Have you heard the phrase ‘through hell or high water’? I’ve been through both, simultaneously when crossing the Bay of Biscay in winter and with only modest sailing experience, writes…
Sailing skills
Expert advice: best boat anchoring advice
When it comes to boat anchoring many different people have their own view on the best boat anchoring techniques to use. Mostly these will revolve around what equipment you use.…
Expert advice: sail handling tips and tricks
Good sail handling can be the difference between a great passage and a frustrating one. Here our experts offer their tips and tricks.
Expert advice: new sailor tips and tricks
Like any activity sailing can be filled with new lingo, new ideas and new things to remember for the new sailor. There are many sailing courses out there to help…
Expert advice: sails and rigging
Sails and rigging are the engine room of any sailing boat from small dinghies up to giant superyachts. No matter how big or how new your boat, the sails and…
Expert advice: boating emergency
A boating emergency is the sort of thing that everyone taking to the water should be prepared for even if, in preparing, we hope we are never in a position…
Sea sailing: making your boat secure
Loose objects can endanger both crew and yacht in rough weather. Checking your boat is secure before sea sailing should be a regular habit, says Andy du Port
Storm tactics at anchor: Surviving gales in Scilly
Ken Endean shelters from Storm Evert on the Isles of Scilly and reflects on storm tactics at anchor and on moorings
Fouled prop in a Force 7: lessons learned
Pete John recalls bringing his Nicholson 35 from Hamble to Argyll, with strong winds, a rope around the prop, genoa furling line failure and an escort by the Campbeltown lifeboat
Busting the hull speed myth
Waterline length is not the defining factor in maximum boat speed that we all think it is. Julian Wolfram busts the hull speed myth