Anchoring is one of the greatest joys of sailing, yet for many people the sound of the chain rattling over the bow-roller is the start of an anxious night. Will…
Rachael Sprot
Island Packet 380: The best liveaboard cruiser out there?
When it comes to liveaboard credentials, is the Island Packet the cream of the crop? Rachael Sprot went to find out...
Najad 390: A pedigree cruiser for serious sailing
Thirty-nine feet is often thought of as the golden size for short-handed cruising. Rachael Sprot tests the Najad 390 to find out if it hits the mark
Yacht Radar: How to find your way in any weather
To the uninitiated, radar can seem like a dark art. The splurge of blobs would look more at home in the Tate Modern than the nav station. Recent advances in…
Offshore sailing skills: All you need to know
Will Bruton finds out what coastal cruisers should consider before taking their small yacht on an offshore adventure
Malo 46: A head-turner with blue-water promise
The Malo 46 generally turns heads wherever she goes but does she live up to her blue-water promise? Rachael Sprot went to find out
Best man overboard ladders
For a fully conscious casualty, climbing back on board is one solution. We trialled two man overboard ladders and the swimming ladder on the transom. The swimming ladder was by…
Best man overboard lifting device
After you’ve used a throwing line or a life-sling to bring a casualty alongside in a man overboard situation, you need to lift them out, ideally horizontally. A horizontal life…
Victoria 30: a small boat with big ambitions
The Victoria 30 is a small boat with big ambitions: a pocket cruiser that’s fun to sail and pretty to boot. Is she Queen Victoria or just a pretender to…
Cruising Clinic: Mooring astern in tricky berths
Picture the scene: it’s a beautiful summer evening, the marina is bathed in golden light and there are crowds of people outside the bar sipping gin and tonics. You’ll soon…