I often chat with prospective bluewater cruisers at boat shows and seminars and am frequently…
Practical cruising
Underwater snags: How to escape when your yacht is caught in debris
Whether it’s a fishing pot, long tendrils of Sargasso weed or your own spinnaker sheets,…
Sailing security: How to stay safe when cruising around the world
How safe is it to sail around the world and what precautions do you need…
Sailing Biscay: Top tips for a safe and smooth crossing of the notorious bay
Biscay has a fearsome reputation and for many sailors, it is their first taste of…
Wild anchoring: Pip Hare explains how to secure your boat in remote spots
The further off the beaten track I have ventured, the more my definition of an…
Clearing customs: How to ensure smooth passage across national borders
We asked sailors who have cruised in areas including the Caribbean, the Red Sea and…
Skippers’ tips: Bluewater sailing secrets of the million milers revealed
“The more I practice, the luckier I get,” the golfer Gary Player used to joke.…
Forward-facing sonar: Everything you need to know
Yachting is usually pretty fast to embrace useful new technology, particularly if it helps win…
Double the fun? Pip Hare shares her top tips for sailing double-handed
Sailing double-handed as a couple is becoming more popular as partners elect to enjoy the…
Sailing through calms: Expert advice from ocean racer Pip Hare
Psychologically, I have always found sailing through calms to be far worse than battling any…
Sailing around the world: Cruising couples’ top tips for a dream voyage
If you could choose anyone to go on a grand adventure with, would it be…
Shade and ventilation: How to keep your yacht cool and dry in the tropics
For many cruisers hailing from mild or cooler climates, such as northern Europe or North…
Power management: How to cope with the demands of modern cruising
A cold drink at the end of the day while watching the sun go down…
Onboard creature comforts: Little luxuries for sailing around the world
Cruising sailors who also call their boat their home usually give plenty of consideration to…
How to train your crew for an emergency: Everything you need to know
I tried a more proactive approach to making sure both skipper and crew are equipped…
Sailing to high latitudes: Everything you need to know before you set sail
Specialist high latitude yachts invariably have metal hulls and are very solidly built with large…
Expert advice: How to sail across the Pacific Ocean
You can lose a lot of friends when you’re sailing across the Pacific. After the…
Through the Panama Canal in your yacht: everything you need to know
Cape Horn sailors and ditch diggers sacrificed all to make the path between the Atlantic…
The Dark Transat: how to sail across an ocean after total power failure
A complete power failure mid-ocean is thankfully rare, and it is usually the charging system…
Sailing away: how to turn dreams into a successful family circumnavigation
This is part two of the Craven family’s story – read part one here. We…