Indholdsfortegnelse for June 2025 i Yachting World

It’s a dichotomy of modern life that we are more connected than ever, yet loneliness is epidemic. I recently attended a training event for Grand Large Yachting’s ‘Odyssey’, the round the world rally for Outremer, Allures and Garcia brands. Over a week crews taking part in the next rally were thoroughly immersed in information and advice – from practical to logistical to emotional. But many said what they found most interesting was the opportunity to connect with fellow future, and past, participants. The week had a slight ‘freshers week’ feel. After all, how often as an adult do you truly make a whole bunch of friends, build yourself a new social network and support system? It’s a unique scenario, but the close bonds between former rally participants showed just how…

The Puig Women’s America’s Cup in Barcelona last autumn was a game changer: there had never before been a dedicated women’s competition, or even a dedicated female athlete role, in the America’s Cup. Forty-eight female sailors took part in the Women’s America’s Cup, while over 100 were involved across the 12 Women’s and Youth sailing squads and shore teams. But what has changed since for the female sailors who represented their country in Barcelona? Helen Fretter sat down with Athena Pathway trimmers Saskia Clark and Hannah Diamond to find out. “There were some awesome initial plans when we left – well, kind of over Christmas – when we were going to get kick-started again, which was really exciting. I guess, born of the leadership of Hannah [Mills] and Ben [Ainslie]…

Chart publishers Imray Laurie Norie & Wilson (Imray) and Austrian cartographic specialist freytag & berndt (FB) have teamed up, jointly pledging to ‘ensure the continued availability and development’ of Imray’s nautical paper charts and books. The two companies signed a letter of intent to form FB Imray Laurie Norie & Wilson GmbH (FB Imray), based in Vienna. Bookharbour (Stanfords) will continue as the main UK-based distributor of Imray charts and books. The joint venture is set to launch this summer. The focus will be on producing high-quality nautical charts and publications under the Imray brand, while also developing new products tailored to the needs of sailors and advancing digital navigation. Imray managing director Lucy Wilson said: “By combining our deep-rooted maritime knowledge with freytag & berndt’s cartographic abilities, we are…

The inquest into the deaths of four people who died when the Bayesian superyacht sank off the coast of Sicily last August is likely to be delayed while criminal proceedings take place in Italy. The pre-hearing at Suffolk Coroner’s Court on 15 April heard that the UK inquest would address the deaths of yacht owner Mike Lynch and his daughter Hannah, and guests Jonathan and Judy Bloomer. Senior coroner Nigel Parsley expressed his condolences to the families of Chris and Neda Morvillo and Recaldo Thomas, but said their deaths fall outside the court’s jurisdiction. Mark Cam, lead investigation officer from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, told the court that the 184ft yacht is expected to be recovered at some point in May this year. Simon Graves, a principal inspector with…

One of the last privately owned harbours on the Solent is up for sale. In a protected bay near St Helens on the Isle of Wight, Bembridge Harbour is a firm favourite of many South Coast cruisers. Current owners Fiona and Malcolm Thorpe wish to retire after 14 years of developing the harbour. The 150-acre natural harbour and marina site includes space for up to 300 boats on walkashore pontoons, 250 swing moorings, and a dry-stack for 60 smaller motorboats/RIBs. A new harbour office with bar/café and berth-holder facilities opened last year. Enquire via property agent Vail Williams in Portsmouth.…

Kiwis are hacked off. Even enthusiasts of the America’s Cup have strong opinions on whether the country should be spending large sums of money on hosting a sport for some of the wealthiest people in the world. It’s a fair point, so some are pleased the country isn’t going to host the 38th America’s Cup. Having just spent a month in Auckland it’s clear to me that using taxpayers money to help run a Cup project is a contentious topic. Businesses are being hit hard, the cost of living is going up and there are big financial pressures on a government that knows it has some serious domestic issues to tackle. It’s no different to many other countries where there’s real apprehension about where the world is heading. Yet, the…

Friday evening, 21 February, 2025, and we are anchored inside a reef lagoon in a remote part of Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. The entrance to the lagoon is narrow, and uncharted. It’s the type of approach that needs daylight and two people to navigate: one on the bow directing the course, the other steering. This isn’t new to us. Elliot and I have been living aboard our 1985 Mason 48, Fortaleza, for four years and in that time we’ve wiggled our way in and out of some tight spots. Through trial, and a couple of unmentionable errors that have left us grateful Fortaleza is steel hulled, we’ve developed our own reef navigation signals to communicate from the bow to the cockpit, as well as a capacity to forgive each…

