The words ‘pink spinnaker’ are enough to send a chill down the spine of anyone who’s ever watched Cowes Week disaster footage. There’s Atalanta of Chester, which dis-masted when their…
Sailing skills
Expert advice: tips and tricks for a happy crew
Whether you are our for an afternoon sail or crossing oceans having a happy crew onboard is the single biggest contributor to having a good time out on the water.…
How do you manoeuvre out of a raft?
Your boat is trapped in the middle of a raft and there are no crew on board. What do you do? James Stevens answers your Questions of Seamanship
Cheap boating: how to get on the water on a budget
Not all yachties are wealthy city folk with money to throw around. Keen sailors of all backgrounds and financial status manage to buy, berth and maintain their boats on a…
New boat owner: Lessons learned on a shakedown sail
After buying a Dufour Classic 35, Chris Humphries experiences a series of hardships when trying to sail his new boat home from Conwy to Plymouth
Tidal calculations: why online predictions can be dangerously inaccurate
On shallow estuaries, tidal calculations are vital, but Ken Endean finds errors in online predictions
Winter sailing: how to extend your cruising season
Autumn and winter sailing can often provide some truly memorable days afloat. Rachael Sprot shares how to extend your cruising season
Do you offer a tow or not?
In calm conditions, would you offer a tow to a broken down yacht? James Stevens answers your Questions of Seamanship
Boat steering failure on a lee shore: one sailor shares his experience
With the pressure of winter storms on the horizon, Pete Nielsen is struggling to make meaningful progress south to Florida, and then the boat steering fails
Sailing to France: what you need to know
If you are sailing to France, here is what you need to know to avoid immigration and customs headaches for a smooth entry and exit from the country