“The AC45F foiler was the one design boat we raced in 2016, leading up into the America’s Cup in Bermuda,” says Freddie Carr. “The reason it’s my favourite is it…
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Getting into bluewater cruising: ‘I wanted to see the world… and I just kept going’
All the luckiest kids I know spent their childhoods messing about in boats. They had water-loving parents and garages filled with glassfibre toys, and sailed their dinghies and raced with…
New SJ66: A classic concept with a contemporary profile
Stephen Jones and Jonty Sherwill, the two names behind the SJ66 concept, need little introduction and have collaborated on numerous projects across several decades, including the Starlight 35, 38 and…
‘We had not really planned to go to Vanuatu, but had no other choice’
I’m looking up at an almost naked young man 60 feet in the air. He’s balancing on a platform built of sticks and branches, raised on a mountain top in…
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez: A maritime history book
The great French sailor, Eric Tabarly, an instrumental figure in the origins of what is now Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, is reputed to have said that strolling along the quays…
Cruising the coast of Taiwan: A culture rich in seafaring history
We were still five miles from port when we realised that clearing into Taiwan might not be as simple as we’d hoped. Our VHF radio crackled into life and a…
Bali 5.8 first look: New open-plan flybridge catamaran
With Bali’s step-up in size with the Bali 5.8 comes up a step-up in quality, says Bali. It recognises that its early yachts were more basic, wipe-clean designs for charter,…
Lagoon 60 first look: A sizeable space for lounging in stunning locations
Big new cats from the volume production yards seem to on the money market-wise currently. Lagoon, Fountaine Pajot and Bali are all launching or have recently launched their largest models…
Hanse 590 first look: At the top limit for owner-operation
This is a massive new flagship for Hanse’s Greifswald yard, one which completes its new range of Berret Racoupeau designs. It is larger in all respects to the Hanse 575/588,…
Excess 13 first look: A light and airy catamaran for easy enjoyment
Receiving a limited edition Lego set is one of the most surprising (and best) ways I’ve seen to announce a new model (particularly for those with a Lego-obsessed child). Building…
Lagoon Eighty2 first look: An 80-footer with space for hosting many guests
The Bordeaux brand strengthens its offering in the lengthy yacht market with the Lagoon Eighty2. It has already built 88 catamarans over 75ft, including 52 of its Seventy7. Designed by…
5 expert tips for sailing in cold weather
Unlike most of us, Bob Beggs seeks out extreme cold and is currently planning his next yachting venture into the Arctic Circle. “When I was in the Commandos I did…
Fountaine Pajot 41 first look: First in a new range of catamarans
FP has launched more than 4,000 catamarans over the last 40 years. The La Rochelle yard has just enjoyed its best year of trading ever, with over €300m turnover (up…
World’s Coolest Yacht: AC72
“I think one of the coolest boats was the AC72,” says Davies who nominates the wingsail catamarans sailed in the 34th America’s Cup in San Francisco. “Building one of those…
Skip Novak’s sailing adventure to survey endangered albatross: ‘We threaded through a wall of crystalline icebergs’
The mood on the Vinson of Antarctica was a wee bit on edge. Justino was staring into the radar in the pilothouse and Dion was all eyes on deck in…
Extraordinary boats: The Cayman 28 ‘a gentleman’s skiff’
Zipping through the herd of mainly production family cruisers enjoying the sunshine on a picture postcard Sound of Mull at Scotland’s ever popular West Highland Week, the Cayman 28 Rooster…
Garcia Exploration 60 review: We crossed the Atlantic to test this adventure cruiser
The frenetic activity of the Caribbean season had already slowed by the end of April in Anse du Marin, where Albius IV waited on the pontoon. The commanding new Garcia…
Rapido 53XS First Look: A trimaran with proper living spaces for comfortable sailing
Designed by multihull supremos Morelli & Melvin, the Rapido 53XS is a turbo tri with proper living spaces and three double cabins for comfortable long periods or passages aboard. Indeed…
How to recover a crew overboard with a rescue swimmer
Whether or not a rescue swimmer would be useful for a crew will depend on their sailing yacht’s emergency procedures. It can be very effective for larger crews operating in…
What’s it really like to go from a monohull to a catamaran? A liveaboard cruiser’s lessons learned
For over a decade, my wife, Rachel, and I lived aboard what could aptly be described as a traditional bluewater cruising yacht. Our 1984 Tayana 42, Agápē, was an excellent…