TOBY HODGES Where: Ijmuiden, Netherlands Wind: 12-22 knots easterly Model tested: hull No1, including very high spec options: carbon mast; in-boom furling, electric furling Code 0, reversible winches ‘Sailing the Saffier is simply an index finger workout’ Conjure an image of a contemporary performance monohull, and it’ll likely be a Swan, Grand Soleil, X-Yacht or something similar (the original Solaris 50 from 2015 springs to my mind). These all hail from pedigree yards, which specialise in cruising or cruiser-racer yachts. And their latest iterations are polished reworkings of that well-established theme and layout, often with a liberal sprinkling of Italian cosmetics. However, 2025 brings a hot new face, a brash-looking design that could steal the show – and did just that at its Düsseldorf premiere in January. This yacht is…

What is it? Innovative multiphase low voltage electric motors for marine applications Who’s it for? Anyone contemplating a yacht with all-electric or hybrid propulsion Molabo, a little-known German company with firm roots in academic research, offers a radically different alternative for marine electric and hybrid propulsion systems. Conventional electric motors powerful enough to propel a reasonably sized yacht require one of two big compromises. To maximise efficiency system voltage must be very high and 400V or more is not uncommon. Yet this has safety implications that some owners find unacceptable, even if commercial vessels are already operating reliably with 800V DC systems. In addition, high voltages create a potential for maintenance hassles, as few marine electricians in the recreational marine world are trained or qualified to work on them. NOVEL…

The America’s Cup is no stranger to factions, fallings out, and legal fights, but the past month has been particularly tumultuous. First came news that Auckland would not host the 38th America’s Cup, despite it being the home port of Cup holders Emirates Team New Zealand, due a lack of funding (see Matt Sheahan’s column on page 20 for more). Next came confirmation that INEOS Britannia would not challenge for the next Cup. The release on 9 April stated: “The decision has been taken after a protracted negotiation with Athena Racing Ltd following the conclusion of the 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona.” This follows the split between team boss Sir Jim Ratcliffe and skipper Sir Ben Ainslie in January. The release went on to place the blame with Ainslie’s team…

Our defences have run out: social media has well and truly infiltrated our precious, antiquated sailing world. It’s terrifying to think that our secret passage to escapism and isolation at sea has been discovered. But, like most things that scare us, could there be a thrilling aspect to this challenge? Decades ago, sailors could go ‘dark’ and justifiably claim the atmospheric conditions weren’t great and the SSB radio wasn’t working. Now, if we don’t live stream every part of daily life at sea, our followers feel disappointed. As this past Vendée Globe has demonstrated, raw, unedited, and ‘real’ daily updates are now considered the norm. It’s expected – by sponsors, race organisers and content-craving supporters. And so, life at sea for any sailing professional has changed. Now we have to…

Three years ago a Sun Fast 3300 called Red Ruby, whose American owners come from the Pacific North West, popped up in UK double-handed races. It immediately notched up a string of impressive results in a very competitive fleet. Red Ruby went from 2nd in the 2022 and 2023 UK Double-Handed Offshore Series; to 1st in class – and very nearly 1st overall – in the 2023 Rolex Middle Sea Race; also winning the 2023 ORC Double-Handed World Championships in Barcelona, and the 2024 IRC Double-Handed European Championship. For her achievements, including being first female skipper in the 2023 Rolex Fastnet Race, Christina (Chris) was awarded the 2023 US Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year. “I don’t sail for a living, but when I do sail, it’s the most alive that…

Pure 42 LOA 13.80m 45ft 3in • Hull length 12.90m 42ft 3in • LWL 12.30m 40ft 4in • Beam 4.20m 13ft 8in • Draught 1.20-3.0m 4ft 0in-9ft 9in • Displacement 9,800kg 21,600lb • Ballast 3,300kg 7,275lb • Sail area 99m2 1,065ft2 • Price ex VAT €947,000 • pure.yachts This very interesting model from the board of Berckemeyer Yacht Design is produced by a new German yard aimed at building rugged yet fast custom and semi-custom aluminium yachts. It was founded by three sailors, engineers and craftsmen, Matthias Schernikau, Ivars Linbergs and Urs Kohler, who had teamed up three years earlier to build Schernikau’s one-off Pure 49 Gorre. The Pure 42 promises more performance than most shoal draught aluminium yachts. A lightweight foam composite interior helps keep the weight down (literally), when…

