The Southern Ocean is renowned for its relentlessness. By the time they reach the final stages of the South Pacific, the Vendée Globe solo sailors have been at sea for…
Vendée Globe 2020 contenders: Who will win the world’s toughest sailing race?
Not for nothing is the Vendée Globe referred to by many as the toughest race in the world. The singlehanded, non stop, solo race around the globe regularly sees fewer…
Karma: The Maxi Dolphin 75 cruiser with Mini-Maxi looks
Translated literally, karma does not mean fate, as it is commonly misused, but action. It’s the actions you have taken in the past, take now, and will take in the…
Did you know…? 10 interesting facts about the America’s Cup
1. Britain has never won the America’s Cup Despite the inaugural America’s Cup race taking place in Cowes in 1851, Britain has never won the “Auld Mug”. The USA has…
How the America’s Cup contenders compare going into the Prada Cup
As each of the new AC75s were wheeled out into the open for the first time, amid the celebration and champagne spraying, each team will have been keenly aware that…
Best safety flares: 9 options for raising a distress signal at sea
A decade ago few people would have predicted that carrying distress flares on board would become a potentially controversial subject. However, that’s what’s currently happening thanks to the development of…
Atlantic crossing in a Pandemic? ARC 2020 crews tell their stories
The Covid-19 pandemic derailed the plans of around two-thirds of the crews planning to take part in the annual ARC Atlantic crossing and ARC+ from Gran Canaria to St Lucia,…
Everything you need to know to set up an emergency steering system
Around 5% of the ARC fleet reported steering issues over the 2017-2019 rallies, that’s about ten incidents per year. They also tend to occur with little warning, and can be…
Expert sailing advice: How to make winning decisions on the racecourse
Although Peter Burling and Blair Tuke had won Olympic sailing silver at the London 2012 Games, the young New Zealanders felt their decision-making skills, particularly the blend of long-term strategy…
Emirates Team New Zealand win World Series in first clues for 36th America’s Cup
Can the Kiwis be beaten for the 36th America’s Cup? They must be on short odds already, three months out from the main event, given the dominant performance of Emirates…
Evrika: This classic Swan 65 has been refitted for the 2023 Ocean Globe Race
Evrika got her name from Archimedes, the ancient Greek mathematician who discovered the basis of water displacement. Legend has it that when Archimedes noticed the level of his bathwater rise…
How hydrogen fuel cells could provide a truly clean energy source for yachts
Nearly a decade ago there was plenty of talk about hydrogen fuel cells becoming the carbon-free future for the automotive industry, yet we rarely hear about it now. So what…
Electric dreams: Jimmy Cornell reports on life aboard his eco-friendly catamaran
We couldn’t have picked a more miserable day to go out for our first sail on Aventura Zero. As we left the marina, grey skies hung low over the bay…
Spirit 72DH first look: New project sees woodworking maestros embrace carbon
The Spirit 72DH will be configured to suit the owner’s specific requirements for fast cruising, racing and charter sailing in the Mediterranean. A key request was for the displacement to…
Vendée Globe racer Pip Hare explains how sailors decide when to turn back
Whenever I show new sailors how to fill out the logbook I make a point of heading the page ‘Passage towards’, rather than inserting an end destination. It’s an old…
Pro navigator Mike Broughton explains why paper charts are still irreplaceable
We now have sailing apps that help with navigation planning, that explain rules, apps that track you and apps that track all other vessels with AIS. Weather forecasting apps continue…
Ovni 650 first look: This new flagship looks ideal for long-distance cruising
This 65-footer incorporates many of the developments first seen on the Ovni 400 that was launched 18 months ago and reviewed in Yachting World earlier this year. These include the…
Expert sailing advice: Mike Broughton explains the importance of tidal laylines
Rather like the poker player who unwittingly plays into a trap, starting in a strong steam easily ensnares the unwary. To reduce this risk, getting to the start area early…
London to Stockholm on an 87ft houseboat: An extract from Sailing Barge Venta
Back in the 1960s when the last Thames sailing barges were coming out of trading, a few were taken by bold individuals as yachts or houseboats. The best of them…
Post-Brexit sailing rules explained: Restrictions loom for 20,000 UK cruisers
There are three major areas of concern. For UK citizens an immediate impact will be losing the right to spend longer than 90 days in any rolling 180-day period in…