Sailing would be nothing without rope, but rope would be of little use if there was no way to fix, belay or secure it. Early sailors must have quickly realised…
Gear
Knot books: our pick of the best
Having knot books onboard or at home is always useful, especially if sailing with beginner crew. We pick a range of new titles for the cruising and racing sailor
Sailing in lightning: how to keep your yacht safe
How much of a concern is a lightning strike to a yacht and what can we do about it? Nigel Calder looks at what makes a full ‘belt and braces’…
Boat towels: 8 of the best for use onboard
Boat towels need to be lightweight and absorbent to be of any real use. Seasoned cruiser Duncan Kent picks the most suitable towels for life onboard
Sailing shorts for men and women: 6 of the best
Summer has well and truly arrived and the thermals are packed away. Time to don your shorts to feel cool and free onboard. Seasoned sailor Duncan Kent picks 6 of…
Best boat cooker: how to choose an oven or grill for your boat
Whether you’re roasting a chicken with two veg, browning a gratin and steaming new potatoes, or just warming a pasty and heating some beans, the right boat cooker makes a…
Germany and Denmark pilot guide: book review
Germany and Denmark is one of the best new pilot guides for this area of the Baltic, and should be essential reading for anyone choosing to cruise there, says Julia…
Best vacuum flask: we test some of the market leaders
When you’re on watch, few things will revive you like a piping hot cup of tea of coffee. Having it to hand in a vacuum flask, tucked away in a…
Best gifts for sailors: everything you need for the boater in your life
Whether you need to buy a present for a boating obsessed partner, sailing sibling, or paddle board loving parent, finding the best gifts for sailors and watersports enthusiasts can be…
Best boat sandals: 8 sensible summer solutions for sailing footwear
Unless it’s the weather for boots, most people wear deck shoes on a boat. They might be the conventional moccasin type or the newer generation of high-performance deck trainers, but…