Leg 3 of The Ocean Race was always expected to be an punishing test for the five IMOCAs and their crews, but it’s been a particularly tough start for the teams…
Best heated jackets for sailors: The top self-heating electric jackets to wear in cold weather
A decent sailing jacket is a must-have wardrobe item for any sailor. But for those sailing in extreme weather, sometimes an extra layer of warmth is needed. In that case,…
Why have Orcas been attacking yachts? A puzzling mystery
Late in November last year, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s Farr 65 pilothouse cutter, Sanjula, was being sailed 10 miles west of Cape Finisterre in Spain when it was surrounded by orca…
The hen that sailed around the world: a farewell to Monique
Monique, a Rhode Island Red hen who joined solo sailor Guirec Soudée on multiple sailing adventures, even including 130 days icebound in Greenland, has died at the age of 9.…
Everything you need to know about Southern Ocean storms
Any colour you want as long as it’s grey! That’s my overriding memory of life in the Southern Ocean – we tend to forget the sun reflecting off icebergs and…
Sydney Hobart Race Hotels and accommodation
We have selected some fabulous Sydney Hobart Race Hotels and take in the race atmosphere and a bit of the city life too. Sydney is a wonderful place to head…
Emergency VHF antenna – buyers’ guide
Carrying an emergency VHF antenna is a sensible thing to do. We may get a loss of signal to our mast head unit for any number of reasons, from chafe…
Case study: Coppercoat proven to withstand the world’s oceans
One of the toughest tests for both crew and the Clipper 70 racing yachts, each Clipper Race sees yachts cover 40,000 nautical miles and some of the most hostile conditions…
Sailing a junk rigged schooner in Greenland
Dave Leet’s Nomad is a junk-rigged schooner which he sails mostly single-handed. He certainly puts the miles in, because although this article is about his experiences in West Greenland, when…
Best satellite phone: 9 devices for adventurous sailors
The best satellite phone for you is the one that does the job you need it to do. If you are looking to make calls, send and receive texts, drop…
Wild start to leg 3 of The Ocean Race
It was an extraordinary ‘stop-go’ type of start to Leg 3 of The Ocean Race in Table Bay as the five-boat IMOCA 60 fleet set out on their 12,750 nautical…
How to follow The Ocean Race Leg 3 (and why you should)
This weekend five crewed IMOCA 60s will take to the startline for the third leg of The Ocean Race, on a month-long epic which is likely to be the toughest…
Pyewacket 70 and Zoulou take line honours in Caribbean 600
Roy P. Disney’s Pyewacket 70 (USA) has taken Monohull Line Honours in the 2023 RORC Caribbean 600 in an elapsed time of 42 hours 45 mins 06 secs. Two generations…
From the ocean to the plate: The art of foraging and fishing in the South Pacific Islands
Can you imagine not going to a supermarket or farmer’s market for a month or more? Could you make nourishing, appetising meals out of only what you have in stores?…
Richard Mille Cup: New classics series to take place in 2023
This summer a new event is due to take place in the form of the Richard Mille Cup, a series of inshore and offshore races organised with the Royal Yacht…
5 expert tips: How to improve your offshore racing skills
French Figaro sailors, whether they’re currently on the circuit or former Figaro skippers who cut their teeth in the class years ago, seem to do very well in the fully-crewed…
Caribbean 600 underway in thrilling conditions
The 14th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600 has set off at 11:00 AST on Monday 20th February. Seventy boats racing under IRC, Class40 and MOCRA Rules, with crew from 30 different…
Best underwater cameras: The ultimate waterproof photography gadgets guide
Being on board a yacht offers access to some of the planet’s most bountiful waters. And whether you’re scuba diving, swimming or snorkelling, a waterproof camera is a key piece…
Banque Populaire drops out of the 2024 Vendée Globe
In early February Clarisse Cremer broke the news she had been dropped as skipper for the 2024 Vendée Globe by her sponsor Banque Populaire. Now, following a month of terrible…
How to be a valuable first mate
Our image of the lone sailor as the hero of the high seas, battling the elements in isolation, does all the second-in-commands of the world a disservice. Every skipper needs…