The thing about Covid is that it upsets the best-laid plans, as it did for the Island Cruising Club, a New Zealand-based outfit that organises flotillas to sail to the…
cruising
‘The shaking of the rig was horrific’
Our nadir was approaching. Our home port of Fremantle, Australia would be 6,880 miles away – straight down. From Bermuda our yacht Zen Again would need to literally fly to…
‘Why I would never have in-mast furling’ Pete Goss
One of my pleasures in life is to wander round marinas nosing at what’s afloat and I’ve started to notice in-mast furling systems are becoming a lot more common. Now…
Crossing the Bay of Biscay in company
Crossing the Bay of Biscay may not command the romance of a Pacific or Atlantic crossing, but it is, nonetheless, a significant body of wild ocean that demands careful planning,…
How to sail across the Atlantic with a family
Modern life makes connecting digitally between people easy, but it can also isolate us from friends and family, and the natural world around us. While the negative effects of social…
Teak wood: why the popular wood’s time is up
Choosing the most sustainable options for your boat can leave you feeling confused, but don’t worry, you’re in good company. Shortly after Jeff Bezos launched his Earth Fund programme –…
Monty Halls on the trials and tribulations of sailing
Now, before you horny-palmed ocean conquerors give a rum-laden snort of derision, I’ve just emerged triumphant from my Day Skipper test. Let me be the first to point out that…
The argument for becoming sea nomads
There is a myth that a simple life is too costly to pursue. I would like to debunk it. Clearly in the case of voyaging at sea, one must have…
Faroe Islands: a guide for the cruising sailor
Lying halfway between Scotland and Iceland, the Faroe Islands offer an abundance of nature, culture and challenging sailing
Three Peaks Yacht Race: In the spirit of Tilman
Sam Griffiths and his team of pupils take part in the gruelling 2022 Three Peaks Yacht Race, sailing to the highest mountains in Wales, England and Scotland