Highlights
For your SailZing editors, the major highlight of 2020 was our continued audience growth, including both our website and our YouTube channel. In 2020, we posted over 60 substantive articles on SailZing.com and over 40 videos on our YouTube channel. Our website readership increased more than 50% in 2020, compared to 2019! Our YouTube views increased from around 74,000 views in 2019 to over 177,000 views in 2020.
The response to our content affirms our belief that we can make a difference by breaking down the complex sport of sailing into nuggets you can use to sail faster and smarter.
We also compiled a large selection of resources for sailing instructors and piloted the collection with our local sailing school. We plan to incorporate feedback from the pilot and make this valuable collection available to all sailing schools in spring 2021. Watch for further announcements.
We also introduced new products to our SailZing store, including a floating buoy line and a redesigned tack slug for the MC Scow. All our products are unique and get rave reviews for our customers. Besides making sailing easier for our customers, the revenues from our store help pay our expenses. Watch for more new products in 2021.
Popular Topics, Posts, and Videos
Here are the most popular categories and individual posts/videos from 2020.
Racing Rules Articles and Videos
We’re refreshing 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.
Roble/Shea Fast Forward Series – sponsored by the ILYA
During the COVID lockdown, 2021 Olympic 49er Fx qualifiers Stephanie Roble and Maggie Shea presented 12 webinars sharing their secrets on a wide range of topics. We posted these videos and summarized the key points in website articles. This series was sponsored by the ILYA.
Upwind Mainsail Trim
We delved into the theory and practice of upwind mainsail trim with four videos and website articles on mainsail shape. We will add to this collection in 2021.
Other Popular Individual Posts and Videos
Most of these posts and videos were completed in prior years, but they continue to our most popular content in 2020.
- Changing Trailer Wheel Bearings – one of our most-viewed videos
- Key sailing concepts – Sail in Clear Air, Ladder Rungs, Velocity Made Good (VMG) (new in 2020), Lift and Drag
Contributors and Sources
At SailZing, we believe we can add the most value by seeking insights from a variety of sources. Maybe one of these sources will say something in a unique way that makes sense to you. In our four years of operation, we’ve managed to gather insights from over 120 sailors and authors, through books, online articles, and direct contributions. Thanks to all our contributors and sources from 2020, listed below!
| Bill Gladstone | Eric Twiname | Andy Horton |
| John Bertrand | Tim Wadlow | Rick White |
| Bill Draheim | John Porter | Will Huerth |
| Vaughan Harrison | David Dellenbaugh | Kate Cox |
| Stuart Walker | Frank Bethwaite | Dave Ullman |
| Zack Clayton | Andrew Campbell | Paul Goodison |
| Gary Jobson | Greg Fisher | RJ Porter |
| Stephanie Roble | Peter Isler | Christian Spencer |
| Maggie Shea | Jeff Bonnani | Ivar Dedham |
| Ed Baird | Terry Hutchinson | Shirley Robertson |
| Eric Doyle | Mike Ingham | Will Hendershot |
| Allan Terhune | Willie McBride | David Houghton |
| Doug Peckover | Malcolm Lamphere |
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 2021!
