Dangling many metres above the deck isn’t the time to find out that your bosun’s chair cuts off the blood supply to your legs. However, most of our mast-climbing devices…
Gear
NORDAC – a new way to make cruising sails
Woven or laminate? That’s the choice for anyone in the market for cruising sails – until now. Chris Beeson finds out how North Sails has blown the debate wide open…
7 mast climbing methods and gear on test
It must have been a wise man who once said that: ‘A fear of heights is illogical. A fear of falling, on the other hand, is prudent and evolutionary.’ Perhaps…
Where should you stow your liferaft?
Wherever you cruise, you’ll most likely want to keep a liferaft on board in case of emergency – but where’s the best place to stow it? Duncan Kent makes some…
Are your bow roller and cleats strong enough?
We rely on bow rollers and cleats without giving them a second thought. Should we be paying them more attention? Alastair Buchan investigates
Video: Boom brakes and preventers tested
Boom brakes should help you to control the boom downwind. Duncan Kent finds out if they work
How to tie a soft shackle
Soft shackles can be used almost anywhere you currently use a conventional shackle. Look on any boat and you will usually find areas where a metal shackle has worn away…
What makes a good pair of binoculars?
Ken Endean reveals what you should look for, and what you should avoid, when investing in a new pair of binoculars
Reasons to be paranoid about diesel
As emission regulations tighten up and diesel gets more biocontent, Nigel Calder warns of potentially dire consequences for new yacht engines
Six ISO 9650 liferafts tested
Do manufacturers abide by the self-regulating ISO 9650 liferaft standard? Does the standard go far enough? Chris Beeson tests six liferafts to find out