When researching ports and anchorages to include in our pilot books, Rod and I tend to spend a lot of our time in some of the most popular places, making…
Yachting Monthly
Your complete guide to yacht pilotage (done properly)
Long ago, in the days when paper charts were precious, navigators would sketch out the relevant details in their notebook and take it on deck rather than risk the chart…
‘Mayday, Grandad overboard!’: A race turned lifeboat rescue
Henry, my grandson, and I decided to sail together for the Fowey Sailing Opal series, the last yacht race series of the season, as his dinghy season was complete and…
Arcona 50 review: Does the new Arcona flagship impress?
Does a metre really make that much difference when it comes to boat length? It may be one small step up in size, but it represents a giant leap for…
Sailing to Haiti: ‘Visiting Haïti has been one of the most unique and rewarding experiences of my life’
Lordship, my Westerly Sealord, had been stranded in the Dominican Republic for two months. I had been sailing from Martinique towards Cuba with two friends. We were having trouble with…
Hallberg-Rassy 370 first look: Easy handling and good performance
Swedish yard, Hallberg-Rassy has continued the roll-out of its latest design philosophy across its range of yachts. Rather oddly, the yard claimed the new Hallberg-Rassy 370 does not replace any…
The Perfect Boat Demands Perfect Balance
Like so many things in life, perfection demands balance. When it comes to building the perfect performance cruiser, there are many things that must come together in complete harmony. Balancing…
‘I celebrate easy, simple (and often bad) sailing’ – Monty Halls
There are many folk who have stepped onto Sobek and made an immediate (although entirely understandable) mistake. They have assumed that I know what I’m doing. It’s not a long-lasting…
The Best Gifts for Boaters and outdoor enthusiasts in 2025
Stuck for a Christmas gift idea for the sailor in your life? We choose the best Christmas gifts for sailors which are guaranteed to put a smile on their face…
How to lay your own mooring
Over the years I have had deep water moorings laid for me and also dug in my own half-tide moorings. Both have been in positions which suited the craft I…