Fastnet Fastnet is arguably the shipping-forecast sea area that most persistently stirs our sailing ambitions and dreams. Whether we race or cruise, our collective memories of Fastnet races and storms,…
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‘We were welcomed on a narrow approach by the resident seals’ – Sailing the Irish Sea
Irish Sea Uniquely amongst Shipping Forecast sea areas, the Irish Sea incorporates coastlines of every country in the UK as well as the Republic of Ireland. On its western edge…
‘The gale-force mistake that nearly made my wife hate sailing forever’ – Yachting lessons learnt
Greece, 2024 – first light breaks, the anchor is catted, and Namika’s bow blows ever so gently off with the early land breeze. As she turns out to point into…
How to make sailing fun for all the family
We’ve all caught the sailing bug at some stage in our lives but for me it came relatively late and I wish I’d caught it earlier. Growing up in Cornwall…
What are the real costs when you buy a very cheap (or even free) yacht?
Out-of-season sailing attracts us. Winter here in Scotland, and early spring, when days are lengthening and the colours returning, are the best times to be outside. In those glorious few…
Yachting skills: To pinch or not to pinch
Mark and Tanya are heading south- west down the Needles Channel in their Beneteau 40.7, Swift. They’ve been close-hauled in a SSE’ly Force 5 with the ebb tide helping them…
Charlotte Drew on growing up with one of the first Clipper skippers, Mervyn Wheatley
A small girl was curled up in the corner of the wheelhouse, sitting on the step with an arm around her even smaller brother. The tension in the wheelhouse was…
Cruising craic on Scotland’s West Coast: Enjoying Scottish seclusion in the ‘jewel of the Highlands’
Clive, Chris and I set off in August a few years ago aboard Tintin, a comfy French aluminium 43ft cruising yacht. A yacht you could take anywhere, with her lifting…
ARC Baltic rally returns – five countries, four weeks: ‘There are delightfully quiet natural harbours everywhere’
The ARC Baltic has been reintroduced by the World Cruising Club after a seven-year hiatus. With a newly shortened and redesigned route, Saint Petersburg has been axed and is now…
Small upgrades, big impact: The best new gear at Southampton Boat Show
While the towering luxury yachts and sleek hulls at Mayflower Park do tend to steal the spotlight, any seasoned boat owner knows the real magic often happens in the smaller…