2021. SailZing Skills Kits give you a comprehensive set of tools to teach sailing skills effectively. The Opti kit includes 28 sailing skills. The X boat kit includes 29 skills. Each skill comes with performance standards at three levels, performance notes, and dozens of learning activities for classroom, land, on-water. Also included: evaluation forms with your organization’s logo, mostly-for-fun activities list, and a student-parent reference guide.
Our SailZing store offers unique products that improve your racing performance, reduce on-water distractions, and simplify boat chores. The revenues from our store help keep our content free to all users. In 2021, we added new colors and lengths to our popular StayTales. We also updated our redesigned tack slug for the MC Scow. Watch for more new products in 2022.
Popular Topics, Posts, and Videos
Here are the most popular categories and individual posts/videos from 2021.
Racing Rules Articles and Videos
We refreshed the racing rules articles by adding videos and incorporating the 2021-2024 rules changes. This category continues to be one of our most popular topics.
Individual Posts and Videos
Many of these posts and videos were completed in prior years but made the most-popular list in 2021.
- Changing Trailer Wheel Bearings – one of our most-viewed videos
- Sail in Clear Air – video and written summary
- Mainsail Trim series – four articles, each with a video and written summary
- Lift and drag – prevent common sail trim errors – video and written summary
- Ladder rungs – video and written summary
- Starting Strategy with Roble/Shea sailing
- Velocity Made Good (VMG) – video and written summary
- Sailing by the Lee
- How to use a Race Compass – updated in 2021
- Seeing wind on the water – updated in 2021
- Solve Common Pointing Problems
Contributors and Sources
At SailZing, we believe we can add the most value by seeking insights from a variety of sources. Perhaps one of these sources will say something in a unique way that makes sense to you. In our five years of operation, we’ve managed to gather insights from over 140 sailors and authors, through books, online articles, and direct contributions. Thanks to all our contributors and sources from 2021, listed below!
| North Sails | Quantum Sails | Yachting New Zealand | Roble/Shea Sailing |
| International Sailing Academy | Frank Bethwaite | Willie McBride | Dave Dellenbaugh |
| Gordy Bowers | Allan Terhune, Jr. | Kamron Kaiser | Mike Ingham |
| Sailing World | Cognitive Vitality | Sports Illustrated | Mark Sisson |
| Ken Read | John Porter | Bill Draheim | Peter Vaciurguis |
| Chelsea Carlson | David Houghton | Gary Jobson | Stuart Walker |
| Melges Performance Sailboats | Mark DeGuire | Rick Roy | Sailing Anarchy |
| Andy Horton | Greg Fisher | Dave Ullman | Mike Considine |
| UK Sails |
Thank you!
We appreciate your support for the SailZing approach of free, learning-focused content. We’re honored to bring it to you in support of our sport and look forward to 2022!
