CATEGORIES

Blue skies at Ocean Globe Race leg 3 start

Blue skies and steady winds heralded the start of the 6,000-mile third leg of the Ocean Globe Race from Auckland around Cape Horn to Punta del Este, with spectators cheering on the retro yachts from the deck of legendary Whitbread yacht Steinlager 2.

SAGITTA 30

If you're after a 30-footer that combines offshore ability with shallow draught, good performance and roomy accommodation, a Sagitta's two hulls might fit the bill. David Harding explains why

HOW IT WORKS WINTER SERVICING

Winter is a great time to make a detailed assessment of your boat's condition. Dennis O'Neill offers some handy reminders on areas that shouldn't be overlooked.

Rediscovering the Whitsundays

New Zealanders Anna Willison and husband Angus embark on what her workmates call an OPOE (Old Person's Overseas Adventure), a circumnavigation

THE AZORES & BACK RACE

Every four years Falmouth hosts a classic ocean race that's open to all; Angela Rice speaks to competitors about its demands and rewards

CORAL GARDENING IN FRENCH POLYNESIA

After witnessing the wonders of the Gambier Islands' flourishing reefs, two sailors meet an inspiring group of coral conservationists

ADVENTURE - IRELAND'S WILD ATLANTIC COAST

Artist Joanna Martin sailed south along the wild west coast of Ireland, where the power of the ocean meets rugged cliffs and deserted shores. She joined husband Mark and son William for part of their circumnavigation of Ireland, heading from County Mayo to Kinsale

'WE SPOTTED PEOPLE IN THE WATER, FIGHTING FOR THEIR LIVES'

When Mike Goodwin and his crew spotted something in the water at the end of their charter, they were unaware of the life-and-death drama in which they were about to play a part. This is his harrowing account of what happened

MAKE YOUR BOAT CHILD-FRIENDLY

Whether you're sailing near or far, a few simple modifications to your yacht can make life on board much more secure and comfortable for children, says Justin Halewood

Using radar for COLLISION AVOIDANCE

Radar is now more efficient, more affordable and far more advanced than even a few years ago. Rachael Sprot explains how to utilise the latest technology to keep clear at sea

A QUESTION OF SEAMANSHIP

Navigation light obscured - can I proceed?

Red sky, morning and night

Red sky at night, sailor’s delight. Red sky in the morning, sailor’s warning. This is the most well-known of the weather proverbs.

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