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…
Seamanship
‘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
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…
Man overboard rescue procedure: An alternative approach
Can rigging your jackstays in a different way really save lives? PBO reader Willem Bijl reckons it can, so David Harding put his ideas to the test
14 tips for single handed anchoring
Ben Meakins tries out some methods for dropping and recovering the anchor for singlehanded sailors in crowded anchorages
‘By mid-morning the pontoon linking us ashore was listing… and sinking’
Following a two-year pause from cruising habits in our Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349, Scoundrel, we were ready to set sail again. The hiatus was partly due to me being overseas…
Motor sailing: how to add power to your sails
Whether you’re supplementing the engine with the sails or vice versa, using them together can make a lot of sense – as David Harding explains
Safe sailing: practical know-how from the racers
Cruising sailors wanting to make sure their boat passes muster on the safety front could pick up a few tips from racing yachtsmen, says Rupert Holmes
Essential shorthanded sailing skills
Many sailors sail shorthanded much of the time, and it can prove a challenge. Rupert Holmes has some tips and techniques to help inspire confidence