Sooner or later, most boat owners will find it’s time to change their yacht for…
Practical cruising
Everything you need to know to set up an emergency steering system
Around 5% of the ARC fleet reported steering issues over the 2017-2019 rallies, that’s about…
How (not) to set up a wind vane: An extract from Tom Fisher’s Arctic Smoke blog
Like me, you may have followed with interest the stories about failed self-steering wind vanes…
Growing food on your yacht: Everything you need to know to become self-sufficient
With limited space and the obvious challenges of salt, wind and motion, many would never…
Boat hitchhiking: How to sail around the world without owning a yacht
As a boy, Darroch Tait always had his head in a book. He was fascinated…
Learning the ropes: An extract from Shakedown Cruise by Nigel Calder
Nigel Calder’s works on the technicalities of boat systems are accepted worldwide as Bibles, but…
Sailing from South Africa to Europe: Chris Tibbs’ top tips for a smooth passage
There are a number of advantages to doing this, as well as saving around 3,000…
How to sail across the Indian Ocean: Everything you need to know
“It’s still a long way to get home,” Carina Hammarlund muses. My partner Weitze van…
Pip Hare explains when to check and replace your standing rigging
This was a ‘no brainer’ decision as my rigging has been around the world once…
Celestial navigation: Why sailing by following the stars is enjoying a resurgence
Sailor and navigation expert Stokey Woodall, who has made a living teaching celestial navigation for…
Family adventure: How we home-schooled our kids while sailing across the Pacific
Sailing the paradise of the Pacific Ocean with my own boat had been my dream…
Sailing to the Canary Islands: Everything you need to know
Our focus tends to be on the crossing to the Caribbean of around 3,000 miles.…
Home schooling at sea: Top tips for tutoring your kids from 6 liveaboard sailors
For many, the opportunity to trade a bricks and mortar school for classes on deck…
Countdown to adventure: 5 skippers explain how to prepare for bluewater sailing
For most sailors, preparing for an Atlantic or round the world voyage typically takes between…
Hurricane season: Cruising and mooring options from Maine to Grenada
The hurricane zone extends from Cape Hatteras or the Florida/Georgia border to Grenada, so cruisers…
Sonar and sounders: 4 new models that are good for more than just fishing
Sonar and forward-looking depth sounders are often seen as the preserve of those whose primary…
How to prepare your yacht for anything: Preempting chafe, rig and crew problems
This is Part 2 of Vicky Ellis’ guide to preparing your yacht for any eventuality.…
Family sailing: America’s Cup sailor turned cruiser explains his big change
“Morning Daddy!”“Hey, morning Hazza. Did you have a good sleep?” It’s dawn, I’m finishing the…
Mediterranean sailing: Lessons learned from 2 years exploring Europe’s great sea
With plenty of airports located along the most common cruising routes and cheap flights within…
When is the best time to sail away? The 9 key X factors to consider
I spend much of my time chatting with aspiring bluewater cruisers at boat shows and…