Welcome to The Cruising Club of America

The Cruising Club of America is an international organization with a membership of over 1,200 men and women who have voyaged the oceans for adventure and recreation. The members have vast sailing experience, exemplified by superior seamanship and demonstrated through significant command. Equally important to the mission of the club are the members’ geniality of spirit and willingness to share knowledge and friendship with fellow members through cruises, publications, social events, and posts on this website.

The CCA and its members contribute to the sport of sailing and history of yachting in many ways. The club makes awards for exceptional passage making, seamanship and literary works. The club organizes and runs the biennial Newport Bermuda Race, and conducts seminars on safety at sea for hundreds of sailors. The Bonnell Cove Foundation makes grants to not-for-profit organizations for projects in safety at sea and environmental protection.

For questions about the Club, please contact the secretary. Please send any comments or suggestions about the site to our webmaster.

Safety at Sea - The Best Sailors are constantly learning new ways to be safe out there.

Cruising Club members have advanced safety equipment and practiced safety techniques over years. Our Safety-at-Sea page posts articles and resources so you can sail more safely. The CCA Safety-at-Sea articles carry a special element that may not be available from other sources:  many articles here are written by our CCA members, and we share our own extensive experience at sea in small boats.

This month we feature articles about:

• A little-known issue with regard to shorter sailors (under 5' 6").  This article should be read with general recommendations for lifejackets aboard sailboats.
• A new article about Preventing Man Overboard, with tips on avoiding losing a crew over in the first place.  The best MOB rescue is the one that never happens!
• The article that says it all: Why We Write these Notes, by Dr. E. Garry Fischer.  This narrative is a great yarn about why we pass on our experience, and (hidden among the sea stories) it contains ten pointers of how to be a safer sailor.

Green Yacht DesignRecommendations
The Green Yacht Design Committee has prepared these recommendations to bring focus on making yachting more environmentally friendly and reducing our carbon footprint. For these recommendations and more read here.

2012 Annual Awards Announced
The CCA announced that the prestigious 2012 Blue Water Medal have been presented to David S. Cowper. Also announced were the recipients of the Rod Stephens Trophy, the Far Horizons Award and the Richard Nye Trophy. See press releases.

USCG Revision to their Watchkeeping frequencies on SSB - 3/12/2013
USCG determined that transmission and reception on 2182 kHz and DSC frequency 2187.5 kHz is spotty. Accordingly, they recommend using the next higher frequencies of 4125 kHz and DSC 4207.5 kHz or higher for communication with them.

CCA Bibliograpy
The Cruising Club of America has created a Bibliography of books written by the CCA, its members, spouses, and recipients of the Blue Water Medal Award.  It contains over 150 authors and more than 500 titles covering many maritime topics. CCA Bibliography

The Boats We Sail
There are two new additions to The Boats We Sail: Windermere, a 65' trawler, and Indigo, a 52' sloop.

Travelling to Canadian Waters?
This is a useful web site from the Canadian government for recreational boaters visiting Canadian waters.

DSC Distress Communications Form
The use of Digital Selective Calling (DSC) in VHF and SSB radios is relatively new and not widely understood.  This paper will give the reader a broad view of what DSC is and how it applies to recreational boats. Web site links and references are included for more detailed explanations. A simple form to guide you incase of emergency is included.  See other Safety at Sea resources and Offshore Communications resources.

Digital Selective Calling and Search & Rescue Areas
Important information on Digital Selective Calling, MMSI, AIS and Search and Rescue areas in the Atlantic and Pacific. In the fast-moving world of marine electronics, this is an important, comprehensive review of how to make the most of your DSC-capable VHF and SSB, and how to use the technology available to maximize your chances for a successful rescue at sea.

Privacy Policy: Information entered into this website will not be shared, but may be used for CCA business or CCA e-mail.

Updated May 22, 2013