How to take a tow It has been said with justification that we learn more from our own mistakes than from any manual, and when it comes to towing, I’d…
Sailing skills
A yachtsman’s guide to shipping
To stay safe around shipping, it pays to understand the different types of marine traffic. John Lang explains all
Skipper’s tips – call for the barber
Tom Cunliffe has assessed hundreds of sailors for the RYA Yachtmaster exam. He shares a few skipper's tips with us...
How to gybe safely and easily
Tom Cunliffe explains the mechanics of gybing, what can go wrong, and shows you how to perform a flawless, fearless gybe every time
Skipper’s tips – cheap and cheerful
Tom Cunliffe has assessed hundreds of sailors for the RYA Yachtmaster exam. He shares a few skipper's tips with us...
How to free a riding turn
The riding turn - iIt happens to all of us, and usually when there's a tack imminent. Tim Bartlett explains how to tackle a sheet jammed on a winch
How to sail in light winds
Try a few of our 11 easy tweaks when you find yourself in light winds, says Tim Bartlett. You might not need the engine just yet…
Going astern with twin, long and fin keels
Different hull types demand different tactics. Tom Cunliffe shows you how to avoid embarrassment next time you’re at the helm of an unfamiliar yacht
How to make navigation safer using satellite images
Some hydrographic surveys date from the Victorian era. Tom Partridge uses satellite imagery as a sanity check for navigation and finds unexpected benefits
More tips on using an anchor
Duncan Wells passes on even more tips on using an anchor to help with boat handling, how to drop ground tackle by hand and how to recover a stuck anchor