Swimming, paddleboarding, triathlon, surfing, sailing – however you love to get out and enjoy the water, when temperatures drop, there’s one thing that can make water sports and swimming more…
The best sea kayaks: for touring and exploring coastlines, islands and inlets
They come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and styles, but the best sea kayaks will let you set off on many an aquatic adventure, touring and exploring along coastlines,…
First look: Dykstra/Baltic 117 Perseverance
It would seem that I’m not alone in finding Dykstra’s modern classic designs stunning, especially its pilot cutter-inspired models. The 117ft Perseverance scooped Sailing Yacht of the Year at the…
First look: wallywind110
While we were given a tantalising peak last autumn of what iconic Italian brand Wally may be up to under its new Ferretti ownership, only now have full details been…
Weather forecasting in a heatwave
Situated to the north-west of Europe, the UK is blessed with mild weather with few extreme weather events, and our temperature is moderated by the seawater around the shores. Thanks…
How to future proof your sailing – Jimmy Cornell’s top tips
‘Sailing routes depend primarily on weather, which changes little over the years. However, possibly as a result of the profound changes that have occurred in the ecological balance of the…
Second hand boats: buying big charter yachts
Small enough to sail without a large crew, but big enough to charter, pocket superyachts between 55-100ft have become increasingly popular. A compelling proposition for both owners and charterers; buying…
East-bound Atlantic crossing via Bermuda
We tacked for the first and only time on our 13-day crossing. The view off Ultima’s bow revealed the alluring sight of not only an approaching landfall but elevation too.…
AC40: first flight for the ‘mini’ America’s Cup yachts
America’s Cup Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand has reported a successful maiden sail of the first AC40 in New Zealand on Tuesday, 20 September 2022, following successful tow testing earlier…
Catamaran cruising: everything you really need to know
It has become routine now for me to bookend the summer sailing season with a trip to the south of France for the biannual ‘Outremer Week’. This hugely popular event…
Extraordinary boats: 5.5 Metre Jean Genie
Cowes-based businessman Peter Morton, widely known as Morty, is a serial winner who’s enjoyed a long career on the podium at everything from the Admiral’s Cup and Half Ton Cup,…
How to use your autopilot for downwind sailing
Top-spec autopilots have become very sophisticated, not least in the use of AI (artificial intelligence), so much so that modern autopilot systems on an IMOCA 60 won’t leave you much…
Solo mast climb in a mid-Atlantic squall: Emma Richards’ Around Alone
In 2002, Emma Richards (now Sanderson) was the youngest person and the first British woman to finish the ‘Around Alone’ race. Sailing the Open 60 Pindar, she was pipped at…
SunGod and the Great Britain SailGP Team are breaking new ground in sports sponsorship
With high-octane action, an unrivalled sustainability agenda, and no shortage of drama on and off the water, SailGP is shaping a new future for sailing competition – and its partnerships…
Best folding kayaks: Your guide to collapsible, foldable, inflatable and detachable paddling craft
Owning your own kayak gives you the freedom to paddle wherever you like, whenever you like, but full-size boats are not the easiest thing to store or transport. This is…
Sun protection for sailors: a guide to staying safe
Sailing on a sunny day is hard to beat: but apart from the mood-enhancing qualities of the sun, we all know of its dangers. After finishing our circumnavigation and returning…
X-Yachts launches its first hybrid boat with electric propulsion
Called the X49E, the 15.08m boat has been a close collaboration between a very motivated owner and the yard’s expert technical team. It has also been a question of careful…
World’s coolest yachts: Cherub
The Cherub is a 12ft two-person dinghy with a single trapeze (twin in the UK), designed in 1951. It evolved into an international development class, with a wide range of…
Golden Globe Race starts: 16 sailors prepare for 9 month isolation
Sixteen sailors – 15 men, and one woman – started from Les Sables d’Olonne today, on the 2022 Golden Globe Race, the ‘retro’ non-stop solo circumnavigation that is expected to…
New boats at 2022 boat shows
The northern hemisphere summer is drawing to a close and for sailors this means that boat show season is upon us. With dozens of world premieres among the line-up at…