Mind your bows,’ said my mother in an increasingly high-pitched voice, ‘bit more to port…don’t clip the stern!’ I was 17 and we were in Tesco’s car park in our…
Rachael Sprot
Sigma 38 review: a sheep in wolf’s clothing?
The Sigma 38 plays tricks on me. No matter how long I look, I can’t decide whether it’s a sharp-nosed racer or a gently curved cruiser. Seen from the bow…
Taking your friends and family sailing
They say that relationships formed at sea can founder on shore, but sit back with a glass of wine in a busy marina and you’ll find evidence of the reverse…
Catamaran sailing skills: recover a multihull man overboard
Finding yourself in a man overboard (MOB) situation probably ranks near the top of every sailor’s list of biggest fears whether it’s a monohull MOB of a multihull man overboard.…
Catamaran sailing skills: Mooring and anchoring a multihull
How do you make an average passage speed of 7 knots, fit in three double cabins and a huge saloon in under 36ft of boat length? Add another hull of…
Downwind sails: How to pick the right one and fly it
The words ‘pink spinnaker’ are enough to send a chill down the spine of anyone who’s ever watched Cowes Week disaster footage. There’s Atalanta of Chester, which dis-masted when their…
The tools and spares you shouldn’t sail without
Give a thought to your inventory this winter to keep you cruising next season, says Rachael Sprot
Dawn 39: big sister to the Contessa 32
What does a Contessa 32 with 6ft headroom and an aft cabin look like? Rachael Sprot jumps on board the Dawn 39 to find out
Winter sailing: how to extend your cruising season
Autumn and winter sailing can often provide some truly memorable days afloat. Rachael Sprot shares how to extend your cruising season
Winter sailing gear: staying comfortable on the water
If you want to sail out of season then careful thought needs to be given about winter sailing gear. Rachael Sprot explains how to keep you and your boat comfortable