The 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona this autumn is getting ever closer, something marked by all teams launching the boat upon which they will compete for the ultimate trophy in…
What to look for in the best handheld VHF marine radio
Your burning questions answered about Handheld VHF marine radios Unless you eat sleep and breath all things marine communications and safety like I do, then you might be correct in…
‘Should we identify more with our youthful selves to drive motivation?’ – Nikki Henderson
As a team that is much younger than the rest of the competition, what superpower does that give you? That’s the question I asked of a group of teenagers this…
Hutting 46 first look: stands out from the crowd
This long distance aluminium cruising yacht is intended to stand out from the crowd. This Dutch yard, founded in 1975 by Tjerk Hutting, has a strong reputation for its 40-50ft…
The switch to electric will reduce emissions, but what will we do with all the old batteries?
Rushing to wean ourselves off fossil fuels it seems we’re building another problem for the future. What do we do with the new batteries we’re now installing once they’ve reached…
Best sailing watches: 16 options for racing and cruising
The best sailing watches can offer a multitude of functions, from MOB alerts to tidal calculations and large faced race count down timers. And yet still there’s utter simplicity of…
Saffier SL 46 first look: larger yacht from new larger yard
Saffier Yachts has grown to become the established name in luxury daysailers, particularly over the last decade or so. The family-owned Dutch yard has secured this market sector with its…
British Vendée Globe hopeful Sam Goodchild dismasted in transat race
Sam Goodchild, one of the leading contenders for this autumn’s Vendée Globe solo around the world race, has dismasted on his IMOCA 60 Vulnerable (formerly For The Planet) while racing…
The 12 stunning superyachts set to race one another this summer
Palma is arguably the greatest place to arrange a sailing event in Europe. Why? Reliability. It boasts a wonderfully consistent warm seabreeze in the summer and there is easy access…
Best personal locator beacons and AIS units: 16 top options for boating
The best personal locator beacons on the market – hands on testing Locating a crew member who’s fallen overboard in anything other than the most benign of conditions is a…
World’s coolest yachts: Initiatives-Coeur 3
Sam Davies’ entry in the 2020 Vendée Globe was Initiatives-Coeur 3, a well-proven Verdier-VPLP design (ex Foncia/Banque Populaire/Maître CoQ III) that had been reoptimised with second generation foils fitted –…
Best handheld VHF marine radio: 8 feature-rich options for your boat
Significant improvements in a number of areas in recent years have seen the best handheld VHF marine radio move from being purely portable communications devices to something altogether more useful.…
Top 15 Best Marine Binoculars for navigation and pilotage – tried and tested
I can sit gazing through binoculars for hours. From looking at the local baby seals when on anchor or trying to find my way using old fashioned naviguesswork. If I…
Kraken 44 first look: Another serious cruiser from Kraken
It’s no secret that Kraken Yachts has been planning new models to join its existing range of serious cruising yachts. A 58 is launching imminently, while more details are emerging…
5 expert tips: Jack Bouttell on repairing your boat mid-ocean
In the 50-year history of The Ocean Race (ex-Whitbread/Volvo), Leg 3 of the 2023 edition from Cape Town, South Africa through the Southern Ocean to Itajaí, Brazil, was the longest…
How to ensure your yacht purchase is problem-free
Couldn’t it be wonderful to believe that the experience of buying a new yacht is never problematic? But as with anything and everything – from cars to new homes –…
Watch: The Design Secrets of Alinghi Red Bull Racing’s America’s Cup boat
As the sailing world eagerly counts down to the 37th America’s Cup, the spotlight in recent months has been on the cutting-edge foiling AC75s, which teams have been launching. With…
Great seamanship: When the Sea Calls
Back around 1980 I was privileged to be involved with the Robert Clark-designed 72ft ketches operated by what was then called the Ocean Youth Club. My own contribution was as…
Canal shortcuts to paradise: “You could sail through the fjord in two days, but why hurry?”
Canal shortcuts through Scotland Scotland’s famous Caledonian Canal cuts through the Great Glen from Inverness to Fort William and offers cruisers an unforgettable experience. The 50-mile canal first opened in…
Best satellite messenger and tracker for heading off the beaten path
The best satellite messenger and trackers have come a long way in just a few years since we last looked at them with Pip Hare. (12 yacht trackers compared) Here’s…