Allures builds alloy centreboard cruisers with fibreglass decks and superstructures, which many contend is the the ideal combination for cruising. With that in mind, we picked the right boat to…
A race for real sailors: giant schooners go head to head
America’s Cup yachts had become so extreme by 1920 that they didn’t race in anything more serious than a moderate breeze, but the racing designs of the day were not…
Brutal first night conditions sees a quarter of Rolex Sydney-Hobart fleet retire
The Rolex Sydney-Hobart Race got off to a spectacular start on Boxing Day, 26 December, 2021, but tough conditions have seen the fleet greatly reduced after a day of racing.…
Autopilot modes: how to make the most of your pilot
I view my autopilot in the same way I view sail plan and weight distribution – a variable that must be adjusted and monitored constantly. Human beings change our steering…
20 weird and wonderful facts about the famous Rolex Sydney Hobart Race
10 Key facts from the 69 year history of the Sydney Hobart Race
Masterclass: crossing the Bay of Biscay
It’s that time of year when yachts and crews from northern Europe flock south, migrating to warmer climes. But like all good migration routes there’s an obstacle in the way:…
Sydney-Hobart Race set for tricky Boxing Day start: how to follow
Sydney sailors are counting down the days – not until December 25, but the 26, for the much-anticipated return of the famous Rolex Sydney-Hobart Race. The blue riband offshore classic…
Spirit 35 Foiler first look: electric speedboat boasting America’s Cup technology
What happens when you combine cutting-edge America’s Cup foiling technology, the fabulously retro styling of modern classic yacht builders Spirit Yachts, and the visionaries behind the jaw dropping super-sloop Geist? Well, you…
Post-Brexit VAT relief for UK yacht owners
The three-year time limit for ‘Returned Goods Relief’ (RGR), which saw UK yacht owners potentially facing large VAT bills when they brought their yachts back to the UK after cruising…
Cruising Maine: a coast of mist and isles
Nathan picked up our anchor in Roque Harbour in a light breeze, with a plan to sail to nowhere in particular. We were to spend time cruising Maine and discovering…
Petrol vs electric outboards: 6 of the best on test
Choosing an outboard engine for your tender used to be as simple as going to your nearest dealer and picking up whatever 2.5hp engine they had in stock. Now, however,…
The ultimate foiling machine? Onboard SVR-Lazartigue
Launched in July after 150,000 hours of work, SVR-Lazartigue is the latest addition to the burgeoning Ultim 32/23 fleet. In addition to the complexity that’s inherent to these giant foilers,…
Alinghi teams up with Red Bull Racing F1 for 37th America’s Cup
Swiss sailing team Alinghi has confirmed that it is entering the 37th America’s Cup, in a new team partnership as Alinghi Red Bull Racing. Team founder Ernesto Bertarelli introduced the…
Best bluewater multihulls: ITA 14.99
A combination of sharp design from François Perus, whose Yacht Design Collective has worked with brands such as Catana and North Wind on their multihulls, and high build quality brings…
Diesel bug: the causes and cures
Nearly two years of lockdown have left increasing numbers of yachts laid up and unattended around the world. The scramble to return home before travel restrictions started in 2020 meant…
Second hand boats: is a 10-year-old yacht the best age?
With new build waiting lists growing at an unprecedented rate, buyers are turning to the second hand boat market to get on the water without the wait. But if you’re…
Foiling: the history of the hydrofoiler
The biggest revolution to hit watersports in general has been foiling, and it’s easy to view the use of hydrofoils as a relatively recent phenomenon. In truth, although foiling has…
Plymouth, Chicago and Dubai to host Sail GP 2022 during 10-event series
Sail GP, the multi-event foiling catamaran circuit, will be expanded to 10 events for the 2022/23 season. Beginning in Bermuda in May 2022, the foiling F50 circuit has announced new…
Sail the world: future-proof bluewater options
In stressful times it’s tempting to cast off the bowlines and head for the horizon to sail the world. But the reality is that cruising in a post-pandemic world is…
Best bluewater multihulls: Neel 51
Neel trimarans, and the Neel 51 specifically, blend the extreme space offered by the family/charter catamarans together with good average speeds. First impressions of the Neel 51 are sure to…