TESTED: MUSTO BR3 This is an addition to Musto’s catalogue, slotting between the economic two-layer BR2 garments intended for inshore and coastal cruising and the more expensive three-layer Gore-Tex ranges aimed at professional users. With the exception of the Offshore Jacket, the BR3 collection is intended to be perfect for active inshore sailing, including racing high-performance boats such as J/70s, Cape 31s and SB20s. The BR3 Offshore jacket and trousers use a Pertex membrane that Musto says performs similarly to the Gore-Tex products, with a much higher breathability rating than the BR2 products. Other BR3 items, including Sport Jacket, Smock and Salopettes use Musto’s Ocean Tech Pro proprietary membrane, which has four-way mechanical stretch. This factor helps maximise ease of movement, yet still allows for a close-fitting size to be…

As a mainsheet trimmer you are the engine of the boat, as Alain Sign explains to Andy Rice Experienced sailor though he may be, Alain Sign has had his hands full getting to grips with the role of mainsheet trimmer in a fleet as competitive as the Cape 31. Alain sees the mainsheet trimmer’s role as the hub, the central nervous system which is connected to every other role on the boat. “I’m having a conversation with pretty much everyone else on board,” he says. “With the trim you’re looking to guide the helm to where they’re going, and I’m taking my cue from what the tactician is saying. Then I’m talking with the runner trimmer looking for power-on or power-off. “And then there’s maintaining the right relationship between main…

Neil and Jenny Brown bought their Ovni 43 Fidelio on the day she was listed. “We were on our way to look at another yacht, when a listing popped up online. I changed our plans, and by the end of the day, we’d agreed to buy her.” Alubat Shipyard has built aluminium Ovni yachts since the first hard-chined lifting keel Ovni 28 in 1978. Today they retain a distinct appearance – once described by our sister title Yachting Monthly as ‘agricultural’ – but are renowned for their internal comfort and seakindliness. Stephen Johnson is director of North Sea Maritime, which sells Ovnis in the UK. He has noticed a pattern among Ovni owners. “They are practical, experienced sailors who have typically researched a lot before purchase to understand exactly what…

The rumour volume is increasing that in fact the whole America’s Cup could be restructured. Alinghi’s comments hint further at disagreement between potential Challengers on what shape that might take. Jim Ratcliffe, in an interview with the BBC about his sporting tribulations (before INEOS withdrew), said: “The format of the America’s Cup will change where the likelihood is you’ll finish with a governing body who will replace the Challenger of Record.” Ainslie was quoted in a lifestyle podcast, where he said: “You actually need a structure whereby there’s continuity, you know that the event is every two years, there’s some cost-cutting measures like we’ve seen in Formula 1, there’s new tool management/governance sort of thing and that’s what we’re talking about and taking the America’s Cup in a new direction…

Following the dramatic collapse of the Australia SailGP team’s F50 wing rig in San Francisco, a defect has been found affecting some wingsails across the fleet. The next Sail GP event in Rio, scheduled for 3-4 May, has been cancelled. After the collapse – which was the second rig to suddenly give way during racing, while a third has also failed in training – the SailGP technical team performed testing and analysis. SailGP CEO Russell Coutts said: “After thorough review, our engineers and technicians have discovered an issue with the bonding of the core material in the shear web of some of the wingsails, which could potentially compromise the structural integrity of those wingsails. As such, we’ve made the prudent choice to suspend next month’s event, giving us sufficient time…

No, this is not AI! These incredible shots by regular Yachting World contributor Crosbie Lorimer of Australian ILCA sailors out training off Sydney Heads were taken with a long-range lens, which compresses the perspective, but the swell really is that huge, with waves up to 4m. Lorimer tells us: “I saw these white dots out at South Head, I quickly picked up my camera, didn’t check the settings and just snapped away hand held at 3km range! The massive waves – which also caused damage to Sydney waterfront landmarks including the famous Icebergs pool at Bondi – were generated by a huge low in the Tasman Sea, but gave an opportunity to work on some serious boat handling skills! Mini 5.80 twin rudder ban Mid-way through the Mini Globe Race,…

