Innehållsförteckning för November 2017 från Sailing Today

‘Irma was declared the most powerful storm ever to be recorded in the Atlantic Ocean’ Hurricane Irma has caused widespread devastation across the Caribbean and southern Florida. Her destructive path reduced buildings to rubble, sunk and capsized yachts, and left many dead. Worst hit were the small island of Barbuda, said to be ‘barely habitable’, and Sint Maarten, which officials warn has been almost completely destroyed. Irma, a category five hurricane, battered the northern Caribbean islands with 295km/h (185mph) winds, torrential rain and storm surges, resulting in her being declared the most powerful storm ever to be recorded in the Atlantic Ocean. 'It's absolute devastation' said Prime Minister, Gaston Browne of Barbuda, after flying over the island, which had been home to approximately 1,600 people. 'The island is literally under…

DESIGNS | LAUNCHES | PROJECTS Oceanis 51.1 £250,000 Beneteau’s all new Oceanis 51.1 marks a subtle departure in terms of styling for the brand. Gone is the giant arch of previous designs and her stern is no longer chined. Nevertheless, she is thoroughly modern in her design, featuring a plumb bow and a step in the hull that runs from the bow almost three-quarters of the length of her hull. Down below she is spacious and the standard layout features twin aft cabins and a double, master cabin forward. There are three heads compartments and a separate shower stall in the master cabin. She promises to be a versatile performer. Beneteau stresses that there is greater scope for customisation than on previous models in this size bracket. beneteau.com Code #…

 We are getting a puppy in a few weeks time. I’ve never been certain whether dogs and sailing make decent bedfellows, but many tides will have flowed under the keel before we have to address that issue, so we’ll worry about it later. ‘An expensive clatter from my mate’s cabin sent him scuttling foreward’ In the meantime, other matters are more pressing, like house training. I feel sorry for puppies; raised in blissful freedom, tended by their mothers and offered comfort and guidance, and then flung into the threatening world of human beings where this strange thing called ‘behaviour’ is expected of them. However, house training is something at which I am now expert, having been doing it for much of this sailing season. In an act of either great…

It wasn’t long ago that yachts in the 60-70ft bracket were largely being built by semi custom yards which tailored these giant boats to the requirements of clients – generally at a premium price. The idea that mass producers would ever dabble in these markets seemed a remote one. After all, the ‘big four’ of yacht manufacturing (Hanse, Bavaria, Beneteau and Jeanneau) all rely on churning out huge volumes of yachts at relatively low prices in order to make a profit. It didn’t seem likely that they would make a play for this market, yet the last couple of years have seen that concept shattered. Jeanneau made the first play with their 64 and Hanse followed suit with the 675. To the surprise of some, both have been able to…

‘A series of court cases culminated in Dekker dramatically disappearing to Sint Maarten in 2009’ Extended periods of travel can be illuminating but also traumatic. There is a tendency to return to normal life with a bit of a bump even if you’ve only been away for a nice holiday. Imagine how Laura Dekker feels: she set off from Sint Maarten in the Caribbean on 20 January, 2011 with the aim of circumnavigating the globe alone. She was 15. Then, 518 days later, she returned to Sint Maarten, still only 16. She still holds the record for being the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe. It’s a remarkable feat achieved amid a huge media furore which kicked off when the Dutch government tried to put a stop to her attempt…

INNER MARINA Nanny Cay’s inner marina was the first part of the moorings to be developed and caters for yachts up to 75ft MOUNTAINOUS LANDSCAPE Famed for their jungle-topped hills, the British Virgin Islands are perfect for a Robinson Crusoe-style exploration OUTER MARINA The recently developed outer marina accommodates superyachts and catamarans TWO ENTRANCES There are two entrances into the marina, both clearly marked by channel markers The eyes of the world were focused on the British Virgin Islands recently as they endured the full force of a particularly turbulent hurricane season. Nanny Cay, on the south western side of the island of Tortola was not spared, and initial images suggested the popular marina had been damaged almost beyond repair. Yet the marina is is already being repaired and rebuilt…

As anyone who has sailed in the Caribbean will know, the BVI offer a veritable treasure trove of sailing opportunities for the cruising sailor. Like Tortola all the surrounding islands have sustained damage during the hurricane, but they are no strangers to adversity in this part of the world and almost all will be back up and running by the time cruising season comes around. From Nanny Cay, there is the initial option to cruise around the coast of the island of Tortola, taking in the wonderful variety of coves and inlets along its jagged coastline. At 20km (12 miles) long and 5km (3 miles) wide, Tortola is the largest of the islands in the BVI and sits at the centre of the archipelago. This makes it a great starting…

