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…
Alinghi Red Bull Racing capsize America’s Cup boat in testing
Having taken delivery of their first AC75 several weeks ago and officially launching the boat recently, the Alinghi Red Bull Racing Team, has suffered a capsize on their first training…
Best Stargazing Binoculars: 6 Pairs for Boaters
While just about any pair of binoculars will offer an enhanced view of the heavens, when it comes to astronomy binoculars that also perform well in a marine context, the…
New license for St Julian’s Maritime Finance welcomed by Malta’s professional maritime community
As is well known in maritime circles, and less well known outside them, Malta has become the flag of choice for owners of large yachts in Europe and the Mediterranean.…
Second hand boats: How to buy an IRC winner
If you want to participate in racing in the UK and much of the rest of the big sailing nations, you really need to look to IRC unless you are…
Quit your job and live on a yacht? 8 ways to make it happen
When my family and I set off on what we thought would be a two-year sailing sabbatical in 2018, we didn’t have any plans of working along the way. We…
Sailing across the mouth of the Amazon Delta in a 21ft Herreshoff
Stephen Ladd is a city planner from the US who opted for a better life. Not being inclined to luxury, his first book goes under the title Three Years in…
Expert guide to watch handovers
On longer voyages, and passages with larger crews, a good watch system is essential to the efficient running of the boat. But the same watch system can also hinder good…
Alex Thomson backs ‘rookie’ Canada ocean racing campaign
When solo ocean racing skipper Alex Thomson announced that he was stepping aside from competitive sailing after the 2020 Vendée Globe, he didn’t give many clues as to what he…
Epic Round Britain and Ireland Race decided by minutes
A flurry of competitors in the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race crossed the finish line in Cowes today after an intense race which saw many boats take a full…
Kevin Escoffier: Tough guy of the sea
We all know how French solo skippers get so darn good. They move from youth sailing to Mini Transat and Figaro classes, where they drill for years. Then the lucky…
Best kayak brands: Your essential guide to the best makes of kayak
Whether you’re looking for a touring sea kayak, a fibreglass surfski, a plastic sit-on-top, a foldable or inflatable craft, a whitewater creek boat or a versatile river runner, there is…