Legendary French yacht designer Jean-Marie Finot, passed away on 2 April at the age of 83. Finot began his career in naval architecture in 1968 while working at the Glénans sailing school. He founded the Finot Group in 1970 and famously joined forces with Pascal Conq in 1985. The partnership designed 61 boats for Beneteau, as well as many notable successful racing yachts, including the winner of the 1989 Mini Transat, the creation of the Beneteau Figaro one-design and many world-beating IMOCAs. Finot Conq Architects paid tribute to their co-founder as: “An innovator throughout his immense career, his mathematical, scientific, philosophical and poetic approach to sailing enabled him to achieve numerous successes.”…

Magic of the Southern Winds In our Supersail special we get aboard two very special 100+ footers: Toby Hodges visits Southern Wind’s Cape Town shipyard and gets the first sail on the latest SW108 Kiboko 4, while Matt Sheahan has two eye-opening days aboard the new Verdier/Persico super sled Magic Carpet e. Are you offshore ready? It’s a bumper season for offshore racing this year – we have expert advice ahead of the Rolex Fastnet Race and other bluewater classic events to make sure you are thoroughly prepared for all conditions. Pogo RC pocket rocket Is this the next big thing in short-handed racing and some real fun? Rupert Holmes trials Pogo’s latest rocket, a full planing 33-footer, nine of which have already sold. Summer in Europe Key knowledge for…

Power on board is a key equipment issue for all bluewater cruisers, whether preparing a boat for a first transatlantic passage or considering comfortable liveaboard cruising. We asked the 234 skippers who took part in the 2024 ARC and ARC+ rallies detailed questions about their electrical systems, how they generated power and their power consumption at sea. Crucially, we also wanted to find out what went wrong for them and their tips for how to ease anxiety about power management. [Note: 220 skippers responded, fully or in part, to our survey. Not all respondents answered all questions] BATTERY TYPES As any electrical expert will tell you, having good batteries is the key to a reliable marine electrical system. Most boat owners will want to replace or upgrade their batteries at…

A shirtless sailor in a roughed up inflatable dinghy approached as we sat in the cockpit at anchor. Along with two friends, my wife Roxy and I had just arrived in Marsala, a working fishing port known for its fortified wine, on the western point of Sicily. “I just came to warn you to be extra careful! Some people tried to steal my dinghy outboard twice today,” the man said as he held onto our teak toerail. “I was onshore for some groceries and fishermen told me they’d scared them off the first time, but when I returned they were in the dinghy again trying to cut the chain off my outboard!” It was past 5pm and we were ready to spend the evening relaxing. But news of determined thieves…

Christian Williams, now 81, is alive, well and going strong in California. To get a handle on this remarkable man, watch A Gale of Fire Turns our World to Ash on his YouTube channel, Christian Williams Yachting. His home of 30-odd years is totally destroyed in the well-documented Pacific Palisades firestorm. The measured, seaman’s response to what for many would be a catastrophe gives us an insight into the author of Philosophy of Sailing, Offshore in Search of the Universe. Williams was editor of The Washington Post during the Watergate scandal and went on, among many other things, to become a successful TV producer. We join him on passage from Los Angeles towards Hawaii, sailing the same route as the Transpac race. where he begins to ponder on the real…

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The breeze that whistles through the pines that line Bermuda’s shores ranges from a prevailing south-westerly with an average Force 3, rising to a gentle Force 4 in June. Together with turquoise waters and warm sun, it adds up to a sailing paradise. Expensive, yes – and prone to hurricanes – but a mid-ocean sanctuary for centuries, and today also a cruising and ocean race destination. The World Cruising Club’s east-bound Atlantic rally, the ARC Europe, is about to visit the territory this May, as will the Salty Dawg Azores rally, assembling crews from the US mainland and Caribbean before heading across the Atlantic. Superyachts, mainly bound for the Med, often use Bermuda at this time of year as their bunkering stop. The mid-Atlantic archipelago welcomes several hundred visiting yachts…

‘In one hour, my passion for sailing came back’ HANNAH DIAMOND NOMINATES THE 29ER “When I moved out of Oppies, I wasn’t sure I wanted to sail,” Diamond recalls. “I tried the 420 for a little bit, but for whatever reason, it just didn’t click. And I lost the love with sailing completely – from being completely obsessed to not really wanting to go. My dad arranged for a friend to take me out for a sail in his 29er. And in that hour, I found my smile, my passion for sailing just instantly came back.” The 29er youth skiff is a natural feeder for many of the high performance classes. “My career path doesn’t look anything like what I expected it to. And a lot of the things I’ve…