Michael Schmidt has been a visionary in the marine industry for decades, starting with his 1980s Admiral’s Cup successes, the brokerage network that still bears his name, as founder of…
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Bid to reinstate Paralympic Sailing
The ‘Back the Bid’ #SailtoLA campaign, launched today, hopes to see sailing return to the Paralympic Games. Sailing was first introduced to the Paralympics in 1996 as a demonstration sport,…
First look: Contest 49CS and 50CS
This Dutch builder of quality semi-custom yachts has two new models based on the same Judel/Vrolijk hull design in build. The 50CS is a centre cockpit sloop that replaces the…
Fastest yacht: The giant record breakers
Every so often the yacht racing world sees an ambitious owner with pockets deep enough to want to step things up a gear and produce a new record-smashing fastest yacht.…
Cruising Mexico with a newborn: one couple’s story
The earth inhales. A treeless desert fevers under a rising sun, breathing the cool air that rests at sea. In the evening the earth exhales, its warm breath accelerates down…
Best bluewater multihulls: Fountaine Pajot Saona 47
In a similar fashion to market leaders Lagoon, the area of mass appeal lies in the mid-40ft sector for Fountaine Pajot – now captured by the Fountaine Pajot Saona 47.…
Best bluewater multihulls: Balance 526 and 482
Balance is a shrewd name for these catamarans, which target that elusive balance of comfort, speed and space, typified by the Balance 526. Founded in 2013 by Phillip Berman, Balance…
How to run the pit: Top tips from a pro sailor
Running the pit is more than pulling the right ropes at the right time, according to Tom Burnham. “The pitman is that communication and decision-making link between the front of…
Best bluewater multihulls: Seawind 1370 and 1600
The first Seawind 1370 is not yet on the water, but comes with a strong heritage of bluewater multihull design. For nearly four decades, the Australian Seawind brand and its…
Extraordinary boats: Pen Duick VI
Few yachts are more iconic, or have done more to inspire others, than the late Eric Tabarly’s Pen Duick series. Pen Duick VI, a 73-footer built for the 1973/4 Whitbread…
Alex Thomson stands down as Vendée Globe skipper
British sailor Alex Thomson has announced he won’t compete as a skipper in the 2024 Vendée Globe, the solo, non-stop race around-the-world, but doesn’t rule out returning to the race…
Best bluewater multihulls: Atlantic 47 and 49
Anyone considering performance bluewater cruising multihulls should have a look at Chris White’s designs, typified by the Atlantic 47. The Dartmouth, Massachusetts-based designer has three decades experience of drawing fast…
Finding flow in the Gotland Runt
3:45am. I don hat, base layers, foulies, boots, head torch and neck gaiter before stepping up on deck. There I am greeted by a fiery sunrise rising above the fierce…
Jeanneau SO410 review: lift keel opens up options
If you sail in tidal harbours or shallow waters, your choice of midsize new production yachts is more limited than you may realise. While most manufacturers offer a shallow draught…
First look: Baltic 146 Path
With speed comes an increasing demand for comfort where modern fast cruising superyachts are concerned. And in the case of Baltic 146 Path, this purposeful new 45m design, there are…
Webinar: how to manage your boat on a circumnavigation
Don’t miss the third in the Bluewater Sailing Webinar series by Grand Large Yachting, in association with Yachting World. This Thursday’s webinar covers the key topic of technical boat management, led…
Sailing the fastest offshore monohull, the ClubSwan 125
It’s tricky to gauge speed and scale against anything else when you have to sail a few miles offshore to avoid dredging the English Channel. Nevertheless, sailing onboard the new…
Onboard communication: Pip Hare’s guide
Earlier this year I was lucky enough to join the French crew of the IMOCA 60 Bureau Vallée 3 for the Ocean Race Europe. Their new boat had been launched…
First look: Swan 98 – high performance, Italian flair
The pandemic seems to have in no way slowed Nautor’s Swan, as it presented two new superyachts at the Monaco Yacht Show, the Swan 98 and Swan 120 – this…
Lagoon 55 review: new iteration remains quintessential cat
The number 55 holds a special place in the history of Lagoon – it was its inaugural model, launched back in 1987. The 2021 version of the Lagoon 55, still…