Innehållsförteckning för August 2018 från Sailing Today

LENDY COWES WEEK 4-11 AUGUST – HAMPSHIRE For a slice of the action at the world’s largest regatta, plot a course to the Solent in early August. This Cowes-based eight-day event is a highlight of the British Summer Season and annually attracts 100,000 visitors. lendycowesweek.co.uk SEA SALTS AND SAIL FESTIVAL 13-15 JULY – CORNWALL For a real taste of traditional west country life, plan a trip to the biennial Sea Salts and Sail Festival in Mousehole. Celebrating Mousehole’s long history as a small working fishing village, the organisers have plenty of treats lined up. seasalts.co.uk 40TH ANNIVERSARY THAMES TRADITIONAL BOAT FESTIVAL 20-27 JULY – OXFORDSHIRE For a chance to celebrate all that’s best in British boatbuilding and craftsmanship, head to the Thames Traditional Boat Festival, Henley. This is one of…

Delphia42 £tbc Poland’s Delphia Yachts have a hand in manufacturing far more rival brands than you’d imagine. It has, however, been a while since they launched a new yacht. Yet the new 42 is spanking new and – on an initial cursory glance – she looks the business. She’s designed by Tony Castro who knows what he’s about. She’s definitely a cruiser but there looks to be a performance edge to her and, judging from the number of portlights and hatches, she’s going to be incredibly bright inside. She’s pictured here alongside another new design, the Delphia 50 (left). delphiayachts.eu Discovery48 £695,000 The range of new yachts emerging from the Discovery yard at the moment could fill these pages for several months so the best thing to do is introduce…

‘Anyone can make a mistake. It’s what happens next that often decides the issue.’ When the editor advised me that this month’s edition of ST would have the theme of seamanship skills, I dug out my mildewed Yachtmaster examiner’s hat. Thinking about sail trim and power handling didn’t appeal, but things looked up when I began to consider great groundings I have known. In fairness to my candidates, many of these mishaps have been ‘all my own work’, so in the hope that some general lessons might spin off from the specific, here are a few of the more memorable ones. Examiners occasionally opt to re-examine failed candidates who have fallen short in a particular department. Usually this will be some theoretical item that has slipped through the net, such…

We have always wondered what it would be like to go on a yacht charter holiday, having raced competitively for numerous years in various dinghy and yacht classes. Previously, we had never found the time to do so due to busy racing schedules, until this year when we decided to bite the bullet and book a week with Dream Yacht Charter. The first step to booking a yacht charter holiday is choosing when and where you are going to charter from. Probably the most important things to consider when making this decision are the prevailing conditions you will face and any particular sights you would like to see on land. Not everyone wants 20kts each day and a constantly heeling and bouncing yacht is not conducive to tanning, younger kids…

ALLURES 52 The Allures fits very firmly into that rugged aluminium ‘go anywhere niche that a number of French manufacturers have carved for themselves. She’s a bit bigger than the 480 and lacks a bit of the classiness of her GRP rival inside but this is a tough yacht that has been tested to the extreme. allures.fr OVNI 495 Another rugged aluminium yacht that really competes with the Southerly on size and the versatility of having a swing keel. Ovnis have a similarly strong cult following to Southerlys. They are, however, fitted out in a wildly different style with the stress here on something more stripped out altogether. Alubat.com WAUQUIEZ PILOT SALOON 48 A yacht that lacks the lifting keel but perhaps is more closely aligned to the Southerly in…

One other major consideration is insurance. Depending on which company you insure your vessel with, you are eligible for a discount if you have the relevant qualifications. Jeremy Entwistle from marine insurance specialists GJW Direct explains: “As leisure boat insurers, we positively encourage boat owners to take advantage of the many RYA courses available. To this effect we do offer insurance discounts on our annual premiums for those who are RYA qualified.” Marine insurers CraftInsure also follow this policy as Rod Daniel, a partner in the company explains: “We offer a five per cent discount to sailors with a full Yachtmaster. It can be a tricky one because you can have a hugely experienced sailor who has not got their YM and that feels unfair but fit works well as…

