There’s nothing quite like surfing off a wave in the open ocean, spinnaker straining and…
Expert sailing techniques
SAIL FASTER SAIL SAFER advanced techniques series Part 10: Hoisting a spinnaker
The basic principles of hoisting a spinnaker are easy to grasp. More importantly, they are…
Cheating at yacht racing – how honest a sailor are you?
In football a dive in the penalty area in search of an easy goal is…
SAIL FASTER SAIL SAFER advanced techniques series Part 11: Spinnaker drop
One manoeuvre that really makes my heart race when sailing single-handed is a spinnaker drop.…
Yachting World goes to Cape Horn to research our Storm Sailing Techniques series
As we drove into Ushuaia from the new airport, Skip Novak pointed out a small…
SAIL FASTER SAIL SAFER advanced techniques series Part 12: Spinnaker problems
I have encountered more than my fair share of problems with the spinnaker when single-handed…
5 tips: bowman signals. Get a great start with clear signs to helmsman and trimmers
Five seconds to the start and the row of bows is accelerating towards the line.…
Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques Part 1: the Pelagic Philosophy
Yachting World goes round Cape Horn. Watch how we made our 12-part series about storm…
Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques Part 2: expedition yacht design
Skip shows us around his two Pelagic expedition yachts in our latest video
Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques Part 3: storm sails
Skip Novak has firm views about the easiest and safest way to reduce sail and…
Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques Part 4: Heaving to
Heaving to is an ideal technique for riding out a storm, but there’s an art…
Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques Part 5: reefing
Skip demonstrates what he regards as the only foolproof reefing method for a true offshore…
Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques Part 6: preparing the deck for heavy weather
Why meticulous checks, sensible stowage and forward planning are key for a trouble free passage…
Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques Part 7: sail design
Skip Novak argues that a well-chosen, conservative sail wardrobe is the seamanlike choice for world…
Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques Part 8: drogues and sea anchors
Expedition guru Skip Novak addresses the effectiveness of warps and drogues when it comes to…
Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques Part 9: Sounding an uncharted bay ready for anchoring
Gaining shelter on a hostile coastline can be safer than toughing it out offshore. Skip…
Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques Part 10: Anchoring in heavy weather
Skip Novak explains his philosophy on anchoring, based on having to hold fast in some…
Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques Part 11: Tying to shore
Expedition guru Skip Novak demonstrates how to tie to shore in tough conditions
Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques Part 12: Dinghy handling in heavy weather
Your tender is your lifeline to the shore and its type, size and equipment are…
Sailing round Cape Horn with Skip Novak: An introduction
Get a sneak peak of our brand new series on storm sailing round Cape Horn…