“When I moved out of Oppies, I wasn’t sure I wanted to sail,” Diamond recalls. “I tried the 420 for a little bit, but for whatever reason, it just didn’t…
Top stories
Team New Zealand claims it has the ‘right and responsibility to choose the [America’s Cup] venue’ as war of words escalates
Following a statement from Alinghi and co-ordinated statements of support from Athena Racing and NYYC American Magic yesterday, Thursday 29 May, Team New Zealand have responded with their own statement…
‘Team New Zealand have sold something they do not own the rights to. This is not acceptable.’ Alinghi issues strong America’s Cup statement
Swiss America’s Cup team Alinghi Red Bull Racing issued a statement today, Thursday 29th May, as the latest war of words among various interested America’s Cup teams escalates. That statement…
How to buy an unseen new yacht ‘off-plan’ (and why you might want to)
Buying a brand new yacht off-plan grants the owner, at least for a few weeks after launch, the promise of owning the very latest technology and design development. Buying an…
5 Expert tips: How to perfect a time on distance sailing start
When I go out on the Solent to go racing, I often see a lot of boats not even doing a single practice run before the start,” says Ian Williams.…
What happens when you run aground on a yacht? And what should you do
With one foot on the beach and a fresh breeze in her sails, our old yacht seemed to come alive as we raced along the Panamanian coast. It was the…
America’s Cup: Team New Zealand hits back at ‘unreasonable’ Challengers – and releases draft Protocol
America’s Cup defenders Team New Zealand have returned fire in the America’s Cup war of words – by unveiling the draft Protocol. The battle was initiated in public this afternoon…
Frustration boils over in America’s Cup: Challengers demand Team New Zealand restore ‘fair competition’
The statements, released Thursday 22 May, follow last week’s announcement by the America’s Cup defenders Team New Zealand that the next America’s Cup will be held in Naples, Italy. They…
Are you ready to take on an ocean crossing? How to refit and maintain a bluewater yacht
In 2012 I bought a neglected 15-year-old Hallberg-Rassy 46 which had stood ashore unsold for many years. She was strong, but had been somewhat abandoned – sails still furled, and…
Lagoon 43 review: Will this voluminous new cat be the world’s most popular multihull?
Replacing a very successful model is a huge challenge for any boatbuilder. Is it best to take a conservative approach, opting for a similar design to the original with only…
Sailing the Pacific: ‘As we sailed away from lush Hanalei Bay, it was so beautiful I actually teared up’
After two recent deliveries sailing the Pacific to Hawaii and back, on two very different boats, with two very different crews, I’m starting to realise that, more than anything else,…
The America’s Cup is going to Naples, but what will sailing conditions be? We get an insider’s guide
When it was confirmed last week that the 38th America’s Cup would be held in Naples, Italy, the announcement was widely welcomed. The Italians’ enduring passion for the Cup –…
Great seamanship: unstepping a solid wood mast solo
The late Steve Pickard was the very essence of a cruising sailor. Never a high-aspiration man, he did not round Cape Horn or sail the Northwest Passage. Instead, he operated…
Non-foiling IMOCA: Can the latest non-foilers compete at the front of the fleet
Despite their lack of foils, Eric Bellion’s and Jean Le Cam’s Raison-designed Non-foiling IMOCA sisterships (Stand as One Altavia and Tout Commence en Finistère – Armor lux respectively) were actually…
Italy to host next America’s Cup in 2027
The 38th America’s Cup is heading to Italy: this morning, Thursday 15 May 2025 defenders Team New Zealand announced today that Naples will host the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup…
What happened to the Bayesian? First official report reveals events on night of fatal sinking
The UK-based Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) report, released today, is the first official report into the sinking of the Bayesian which resulted in seven deaths off Sicily, including that…
Nathan Outteridge named as New Zealand’s America’s Cup skipper
The current holder of the America’s Cup, Emirates Team New Zealand, have named Nathan Outteridge as the skipper of their team and the man who will head up their Defence…
‘I knew I needed to do something, take some action, to honour his memory… I knew I had to go to Cambodia.’
Rob Hamill wasn’t supposed to be in the water that day. Although he was tempted by the gentle cyan waves in the remote Thai anchorage, doctors had treated an infected…
‘Has ‘social media influencer’ sailing gone too far?’ – Nikki Henderson
Our defences have run out: social media has well and truly infiltrated our precious, antiquated sailing world. It’s terrifying to think that our secret passage to escapism and isolation at…
Routing for any sailor on any device – meet Orca
This article in association with Orca: Identifying the most efficient route for a passage under sail and estimating ETAs are far from trivial tasks and can therefore absorb huge amounts…