As an addict of YouTube sailing channels, I am surprised at the amount of misinformation surrounding the ocean capabilities of modern boat design compared to the boats of a generation…
Sailing skills
Why you don’t need an anchor windlass + how to cruise without one
My first sailing boat didn’t have a windlass, and this led to a bit of unexpected drama. I was sailing in the Bahamas in my 30ft Dufour Arpege when I…
Should you set sail if a Force 8 is forecast?
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…
How to sail sustainably: ‘The Atlantic taught me how to calculate a boat’s carbon footprint’
For nearly three decades, I have been deeply involved in shaping environmental solutions across many industries, from agriculture to aviation. My colleagues and I were even honoured with a prestigious…
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 dry out to at any anchorage (and in harbour)
Almost all vessels, in the days of working sail, had to take the ground when calling at destinations around Britain. Some port towns were on estuaries that dried out at…
The best mast climbing gear for sailors & solo climbers
The best mast climbing gear for solo sailors or double handed sailors can be found in some well known high street stores and not necessarily in a chandlery. This buyers…
Sailing with katabatic winds: what you need to know this season
There are several localised metereological phenomena sailors and watersports users should know all about. Two key phenomena are land and sea breezes and Katabatic winds. You’ll want to understand what…
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…
How to get the best from your sailing boat: Learning how to ‘change gears’
Many of you, like me, probably started their sailing adventures in small dinghies. The purity of just you, the wind and some canvas. It’s where we honed our skills of…