In 1968, the original Golden Globe Race was widely regarded as ‘a voyage for madmen’. But where does that leave the 34 men and one woman who are signed up…
Ben Meakins
Collision avoidance software
Ben Meakins puts Raymarine’s new Lighthouse AIS update through its paces in Southampton Water
Blog 4: Dave Selby sets off!
Marlin's Mission is underway as Dave Selby heads off from Maldon on his Sailfish 18
Gordon Moody dies aged 91
The former Chairman and Managing Director of a well-known Swanwick boatyard has died aged 91.
LED and laser flares tested
LED and laser flares claim to replace pyrotechnic flares on board: but how do they compare with a traditional flare and an LED torch?
Make a Bow Protector
Sam Longley uses soil pipe to protect his boat's bow from marina pontoons
Cockpit table and extra bunks for a Sailfish
Howard Betts had a brainwave to design a versatile cockpit table – then he slept on it
Righting an upturned pontoon
Hurricane-force storms during the winter of 2013/14 caused a lot of damage in the west of Ireland. Beaches were washed away, roads and bridges were destroyed and many piers, jetties…
Solar panel mounts
Off-the-shelf anodised aluminium sections can provide a Meccano-type solution for many structural projects on a boat. I used some to make adjustable brackets for my solar panels. The pivoting bracket…
Man Overboard – using a lifesling
Using a lifesling to make contact with and recover a man overboard.
Video: Man Overboard – recovery under power
Getting back to a man overboard under power
Video: Man Overboard – Quick Stop method
The RORC-recommended Quick-Stop method of getting back to a MOB.
Video: Man overboard – the reach-tack-reach method
‘Man overboard!’ It’s a cry that chills the blood. But most of us go sailing to relax and enjoy some time afloat, and even the most well-meaning of us will…
Sailing weather apps and websites
We delve into a plethora of sailing weather apps and websites in an attempt to discover which ones offer the most comprehensive detail and the best value
Best forward-looking sonar: 5 units tested
How effective is forward-looking sonar at flagging up shoals and obstacles on the seabed? David Pugh compares the findings from five devices
Sticking on a new cove line
David Witton replaces his coving line witha 'third hand' to hold the reel of tape
Cheap chain pipe cover
To reduce the amount of water that runs down my chain pipe, I have a two-piece cover cut from a scrap piece of plastic, square-section downpipe. Each piece has two…
How to cut rounded corners with a hole saw
How to cut rounded corners with a hole saw
Straightening a bent mast
When I bought my new boat a couple of years ago I was very disappointed to find that her mast was bent. It took up an elongated ‘S’ shape when…
Replacing a broken screw in wood
Shipwright Alan Campbell passes on a useful tip to help deal with a broken screw