You may need to do this either as a routine check or because the raw water flow through the engine has stopped. In the latter case the engine will be…
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Your guide to navigating Caribbean island customs and immigration while sailing
There are great pilot guides written by the likes of Doyle and constantly updated online resources like Noonsite, noforeignland and Navily to help visiting yacht skippers navigate the complex Caribbean…
Priced out: Are the days of the ordinary owner-cruiser numbered? – Lu Heikel
A few years ago we were at the Istanbul boatshow giving a talk for the wonderful Gezgin Korsan. The ‘Sailing Pirates’ are a group of keen cruising sailors who took…
The cost of an Atlantic crossing from one family who did it
We dreamt of sailing the Atlantic for years, but we finally decided to take the plunge and make it a reality with our young daughter. ‘Procurement exercises’ are a routine…
Hurricane Ivan’s aftermath: The cost of a Caribbean storm
[STORY UPDATED 11/12/2025] Correction: Yachting Monthly would like to apologise to Spice Island Marine for the original version of this article which misquoted them and their employees and consequently misrepresented…
Sailing Brittany: ‘To be sure of getting a winter berth, you must reserve months in advance’
This was the one shopping trip that I’ll never forget. Indeed, I’ll probably have fond memories of that particular day in Brittany for the rest of my life. I had…
Sailing the Shipping Forecast: Coastal cruising from Stonehaven to Berwick-upon-Tweed
The Forth sea area runs from just north of Stonehaven on the East Aberdeenshire coast southwards to Holy Island off the Northumberland coast, including the approaches to the River Tay…
The Scottish Islands Peaks Race: No wind, no sleep, and a whole lot of effort
The clue is in the name. The Scottish Islands Peaks Race is from Oban to Troon via three islands – Mull, Jura and Arran, 160 nautical miles. And the peaks?…
Rig check: How to inspect and tune your standing rigging for maximum safety
There are many ways a boat’s rigging can fail, but there will also, usually, be important telltale signs indicating that a problem is developing. A good regular check, therefore, will…
How to find the perfect sailing crew match (and avoid know-it-alls)
We’re all different. We have diverse aims, agendas and ways of getting there. All of them are right. So, what holds people back? A large number get their Day Skipper…