Petzl Aria 2R headtorch Specifications Functions: white light low, mid, high battery level indicator Power source: Petzl Hybrid Concept, includes: Petzl core cell (can also use 3 x AAA batteries…
Reviews
I went night sailing and took the Petzl Aria 2 RGB headtorch for a test run across the English Channel
Petzl Aria 2 RGB headtorch Specifications Functions: red light, green light, blink light, blue light, white light battery level indicator Power source: Petzl Hybrid Concept, comes with 3 AAA batteries,…
XC47 review: is this the best bluewater cruiser ever?
We’re close-hauled in 7-10 knots of true wind, making 6-6.5 knots of boat speed, with the helm beautifully balanced and only a degree or two of weather helm. A gentle…
Cure 55 first look: Ultimate performance catamaran?
The Cure 55 extremely lightweight Australian model is intended as the ultimate performance cruising multihull, combining spacious and well appointed accommodation with the ability to cross oceans at speed, even…
Sun Fast 30OD review: breaking the mould
The best racing I’ve ever done, whether inshore or offshore, has been in one-design fleets. However, in the offshore realm it’s been two decades since the last successful one-design class…
First look: Grand Soleil 65LC
Welcome to another smoking hot new launch from Grand Soleil, the Grand Soleil 65LC. This Matteo Polli design follows in the footsteps of the 2022-launched GS72, for which it is…
First look: CNB 78 – stunning bluewater cruiser
As Nicolas Claris’ photos show, CNB has produced a sympathetic replacement to the popular 76 to mark its first yacht since its change of ownership from Groupe Beneteau to Solaris.…
First look: Swan 51 – redeveloping a classic
The Swan 51 of 1981 broke new ground as it was the first German Frers design for Swan, the spark for an incredible relationship now in its fourth decade. Nautor…
First look: Contest 63CS
The run of Georg Nissen-designed Contest 62CSs finished 10 years ago and what we can be assured of with the new generation of Judel/Vrolijk designed hulls is a lot more…
First look: Rapido 53XS – 20 knot cruiser
A desire for speed is leading to a revival of larger trimarans. This long awaited Morrelli & Melvin-designed ultra fast cruiser, offered in two distinctly different versions, is from a…
First look: Dazcat Ocean Cruiser 55
The Multihull Centre in Cornwall is no stranger to innovation. The Millbrook yard, nestled up a Tamar creek, has undertaken some fascinating custom projects, including in recent years the full…
Neel 52 trimaran review
We’re beating out of the approach channel to La Rochelle in 8-10 knots of true wind, with some tacks as short as 90 seconds. The yacht is tacking cleanly and…
Arcona 50 review: Luxury performance cruiser
Arcona – a Swedish yard with a sound reputation for producing traditional style cruiser-racers, designed by a little known Swede who had a gift of ensuring slippery hulls. If that…
First look: Black Pepper Code C.69
Black Pepper Yachts never ceases to impress, whether it’s the Nantes-based firm’s stylish and impeccably finished daysailers, or performance monohulls including Sam Manuard-designed IMOCA 60s for sailors such as Armel…
SwellPro Spry+ Drone review
We’ve always enjoyed photography and video-making as we’ve cruised Maunie of Ardwall, our Vancouver 38 Pilot. And ever since we first met some American sailors in Vanuatu who flew a…
C-Cat 65 first look: elegant, sophisticated catamaran
Italian yard Comar is adding a 65ft model designed by Enrico Contreas and Luigi Cirillo to its existing range of 37-65ft performance catamarans and 52-100ft monohulls, the new C-Cat 65.…
Ovni 430 review: new interpretation of a successful concept
The concept of rugged aluminium centreboard boats is well proven, but can a boat displacing 14 tonnes when loaded sail well in the light airs that predominate during summer in…
Helly Hansen Ægir Race Jacket review
The second generation Helly Hansen Ægir Race Jacket is a top notch product made for the ultimate in comfort and protection, without compromise. It’s also noticeably lighter than the Norwegian…
Gill Verso Lite Jacket review
There’s much to be said for the advantages of a smock style top, without a full front zip, as they usually offer better protection than a jacket of similar specification.…
Helly Hansen Skagen Offshore Jacket review
The Helly Hansen Skagen Offshore Jacket is part of the Norwegian company’s mid-level ‘Performance’ range and is competitively priced. Yet it shares ergonomics and features with the brand’s top specification…