The world of square riggers is obscure to the vast majority of sailors today. Yet nautical literature is rich in fine works describing the minutiae of what went on –…
Yachting World
Best kayak pumps for inflating your boat or board before a paddling adventure
Some of the best collapsible kayaks on the market are inflatable craft, and if you have one of these models, every paddling experience you have will begin with the blowing…
Best fixed compasses: 6 options for binnacle and bulkhead mounted units
Fixed compasses are an essential piece of kit that every yacht needs. They are especially good in this day and age, as they do not need any electrical power to…
5 top tips: Conrad Humphreys on how to keep up crew morale
Leading a crew of amateur sailors around the world in an event like the BT Global Challenge, or its modern equivalent, the Clipper Race, can be challenging in the extreme.…
Who is Jim Ratcliffe billionaire sports team investor?
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is a huge backer of major sports teams, inducing the British bid for the America’s Cup, INEOS Britannia. Formerly a chemical engineer, Sir Jim Ratcliffe became an…
Coolest yachts: MOD 70
“In terms of complexity for speed, there isn’t anything else which has such a good ratio as a MOD 70. We’ve been over 40 knots [boatspeed] on them, and with…
Icom M25 Handheld VHF Marine Radio Review
Icom M25 Waterproof Handheld VHF Marine Radio – Blue Best value handheld VHF marine radio The Icom M25 Handheld VHF Marine Radio is a lightweight low spec VHF handheld radio…
Alex Thomson buys Banque Populaire IMOCA, but skipper still to be confirmed
British four-time Vendée Globe competitor Alex Thomson has announced that his team has agreed to purchase the IMOCA 60 which Clarisse Cremer was set to race in the 2024 Vendée Globe before she…
The story of Cass: a yacht that was 20 years in the making
I used to do a lot of skydiving,” Simon Mitchell told me. “While you’re still in the aircraft you have options but, once you leave the door, gravity takes over…
World’s coolest yacht: America True
America True was a ground-breaking campaign for the 2000 America’s Cup. Created by Dawn Riley, it was the first America’s Cup syndicate to be headed up by a woman, and…
Intex Challenger K2 review: An inflatable kayak that’s built to last
The Intex Challenger K2 is the company’s mid-range inflatable kayak and the one that I have owned and enjoyed for years. Like the other models, the Challenger K2 features a…
Best kayak paddles for touring and exploring coastlines, rivers and lakes
After choosing the best kayak for your on-water adventures and escapades, the next biggest decision is what kayak paddle to power it with. And no matter whether you’re a touring…
The new wingsail concept that could revolutionise shipping
The words ‘muscles’ and ‘sails’ are often included in the same sentence, such is the physical nature of our sport. But what I hadn’t expected to hear in a recent…
Taking bluewater cruising to a new level
Buying a boat is a big decision. You’ve got a dream in mind – perhaps exploring the far corners of the Mediterranean, or reaching the Pacific. But how do you…
Beneteau First 36 review: Is this the best First yacht in years?
You might not appreciate it at first glance, but this could well be the best performance production yacht we’ll see for some time. This realisation creeps up on you slowly,…
The Ocean Race: is racing under autopilot ‘cheating’?
That’s not racing. It’s cheating. If you’re going to use the autopilot to sail around the world you might as well simply control the boat by remote control from home.”…
Fastest IMOCA record: 595 miles in 24 hours for The Ocean Race leaders
Kevin Escoffier’s Holcim-PRB, the dominant leader of The Ocean Race, has set a new 24-hour IMOCA record by covering a breath-taking 595.26 nautical miles (1102 kms) over Saturday 11-Sunday 12…
Best inflatable boats: 6 affordable options for getting on the water
As a result, it is necessary to offer the following caveat and disclaimer: the term ‘inflatable boat’ can be confusing as there are some large RIBs (Rigid-hulled Inflatable Boats) with…
Double handed sailing skills: Spinnaker drops
Taking a spinnaker down without the aid of the snuffer or furler is when double handed sailing is a challenging manoeuvre. This will be your biggest sail; it is slippery…
Cobra HH500 VHF Marine Radio – tested
Cobra HH500 VHF Marine Radio Best VHF marine radio for bluetooth mobile phone connectivity The Cobra HH500 VHF marine radio has been used as a backup to the main…