FP has launched more than 4,000 catamarans over the last 40 years. The La Rochelle yard has just enjoyed its best year of trading ever, with over €300m turnover (up…
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How to transfer fuel if you have a disaster at sea
Most sailing yachts don’t carry enough fuel to motor across an ocean. Even having a range of half the distance, so that you could reach one side or the other,…
Proposed changes to Personal Locator Beacon registration announced
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has announced plans to update Personal Locator Beacon registration, bringing it into line with the requirements for EPIRBS
‘What stops sailors flying the right sails?’ – Nikki Henderson on the power driving your boat
Why we haven’t been matching the factory polars for our new boat? I just can’t work it out! That’s something almost every new boat owner has asked themselves at some…
Great Seamanship: The Last Seadog. Jean-Luc Van Den Heede recalls a Southern Ocean knockdown
For any sailor interested in single-handed racing, Jean-Luc Van Den Heede’s The Last Seadog, just published, is a more than welcome addition to the bookshelf. The ultimate French solo ‘navigateur’,…
Foil damage halts Jules Verne record attempts: both Gabart and Coville’s crews turn for home
The two Ultim foiling trimarans which had set off on a Jules Verne Trophy around the world non-stop record attempt have both aborted their current circumnavigation. Francois Gabart‘s SVR-Lazartigue was first to…
Man overboard in ARC: US MRCC calls off active search. Another yacht abandoned in second incident.
A crew member taking part in this year’s ARC rally has been lost overboard. Yesterday, Monday 2 December, the Volvo 70 Ocean Breeze reported that a crew member had gone…
World’s Coolest Yacht: AC72
“I think one of the coolest boats was the AC72,” says Davies who nominates the wingsail catamarans sailed in the 34th America’s Cup in San Francisco. “Building one of those…
Head-to-head Jules Verne attempts: two Ultim trimarans set off to try and break 40 days around the world
The two crews are both attempting to break the non-stop, around the world record – the ‘no limits’ Jules Verne Trophy – which currently stands at 40 days, 23 hours,…
Pip Hare’s guide to racing in the Southern Ocean as the Vendée Globe fleet continue south
The Vendée Globe is the world’s ultimate race course: one non-stop lap of the globe. The course starts in Les Sables d’Olonne, France, on 10 November. There are three marks…
Great Seamanship: Ancestor – A Carriacou Sloop’s Voyage to Vancouver
Not many years ago I was privileged to become involved with the vernacular sloops of the Windward Islands while on the Caribbean island of Carriacou in the Grenadines. These cargo-carrying…
Skip Novak’s sailing adventure to survey endangered albatross: ‘We threaded through a wall of crystalline icebergs’
The mood on the Vinson of Antarctica was a wee bit on edge. Justino was staring into the radar in the pilothouse and Dion was all eyes on deck in…
Jean-Luc Van Den Heede: first recipient of the Cape Horners’ Lifetime Achievement Award
French offshore sailor Jean-Luc Van Den Heede, who has rounded Cape Horn 12 times, has been presented with the International Association of Cape Horners' Lifetime Achievement Award
IMOCAs hit warp speed: 24hr solo sailing record falls repeatedly to hit incredible 579.86 miles
The Vendée Globe leaders are locked into near-perfect conditions, riding the leading edge of a low pressure system in the South Atlantic on a direct fast train towards Cape Town.…
Solaris 74RS first look: Alluring style with some substance below decks
I was taken with the layout and interior design of the Solaris 74RS, with its stylish, performance-cruising raised coachroof design. The first three examples have owner cabins forward with galley…
Extraordinary boats: The Cayman 28 ‘a gentleman’s skiff’
Zipping through the herd of mainly production family cruisers enjoying the sunshine on a picture postcard Sound of Mull at Scotland’s ever popular West Highland Week, the Cayman 28 Rooster…
550 miles solo in one day: solo sailing record falls again in Vendée Globe
Yoann Richomme, on the IMOCA Paprec Arkéa, has broken the record for the longest distance sailed solo in 24 hours on a monohull. Richomme has smashed the 550-mile barrier, covering…
Garcia Exploration 60 review: We crossed the Atlantic to test this adventure cruiser
The frenetic activity of the Caribbean season had already slowed by the end of April in Anse du Marin, where Albius IV waited on the pontoon. The commanding new Garcia…
How to use deck chutes for improved spinnaker handling
Paul Larsen was converted to the appeal of deck chutes on a particular day aboard Sir Peter Harrison’s 35m maxi yacht Sojana. “You’d be racing into the leeward mark with…
Contest 63CS first look: New superyacht quality 63 footer
What a beauty! This Judel Vrolijk shape is now familiar to the range from the Dutch family-run yard. This first hull is tricked up with an optional deeper 3.4m keel…