The 2017 Southampton Boat Show was a celebration of yachting design from across the globe, with the great and the good of Britain represented in force. The new Discovery/Southerly combination proved the future of British yacht design is bright, with the welcome return of Southerly Yachts drawing much attention. As ever, the British weather provided us with a colourful variety of sunshine and torrential showers, but it wouldn’t be a British boat show without them.…

It had been eight weeks since I’d arrived back in France after coming second in the Vendée Globe, and I felt that it was high time we all had a well-deserved holiday. I had asked my wife Kate to book something just before the race start. So she went and booked us a month long sailing holiday with Dream Yacht Charter in the Caribbean. She also invited another family (the Edwards – Oliver, Clare and their two children, Isabella, six, and Mia, three) we’ve known for years – thanks love! Before we left to go to the airport I was already struggling to fit all our bags in the taxi. I would like to blame Kate and the children (Oscar, six and Georgia, two) for the mountains of luggage, but…

‘We had no idea of the huge cruising community using radio nets to keep in touch’ James hates talking on the VHF. Whenever we need to do so he always shakes his head vehemently and thrusts the microphone in my direction. Without regular access to a mobile phone, or your own personal wifi, your boat’s radio systems become your lifeline. At short range, the VHF can turn any anchorage into a bustling society, with weather advice, items for sale, and local events being broadcast over a local net. Over longer distances an SSB transforms your radio usage from convivial chitchat to essential safety gadget. When we first got our boat we had no idea of the huge cruising community using radio nets to keep in touch when crossing oceans. Having…

HANSE 675 £908,000 Hanse’s take on the king-sized cruiser is designed by Judel/Vrolijk and is an absolute beast of a yacht, measuring 69ft overall. She features Hanse’s trademark styling and a phenomenal volume. inspirationmarine.co.uk JEANNEAU 64 £800,000 Jeanneau’s 64 really started the ball rolling when it came to supersized cruising production yachts. Like the Beneteau, she features a plethora of styling touches you’d usually expect to see on motoryachts. sea-ventures.co.uk DUFOUR 63 £816,000 Another French manufacturer making its first foray into the supersized market has this smart addition to its range which is freshly launched for 2017. This is a stylish yacht with a slightly sportier feel than her rivals. universalyachting.com…

We’ve teamed up with Henri Lloyd to offer Sailing Today readers the chance to win a pair of Henri Lloyd Shadow Boots. These new boots are fully waterproof so your feet will stay warm and dry through the wet winter months. They’re also breathable, so you won’t overheat when the sun comes out. The slip resistant, water-dispersing outsole with permanent tread pattern will keep you firmly rooted to the deck in heavy weather, and they’re ergonomically designed with comfort and ease of movement in mind. For your chance to win, enter at sailingtoday.co.uk/competition…

‘Today’s winches are usually available with a choice of one to four speeds, and more importantly, come with a series of gears’ The first choice when replacing your winches or speccing a new build is what size to get. The easiest way to choose is by comparing your boat with the tables provided by the winch dealers, but there is still an element of customer choice should you have a particular preference or a slightly unusual sail plan. Dynamic load is the figure to look out for, as it refers to the load being applied in operation. This in turn varies with sail areas, so that a fractionally-rigged boat with a non-overlapping jib would need a smaller primary winch than a masthead yacht with a big genny. But then it…

HARBOUR FESTIVAL OF LIGHT 30 NOVEMBER - 3 DECEMBER – IRVINE, SCOTLAND Join in with Scotland’s Winter Festivals, with the art and light spectacular, The Harbour Festival of Light on Irvine’s historic waterfront. The four-day festival includes a free firework display and hundreds of glowing origami boats and butterflies handcrafted by international artists Aether & Hemera, setting sail. visitscotland.com FIREWORKS CRUISE 5 NOVEMBER – POOLE QUAY, POOLE Remember remember the 5th of November… Join in the festivities and listen to live music during the day, then climb aboard your cruise to watch as Poole Harbour comes alive under the famous annual display of colourful fireworks. visit-dorset.com WATERFRONT WONDERLAND 1-30 NOVEMBER - SWANSEA, WALES Travel to Swansea’s colourful waterfront to enjoy festive family fun. The Christmas market will offer delicious food…

HURRICANE IRMA BATTERS CARIBBEAN The most powerful Atlantic storm on record hit the Caribbean and southern Florida in early September, causing many deaths and widespread damage along the way. Hurricane Irma, a category five hurricane, carrying winds of 295km/h (185mph) and heavy rains, is said to have devastated some Caribbean islands, with Barbuda and Saint Maarten having borne the brunt of her fury. As ST went to press (Sept 20) reports from the region were still sketchy, owing to communication and infrastructure damage, and it is believed it could be weeks before the true extent of the destruction is fully understood. Edward Allcard dies aged 102 Yachtsman and adventurer Edward Allcard has died at the age of 102. Allcard, who was the first person to sail solo across the Atlantic…

