Navigation and boat handling are all well and good, but overlook the practicalities of keeping your crew fed, warm, safe and healthy and you risk putting a big hole in…
How to
Why twin headsails are best downwind
Crossing the Atlantic from Cape Verde to Barbados took us just 13 days in our 1998 Lagoon 410, Cushla Na Mara. In preparation for this trip, I spent time experimenting…
Sailing the English Channel for the first time
Sailing the English Channel for the first time can be a daunting prospect, especially if your sailing experience so far has been in local waters, mostly remaining within a few…
Yacht Radar: How to find your way in any weather
To the uninitiated, radar can seem like a dark art. The splurge of blobs would look more at home in the Tate Modern than the nav station. Recent advances in…
Troubleshooting problems with your yacht rigging
Yacht rigging is a dark art and no one will ever convince me otherwise. I have yet to meet two riggers who agree on anything – and there is no…
The Seamanship of going aground
Going aground, I suspect,is far more common than we think. It’s one of those things that falls into the category where the measure isn’t the cock-up itself but the number…
Cruising Clinic: Mooring astern in tricky berths
Picture the scene: it’s a beautiful summer evening, the marina is bathed in golden light and there are crowds of people outside the bar sipping gin and tonics. You’ll soon…
Outboard engine troubleshooting video – How to check fuel, carburettor, spark, cooling, oil & more
Small four-stroke outboard engines are pretty simple. Max McHugh of Marine Matters explains how to fix the most common problems, from gummed-up carburettors to broken thermostats. IN ASSOCIATION WITH GJW…
How to check your rigging – video guide
A screwdriver, a straight edge and a good set of eyes are all that’s required for a basic rig check. Gordon Bonney, of Performance Rigging, explains **IN ASSOCIATION WITH GJW…
How to repair gel coat – video guide
How to deal with gelcoat chips and achieve a perfect colour matched surface. Bruce Jacobs finds out from Mark Buckett of Solent Repairs. IN ASSOCIATION WITH GJW DIRECT