Psychologically, I have always found sailing through calms to be far worse than battling any storm. Endlessly flogging sails and oppressive heat can fray tempers on any yacht. With no…
Pip Hare
Tried and tested: Spinlock Deckvest VITO lifejacket
What is it? Leisure version of the lifejacket worn by pro racers Who is it for? Sailors who need to wear a lifejacket for long periods at a time For…
Grand Soleil 52LC test: Italian beauty offers stimulating sailing
The Grand Soleil 52 Long Cruise Sport (52LC) is wedged, stern-to, in between a grubby ketch and a motorboat. Its long decks are finished in graphite gelcoat, which absorbs the…
Amel 50 review: An indoor sailing experience to excite even hardened sailors
Amel has a long established following for yachts designed and built to match the needs of liveaboard and bluewater cruisers. It is reputed for its singular way of doing things…
J/99 review: All thrills, no frills on board this double-handed racing machine
We ghosted down the Hamble River under mainsail alone, the water slipping silently past our red hull in the grainy half-light of a winter morning. We’d hoisted the mainsail in…
X-Yachts X4-9 test: Danish yard strikes a tough balance with hybrid design
The X49 is squarely aimed at the no-compromise sailor who wants it all. It combines a comfortable, stylish interior, with clean, beautiful lines on deck and can even be raced…
Finot-Conq FC3 53 test: Can this offshore cruiser deliver the best of both worlds?
If the electric green hull and striking looks of Nica don’t grab your attention, then its on-paper description certainly will. This Finot-Conq FC3 53 is a carbon-hulled, water-ballasted, swing keel…
Blog: What it’s really like to sail in the Rolex Fastnet Race double-handed
It is over. We crossed the finish line at 21:09 last night coming in 17th in double handed class and 33rd in Class 3 which all things considered is probably…
How to climb a mast safely at sea – masterclass with ocean racer Pip Hare
Of all the things I have encountered over my sailing career, climbing a mast at sea is one of the top five to get my heart racing. Any motion felt…
Hallberg-Rassy 44 video – traditional cruising values in a new hull shape
The bitterly cold wind is cutting through my four layers of technical clothing as though they are made of mesh – the instruments tell me the water temperature is 4ºC,…
Expert tips on getting your cockpit set up perfectly for short-handed sailing
The simple things we take for granted when sailing with crew can become a nightmare double-handed. Dropping the main on a blustery night with one of you stuck behind the…
All carbon Arcona 465 on test – is this the ultimate performance cruiser?
Performance cruisers are designed and sold to chew up the miles on longer journeys without sacrificing too much comfort. Yet many new owners find that their boat that sailed so…
How to reef short-handed and how to know when the time is right to reduce sail
The decision to reef is as much about boat handling as it is about wind strength. So try to take a holistic view of how the whole boat feels and…
iPad navigation apps tested: Pip Hare reviews 7 chartplotting apps
The development of navigation apps has now advanced to the stage where tablets are being used regularly by many sailors as a primary means of navigation on board. With the…
iBoating marine navigation app for iPad and Android
A surprisingly versatile and comprehensive app but not easy to use and contains some annoying quirks.
iNavX marine navigation app for iPad and iPhone
A good all-round package and especially versatile for ability to use raster and vector charts from multiple providers.
Transas iSailor marine navigation app for iPad and Android
Good basic functionality – a full standalone navigation app – and plenty of advanced options as well, but each one incurs a fee.
Garmin BlueChart Mobile app for iPad
Slick and well designed navigational planning app that integrates seamlessly with onboard Garmin systems
SeaNav UK and Ireland – marine navigation app for iPad
Way ahead of the competition in terms of advanced features, including augmented reality view, but not as quick for general usage. Options for Europe, Canada and USA.
MaxSea TimeZero – marine navigation app for iPad
If you prefer raster charts then MaxSea TimeZero app for iPad is the package for you, but perhaps not if you seek advanced features