There are many folk who have stepped onto Sobek and made an immediate (although entirely understandable) mistake. They have assumed that I know what I’m doing. It’s not a long-lasting…
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How to lay your own mooring
Over the years I have had deep water moorings laid for me and also dug in my own half-tide moorings. Both have been in positions which suited the craft I…
Does steering failure mean a Mayday call?
Sue is owner of Skua, a 40-year-old 10-metre GRP sloop with tiller steering. Sue has owned Skua for about 20 years and has sailed regularly, usually across the English Channel.…
‘It should not be this hot’ – a scientific expedition to the Arctic Circle
Stepping aboard the 74-foot aluminium lifting keel expedition vessel in Bergen, I stroke the rugged pilothouse gently and whisper, ‘Hello, friend.’ I know that skippering Witness is going to be…
Everything you need to know about swinging moorings
Who goes sailing to spend time in a car park? Yes, marinas are very convenient, but there’s nothing like getting back on your boat after some time away on her…
Sailing around Britain: ‘Caught by the tide off Portland Bill, I began to feel defeated’
Over the course of two summers, I circumnavigated Britain aboard Goldfinch, our Bénéteau 36cc. It was June 2022, and I was cruising on the penultimate leg with a strong and…
Diesel bug: How to get rid of it and why it’s getting worse
Problems related to ‘diesel bug’ in yachts are becoming increasingly common. This is almost certainly due to the higher percentage of biodiesel in the fuel we now buy – good…
Dufour 44 review: Roomy and competitively-priced cruiser
There are many questions to ask when assessing a boat, whether as a journalist or a potential purchaser, but perhaps the most important question is how well it does what…
RNLI at 200: ‘We do things without prejudice. Our mission is to save lives and save everyone’
During the early evening of Sunday 10 October 1822, the revenue cutter Vigilant weighed anchor to evade a heavy sea being driven into Douglas Bay on the Isle of Man.…
How a seawater pump works
The water and oil seals on a water pump shaft will eventually wear with time, leading to pump-shaft corrosion or loss of engine oil. A daily check of the water…