Tributes to pioneering Arctic cruiser and environmentalist Brian Black

Renowned Arctic sailor, journalist and environmentalist, Brian Black, has died, aged 77.

‘Dead ahead were the bows of an unlit freighter'

Paul Dale has a harrowing near-miss with an unlit freighter at night while on a 110-mile voyage from Trinidad to the Grenadines

TECHNICAL IS YOUR ANCHOR CHAIN UP TO THE JOB?

It’s all well and good having a solid anchor, but having ground tackle that is going to keep you secure is equally important, says Vyv Cox

TO PROTECT & SERVE

Ireland’s Fastnet Lighthouse has kept sailors safe for over a century. John Greeves talks to one of its former keepers about life on the rock

Larry Pardey remembered

Legendary bluewater cruiser, small boat sailor and master boatbuilder Larry Pardey has died in New Zealand, aged 81.

CHAPMAN'S POOL, DORSET

Often overlooked by cruisers, Dag Pike discovers solitude at this semi-circular bay on the south coast

A WEEK AFLOAT GALICIA

The enchanting Rías Baixas in north-west Spain offer rewarding, sheltered cruising, making them ideal for a sailing holiday

A LIFE WELL SAILED

Brian Black looks back at 50 years of cruising, mostly shared with his wife Lesley and their children Kieron and Sarah, and reflects on how it shaped his sailing

Scotland's best voyages

Whether you’ve just got a few days to explore the West Coast, or the open North Atlantic is calling, Scotland’s sea routes offer almost endless options says Brian Black

‘With no sails, no engine and no jury rig - I decided to abandon ship'

Solo skipper Billy Brannan lost his home when his 34ft yacht Helena was knocked down, rolled and dismasted during an Atlantic storm - and the rescue itself proved to be a challenge

Shrinking insurance market causes headache for offshore cruisers

Yacht owners who want to sail further afield are being advised to provide extra information, such as evidence of sailing experience, in order to improve their chances of finding a policy.

Southampton Boat Show on hold until 2021

Organisers of the Southampton Boat Show are looking at holding a smaller event for 2020, after confirming that the show in its current format would not be going ahead in September due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

HOME WATERS CONQUERING THE FEARSOME PASSAGES OF WALES

Jonty Pearce finds his planning and sailing skills tested while cruising the sometimes challenging west coast of Wales

LIFE-CHANGING SAILING

With Black Lives Matter hitting the headlines, Scaramouche Sailing Trust’s Jaydon Owusu and Tyler Harriott wanted to share their experiences of the UK sailing community

Distance to run made simple

A basic graph can keep you on track and simplify your decision-making at sea, says David Smith

Sailing without sight

David Thompson shares the joy and instructional challenges of being a sighted volunteer for blind and partially-sighted sailors

Could you fix a jammed sheave without a rigger?

Could you fix a jammed sheave without a rigger?

A WEEK AFLOAT MARMARIS, TURKEY

A friendly welcome awaits Lu Heikell as she explores the bays, anchorages and cultural highlights of this Turkish region

How To Take Pets Sailing

Taking cats and dogs to sea needs extra thought on a cruising yacht, explains Erin Carey

TECHNICAL FURLING MAINSAILS

Some sailors swear by furling mainsail systems, others swear at them. Graham Snook looks at ways to keep your furling mainsail in check.

The art of solo cruising

Toby Heppell looks at the art of sailing alone and considers what constitutes good seamanship when it’s only you on board

‘I was jammed. Without my phone I'd be dead'

Martin Blount was fortunate to have survived getting stuck head-first inside his cockpit locker while working alone on his boat

Sailing across Sweden

Mark Blackburn recalls happy memories of his final cruise with his father David along the Göta Canal

MERVYN WHEATLEY ONE LAST ADVENTURE

Toby Heppell speaks to Mervyn Wheatley as he looks ahead to his sixth OSTAR, now re-scheduled to take place in 2021, and ponders the changes in sailing through his decades-long career

ADVENTURE ISLAND ODYSSEY

Erin Carey and her young family cruise the Leeward Islands and discover the region’s distinct cultures and topography

GLENCOE, SCOTLAND

Brian Black discovers history, hill walking and fine dining in this sheltered Highland anchorage

HOME WATERS RETURN TO GUERNSEY

Solo sailor John Willis battles back injury, seasickness and engine problems as he sails the 330 miles from southern Ireland to St Peter Port

A WEEK AFLOAT BRITTANY

The Gulf of Morbihan provides Nick Chavasse with delights aplenty, including quaint anchorages and medieval towns ripe for exploring

18 Rig Checks That Will Refine Your Boat

Does your boat’s weather helm bother you, or does she go better on one tack than the other? Toby Heppell explains how to iron out the foibles with proper rig setup

‘Buying a boat taught me a hell of a lot'

From car-crash viewings to wasted journeys of hundreds of miles, Wayne Palmer shares the steep learning curve of buying his first boat