‘This app will revolutionize the charter market by opening up access to boats’ For years, yachting has been the aspirational hobby for many dreaming of days spent on the sun soaked decks of a sailing boat, or feeling the wind in their hair on-board a motor yacht as it cruises along the Cote d’Azur. This dream has never become a reality, until now. Entrepreneur Matt Ovenden was fortunate enough to grow up boating, so when he introduced his children to boating he realised how relatively inaccessible it was; this set him on the path to building borrowaboat.com and making boating more available to others. There are two myths around yachting; one that its unaffordable and the second is that you have to have a complicated set of qualifications. Borrow a…

Mention the west coast of Scotland to any sailor and you can be sure of a positive reaction. Known for stunning scenery, clear water and welcoming fresh (albeit generally cool) air, Scotland’s west coast is very much a world-class bucket list favourite for cruising sailors. The town of Troon, which lies about 30 miles south-west of Glasgow, is probably better known globally as a golfing Mecca, with Royal Troon Golf Club host to many a British Open Championship in recent years, but there is also a strong, historic seafaring link. The name Troon derived from the word Trwyn – the Celtic meaning of point or headland and, with its natural harbour, it soon became an important seafaring town. It was once among the top coal ports in Britain and was…

Easy ‘lockless’ access at all states of the tide makes Troon Yacht Haven a popular choice for visiting sailors. However, because of the ferry terminal located in the adjacent Troon Harbour, it pays to be vigilant on the approach or when leaving the marina. Also watch out for wash from the ships, and be aware of the 5knot speed limit. Although all commercial ship movements are announced on VHF channels 16, 14 and 80, yacht crews are encouraged to contact the harbour master on channel 14 on the approach or before setting sail. As a guide, a flashing amber light at the Seacat berth, signals imminent ferry departures/arrivals. APPROACH The Harbour Approaches Waypoint is 55 33.20N 04 42.00W so it is advisable to use this as a guide. One area…

Get your hands on a set of 100% waterproof bags and cases from leaders of the pack, OverBoard, to protect your valuables from the ravages of water, dirt and sand. The winner will be able to set sail without worry as the proud owner of a Pro-VHF Waterproof Case, 20 Litre Waterproof Dry Tube, 30 Litre Pro-Sports Waterproof Backpack and 60 Litre Pro-Sports Waterproof Duffel Bag. The Pro-VHF Waterproof Case features a comfortable 3-way chest harness, allowing you to take your precious VHF radio to places you wouldn’t normally dare, keeping it protected in a 100% waterproof case without any sound loss. Thanks to a unique seamless construction and a Fold Seal System™, water and dirt don’t stand a chance against the 100% waterproof dry tube, backpack and duffle bag.…

EDDIE JORDAN JOINS OYSTER After shelling out for Oyster Yachts, new CEO Richard Hadida has appointed his board. Having pulled the Suffolk based yacht manufacturer back from the brink after it went into liquidation February, Hadida, a high net worth tech entrepreneur, has now appointed his board which includes noted F1 playboy, Eddie Jordan. Richard Hadida said:“We are committed to building the best possible team here at Oyster which we believe will put us in the strongest position to deliver an effective turnaround and get Oyster back to where it should be – the absolute pinnacle in yacht design. "Getting the right leadership, oversight and governance in place is key to building a sustainable business. Another notable addition to the board is yacht designer Rob Humphreys who has designed many…

Solaris68 £poa When plans for the Solaris 68 were announced they were deemed so innovative that the manufacturer refused to release anything but the most basic of renderings. You could call this a spot of PR genius or the most pompously overblown gesture any yacht manufacturer has achieved in a good while. Anyway, the 68 has now been launched and can be fully viewed – although it is advisable only to do so through a collander or a pinhole projector. Anyway, Australia II she ain’t but she is very pretty so we forgive Solaris for some of their hubris. The Soto Acebal designed hull is suitably slippery and she features the sort of stripped out ‘loft style’ interior that Solaris have become so adept at turning out. Weight is a…

‘I am no marlinspike sailor, as they say, and I’m not proud of that fact’ On the side deck of my boat I have a spare anchor lashed to the guardrails. It’s one of those aluminium ones which I carry in case I need to kedge, or put out a stern anchor. I’ve never used it. And that’s the point: not only have I never used it, it has been there for years. Never moved, never rattled, it’s in precisely the same position as it was when it was first lashed there. I must now admit that it was not me who did the lashing. It was done by a friend, a master mariner who had worked his way up through the ranks from deckhand to captain and, this is…

