The RYA Yachtmaster is a good test of advanced seamanship, but the best sailors know that there will always be lessons to be learned from experience
sailing skills
Jury Steering
How would you get back to safety if your rudder was carried away? Chris Beeson tests three jury steering techniques on the water
Diagnose and fix marine diesel engine problems
Tim Bartlett explains how you can diagnose some common marine diesel engine problems, and fix most of them
Crash Test Boat – Gas explosion
How safe is your gas system? Do you make regular checks? Chris Beeson and the Crash Test Boat team create a gas explosion to show you why you should never…
Crash Test Boat – Fire
How would you deal with a fire in the galley or the engine room? What’s the best way to prevent fires onboard? Chris Beeson and the Crash Test Boat Team…
Crash Test Boat – Broken seacock
You’re about to leave the boat. As you remove the log impeller, the whole fitting comes away and water gushes in. Chris Beeson finds out what to do next
Crash Test Boat – Holed and sinking
You’ve hit something and you’re holed. What do you do next? Chris Beeson and the Crash Test crew smash a hole in the hull to test 10 ways of saving…
How to choose the right anchor
Which of the many anchor designs is best for your boat? Vyv Cox helps you choose the best anchor for your style of cruising
Crash Test Boat – Jury Rig
After finding out what it’s like to be dismasted, Chris Beeson and the Crash Test Boat crew explore how to jury rig the remaining wreckage to sail back to safety…
Crash Test Boat – Dismasting
What do you do when your sailing world crashes round your ears? Chris Beeson and the Crash Test crew created a ‘controlled’ dismasting in a gale and put eight rig-cutting…