Pete John recalls bringing his Nicholson 35 from Hamble to Argyll, with strong winds, a rope around the prop, genoa furling line failure and an escort by the Campbeltown lifeboat
Sailing skills
Busting the hull speed myth
Waterline length is not the defining factor in maximum boat speed that we all think it is. Julian Wolfram busts the hull speed myth
How do I get out of a severe broach?
If your boat was about to broach what would you do? James Stevens answers your Questions of Seamanship
Pilotage skills: expert tips to explore with confidence
In the first of our Cruising Clinic series, Rachael Sprot steps aboard to help Tracey Hindmarsh and her crew improve their pilotage skills to explore with confidence
Sailing in the Arctic: how to cruise to the far north
Once you’ve experienced the beauty and peace of sailing in the Arctic, you’ll want to return again and again. Andrew Wilkes explains how to make the dream a reality…
VHF Radio pitfalls and how to avoid them
It’s easy to just turn on your VHF radio and hope for the best, but knowing how to get the best out of it can make a big difference, says…
How to make a VHF radio Mayday call & Pan Pan call
When you need help, make sure you and your crew know exactly what to say when making a Mayday or distress call, says Andy Du Port
How and when to make a VHF radio check – and when not to
A VHF radio check will tell you if your radio is working properly or not, but you shouldn't do every time you go out, or even with the Coastguard, says…
Sailing the French canals: lessons learned
From buying a suitable yacht to negotiating 371 locks, three tunnels and travelling 1,400 miles from Fareham, Lizzy Bolan shares the highs and lows of navigating the French canals
Encounters with orcas & how to protect your boat
Andy Pag explores why orcas have been damaging yachts off Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar, and how to protect your boat