What particularly strikes you as you step on board Columbia is the atmosphere. Judging from the beaming owners and crew, this is clearly a much-loved yacht, and the pride that…
Best paddle board: Top SUPs for beginners and seasoned experts
Given its significant increase in popularity in recent years, stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) likely requires no introduction for those who spend time on the water. If you’re interested in joining…
What happened when the great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens ran away to sea?
When a person is hit by the call of the sea – a wild call which, as Masefield observed, cannot be denied – today’s world offers many options. Varied they…
America’s Cup: What do we know about the teams with 1 year to go
There is now just 1 year to go until the America’s Cup proper kicks off in Barcelona, where Emirates Team New Zealand will take on the winner of the challengers…
Where are we sailing now? Years of cruising data reveals changing habits
I have been tracking the global movement of cruising boats since 1987, when I published the results of my first survey on this subject. In the intervening 35 years I’ve…
5 reasons to follow the 30th anniversary Transat Jacques Vabre
The Transat Jacques Vabre is one of the ultimate tests of short-handed racing, a double-handed dash from France that sees many of the world’s top racing machines take on the…
M5 exclusive pictures: Ron Holland, an airplane and the largest ever sloop
The incredible M5 (ex-Mirabella V) is about to embark on a Pacific crossing, and seen here with her designer and naval architect Ron Holland. Photo: Ron Holland This 77.6-metre underwent…
Garmin Instinct – big savings on one of the best smart watches I’ve tested
What it lacks in grace, it certainly makes up for in function. The Garmin Instinct and the Garmin Instinct Solar is a great sports watch that can go anywhere. A…
Best Icom VHF: 6 of the most reliable radios on the market
With over 50 years of experience developing two-way radio products globally, it’s no surprise that the best Icom VHF radios are sought-after equipment in the marine industry. Whether you’re searching…
J Class: the enduring appeal of the world’s most majestic yachts
One of the most awe-inspiring sights in modern yachting is the Spirit of Tradition fleet blasting off the start line at the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta. It happens every year…
Best kayak helmet: Head protection for paddlers and boarders
The importance of wearing the best kayak helmet can’t be overstated. Like the best lifejacket, it could very well save your life – it’s as simple as that. But it…
A stunning superyacht showdown in Palma
Lying beneath the limestone mountains of Mallorca, the Bay of Palma draws in a sea breeze almost every afternoon in summer. It builds lazily through the morning and peters away…
Coolest boats: Cadet dinghy
“I’ve been lucky enough to sail on a good selection of the ‘coolest’ yachts and I remember the excitement of the first time sailing each of them as I’m something…
The club for young cruisers you might not have heard of
The Young Cruisers Association is not your average yacht club. In fact, it might be the largest cruising association you’ve never heard of. Its ethos is very different to any…
Extraordinary boats: Trimaran Trinity
Californian sailor Terri Nelson likes nice things. One of her pet peeves, she tells me from her home in San Diego, is that even when checking into luxe hotels, as…
Great seamanship: inside a volcanic caldera in 50-knot winds
Joe Phelan is one of Ireland’s great sailors. With his wife and equal partner Trish he has been quietly standing out from the crowd for over 50 years, with dinghy…
The land of four kings: discovering Indonesia by yacht
The night is almost over when we motor our dinghy across Namatote Strait, drawn by the glinting fluorescent bulbs of a dozen fishing trimarans. The lights that attract the nightly…
How to find the right weather window
How do you pick the right departure date? One of the most critical aspects of planning for an offshore passage is choosing the right weather window for departure. A weather…
How to manoeuvre a yacht under power
When handling under power is done well, it’s like a black art. It wasn’t until I became an instructor that I realised it could be broken down into a few…
American Magic win first AC40 showdown at America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta
The second day of racing for the America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta was something of a mixed bag. Three solid fleet races in full foiling conditions were followed by an attempted…