When you need help, make sure you and your crew know exactly what to say when making a Mayday or distress call, says Andy Du Port
Sailing skills
How and when to make a VHF radio check – and when not to
A VHF radio check will tell you if your radio is working properly or not, but you shouldn't do every time you go out, or even with the Coastguard, says…
Sailing the French canals: lessons learned
From buying a suitable yacht to negotiating 371 locks, three tunnels and travelling 1,400 miles from Fareham, Lizzy Bolan shares the highs and lows of navigating the French canals
Encounters with orcas & how to protect your boat
Andy Pag explores why orcas have been damaging yachts off Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar, and how to protect your boat
Should you push on with a tired boat crew?
With a tidal stream against you and a tired boat crew, should you push on or turn around? James Stevens answers your questions of seamanship
Sailing singlehanded across oceans: lessons learned
Chris Ayres realised a childhood dream when he sailed from Britain to New Zealand, via Panama, in a 28ft yacht – bravely setting sail solo when crew let him down…
Boat handling: How to use your yacht’s hull shape to your advantage
Whether you have a long keel or twin keel rudders, there will be pros and cons when it comes to performance. Toby Heppell explores three boats' differences
How do you offset making too much leeway?
You are making leeway in your Sweden 390. What can you do to correct your course? James Stevens answers your Questions of Seamanship
How to get the most from your boat autopilot
Rupert Holmes looks at how to set up your boat autopilot so it will steer better than you can
Face to face with UK Border Force: lessons learned
Graham Sykes has an eventful training weekend with a last-minute vessel change, Border Force scrutiny and an overheating engine