Sitting in the cockpit together, my wife Jill and I watched daylight slowly appear over the Washington coast as our boys, Porter and Magnus, slept soundly in the gentle swell. It was good to be out on the ocean again and even more exciting to be making the hop down the coast to the Columbia […]
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Sailing in Europe this summer? The Cruising Association shares its advice on what you need to know for a stress-free cruise in the EU
Being so close, France – this is St Malo– is one of the most popular EU countries to cruise to from the UK. Credit: AlamyPlanning on sailing in Europe this season? There’s a lot to think about!
This guide, prepared by the Regulatory & Technical Services group (RATS) of the Cruising Association (...
The six-month refit of Medallia aims to give Pip Hare "a fighting chance" against the 13 new-build boats in the 2024 Vendée Globe race.
The revamped IMOCA 60 Medallia foiling on a test sail. Credit: Lloyd Images“The next Vendée Globe race is going to be huge,” says solo round-the-world sailor Pip Hare, ‘There are going to be 40 entries, which is the biggest number of entries ever. And of those 40 entries, 13 will be new builds...
Nearly every new boat has a bowsprit, but what about older yachts? Rupert Holmes looks at what is available on the market for owners of older vessels
A custom made stainless steel sprit may cost around £2,000 for a 35ft boat and can be made so that it doesn’t add to clutter on the foredeck. Credit: Rupert HolmesThe performance benefits of today’s reaching sails in light airs, together with their...
The basic shape of a traditional lifeboat is a long shallow keel, double ended and beamy – ideal for conversion into a cruising boat
Ex-RNLB Henry Finlay lifeboat on the River Dart in Dartmouth. Credit: Zoonar GmbH/AlamyModern ships’ lifeboats are much more likely to save your life by keeping you dry and warm than their open boat predecessors, should you be unlucky enough to need one.
They may resemble orange submarines but they have a fit-for-purpose design.
However, there was a time when a ship’s lifeboat actually looked...
Latest figures published by the Marine Accident and Investigation Branch (MAIB) reveal that 47% of reported man overboard incidents in UK waters from recreational boats ends in a fatality
Of the MOB incidents from recreational boats reported to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch between 2015-2023, 47% resulted in a fatality. Credit: Richard LangdonThe latest man overboard statistics from the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (...
A skippered flotilla charter on the Dalmatian Coast is a dream come true for Laura Hodgetts, but can she really relax as a (last-minute) lone parent with two pre-schoolers and inexperienced crew?
Our Sunsail 404 Premier catamaran, WetterantsThe setting was perfect: hot sun, an idyllic marina surrounded by mountains, and a yacht club pool. Yet having been carrying my heavy, sleeping three-year-old for about 15 minutes, walking around ACI Marina Dubrovnik trying to find the Sunsail office, I was feeling anything but in holiday mode.
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Is a phone with satellite connectivity a good replacement for the EPIRB? PBO expert Rupert Holmes answers the question
Can a phone with satellite connectivity ever replace an EPIB?Are the new rugged phones with satellite connectivity of interest to the intrepid sailor?
Would they be an alternative to the phenomenally high priced EPIRB?
Peter Murray
Rupert Holmes...
Popular with charter yachts in summer, Genevieve Leaper explores these Greek islands at the quieter end of the season
There is good sailing breeze most of the time in October, with winds predominantly from a northerly quarter. Credit: Genevieve LeaperAdmittedly, it wasn’t the most dignified departure. Beduin, our Nicholson 32, was moored stern-to the quay in Milina harbour so all we had to do was let go of...
Practical Boat Owner reader David Blackborow is trying to fin out the best way to close the gap between the rudder and propeller on his boat
David Blackborow is concerned about the wide gap between the prop and rudder of his boat. Credit: David BlackborowHow do you close the gap between the rudder and propeller?
My boat is kept on a drying mooring and, as you can see from the above photo, there is quite a gap between the...