You might recognise the feeling – a sense of deepening anxiety as the moment for your boat’s annual haul-out finally approaches. What state will the hull be in? And what…
Gear
Best water bottle for sailing: 3 top options to quench your thirst on the water
With the hot weather and sailors spending more time on the water, staying hydrated is essential, so it’s important to pick the best water bottle for you. Drinking enough water…
How I moved my mooring into deeper water better suited to my yacht
Typical of a purchase driven by the heart, the reality of buying a long keel cruiser struck home immediately when I tried to keep Swedish Lass on the drying mooring…
How it works: Yacht Radar
To utilise radar properly it’s imperative that you learn how to interpret the information displayed. Many objects produce such a poor echo they don’t show up on the screen. Fixed…
‘I moved my anchor locker aft – now we sail better than ever…’
The chain locker in Britannia’s bow was totally inadequate for the 250ft (76m)of 3/8-inch chain I considered to be a bare minimum for my 22-tonne boat. Every time we weighed…
What to wear for sailing during winter
There is something really quite special about finding yourself out on the water and having most of it to yourself. Being the solitary boat in an anchorage or being able…
How to clean an anti-syphon valve on a yacht’s engine
On sailing boats the exhaust pipe is swept up into a ‘swan neck’ to stop following waves flooding the exhaust when the engine isn’t running. Exhaust gas normally drives water…
How to clean and remove a boat’s propeller
Propeller fouling causes a marked drop in performance, while electrolytic corrosion can cause serious propeller damage. Propellers should, therefore, be cleaned annually – but a quick clean of the prop…
The Best Gifts for Boaters and outdoor enthusiasts in 2025
Stuck for a Christmas gift idea for the sailor in your life? We choose the best Christmas gifts for sailors which are guaranteed to put a smile on their face…
Diesel bug: How to get rid of it and why it’s getting worse
Problems related to ‘diesel bug’ in yachts are becoming increasingly common. This is almost certainly due to the higher percentage of biodiesel in the fuel we now buy – good…