Quaker Girl is waiting patiently at the end of steep granite steps for her third skipper. Not that she needs three, or even one for that matter. But as I…
Yachting Monthly
‘You have to be a better sailor… using electric power’
I barely move. The slightest ghost of a breeze is nurtured for every tenth of a knot. 1.2 knots kicks up to 1.5 knots and my smile gets wider. The…
‘Every time you turn on your engine, the exhaust water makes the sea more acidic’
The sun shines bright in the sky and the gentle wind moves a lock of hair on my cheek. I turn the wheel, tack and pull the sheet towards me.…
Can you use AI to make a decent passage plan at sea? Would you? – Lu Heikell
From time to time, we get asked for advice on cruising routes from those looking to explore a new area. We are generally happy to oblige, as it usually isn’t…
Zhik Spirit of Adventure: ‘Steep cliffs rose into immense mountains [and] ice fields shone high above’
Sullen clouds pressed down upon a pewter sea. To port, the mountains vanished into swirling mist; to starboard, Bird Island jutted from the restless ocean. I stood in the cockpit…
How I moved my mooring into deeper water better suited to my yacht
Typical of a purchase driven by the heart, the reality of buying a long keel cruiser struck home immediately when I tried to keep Swedish Lass on the drying mooring…
How it works: Yacht Radar
To utilise radar properly it’s imperative that you learn how to interpret the information displayed. Many objects produce such a poor echo they don’t show up on the screen. Fixed…
How to become an experienced all-round sailor
Don’t worry, I’ve got a wetsuit you can borrow,’ reads the text from Rafa’s mum. ‘No thanks,’ I reply, ‘I have no intention of getting wet… and anyway, I don’t…
‘It’s easy to make friends while cruising’ – Paul Trammell
Sailing singlehanded as I do, I place a high value on my solitude and am quite happy to spend many consecutive days alone. However, sailing alone amplifies the value of…
Cruising around the Bijagos islands: Taking a break from sailing around the world in remote regions
Situated at the mouth of many rivers in Guinea-Bissau, the Bijagos archipelago is one of Africa’s most isolated maritime regions. Strong tides, violent currents, murky waters, rocky reefs, constantly shifting…