During Cowes Week 2015, I had the chance to sail with rising star Alan Roberts on his 33ft Magma Structures sonspored Beneteau Figaro. Roberts finished 9th in the gruelling Solitaire…
expert tips
SAIL FASTER SAIL SAFER advanced techniques series Part 9: Spinnaker trim
There’s nothing quite like surfing off a wave in the open ocean, spinnaker straining and helm vibrating under your fingertips. For me it’s sailing at its best. In this article…
SAIL FASTER SAIL SAFER advanced techniques series Part 10: Hoisting a spinnaker
The basic principles of hoisting a spinnaker are easy to grasp. More importantly, they are the same whether you are sailing fully crewed, short- or single-handed and use an asymmetric…
SAIL FASTER SAIL SAFER advanced techniques series Part 11: Spinnaker drop
One manoeuvre that really makes my heart race when sailing single-handed is a spinnaker drop. It can seem like a recipe for disaster as I will often be dropping because…
SAIL FASTER SAIL SAFER advanced techniques series Part 12: Spinnaker problems
I have encountered more than my fair share of problems with the spinnaker when single-handed and it can be a total nightmare. The size and power of the sail that…
Yacht refit overseas: it may look cheaper, but is it a good idea to have a refit done abroad?
Yacht refit in a far-flung part of the world can appear to be an attractive proposition, particularly if you can reap the benefit of lower labour rates. However, if it…
Yacht refit tips: you can save costs on refitting a quality cruiser by project managing the work yourself
Have you ever hankered after a top-quality yacht, fitted out to your own requirements, but discounted the idea on the basis of cost? If so, it may be worth looking…
Our top tips for using iPad apps for navigation: first thing, get a waterproof case!
Using iPad apps for navigation is becoming a popular option and we tested seven chartplotting apps for a feature in Yachting World. But what about using an iPad on board? …