One crew's brisk breeze and exciting sail can be another's gale, even if sailing similar boats. So what makes the difference? Rupert Holmes outlines techniques that experienced skippers use to…
Rupert Holmes
5 tips for sailing in strong winds
Rupert Holmes has sailed more than 85,000 miles, including the Southern Ocean. He shares his tips for sailing in strong winds
Coping with a dismasting & rig checks
Faced with a sudden dismasting in 40-knot gusts, Rupert Holmes explains how he and his crew saved his boat, and offers advice for simple safety checks you can make to…
Typhoon TX-3 Coast Jacket & Hi Fit trousers review
Rupert Holmes tests the lightweight Typhoon TX-3 Coast Jacket & Hi Fit trousers
Adding a bowsprit to your boat
Nearly every new boat has a bowsprit, but what about older yachts? Rupert Holmes looks at what is available on the market for owners of older vessels
Can a phone with satellite connectivity replace an EPIRB?
Is a phone with satellite connectivity a good replacement for the EPIRB? PBO expert Rupert Holmes answers the question
How to choose the right project boat
How do you distinguish a real bargain boat from one that’s not worth restoring, even if it’s free? Rupert Holmes has some sage advice
Security cameras for boats and remote monitoring systems
Rupert Holmes looks at options for monitoring of boats that will warn of intruders, change of location and impact from other vessels
Best eco-friendly wetsuit: How to choose a suit that won’t cost the earth
When choosing the best wetsuit we tend not to think about the potentially destructive nature of the garment. Yet conventional neoprene, an oil-based synthetic rubber that will never biodegrade, is…
Cheaper satellite communications: a buyers guide
Rupert Holmes looks at the advances of sat comms and how they are becoming more affordable for the average boater
Handling rough conditions in port
Rupert Holmes describes the course of action he pursued – and the lessons learned – when storm conditions threatened to cause damage to his moored boat
SUP tent: BAJAO Cabin
A SUP tent allows you to extend your time on the water while paddling. Rupert Holmes looks at the BAJAO Cabin
Electric winches: take the strain out of grinding
Rupert Holmes looks at electric winches and electric winch handles
Man overboard: recovering a casualty from a marina
Rupert Holmes shares top tips on how to avoid the dangers of falling in while in a marina and how to recover someone from a pontoon
Headsail furling: how to choose the right system
There is a huge range of headsail furling gear on the market. Rupert Holmes gives some tips for choosing the right system for your boat
Crashed bow repair: how Abhilash Tomy & his team fixed the boat in time for the 2022 Golden Globe Race
What to do if your boat is damaged just days before a non-stop global circumnavigation? Rupert Holmes reports on how Abhilash Tomy and his team carried out a remarkable repair
METSTRADE 2022: Best new boating gear from Europe’s biggest trade show
Ocean Signal RescueME PLB3 AIS personal locator beacon A key element of the METSTRADE 2022 marine show in Amsterdam is the DAME Design Awards, which recognise some of the most…
Musto MPX offshore jacket 2.0 review: As comfortable as it is stormproof
The base fabric has a new generation three-layer Gore-Tex Pro membrane, while recycled nylon used for the face material. This results in an efficient, but impressively lightweight and comfortable, garment…
9 expert sailing techniques to help you sail better, faster and safer
The best way to get a better boat is to improve the one you already have, I have long believed. Given many vessels are not set up as efficiently as…
Lewmar Epsilon review: New generation anchor takes holding power to the next level
New generation anchors with holding power well beyond that of the previous common shapes, including the CQR, Bruce and a whole host of their derivatives, have been with us for…