The sailing world is small. But of the 350 or so passengers on board the Boeing 777 I took recently from Heathrow to Seattle, my seat neighbour turned out to…
Who will win the 2024 Vendée Globe?
So who will win the 2024 Vendée Globe? Spoiler alert: we don’t know . And that’s not only because of the Vendée Globe’s notorious attrition rate (somewhere between 1 in 4…
Vendée Globe forecast: an ‘easy’ start, then tough decisions
Past Vendée Globe races have seen the fleet get an absolute pasting in the early days, thanks to the first hurdle of crossing the Bay of Biscay in November. But…
Vendée Globe skippers prepare for the most emotional send off in sport
The final preparations are all nearly made: it’s time for the 40 solo skippers in this year’s Vendée Globe to ready themselves for one of the most emotional moments in…
The Atlantic southbound: Pip Hare’s guide to the first stage of the Vendée Globe
The Vendée Globe is the world’s ultimate race course: one non-stop lap of the globe. The course starts in Les Sables d’Olonne on 10 November. There are three marks of…
Grand Soleil 52P first look: The ‘P’ is for Performance
Matteo Polli continues to collaborate beautifully with his fellow Italian style masters at Nauta Design to create a standout Grand Soleil lineup. This Grand Soleil 52P is positioned between the…
How to follow the Vendée Globe 2024
The 10th edition of the Vendée Globe is set to begin on Sunday, November 10, 2024, as 40 skippers embark on an extraordinary solo, nonstop race around the world. This…
5 expert tips for catamaran racing
Modern cruiser/racer multihulls have a high level of safety provided you know what you’re doing. Helena Darvelid has taken all of her experience from world record-breaking passages in all-out speed…
Best Changing Mat for swimmers and surfers – 5 tested
The best change mat is one that you’ll take with you every time you head out. You can keep it in the back of your car or van ready for…
What’s it really like to go from a monohull to a catamaran? A liveaboard cruiser’s lessons learned
For over a decade, my wife, Rachel, and I lived aboard what could aptly be described as a traditional bluewater cruising yacht. Our 1984 Tayana 42, Agápē, was an excellent…
The enduring appeal of Palma for superyacht owners
It’s undoubtedly the case that some long-running regattas, whatever their history and illustrious heritage, can on occasion become a bit ‘samey’, lacking surprise and the excitement of the unexpected. Having…
What is a handy billy? The answer depends on where you come from
Close reaching at a fast 60° TWA I was working out how far forward the outboard jib lead needed to move before setting up something more permanent. “Where is a…
World’s coolest yachts: Niñita
“The coolest boat of all time is called Niñita, and is a Starling Burgess 60ft schooner,” says Sam Davies. “It’s a really amazing, beautiful boat.” The custom-built Niñita has been…
Cyber Monday Helly Hansen deals: Bargains for sailors and outdoor enthusiasts
Cyber Monday sales don’t officially start until tomorrow, but already the deals are rolling in thick and fast, with Cyber Monday Helly Hansen deals in particular catching my eye. For…
CNB 62 first look: Standout natural lighting for a family cruiser
The CNB 62 is the outcome of a brief to create a yacht that blends important elements of two previous popular CNB models – the ease of use of the…
Exclusive extract of Pip Hare’s fascinating Vendée Globe book
There were many reasons to fear my passage through the Southern Ocean, and how it might once and for all expose me as not quite the individual I aspired to…
Vendée Globe 2024 preview: The most competitive edition ever?
“When you think about the Vendée Globe, you always remember the good stuff. I’ve done three now, and you remember the good bits of all the races. So it seems…
Kraken 58 First Look: A cruiser with embracing central cockpit for easy handling
Over the past few years Kraken has forged an enviable reputation thanks to its contemporary take on what’s needed to create no-nonsense serious bluewater cruising yachts. The Kraken 58 is…
Great Seamanship: Knocked down at Kerguélen
Originally from Noosa Heads in Queensland, Australia, Peter Freeman finally became a Canadian citizen in the 1990s, but not before he’d completed a non-stop circumnavigation in his 32ft sloop from…
‘Like riding in a tea pot through moguls’ – Why we’ll miss Glenn Ashby’s America’s Cup commentary
The strict America’s Cup nationality rules and limited crew numbers on board the AC75 may create something of a bind for team managers and require the sailors to do some…