Northern Europe and the US East Coast storm season is upon us. Already a cargo ship has sunk with the loss of 30 crew in Hurricane Joaquim. For most people a Force 6 wind is what is termed a ‘yachtsman’s gale’. This piece will look at two shipwrecks in hurricanes and show how, no matter […]
Traditionally, northern Europeans and Americans head south for their summer sailing holidays. There you can spend 10 minutes waiting in a stinking French marina washing facilities waiting to do your morning constitutional in a blocked toilet, and in the evening another 15 minutes waiting for the embattled waiter to serve you another drink during a […]
There is a saying – “teach your kids to love sailing and they’ll never have enough money for drugs” This holds true, with a range of programmes being run all over the world where kids who have had problems are being sent on sailing courses to help refocus their minds from crime and antisocial behaviour […]
Europe is a major sailing destination for people from around the world. From the fjords of Scandinavia to the crystal clear seas of the Mediterranean and inland seas such as Constance and Lake Geneva, the region has varied and beautiful sailing locations. We have discussed the ins and outs of the International Certificate of Competence […]
Over the last year I have talked about being a good all rounder and how it benefits you as a boater. There is a common misconception, that I myself have fallen prey to, that just because you have learned to sail while doing 1000 miles on a tall ship it makes you an expert yachtsman. […]
As with navigation and other boating courses, there are different grades of First Aid and medical courses that may come in useful depending on how adventurous your seafaring plans are. Most people don’t stray too far from a place of safety on their yacht, sailing mostly in daylight hours along the coast and thereby only […]
There are two forms of sailing – inshore racing and offshore sailing. To be the best sailor it helps to gain experience of both as they compliment each other. This piece will look at what you will get out of each type of sailing discipline and why learning them both together, you will be a […]
Not every developed sailing nation is as large as the USA, where devoted sailors can head south for the winter as ‘Snowbirds’. Most of us have to put up with the climate we have, and for northern European countries and Canada, this means we will have to put up with long periods of snotty weather. […]
Charter holidays are a lot of fun, and a great way to explore some of the most beautiful places in the world. You may wish to sail on the Aegean, Ionian or Caribbean during a two week summer holiday, and charter companies around the world will be able to supply you a boat to suit […]
Since the dawn of time, sailing and alcohol have had a close relationship. Whether the Royal Navy’s old tradition of keeping its men addled by giving them half a pint of rum containing 70% alcohol every day (yet giving them the Cat o’ Nine Tails if found to be drunk on duty) or your stereotypical […]