The Transat Jacques Vabre 2023 officially started on Sunday 29 October, but with a particularly strong depression scheduled to cross the fleet on Wednesday 1 November, the decision was made…
6 of the best smocks for sailing and other watersports
Whether you are sailing, paddling or just mucking about. From inshore to offshore, the smock is by far the most dependable and versatile waterproof top. Smocks are not just uniform…
Sailing Yacht A spotted in Cannes
As the Cannes Film Festival draws to a close and Monaco gears up for the 75th Formula 1 Grand Prix, superyachts start the summer season by positioning themselves between the…
Coolest yachts: the dhow
“I always have been impressed by the dhow, the traditional racing boats sailed in the United Arab Emirates,” says Bruno Dubois. “The 60ft yachts are particularly impressive.” The original dhow…
Expert tips: how to sail downwind in windy weather
Pushing a boat close to the edge downwind is exhilarating and sometimes exhausting. Sailing hard downwind in waves requires 100% focus from the helmsman and trimmers, not to mention the…
Transat Jacques Vabre: Sunday start a possibility for IMOCAs
The start of the Transat Jacques Vabre in Sunday 29 October 2023, only three of the scheduled four fleets got underway, due to a severe forecast in the Atlantic. Now,…
How to weather forecast on passage
While it’s essential to monitor the conditions when choosing the best weather window for departure, equally important is being well-versed in obtaining and interpreting weather data while offshore – keeping…
‘Boat breaking’ depression disrupts Transat Jacques Vabre start
Yesterday’s scheduled start for the Transat Jacques Vabre – the double-handed race across the Atlantic from Le Havre to Martinique – partially got away on Sunday 29 October, but the…
Pursuing the pacific dream to French Polynesia
Beside the quiet, sun-bleached Mexican town of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle lies a busy anchorage on the north side of Bahía de Banderas. Humpback whales cruise nonchalantly through the bay,…
10 destinations that you should put on your cruising bucket list
Jimmy Cornell can safely be described as the father of modern ocean cruising. He founded the ARC rally in 1986, ran the first circumnavigation rally and has himself sailed over…
Rolex Middle Sea Race goes down to the wire in David v Goliath battle
The 44th Rolex Middle Sea Race turned into a David and Goliath battle between one of the biggest and smallest entrants in a typically mixed set of conditions for the…
Best VHF marine radio: 8 of the latest options on the market
Not only does a marine radio serve as a vital safety tool in case something should go wrong onboard, it is also a crucial communications tool with far wider use.…
How to follow the Transat Jacques Vabre 2023
The Transat Jacques Vabre is one of the ultimate tests of short-handed racing, a double-handed dash from France that sees many of the world’s top racing machines take on the…
5 new sailing scows aimed at the cruising market
Those who followed the early stages of this year’s Rolex Fastnet Race will surely have been intrigued by how well the front runners in the Class 40 fleet appeared to…
The Race to Alaska: answering the call of the wild
“Nikki, give up the tiller for a second. You gotta see this.” Ev Goussev, co-owner of the yacht Gray Wolf, shoved the binoculars in my hand. “Just there. That beach.…
The Best Musto sailing jacket for your time at sea
Cold or damp conditions should never get in the way of your next adventure. Drifting across the Amalfi Coast, roaming Lake Michigan or exploring the Scottish Highlands should be enjoyed…
How to win the Rolex Middle Sea Race
This year marks the 44th edition of the Rolex Middle Sea Race, which has now earned its place alongside the Fastnet Race and Sydney Hobart as one of the classic…
Columbia: a completely reinvented stunning classic yacht
What particularly strikes you as you step on board Columbia is the atmosphere. Judging from the beaming owners and crew, this is clearly a much-loved yacht, and the pride that…
Best paddle board: Top SUPs for beginners and seasoned experts
Given its significant increase in popularity in recent years, stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) likely requires no introduction for those who spend time on the water. If you’re interested in joining…
What happened when the great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens ran away to sea?
When a person is hit by the call of the sea – a wild call which, as Masefield observed, cannot be denied – today’s world offers many options. Varied they…