It’s a light wind early autumn day in the Mediterranean and we’ve been sailing the Lagoon 51 alternately under Code 0 and genoa at boat speeds occasionally touching 8 knots…
Reviews
Elan E6 review: Fun to sail with a nice, sporty feel
I’ve always looked forward to testing new models in Elan’s performance range. Historically they’ve offered an enticing blend of performance and comfort, with every example I’ve sailed in the last…
First look: Gunboat’s GB80 and GB70
In the seven years since Grand Large Yachting purchased cult catamaran brand Gunboat and brought it to a new headquarters in the south of France, it has steadily increased its…
First look: Reichel-Pugh 44m – luxury fast sloop
Bearing the snappy moniker ‘Project 3093’ from builder Vitters, this 145ft design by Reichel-Pugh, the Reichel-Pugh 44m is a fast cruising sloop. Construction on her aluminium hull began in 2022…
Standard Horizon Explorer VHF Radio – Tested and Reviewed
Standard Horizon Explorer VHF Radio The Explorer series of VHF radios from Standard Horizon are all good but what makes this one a 5 star review? I replaced my previous…
Grand Soleil 40 review: A rare-breed cruiser / racer
Grand Soleil’s latest launch, the Grand Soleil 40, is something of a rarity in today’s market – a cruiser-racer with a comfortable three-cabin interior, yet the ability to excel on…
Sealskinz Waterproof Insulated Gloves Review
SEALSKINZ Waterproof All Weather Insulated Glove I’ve had these sealskinz waterproof insulated gloves for a good number of years now and they get hauled out of storage a few times…
Gill Pro Sailing Glove Longterm Test Review
Gill Pro Sailing glove The Gill Pro sailing glove has been a stalwart in my sailing inventory for years and they’re still going strong. These top of the range Gill…
Gill Championship Sailing Gloves – long finger & short finger Review
Gill Championship Sailing glove long finger I’ve worn the Gill Championship sailing glove to death, quite literally for the past 13 years. Obviously these are not the same gloves all…
First look: Argo 54, a new 54m aluminium super-sloop
Harnessing the design talents of both Rob Doyle (superyachts) and Juan K (raceboats), this sloop promises to be an outstanding performer when she’s finally delivered in 2024. Part of the…
First look: Frers 59m – a fusion of classic looks and low freeboard
Nearly 20 years after delivering the famous Adèle, Vitters is nearing completion of a new 59m ketch – this time drawn by Germán Frers. The boat is again a fusion…
Garmin Marq Captain smartwatch review: Smart by name, smart by nature
As befits its £1,699 price tag, the Garmin Marq Captain arrived in a hefty steel presentation case with a magnetic seal that eased open like the lid of a sarcophagus…
Linjett 39 review: Contemporary interpretation of a traditional design
How quickly will today’s new yachts date? A handful are surely destined to become design classics, but many will be quickly forgotten, becoming the floating equivalent of an ageing mass-market…
Gill OS1 Ocean Jacket review
I’ve been using Gill’s previous OS1 kit for several years, covering tens of thousands of miles with it, so was naturally curious when a new Gill OS1 Ocean Jacket was…
First look: Wally 101 – all-carbon flier
Full custom yachts don’t come much fleeter than the Wally 101, an all-carbon flier from Wally, which is based on the famous Wallycento box rule. The Wally 101 will displace…
First look: Swan 128 – second largest Swan ever
Unveiled at last year’s Monaco Yacht Show, the Swan 128 is the second largest yacht ever for the Finnish yard and the largest in its current Maxi range. Construction is…
Standard Horizon HX890 handheld VHF marine radio review
Standard Horizon HX890E VHF handheld marine radio Best joint overall handheld VHF marine radio The Standard Horizon HX890 handheld VHF is a feature-rich, top spec handheld marine radio, with impressive…
Standard Horizon HX210 handheld VHF marine radio reviewed
Standard Horizon HX210 Standard Horizon HX210 handheld VHF rival to the Icom 25E offers us a great alternative handheld radio at a good price vs weight vs battery life…
Icom IC37 Handheld VHF Marine Radio Review
Icom M37E handheld VHF radio Best joint overall handheld VHF marine radio This Icom IC37 Handheld VHF Marine Radio unit is a real workhorse. Designed for both leisure and the…
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…