On the 130th anniversary of Joshua Slocum’s circumnavigation departure, Ian Nicolson discusses the reality of his seamanship feats
seamanship
Left for dead after falling overboard: how one sailor survived 5 hours lost at sea before rescue
Roger Cottle was presumed dead after falling overboard a 27ft yacht and lost at sea for five-and-a-half hours in a holed lifejacket, at night
Running aground in a motorboat: a cautionary tale
Gilbert Park runs aground in a tidal river and tells the story of what happened to him and the boat at the time and later
Marina boat manoeuvring: reversing the roles
When couples sail together, one usually takes the lead when it comes to marina boat manoeuvring, remaining on the helm, while the other does the leaping around – but that’s…
How to cure a heavy boat helm
If your boat has a new rig and new sails, but a tiller that still tries to wrench your arms out of their sockets, what do you do? David Harding…
When your electronic navigation autoroute settings go wrong
Gilbert Park helps a fellow motorboater achieve his first voyage to the Channel Islands and gets a lesson in the perils of relying on electronic navigation
Sailing solo: how to go from crewed to single-handed
Round the world sailor Ian Herbert-Jones shares valuable advice on how to transition from crewed to single-handed sailing
Sailing with family: tips to keep your children safe & happy on board
How do you juggle feeds, naps and tantrums while sailing around the world? Ali Wood gets top tips from the liveaboard Stevens family
Boat towing and berthing by tender
If your engine fails to start, being able to berth your boat using the tender is an extremely useful skill, as Ben Meakins demonstrates
Seamanship tips from a seasoned sailing instructor
Sticky Stapylton has sailed thousands of miles and taught numerous people how to sail. He shares some of his seamanship tips
Boat protection: how to prepare your yacht for a storm in harbour
PBO experts and readers share tips on keeping your boat safe in a blow
A solo sailor shares his top safety tips
John Cotton describes the modifications he has made to his Albin Ballad to make her a safe and dependable yacht for Nordic single-handing
Lessons learned from a first Atlantic crossing
Ben Good, 60, swaps Drascombe pottering in the Suffolk estuaries for a “proper 60ft offshore yacht” to cross the North Atlantic
Tips for first time offshore in a small yacht
How do you equip a small yacht for your first ocean voyage, especially with few crew or sailing single-handed? Jake Kavanagh gets some tips from the Jester Challenge skippers
Sailing in fog: tips to keep you safe
Fog looms large as one of the things sailors most fear – but circumstances mean it often can’t be avoided. There’s no need to panic, however. Sticky Stapylton has advice…
8 expert pilotage tips for sailors
You’ve made a pilotage plan: now’s the time to put it to the test. Sticky Stapylton explains pilotage techniques that’ll keep you safe on the water
Simple tweaks to sail faster and safer
The ability to sail faster and more efficiently can also be safer and more satisfying. Peter K Poland explains...
Springing off and on a pontoon
Whether you’re getting into or out of a tight berth, getting alongside against a strong breeze or getting off a berth when being pinned on, a well-placed spring will give…
Understanding weather: a quick guide for sailors
Only the foolhardy would put to sea without first checking the weather and forecast – understanding how to make use of the information available is a vital part of sailing,…
How to keep new sailors happy on board
RYA chief instructor Clive Vaughan explains how to encourage new sailors aboard and keep them coming back for more with some simple steps