Ali Wood learns how a shy 19-year-old – one of James Wharram’s ‘five girls’ – became a designer, skipper and head of a multihull business
Alison Wood
Features Editor
Satellite communication at sea: staying connected from your boat
With Starlink’s high-speed internet, do sailors still need satellite phones on board while at sea? Ali Wood looks at the pros and cons of the different systems available to cruisers…
How well do the Helly Hansen Skagen F1 deck shoes perform on a charter holiday and while running dinghy sessions at the sailing club?
Ali Wood tests Helly Hansen's Skagen F1 deck shoes while on a charter holiday and running children's dinghy sessions at her local sailing club
How comfortable and practical is the Helly Hansen Crew Insulator 2.0 vest?
The Helly Hansen Crew Insulator 2.0 vest is light, water-repellent and can be packed down small. Ali Wood tests it while motoring the canals of France
Yachts bring tool kits to Grenada following hurricane
Transatlantic sailors arriving in Grenada have brought tool kits to aid relief in the wake of Hurricane Beryl. The category 4 hurricane, which made landfall in July, toppled trees and…
MOB yacht Ocean Breeze arrives in St Lucia
Ocean Breeze, the yacht which tragically lost a crewmember during the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, has arrived in St Lucia. Swedish sailor Dag Eresund (33) went overboard in the Atlantic…
Winter sailing: top tips to keep you as snug as a bug on the water
Staying afloat this winter? Ali Wood has some top tips for keeping warm while winter sailing
Boat propeller: How to choose the right one for your boat
The correct prop can have a dramatic effect on your boat's performance. Ali Wood learns how you can save fuel, reduce drag and go faster
Transatlantic duo dive overboard to free fouled props
Two yachts got tangled in fishing gear last week on the first leg of the ARC+ rally, causing a skipper and crew to dive overboard in the Atlantic. Kristian Hægeland,…
Family boats lead transatlantic rally in ARC+ start
Three family boats led the fleet at the start of the ARC+ rally this afternoon in Gran Canaria, all of them Outremers. Sailing with 13-year-old twins, US-flagged Appa was in…
Windvane self-steering: a complete guide for sailors
Ali Wood explains how you can harness the power of the wind and sea to steer efficiently
How to get the most from your yacht survey
Thinking of buying a new boat? A marine survey could save you a lot of heartache and money in the long run, says Ali Wood
How to go sailing and boating if you don’t own a boat
From tall ships to small dinghies, you don't need to own a boat to go sailing. Ali Wood looks at the options, and how skippers can also find crew
Cheap boating: 110 ways to cut the cost of your sailing and cruising
From DIY to learning new skills, mooring, sails and rigging, Ali Wood has some top tips on keeping afloat as affordably as possible
What does a sailmaker do?
Shortly before the Round the Island Race, one of the largest yacht races in the world, it’s all go at the T Sails loft in Southampton with sailmaker Tim Scarisbrick…
How to get a crew place sailing around the world
If you don’t own a boat but want to sail around the world, the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC), which leaves annually from Gran Canaria for the Caribbean, is a…
15 boat fixes at sea: sailors share how to deal with torn sails, rudder damage, chafe & more
Transatlantic sailors tell Ali Wood how they used their ingenuity – and sometimes bravery – to cope with emergencies on passage and make boat fixes at sea
Dorset sailing club in £4m bid to save outdoor centre
Hengistbury Head Outdoors Centre (HHOEC), on the shores of Christchurch harbour, closed during Covid, after decades of running sailing and adventure courses for the community. Now, in what would be…
Buying a new or used outboard motor? Professionals share their tips to make sure you avoid the pitfalls
From horsepower to shaft length and tilt-angle to 2- or 4-stroke, Ali Wood highlights the different features you should consider when buying a new or used outboard motor
What sailing boat kit do you need for an Atlantic crossing? Cruisers share the gear that really worked for them
From Starlink to tradewind sails, first aid and cooking, Ali Wood reports on new and traditional gear for transatlantic sailors