The fifth finisher in the 2022 Golden Globe Race, Jeremy Bagshaw shares how he prepared his OE32 for a circumnavigation alone
Seamanship
How to find good passage anchorages
A suitable anchorage can let you rest and await a fair tide: Here’s our pick of some useful passage anchorages for cruising this year
Boat handling tips: marina exit strategies
You want to turn one way to get out of your berth, but both the boat and the wind have other ideas – so what do you do? David Harding…
Boat fire prevention: tips to stay safe
For sailors, there is no hotter topic than fire on board. Sticky Stapylton looks at methods of prevention – and ways of dealing with fire should the worst happen
Boat handling: leaving a tight space
Peter Jones shares a technique for departing a pontoon with limited room for manoeuvre, against a pontoon or between rafts of boats
Getting that sinking feeling in the Pacific doldrums
People think of the doldrums as an area of light or no wind (it can, indeed, be like this), but it is violently stormy, equally often, with wind from any…
‘The steering wasn’t working. I felt my stomach sink’ – rudder failure in the Pacific
Steering loss aboard a Maxi 120 mid-Pacific reminds Charlie Pank of a previous rudder failure on a Beneteau Idylle many years earlier
Snap, shackle and drop: coping with a dismasted sailing yacht
Steve Hodges and his fiancée Sam McClements’ second attempt at the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean passage is scuppered by a dismasted yacht
Going astern in a long keel sailboat
Long-keelers are known for having a mind of their own when going astern, so how do you let them know who’s boss? David Harding offers some suggestions
Tips and advice for safer boating
Seasoned boat owner Gilbert Park shares his tips for making your time on the water as safe and stress free as possible
Starlink a hit for ARC+ rally’s first Lebanese entry
“Ahlam means ‘dreams’ and this is the dream,” says Lebanese skipper Toni Salame, who’s just taken third place in the ARC+ rally. His Oyster 575 Ahlam, was the third monohull…
How to use a cruising chute
For non-racing sailors, a cruising chute is often the downwind sail of choice: it’s nothing to be afraid of, but how do you use it to best advantage? David Harding…
Sailing in waves in little boats
Why the correct manoeuvres for the sea conditions will reduce hogging and sagging stress on both ship and crew
Coming alongside – essential skills for shorthanded crews
Coming alongside can be tricky for singlehanded and short-handed sailors. Øyvind Bordal has some sailing skills that will come in handy in harbours
How to pick up a pile mooring
Picking up a pile mooring can be a challenge – especially in a tidal harbour. David Harding explains how it’s done
Boat fuel economy: how to save petrol
Modern outboard engines are fuel efficient, but there are still ways you can get more miles per litre from your boat, says Jake Kavanagh
Cruising in powerboats long distance: a quick guide
When cruising in powerboats, especially small open boats, safety is paramount. Jake Kavanagh shares his advice for relaxed high-speed adventures around the coast and at sea
How to prepare a small boat for a big offshore sailing adventure: Top tips from Jester Challenge sailors
The art of sailing a small boat single-handed for long periods has been perfected by Jester Challenge sailors. Jake Kavanagh picks up some tips for keeping skipper and boat safe…
Lessons learned from sailing into Guernsey after engine failure
Creeping out of Dartmouth before first light for what promised to be a lively sail to Guernsey, the forecast was for a consistent north-easterly, Force 3-4. I enjoy night sailing,…
Berthing a vessel: 2 clever ways with warps
In these days of fin keels, bow-thrusters and powerful engines, using warps for marina manoeuvres might seem an old-fashioned irrelevance – but, as David Harding explains, warping can be an…