This June marks the centenary of legendary Irish yachtsman Conor O Brien returning from a history-making circumnavigation aboard his yacht Saoirse. The iconic sailor, mountaineer, architect, and author first set…
Cruising life
Sailing to The Monastic Republic of Mount Athos
The Monastic Republic of Mount Athos, roughly the size of Malta, dates back to at least 800 AD. This sovereign region within Greece has a policy of extreme isolation, which…
Send in your nominations for the 2026 RYA Awards
Nominations are now open for the 2026 RYA Awards! The yearly RYA awards are a great chance for people from across this vibrant community to celebrate those who make sailing…
The Atlantic Rally for Cruisers: ‘The Atlantic was tough, but being prepared saw us across’
Crossing the Atlantic to cruise the Caribbean was a dream long in the making; my planning was meticulous, so, come the time of my departure on the 2024 Atlantic Rally…
Set sail with the Ocean Youth Trust South this summer
Who is the Ocean Youth Trust? Each year, the Ocean Youth Trust sails with around 450 young people from challenging or disadvantaged backgrounds, many of whom have been referred by…
‘Suddenly we found ourselves in our child’s headmaster’s office asking if anyone’s ever taken a year off to go sailing?
Ever since James and I first met, we have fantasised about going on some kind of boat-based adventure. Every time we go on holiday, we lament the fact we can’t…
Zhik Spirit of Adventure: ‘It’s a little bit of heaven – two miles of sand backed by dunes held together by ancient and gnarled juniper trees’
Good luck going round the Peloponnese,’ smiled the seasoned sailor as I told him our plans. He stood at the dock on the Greek Island of Lefkada, looking critically at…
Land and Sea breeze basics: how to make the most of your coastal sailing
No matter where you are in the world, coastal sailing is all about knowing how to read your immediate surroundings to have fun and stay safe while cruising and one…
‘Our dinghy outboard was being smashed to pieces by the swell’
Our dinghy is the equivalent of everyone’s car at home; it’s how we get from our boat at anchor, to anywhere in the harbour. Used most days, it has to…
Zhik Spirit of Adventure: ‘Wonderful opportunities for whale watching as these gracious creatures head north’
Sailing a yacht down to Antarctica can be an incredible adventure. Get it right and it will earn its ‘voyage of a lifetime’ reputation. Taking a small yacht into the…