The words ‘muscles’ and ‘sails’ are often included in the same sentence, such is the physical nature of our sport. But what I hadn’t expected to hear in a recent…
Matthew Sheahan
Foiling: the history of the hydrofoiler
The biggest revolution to hit watersports in general has been foiling, and it’s easy to view the use of hydrofoils as a relatively recent phenomenon. In truth, although foiling has…
Jeanneau Sun Fast 35 review: from the archive
Can the Jeanneau Sun Fast 35 live up to the impressive legacy left by her predecessors? She certainly has big boots to fill. Creating a design that becomes an icon…
Jeanneau Sun Fast 37 review: from the archive
While the hardcore racing world has been squabbling over everything from handicapping systems to whether people really want to go offshore racing, a growing army of less vociferous but fiercely…
Oyster 54 review: from the archive
For once, there was no need to remove every cushion, lift every floorboard and squeeze into the engine room for a boat test. Having acted as the owner’s consultant in…
Beneteau Oceanis 523 review: from the archive
When most yards talk of success in this size range they’re talking of tens, maybe scores of boats built. Beneteau talk in hundreds. The predecessor of the Beneteau Oceanis 523,…
Iconic Fastnet headlands that can make or break your race – and how to round them
There are three major headlands on the Rolex Fastnet Race route that are key to the success or otherwise of your race. Navigator Ian Moore looks at how to tackle these vital…
What does it take to win the Rolex Fastnet Race? We find out from four former winners
As the world’s largest and most notorious offshore, the Rolex Fastnet Race, has gained in popularity, so the competitiveness of the 300+ boat fleet has increased. Some crews may be ticking another…
Fastnet Race strategy: course record breaker Hugh Agnew identifies the key navigation moments
One of the world’s classic offshore races, the Rolex Fastnet Race is also one of the most tactically demanding. Multiple tidal gates and the notorious British weather are just two of…
Why do keel failures happen and what can we do to prevent it?
Matthew Sheahan investigates the incidence of keel failure in recent years and finds some worrying reports of near-misses
Video: Ben Ainslie’s wing trimmer explains how the team flies the foiling America’s Cup AC45 boat
Land Rover BAR’s wing trimmer Paul Campbell-James, who also has a great deal of experience helming these new foiling boats, explains how the America’s Cup teams sail their World Series…
J/11s – specially designed for short-handed sailing
In 2015 the double-handed class trophy for the Rolex Fastnet Race went to Kelvin Rawlings and Stuart Childerley aboard the J/105 Jester. Neither had raced short-handed before that season, yet both said…
How propellers are leading the charge to remove fossil fuels from cruising altogether
The 2008 Vendee Globe saw the introduction in the IMOCA fleet of the Watt & Sea hydrogenerator. Looking more like an outboard leg without the engine body on top, these…
5 tips: avoiding a breakdown – so gear failure doesn’t let you down on the racecourse
It has been a tight race in a building breeze, but you’ve maintained the lead on this last beat and now just a loose cover on the boats behind should…
5 tips: how to deal with snagging weed and hooking pots on an offshore race
The sails look great and you’ve just spent money on having the keel faired and the bottom sprayed, but today the boat is off the pace, so what’s the issue?…
5 tips: finding clear air in a crowded racing fleet
For the leading boats clear air comes free, but for those locked in the middle of a competitive fleet this essential commodity is in short supply. Whether it was a…
Catamaran Sailing Techniques: Everything you need to know
The attraction of sailing a boat that offers the vast living space found on a catamaran may one day mean that your average monohull sailor is faced with the need…
Catamaran Sailing Techniques Part 2: Handling under power – with Nigel Irens
As you may be one day, we were new to the catamaran we were offered for this mission so we spent a good half hour in fairly open water practising…
Catamaran Sailing Techniques Part 3: Anchoring and picking up a mooring – with Nigel Irens
Among the plus sides of cruising in a catamaran is that inherent shallow draught offers access to plenty of sheltered and attractive anchorages that are not available to deeper-keeled yachts.…
Catamaran Sailing Techniques Part 4: Sailing a cat upwind – with Nigel Irens
If you were a visitor to Earth and found yourself sailing a run-of-the-mill cruising catamaran for the first time it would be easy to conclude that sailing upwind is not…