Picture this: clad in a hat, down jacket and carpet slippers, a sailor sits cross-legged…
Practical cruising
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 sounders are often seen as the preserve of those whose primary interest…
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…
Solo Atlantic sailing: Lessons learned en-route to Madeira
It was just before midnight in the eastern fringes of the Atlantic Ocean, about 130…
Selling your boat in the Pacific: How to get full price after an ocean adventure
Buying a boat, sailing across the Atlantic and then exploring the Pacific, before selling it…
Smartphone navigation: Pip Hare’s top tips for sailing by iPhone
No matter how good navigation apps have become, using your smartphone as a main method…
Pip Hare’s 10 top tips on how to look after your yacht on passage
Stay clean and dry Keeping immaculate bilges and lockers will not only make your living…
How to pick your ideal bluewater yacht: ARC director explains all
I often chat with prospective bluewater cruisers at boat shows and seminars and am frequently…
Underwater snags: How to escape when your yacht is caught in debris
Whether it’s a fishing pot, long tendrils of Sargasso weed or your own spinnaker sheets,…
Sailing security: How to stay safe when cruising around the world
How safe is it to sail around the world and what precautions do you need…
Sailing Biscay: Top tips for a safe and smooth crossing of the notorious bay
Biscay has a fearsome reputation and for many sailors, it is their first taste of…
Wild anchoring: Pip Hare explains how to secure your boat in remote spots
The further off the beaten track I have ventured, the more my definition of an…
Clearing customs: How to ensure smooth passage across national borders
We asked sailors who have cruised in areas including the Caribbean, the Red Sea and…
Skippers’ tips: Bluewater sailing secrets of the million milers revealed
“The more I practice, the luckier I get,” the golfer Gary Player used to joke.…
Forward-facing sonar: Everything you need to know
Yachting is usually pretty fast to embrace useful new technology, particularly if it helps win…
Double the fun? Pip Hare shares her top tips for sailing double-handed
Sailing double-handed as a couple is becoming more popular as partners elect to enjoy the…