The Calypso portable ultrasonic wind sensor comes at a time when onboard systems are becoming increasingly integrated and fits well in a captain’s electronic instrument arsenal. Wireless wind sensors have…
Gear
Gear: Loop Boa Base – nifty stacking clutch
The Loop Boa Base is an extremely neat idea for adding extra clutches in places where there would otherwise be no convenient deck space. It allows them to be stacked…
New Gear: Wuzzos Corinthian Pro
The Wuzzos Corinthian Pro is a new high spec deck shoe which uses leather and mesh to maximise ventilation and drainage, while the dual density outsole is engineered to absorb…
Best cooler box and cooling kit for sailors
With the summer now in full swing, keeping cool is key for those of us spending time out on the water. And for those of us heading to the beach…
Hydrogen power: Is the future of onboard power here?
We all know that hydrogen is the power of the future. After all, scientists have been discussing it for decades. Between zero emissions, zero noise and no vibration, it is…
Reviewed: BRNKL remote boat monitoring system
Since the start of the Covid crisis many of us have been separated from our yachts for much longer than usual. Fortunately, there are a growing number of options for…
Gear: New Seldén soft attachment blocks
Increasingly sailors are turning to soft attachment blocks for the many positive attributes they offer. Originally they may have been seen as a weight saving bit of kit for performance…
Water for sailing: We survey the ARC fleet to find popular options
Water is the source of all life. For any sailor considering extended cruising or an ocean crossing, the ability to carry or produce sufficient fresh water for sailing is a…
Seasickness cure: Could VR be the future?
A true seasickness cure has long been hoped for as the debilitating problem has followed sailors for centuries. Charles Darwin gave a warning to any of his readers tempted to…
North Sails clothing: A sailing kit revolution?
Very rarely do new brands of wet weather gear come along, so when North Sails decided to enter the foray and produce their own North Sails clothing it had to…
Food for sailing: Our guide to the best options
While we know the top professional sailors, Olympians and America’s Cup grinders are lean, mean machines who inhale protein shakes to fuel their elite exercise routines, there is also a…
Best safety flares: 9 options for raising a distress signal at sea
A decade ago few people would have predicted that carrying distress flares on board would become a potentially controversial subject. However, that’s what’s currently happening thanks to the development of…
Lithium boat batteries: Why now is the right time to upgrade your electrics
Larger new cruising yachts, especially those at the quality end of the market, have been routinely fitted with lithium boat batteries for the past few years. Arcona, for instance, says…
iPad sailing: Pip Hare’s top tips on using your tablet to navigate
These days it’s rare for me not to use a tablet as part of my navigation equipment. The fact I can take my tablet with me anywhere in the world…
Monitoring apps: How the Internet of Things can turn your boat into a smart boat
What is it? Real time boat monitoring that allows remote checking of a vessel’s status and essential systems. Who is it for? Any owner who wants to know how their…
How well does your lifejacket work? We put 3 offshore models to the test
As I plunge into the sea off the east coast of Iceland, the water temperature shows 6°C and the cold is enough to take the breath away. I am wearing…
Drones – how new flying robots can benefit sailors, from unique photography to MOB and rescue aids
Drones. Love them, hate them or fear them, these unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) are becoming mainstream. Outside the military, a drone’s primary benefit – aerial photography – has meant their…
Exposure Marine X2 marine torch
Why would you need a marine torch that costs £200, particularly if it needs recharging rather than using batteries? Although I had been impressed with Exposure Marine’s innovative and extremely…
Spinlock Deckvest LITE
The Spinlock Deckvest LITE is one of the best lifejackets I have used, principally because it feels the least cumbersome. I am not going to argue that it’s the best…
Karver KJH Handle tested
Who’s it for? Any sailor who wants added purchase when hand-pulling a rope of 8mm or less. Tested by Matthew Sheahan