At anchor Sail the ocean blue in style These sailing inspired cufflinks from Aspinal of London are perfect for anyone inclined towards the boaty life. Handmade from hallmarked sterling silver, and crafted in the style of a ship’s anchor, these make for a lovely keepsake to honour your favourite pastime. They come in a swanky presentation box, so not only will you not lose them at the bottom of a drawer, you’ll also feel extra special when they arrive. Furthermore, with Christmas fast approaching, they’d make for the perfect stocking filler. • £175 • aspinaloflondon.com Luxury luggage Carry style under sail or in shore The name Billy Ruffian is synonymous with style, and sailing style at that. Its range of luggage is perfect for when you’ve arrived into port and…

‘The liveaboard cockroach benefits from everything a yacht owner has arranged for his own delight’ When our editor told me that this month’s ST had a Caribbean theme, I naturally thought about the adventures I’ve had there over the years. What was I to write about? Might it be seeing Barbados rise out of the Atlantic at dawn, 42 days out from Rio in a boat with no engine and nothing much in the way of charts? Perhaps I should choose a brutal thrash to windward against the trades and current from Venezuela to the Mouth of the Dragon, or roaring down the sound between Anguilla and St Martin at a giddy 15 knots on the gaff schooner Eleonora, leaving everything afloat bobbing in our wake. You’ll find plenty of…

It was as I did a 360 degree backflip off the coachroof, cartwheeling down into the cockpit, dislocating my finger and bruising my back, that I began to wonder if I had bitten off more than I could chew – transitioning from Sailor to Skipper was going to be harder than it looked. Having sailed on and off for the past 45 years, I think it’s fair to view me as a well-seasoned sailor; yet for all my many miles of experience I had not made the transition to being a skipper – that is, until recently. I must say that the experience has been hugely rewarding. To give you some background, I started sailing as crew in my twenties. In 2005 I qualified as a Day Skipper – I…

The prospect of sailing through the winter months is really only for the hardy few in the UK. The vast majority of sailors will be content with a snug berth and the prospect of a spot of winter maintenance combined with a few wistful hours aboard dreaming of next spring and cruising adventures yet to come. Nevertheless, there are plenty of pertinent decisions to be considered - not least whereabouts to keep your yacht. WINTER BARGAINS Now, it may well be that you have a favoured yard that you always use every winter and you are quite happy to stick with that thank you very much. Well that’s completely fair enough, but many of us are in the fortunate position to be able to shop around. If, for example, you…

A few years back, I had the opportunity to test a boat called the Malango 888, built by a small Breton shipyard near Concarneau. At the time, I loved the fast Pierre Rolland hull and sporty sailing that the boat offered as she foamed upwind on a rail, and skipped downwind with the asymmetric up. That was in 2013, and IDB Marine sold a few of the boats – enough to develop a new version, with a higher, deeper coachroof. This boat with its identical double-chined hull and roomier interior was christened the Mojito 888, and since its launch in late 2015, the yard has barely built another Malango. It has reached 20 Mojitos, and counting, and the boat won France’s coveted yacht of the year prize. So I was…

Established 30 years ago, Nanny Cay marina sits on the sheltered shores on the south of the island of Tortola. Arriving into the region from Anguilla to the northeast, you’ll likely reach Anegada and Pajaros Point at the tip of the island of Virgin Gorda. Anegada is a very low-lying island, so Keep your eyes peeled for this one, as many have run aground on the extensive outlying reefs. Beyond Anegada, sailors generally use the Necker Passage, cutting close to Richard Branson’s Necker Island. Again, many yachts have cut too close to Necker and ended up on the reef; the most famous in recent times being Ben Ainslie. Continuing west, you enter the wide, sheltered Sir Francis Drake Channel; long recognised as a superb cruising ground. Nanny Cay is situated…

‘Trade winds vary year by year and will generally be between 15-25 knots’ There are a number of considerations to take into account when passage planning from the Canaries to the Caribbean. These may not be strictly weather driven and make it rather more complex than looking at routing (planning) charts. What should be a principal consideration is the hurricane season which runs from June to the end of November. Leaving the Canaries during the hurricane season adds a high level of risk, however once we have reached November statistics indicate that any hurricane development is likely to be on the western side of the Atlantic or in the Caribbean Sea itself (between the mainland of Central America and the Windward/Leeward Islands). This has meant that yachts begin to leave…