I first realised there was something amiss when several years ago on a visit to the Hamble River during a dead calm weekend afternoon. I noticed that everyone on every…
skip novak
Yachting World goes to Cape Horn to research our Storm Sailing Techniques series
As we drove into Ushuaia from the new airport, Skip Novak pointed out a small cruise liner moored in the commercial port. She’d recently had her bridge windows smashed in…
If I had a hammer . . . a winter voyage to South Georgia by Skip Novak
No matter how well you think you have prepared for a voyage, there are always things that slip through the net. Usually they are minor items that didn’t make the…
Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques Part 1: the Pelagic Philosophy
Yachting World goes round Cape Horn. Watch how we made our 12-part series about storm sailing techniques with expedition guru Skip Novak
Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques Part 2: expedition yacht design
Skip shows us around his two Pelagic expedition yachts in our latest video
Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques Part 3: storm sails
Skip Novak has firm views about the easiest and safest way to reduce sail and carry on in a gale. Elaine Bunting explains
Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques Part 4: Heaving to
Heaving to is an ideal technique for riding out a storm, but there’s an art to it in heavy seas. Skip Novak explains how to go about it
Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques Part 5: reefing
Skip demonstrates what he regards as the only foolproof reefing method for a true offshore cruiser
Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques Part 6: preparing the deck for heavy weather
Why meticulous checks, sensible stowage and forward planning are key for a trouble free passage in stormy conditions
Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques Part 7: sail design
Skip Novak argues that a well-chosen, conservative sail wardrobe is the seamanlike choice for world cruising. Here he explains what he means
Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques Part 8: drogues and sea anchors
Expedition guru Skip Novak addresses the effectiveness of warps and drogues when it comes to breaking seas in a storm
Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques Part 9: Sounding an uncharted bay ready for anchoring
Gaining shelter on a hostile coastline can be safer than toughing it out offshore. Skip Novak looks at how to con into an unfamiliar bay
Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques Part 10: Anchoring in heavy weather
Skip Novak explains his philosophy on anchoring, based on having to hold fast in some very extreme high latitudes conditions
Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques Part 11: Tying to shore
Expedition guru Skip Novak demonstrates how to tie to shore in tough conditions
Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques Part 12: Dinghy handling in heavy weather
Your tender is your lifeline to the shore and its type, size and equipment are critical in remote areas. Skip Novak demonstrates what he uses, why - and how