Labor Day weekend is a great time to pick up a bargain on boating gear and West Marine’s Labor Day sale looks particularly good this year. There are hundreds, if…
Sailing into Venice: how the city of love won my heart
I’ll be the first to admit that I wanted to ‘skip’ Venice. In the myriad of Mediterranean sailing destinations I discussed with my wife and co-captain, Roxy, I thought we…
Clothing of the future: Eco friendly sailing kit
Back in the days when togging up for a sail meant donning a stout Guernsey and some tightly woven gaberdines, sustainability was barely on the agenda. Wool and cotton were…
Best sailing hats: Top boating headwear from simple caps to sou’westers and helmets
Whatever the season, there are two staples you need for the open water. A good pair of sailing sunglasses and the best sailing hat for protection from the sun (especially those of us…
What to wear offshore sailing: your guide for comfort and safety
Offshore sailing offers a thrilling and adventurous experience and it is hard to imagine a place where sailing is closer to its ‘purest’ form. But it also requires careful consideration…
5 expert tips to improve your tacking
While a tack is one of the most fundamental manoeuvres, it’s also hard to execute well. The more crew on board, the harder it is to co-ordinate the timing of…
Cruising Turkey: magnificent ruins, beautiful flora and fauna
For the last five years we have wend our way from the Channel Islands to the crystal waters of the Eastern Mediterranean. Our 56-footer Kytra is registered in Guernsey so…
Boundless adventure: The Outremer 52
“Trustability” was the word that Caroline and Magnus Tallqvist used to describe Franny, their brand new Outremer 52 – the first hull of Outremer’s latest design. “Trust that it will…
Why the yachts of the future are already here
Imagine a future where you could buy a standard production yacht which is built not from virgin fibres, toxic resin, and fitted with teak or plastic decks, nor propelled by…
World’s fastest monohull: Malizia-Seaexplorer IMOCA 60
Followers of the IMOCA 60 fleet will know that two names have dominated the class over the past two generations when it comes to design: VPLP and Verdier. So, it’s no…
Best kayak shoes for protecting your feet during all sorts of paddling adventures
There are myriad styles of paddling footwear available – from wetsuit booties to sneaker-like water shoes and sandals – but the most important function of the best kayak shoes is…
American Magic skipper: Terry Hutchinson
American professional sailor Terry Hutchinson has been called many things in his 40-year career racing sailboats. Brash. Outspoken. A horse’s you-know-what. And they’re among the less incendiary labels – comments…
Great seamanship: The Lugworm Chronicles
For anyone interested in small-boat voyaging – or indeed, any sailor wanting to get seriously close to the sea itself, The Lugworm Chronicles by Ken Duxbury is a ‘must-read’. I,…
Double handed sailing skills: handling symmetric spinnakers
Double handed sailing skills are increasingly important to master as the recent boom in double handed racing, both inshore and offshore, continues and boats designed for couples to cruise two-up…
Best waterproof Bluetooth speakers
Although an early adopter of them, I used to think waterproof Bluetooth speakers were a bit of fun, a bit of a niche, something to take to the beach now…
Coolest yachts: Quantum Racing
Terry Hutchinson is tactician for the Quantum Racing TP52 and nominates the team’s Botin-designed USA 52018. “The most recent Quantum Racing and this entire generation of TP52s have been a…
What’s the best autopilot kit for a transatlantic?
Few cruising skippers would argue with ocean sailing guru and founder of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) Jimmy Cornell when he says some form of self-steering is ‘essential for…
Best water toys: the latest inflatables and kit for fun afloat
With the Northern Hemisphere summer now in full swing many of us have our boats back on the water. But with long distance cruising still difficult, perhaps it is time…
Extraordinary boats: Infiniti 52 – an incredible story and boat
When it comes to displacement, racing yachts today cover the widest spectrum – from fully flying AC75s to the heavyweight J Class. In between lie light displacement and planing boats,…
5 top tips: How to gybe in strong winds
Gybing any boat in strong wind can be loaded with jeopardy but it’s particularly risky on a powerful boat like a VO70. The boat that was originally constructed for US…