blue water cruising

Those dreaming about sailing off into the sunset can explore blue water cruising boats, talk to experts who have lived the dream and meet likeminded sailors – all for free

Martyn Mackrill illustration

Smith stood five foot five in his boots, weighed nearly 10 stone in his winter clothes and an overcoat, and he had a flat chest and a round stomach. Smith…

Propeller rope cutter test

At best, a rope around the propeller is inconvenient. At worst, it’s deadly. Emrhys Barrell tests seven rope cutters to find out if they cut it

“The commodore, presumably, would take on the role of Prime Minister” Voting time! With the new fixed-term rule, General Election day approaches with all the fearful inevitability of Low Water…

Desolation Sound sailing charter

Avoid the high season and a sailing charter in Desolation Sound can give you a genuine flavour of wilderness cruising. Chris Beeson explores Big Country

Tom Cunliffe

‘Having to brass up to lie in what have always been free anchorages is another burden on our creaking cruising budgets’ My first experience of Internet-based weather forecasting for sailors…

Dick Durham

“Scraping a burning surfaceinchesfrom your face while, lying on your back is a kind of torture” By the time the weather’s good enough to launch your boat, the novelty of…