After five hard graft years with a hatful of highs and lows including almost losing my business and a major medical incident we finally got to the start line and slipped lines from Universal Marina on the Hamble River on 20 August 2014. For the next two years, we truly lived our dream of experiencing the world with our three young children as we sailed the world’s oceans. Our route took us down the European coast before joining the ARC fleet in the Canary Islands and sailing to the Caribbean. From there we sailed to Panama where we joined the World ARC and then spent six months traversing the magical islands of the Pacific, eventually arriving in Australia. We then headed north over the top of Australia and, via Indonesia,…

As the most southerly marina on the Clyde estuary, Troon Yacht Haven is ideally positioned to access the sheltered waters of the upper firth, which offers fantastic on the ‘doorstep’ cruising. It is also the ideal place to start a western isles cruise, or a cruise to Ireland. For a day sail, the Island of Arran, just 15 nautical miles from Troon is an easy option. Head due west to Lamlash – the island’s capital – and pick up a visitor mooring in the bay for a spot of lunch. Book a table at the waterside restaurant then take a walk around town. Just north of Lamlash is Brodick, which also offers visitor moorings and an even larger selection of quality restaurants ashore. For those with a couple of days…

Out of sight, out of mind goes the saying, and so it often is for your boat’s propeller. Crucial as this piece of equipment is to your safe and rapid movement from a to b, it often receives very little attention. You simply fit and forget it - until something goes wrong. That’s a shame, because most new boats are fitted with fixed-blade propellers as standard, and older boats often have them too. While that is fine when the engine is running ahead, a fixed propeller is inefficient astern and applies real drag to a boat under sail. Tests vary in their scientific-ness, but data suggests that a fixed prop that is locked creates at least 20 times as much drag as a folding propeller at 5kt. In speed terms,…

Seago e-Power Folding Bike Seago, a company known for producing affordable, top quality, electric folding bikes, launched it latest edition in the e-Power folding bike range earlier this year. Based on the previous version, the new 2018 e-power folding bike’s features include a larger high-powered Samsung li-ion battery, front shock absorber and streamlined dolphin frame. Weighing in at just 22kg including battery, this super-smart bike that also folds down into a compact 88 x 35 x 69cm bag, could be the ideal practical vehicle for stashing away in a locker ready for the next marina supermarket dash. The max speed is 25km/h and the range, depending on conditions, is 60km. • £699 including bag • seagoyachting.co.uk ZKG watersports shoes Launched for 2018, these popular ZKG modern, sneaker-style shoes have been…

Adrift The number of Hollywood Blockbusters about yachting can be comfortably counted on one hand. Dead Calm with Sam Neill and Nicole Kidman was a bit of a hit back in 1989. Perhaps one of the big problems is that yacht cruising over long distance is a mixture of aching tedium, slight unease, genuine fear and stolen moments of beauty, reflection and transcendent joy. It’s tricky to convey in film format. Adrift is the latest to have a stab at the genre and is based on a true story from 1983. Dashingly handsome Hugh Grant – esque Richard (Sam Claflin) is a lone sailor who meets elfin free spirit Tami (Shailene Woodley) in Tahiti. The couple fall in love and all goes well until they meet a retired couple who…

Block of silver Beacause you're worth it Dress to impress with a piece of C'est la Vie Jewellery that feature detailed Harken block minitures. Cathy Ash-Vie (partner in Harken UK) who is in the unique position of being able to create authentic, accurate and detailed jewellery pieces has, by using her design skills, come up with a unique collection of solid silver nautical jewellery. Among the best sellers are the solid 925 Sterling silver cufflinks, which feature precise detailing of the traditional Harken block. • £90 • cestlaviejewellery.com Breathe easy The perfect onboard accessory for wine lovers Make room for spontaneity with Skandium’s Menu Winebreather Carafe that breathes wine in an instant. From the Scandinavian design house, Norm architects, this stylish ships decanter designed by Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen and Kasper Rønn,…

Britain has some wonderful sailing grounds and there are many more beyond these shores. I have cruised a few of them but still return to my roots in North Wales, because I don’t need to go far afield, there is plenty of great sailing to be enjoyed here. We keep Triptych, our Victoria 34, in Conwy Marina from where it is easy to access the great sailing around Anglesey, the Menai Strait and the Lleyn Pensinsula, but we also get further afield to Ireland, the Isle of Man and Scotland. Conwy Two castles guard the river Conwy. Deganwy Castle is a Welsh stronghold sited on the Deganwy vardre overlooking the Deganwy narrows. Unfortunately, little remains of it as the masonry was used to build the Edward l Conwy Castle a…

