In the spring of 2021, Laura Blom-Sipkens and her husband were chatting in their car when a thought suddenly struck her: we should take a break from work and take…
Best chartplotter: 6 great options from marine MFDs to tablets
Not sure where to start looking for a chartplotter or MFD? The terms ‘chartplotter’ and ‘MFD’ are broadly used interchangeably, but typically an MFD works as a chartplotter but also…
Best drones for sailing: take your onboard videos to the next level
Drones are now must-have items for many cruising sailors. Sailing Instagram feeds and YouTube vlogs are full of stunning overhead anchorage shots – and, for the brave, footage taken underway.…
Best boating flashlights: 7 LED torches for sailors
A good boating flashlight a true essential item. Every boat should carry at least one, and every crew member should consider packing their own if sailing overnight or in poor…
Best reef-safe sunscreen: Eco-friendly sun lotion for sailors
For sailors who spend their time on the water under the glare of the sun, keeping your skin safe from harmful UV rays is vital. But protecting the oceans is…
Double handed sailing skills: Spinnaker hoists
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…
5 tips on strategic starting for sailors
Getting a good start is not just about being fast off the line in clear air. Sometimes the better start can be to wait in the second row near the…
New electric furler for code 0 use
Furling systems for reaching sails have transformed the ease with which these sails can be handled, with the result that many more cruising yachts now have Code 0s and furling…
Offshore sailing clothes review
After winning the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race aboard JPK 1010 Jangada Rupert Homes provides this full offshore sailing clothes review. Rupert Holmes has some 85,000 miles of offshore…
World’s coolest yachts: Olympus Photo
“The late Mike Birch’s Olympus Photo, designed and built by Walter Greene, sits at the root of all modern multis,” says Verdier. “Mike and his boat began the legend of…
Best birding binoculars – 6 options to spot wildlife
If you are a keen wildlife watcher, choosing the best birding binoculars for use on your boat can be a challenge. The main issue is the pay off between the…
Best VHF antenna: 7 top options to improve your signal
Aside from the safety aspect, navigation alerts and weather updates, the non-essential uses of VHF radios are broad – from communication to and from the Race Committee for start procedure…
America’s Cup 2024 dates confirmed
Despite confirmation that the 37th America’s Cup would be raced in Barcelona back in March 2022, the specific dates in which the event would take place have only been revealed…
Extraordinary boats: Tapio Lehtinen’s Gaia 36 Asteria
Note: Since this piece was written Tapio Lehtinen had to be rescued in the Golden Globe Race after his beloved yacht, Asteria sank in a mere 5 minutes. It is…
Black Friday outboard deals: 5 fantastic options
If you’ve resigned yourself to the idea that Black Friday outboards are the same price as non Black Friday outboards, think again. Discounts might be modest but uprated deals often…
Black Friday marine radio deals: 6 must-see offers
Your search for a Black Friday marine radio doesn’t have to involve compromising on features or quality. On the contrary, any of these portable handheld VHF radios would do a…
Smallest boats: The bonkers world of Microyacht adventures
Often the smallest boats to cross oceans look much like a child’s crayon picture of a little boat on a big sea, certainly Yann Quenet’s Baluchon does. Baluchon is only…
Best Black Friday Helly Hansen deals – waterproof wear for sailors
Whether sailing, skiing, or just spending time outdoor, Helly Hansen is one of the best known clothing manufacturers in the outerwear space. We’ve taken a look at their own offers…
Black Friday waterproof bluetooth speaker deals: 6 of the best bargains
If you’re going to take a pair of portable speakers on your boat (or anyone else’s for that matter), you’ll want to be sure that they’re pretty rugged as salt…
Top helming tips to keep your yacht balanced
According to Andy Beadsworth, when you’re helming the boat you’re not so much steering as ‘applying load to the tiller’. “Sometimes the boat heels over and the load comes on…