Search results

Saddened to read in Yachting Monthly that Raymond Wall has crossed the bar, albeit at the fine old age of 91. He designed some very pretty boats; the Nic 43 and Nic 55 are both right up there for me.

I don’t know if any of you have heard of the Grain de Sail project ? In conjunction with the chocolaterie in Morlaix, they have built a sailing cargo boat (with a second under construction). The boat is used to export fine wines, spirits, and foodstuffs to New York, collecting cocoa beans, rum...

I thought some of you might be tickled by this photo. Last month the lifeboat at Belle Ile was called out to rescue a light aircraft which had had to ditch.

Currently on holiday in Indonesia, where my daughter’s boyfriend has a dive centre. For those of you with instagram, here’s a link to a reel I made of traditional boat building here. The boat in question is being built by an interesting Italian chap called Robert. It is 6 months into the...

I know that the sailing community is split down the middle on the subject of towing one’s dinghy. I was brought up to believe the practise to be sloppy and unseaman-like by my father and uncle (both Naval men), and have been filled with guilt on the odd occasion that I have indulged in it. On...

Massive own goal by banque populaire in dropping Clarisse Cremer as the skipper for their Vendée Globe campaign. Also, I think, a mistake by the organizers to drop automatic qualification for finishers of the previous event. The ‘motherhood penalty’? Controversy as Vendée Globe skipper...

I’ve just been putting my boat to bed for the winter, and have brought home the mainsheet, Genoa sheets and barberhauler lines for a wash. Any of you have any tips on what are the best washing machine settings etc ? (I’m already aware of the advice to do this when my wife is out of the house)...

I was extremely impressed by the Port Townsend PT11 dinghy that Leo tested (and has purchased) in his latest Tally Ho video. Beautifully built, nice and light, and bursting with loads of clever design features. It seems to sail ok and clearly rows like a dream.

Sad news that Cornish brewer, Skinners is to enter administration from Monday. They brew some decent beer, with some great names, including Keel Over (the reason I’ve mentioned it on here).

Concerto’s latest post had me musing about television on board. I love not having TV on my boat; I see it as a haven from the blasted gogglebox, where in our leisure moments we can read, play cards or bananagram, or even just talk. I really can’t imagine ever wanting to install a set on board...

Inspired by mention of coppercoat in the thread about GHA’s welcome return to the forum, I wonder what those of you have gone down this route have to say about it. My nearly new boat was epoxy painted when new prior to being anti fouled. I’m wondering whether to have it stripped back and copper...

(With apologies to my fellow Frank Sinatra fans). How about this for a neat solution to the issue of where to stow the tender. These photos are from a Bepox 10,50 yacht for sale in France. Inspired by a Russian doll perhaps ? The tender seems to have another section which is bolted on the end...

Any advice on which GoPro to buy ? I’m thinking of the GoPro Max, with a view to attaching it to my radar mast on the starboard quarter. I understand that the max shoots 360 degree videos, which one can then pan and zoom around in whilst editing, giving the effect if having multiple cameras...

I’d quite like adapt the heads on my Sun Odyssey 349QR (the one with the hydraulic lifting keel) to flush with fresh water, whilst retaining the ability to switch over to flushing using raw sea water when necessary. FWIW, the boat is to all intents and purposes the boat is brand new, and to the...

Saddened to read in PBO of the passing of Les Williams. I had the pleasure of knowing him in the 80s when, with a couple of other Southampton Ship Science students we helped him and his trusty lieutenant Jacques Redon to prepare his Ocean 80 FCF Challenger for the two handed round Britain race...

I’m in the market for a new handheld VHF, and am thinking of buying a Standard Horizon HX890. Any of you have any better ideas ?

Many congratulations to Giles Scott on sailing an awesome race to retain his gold in the Finn. As the class bows out after 69 years as an Olympic class, he will forever have the distinction of being the reigning Finn Olympic champion. In some ways retiring the Finn is a blow to team GB, as it’s...

The Ed Dubois One Tonner Panda is up for auction in the Netherlands, if anyone is in the market for a project. I remember when she was launched, and how cool we all thought she was. BVA Auctions - online veilingen

Pip has announced that Medallia Inc. have renewed their sponsorship for the 2024 Vendée Globe campaign, and that she has been able to buy Bureau Vallée II , the 2016 foiling boat that Louis Burton sailed to 3rd place in this year's event. I'm thrilled for her; Pip totally deserves this. She...