Webb Chiles is a one-off, writes Tom Cunliffe. The first American to sail single-handed around Cape Horn, he has circumnavigated five times, mostly in small craft, some of them open.…
Acadia – the latest Hoek Truly Classic TC90 and ‘an exceptional example of her genre’
Both the Truly Classic TC90 and TC127 designs have proven particularly popular recently and the launch of Acadia marks the 26th successful collaboration between Hoek Design and Claasen Shipyards. Claasen…
What is a rogue wave and is it possible to predict where and when one will strike a yacht?
The first oceanographer to define a wave as ‘freak’ was Laurence Draper, a man who preferred to do his science on dry land rather than at sea. While his colleagues…
Night sailing – the essential guide for offshore cruisers
With a full moon and following wind, night sailing can be one of the great pleasures to be had when passagemaking; but on a dark night in a gale it…
Endurance is a 110m expedition superyacht concept with styling inspired by Airstream
Here is an expedition yacht with a difference – namely, its size. Were this to be built it would be second only in size to the world’s largest sailing vessel,…
Perini Navi superyacht Rosehearty takes on the North West Passage
“The owner has always had an interest in history, especially the North West Passage – one of his big heroes was Shackleton, and this had been discussed and planned for…
Clipper Race deaths – the full lessons learnt from official investigation
Andrew Ashman, 49, died during the first leg of the race after being knocked unconscious during two uncontrolled gybes 122nm west of Porto, Portugal on 4 September 2015. Sarah Young,…
Rogue waves – real-life stories of the destructive power of the sea
Rogue waves have long divided sailors and scientists. Some question their existence, other schools of thought suggest that ‘freak’ waves are actually more common than first thought. But for those…
Antigua Superyacht Challenge – where giant yachts and their crews compete for barrels of rum
For the British Navy, English Harbour, Antigua was exceptional both strategically and navigationally. Not only is it almost unrecognisable as a harbour from seaward, which meant that from the early…
First look videos from on board Hanse 588 and Hanse 675
The Düsseldorf Boat Show in January presented the opportunity to have a good look over the latest and largest new models from Hanse – a yard renowned for producing trendsetting large…
On test video: folding bikes, e-bikes, electric scooters or unicycles – which is best?
Carrying a set of wheels on board your boat makes life easier and more fun once you reach your destination. Whether it’s for a short trip to the marina office,…
For or against? Emirates Team New Zealand divides opinion in America’s Cup build-up
It used to be considered the height of treason for a challenger to train with the defender during the preliminaries of the America’s Cup. Yet in the build-up to Bermuda…
Highlights and amazing images from St Barth as six J Class yachts race each other for the first time
If anyone was in any doubt that 2017 is the year of the J Class yachts, the St Barths Bucket in March smashed that truth home. Despite its long, illustrious…
Transatlantic in a catamaran – from Reykjavik to Newfoundland via Prince Christian Sound Greenland
Safely aboard in Reykjavik, about to depart for Greenland some 600 cold, grey miles away, I looked at the GRIB files with the skipper and thought: ‘Wow. You call that…
Podcast: Are Land Rover BAR off the pace in their America’s Cup preparations?
With less than two months to go before the start of the playoffs for the 35th America’s Cup in Bermuda, the teams have completed a round of practice racing and…
How to round a busy mark – Gold-medal racing tips from Hannah Mills
The Barcolana Race, which features a mass of different yachts all racing on the same course, looks amazing, but there seems to be a certain amount of carnage round this…
Aboard the Bavaria C57 – the boat that has changed so much for Bavaria Yachts
In January 2016 Bavaria stole the show at the world’s largest boat show in Düsseldorf. By choosing to combine its sail and power stands, Bavaria bucked the trend and took…
How the North Atlantic Oscillation affects European and Atlantic weather
Although we often hear about the expected changes to the weather from the El Niño/La Niña Southern Oscillation (ENSO) it does not have a large effect on the weather in…
Video tour of Adventuress, the glorious 83ft Fife-designed 1924 schooner
Take a walk through the stunning interior of newly restored 83ft Fife schooner Adventuress
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…