‘The sheer magnificence of the non-existent horizon, the sky merging seamlessly into the sea’ Where has the wind gone? There’s an eerie feeling to losing even the merest scrap of breeze. We know the familiar adage “calm before a storm” so it’s wise to be on the alert when the air goes so quiet. Sometimes, a stillness in the immediate conditions may not herald oncoming strong gusts for you, but might still mean they’re occurring not too far away. Squalls can act like sponges, sucking all the wind out of one area only to squeeze it all out in one violent go in another spot. But this is not the case today. There is nothing ominous or foreboding about this particular lull; the sky is clear, the sun is high,…

It is dismissive and cruel but in the hard reality of this winner-takes-all world, Nigel Tetley was the nearly-man of the Golden Globe. He came to within a whisker of being the fastest after Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s first. Yet, who outside the world of sailing has heard of him? He was only a couple of weeks from the finishing line and potentially eclipsing Knox-Johnston when his trimaran, Victress, broke up and sank, leading to a dramatic rescue. It was a heartbreaking end to a measured and intelligent voyage which had got him so far. It didn’t help that he later found he had been pushing his fragile boat for no reason. Like everyone else, he had believed that Donald Crowhurst was still in the race behind him, not knowing of…

One of the dominant features of the UK coastline is the simply phenomenal tidal range. If there is one thing I have learnt from a lifetime of misadventures exploring its shallower corners is that it really pays to have a shallow draft and be able to dry out. It was for this reason that, when Southerly Yachts was wound up for the second time in 2014, its loss was felt very keenly among a certain section of sailors. There are other options out there when it comes to swinging and lifting keels but they are surprisingly limited. To my knowledge, only French manufacturer Feeling offers a GRP swing keel cruising yacht of any size and, to be honest, I don’t know what Feeling are up to these days. After that…

Five days spent on an RYA Competent Crew course, followed by at least 40 hours of sustained effort on shorebased theory, and then another five days on a Day Skipper practical, should see most people walking away with an RYA Day Skipper certificate. It is then largely a formality to obtain an ICC (International Certificate of Competence), and these two combined or individually are usually sufficient to allow chartering a yacht in the Med and many other international destinations. For many this is as far as they want to go, and having acquired the means to this end, why should anyone bother paying good money and using up valuable holiday time to attain higher qualifications? Why bother with the RYA? The RYA was founded in 1953 in response to the…

Largs, just a short sail up the Firth of Clyde on the Scottish mainland shore, is Yacht Havens’ other west coast of Scotland-based, world-class marina – Largs Yacht Haven. Like its partner/neighbouring marina at Troon, Largs is one of the most convenient places to start a tour of the west coast of Scotland not least because it is just a 30-40 minute car journey from Glasgow International Airport. This makes mooring a boat there and commuting, a real possibility for those with a desire to discover the wonders of western isles cruising. The town of Largs itself has a touristy feel, which means it can be a little barren in the winter months but full of buzz during the summer. The marina is not in the middle of town so…

‘Stepping off the boat moored against the sheer wall to start the climb’ Though I have written climbing guide books, most notably for the sea cliffs of Portland and Lulworth in the early days of exploration there, I have never been the main editor of a sailing pilot book. But I have had the privilege of contributing to such, principally to Willy Ker’s Faroes, Iceland and Greenland at first, followed by the excellent Arctic and Northern Waters edited by Andrew Wilkes for the RCCPF and published by Imrays, without which nobody should stray into the Arctic. It will be no surprise then that some of these anchorages were related to climbing. In 2010 and 2014 I was again privileged to have the Wild Bunch aboard looking for ‘big walls in…

As soon as I step off the plane, the heat hits my face in a blinding wave… I’m fresh from Europe, ready to start a new adventure. Because, you see, we’ve bought a boat in the Caribbean. Sounds crazy? Yeah, we’re not your average boat buyers. The destruction of Irma passes us as we drive through the land of Tortola. I don’t think I’ve actually seen real devastation. And although it’s been nearly a year since she hit, the land is still scarred by the storm that devastated people’s homes and lives. Despite the sadness, Tortola is now a place of new beginnings. Our beginning. The skies open up briefly in a shower of warm rain as we jump out the taxi, and into Nanny Cay Marina. Despite the turmoil,…