The timing was tight. I took the call 24 hours before we were due to fly. Alex kindly asked me if she could help stock the boat. We were scheduled…
Yachting Monthly
World Autism Day: Autism On The Water in the Spotlight
Today, Wednesday, 2nd April, is World Autism Day, a day to raise awareness about autism and celebrate those on the autism spectrum. To mark this day, we’re highlighting Autism On…
‘Anything can be the beginning of another boating friendship’ – Libby Purves
Thirty years ago this spring I had my first novel published, Casting Off – apprentice-work, a bit chick-lit at times, but at least it was nautical. Inspired by watching couples…
Cruising around the Bijagos islands: Taking a break from sailing around the world in remote regions
Situated at the mouth of many rivers in Guinea-Bissau, the Bijagos archipelago is one of Africa’s most isolated maritime regions. Strong tides, violent currents, murky waters, rocky reefs, constantly shifting…
Essential safety shakedown
There is always a long list of jobs over the winter if you want to have the boat ready for the new season, and in the rush to get back…
‘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…
Freedom 40 used boat review: Unstayed marvel still going strong
Adrian Mulville had one purpose in mind when he was looking for a boat in 2007. He wanted a vessel he could take his family on a year’s sabbatical, sailing…
A charter in British waters: ‘Only time would tell whether a week’s charter in the UK would be the end of our future family sailing plans, or the start’
The first evening on board our charter in British waters was just like coming home, it felt like we had never been away from life on board and was so…
Zhik Spirit of Adventure: ‘We sailed our yacht through France to volunteer at the Olympics’
Autumn 2021 and we’d only just recently bought Heureuse – a sound and comfortable Moody 346, in need of a little love and a few mod cons. She was safely…
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…