CATEGORIES

Bodge-jobs don't work

Trying to find shortcuts around tricky boating tasks usually doesn’t work. In fact it often creates more problems than before.

FIRST TEST BAVARIA C46

Massive bow sections create a huge amounts of space on board, and in theory, a powerful hull to give lively sailing. Theo Stocker pushes the boat to see if the reality matches up

Child-friendly cruising skills

We hammered along the wild coasts a bit too enthusiastically

Yachtsmen's role in the Great Flood

A train was stopped when it collided with a bungalow planing down a breaking wave

NEW BOATS

Ultra-cool, sporty weekenders and dayboats are a niche of the market that's seeing some exciting new designs emerging. Theo Stocker takes a look at two of the latest

Historic series of storms batter UK coasts

The coasts of Britain and Europe were hit by a historic series of autumnal storms, all within four weeks of each other. The storms claimed several lives, destroyed hundreds of boats and caused millions of pounds’ worth of damage.

Top study shows biofuels could be a greener choice than electric propulsion

The most in-depth analysis yet of marine leisure vessels’ propulsion systems has found that using biofuels in traditional engines is greener than electric propulsion systems in many cases.

Why sailors love a good problem

Never underestimate that for some boat-owners (though not necessarily their crews or partners), it is the maintaining and problem-solving that form half the satisfaction. Especially the latter: a puzzle is always satisfying.

TECHNICAL VHF ANTENNAS

The range and effectiveness of your yacht's radio communication depends on the dimensions, position and quality of your VHF antenna.

TECHNICAL THE FUTURE OF CRUISING YACHTS

Predicting the future is never easy, but Patrick Dixon's job is to do just that. As a liveaboard sailor, he shares his ideas about what lies in store for yacht design

PILOTAGE SWAPPING STUDLAND FOR SWANAGE

Studland's valuable anchorage is now a no-anchor zone, so Ken Endean looks at alternatives

MY BEAUTIFUL BALTIC

Niklas Sandström grew up next to the Baltic Sea and has witnessed how it has changed. His article was runner up in the 2022 Brian Black Memorial Award

CRUISING MY MAIDEN VOYAGE AROUND BRITAIN

When novice sailor Katrina Megget said yes to four months on a 28ft boat sailing around Great Britain, she didn't know what she was in for...

'SHOULD WE CONTINUE OR SAIL BACK FOR HELP?'

A collision and a fouled prop put Amanda and Victor Tettmar in a tricky situation mid-Channel, surrounded by shipping with night falling

Extend your stay in Europe

Dancing the Schengen Shuffle' is a new challenge for British sailors in the Mediterranean and elsewhere in Europe. Mike Morgan looks at how to keep sailing beyond 90 days

HOW TO PLAN OFFSHORE VOYAGES

Choosing the best ocean route can be daunting. Jimmy Cornell explains how to do it, and how the parameters are changing

FIRST TEST GT325

A boat that dares to do things differently, the GT325 blends elements of the old and the new to remarkable effect

'THE ORCAS SHOOK THE BOAT LIKE A TOY'

Theo Wakefield’s boat was significantly damaged and his nerves shaken after an encounter with orcas off Portugal

TESTED EWINCHER ELECTRIC WINCH HANDLE - £2,099

Designed for yachts from 30 to 60 feet, Ewincher is an electrically assisted winch handle recently upgraded and relaunched with more power and longer battery life.

THE ARCTIC IS CHANGING COLOUR

Tobias Carter launched the Unu Mondo project to document climate change in the Arctic. His article was runner-up for the 2022 Brian Black Memorial Award

FROM LOCKDOWN ΤΟ LOCK MANIA

Nic Compton and assorted crew members lock into the French canal network from the Channel to the Mediterranean

A GUIDE TO HAVING YOUR BOAT DELIVERED (OR HELPING DELIVER ONE)

If you need help getting your boat from A to B after a purchase or for a cruise, a delivery crew might be the solution,

HOW TO NAVIGATE 'ORCA ALLEY'

In the last three years, orcas have started 'attacking' yachts on their way through the Gibraltar Straits. James Kenning looks at how to minimise the risk

FIRST TEST - X-YACHTS X4³

X-Yachts' latest model promises to be a fast passage-making cruising boat that's fun and engaging to sail but won't scare your socks off. Theo Stocker went to find out how well the X4³ toes the line

The lessons we should not forget

Sailors have famously short memories. Arriving in New Caledonia after blast-reaching in near gale conditions up from New Zealand, we had that slightly wild-eyed, salty-haired look that comes with an eventful passage. And we weren’t even meant to be in New Caledonia. A weather forecast shortly after setting out from Opua showed a low forming just off these islands, deepening rapidly and moving eastwards. Our planned passage up to Fiji would have meant we would effectively be ‘racing’ this weather system to Fiji. Our ETAs would be pretty much equal. Not good.

My boat is a welcome retreat

Tracey and I have just commenced construction of our very own Grand Designs in so much as we are self building a long dreamed of off-grid house in our little corner of Cornwall. It’s cool to be using technology that we used to test and develop during the early days of short-handed racing.

My first Biscay crossing

Kate Fraser’s first overnight sail was both testing and exhilarating in equal measure

Magic of the Moray Firth

This leg of Mark Ashley-Miller’s epic Harbour Master challenge takes in northeast Scotland’s varied coastline

NAVIGATE YOUR WAY HOME WITHOUT POWER

Electrical failure can put you in the dark when your instruments go down. A few traditional skills, and a good tool kit, can see you safely home

Heads up for a rite of passage!

Heads on yachts, as we all know, represent a range of challenges. Some are physical, some mechanical, and some spiritual.