Louise and Julia are cruising the north east of the UK on their Grand Soleil 43. They seize a brief weather window to visit the Farne Islands off the Northumbrian…
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Why you might be wrong about production yachts – and why they are great for ocean crossings
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…
How to use shore power properly on your boat
While relatively few boats use AC at sea, the majority of us take advantage of it when alongside. The benefits are many, although not without risks to your health and…
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 service a winch
Winches tend to be mounted in places where, if a bit drops off, it will roll into the water, so take your time and keep hold of everything. Put items…
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…
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…
How it works: Taking a noon sight
To take a sextant noon sight you first have to figure out when the sun will pass over your meridian. It is good enough to work it out to the…
How to install Ultrasonic Antifouling and why I chose it to beef up my protection
You might recognise the feeling – a sense of deepening anxiety as the moment for your boat’s annual haul-out finally approaches. What state will the hull be in? And what…