Toby is skipper of Cutting Edge, a 13m cruiser racer which he keeps in Salcombe. Cutting Edge is a powerful yacht fully equipped for racing with a comprehensive sail wardrobe…
James Stevens
Should you enter this harbour with a navigation electronics malfunction?
Dave and three friends are sailing their 10m cruising yacht from the Solent to Brest. They were going to enter L’Aber Wrac’h, a rocky inlet in north-west France, for the…
How to get out of a tight yacht berth without damage
Sarah and Mark have enjoyed a holiday in Guernsey but the wind and tide are both now favourable for them to return to England. They are on board their 11m…
Should you avoid a mystery green light at sea?
Mike and two crew are sailing north up the east coast of England towards Sunderland. They are on board Amelia, a 15-metre gaff cutter and finding the trip hard work.…
Swellies quandary: Go at low or high water?
Nick and Judy own a 9m bilge keel yacht with a draught of 1.2m. They are on a voyage up the west coast of Britain and are now in the…
How to pick up a tricky mooring solo?
John has been sailing with friends for many years but has finally decided to buy his own yacht. It is a 10m cruiser racer which he reckons will be light…
What to do with difficult crew mid Atlantic?
Jim is regretting taking on Ed as crew on a transatlantic voyage. Bellatrix is a sturdy 13m production GRP yacht in good condition with all the recommended safety gear for…
Can I squeeze over this tidal sill on neaps?
Tom and Jane are on holiday in North Brittany with their two children. They are on their 11m yacht with a 2m draught. The weather has been hot, with a…
Does steering failure mean a Mayday call?
Sue is owner of Skua, a 40-year-old 10-metre GRP sloop with tiller steering. Sue has owned Skua for about 20 years and has sailed regularly, usually across the English Channel.…
Would you sail if you found water ingress in the bilges?
Andy and Jane are on the trip of a lifetime to the Caribbean on board their 12m cruiser racer Ambition with two crew. They are currently in Las Palmas preparing…