A mainsail cannot know whether it is hoisted on a monohull, a catamaran or a…
Expert sailing techniques
Expert sailing advice: Pip Hare’s top tips for crisis communications
When sailing with any number of crew members, good communication is not only key to…
Pip Hare reveals the 15 essential items she packs in her grab bag
The kit packed inside a liferaft will vary hugely across different brands and models and…
Sleep deprivation and sailing: How to make the right call when you haven’t slept
There’s no getting away from the fact that tiredness profoundly affects our performance. Sleep deprivation…
Sailing instrument calibration: How to set up your yacht for accurate readings
These tweaks will help make any integrated instrument system accurate and effective, whether the goal…
Hi-Line transfers: Pip Hare explains how to prepare for a helicopter evacuation
As a sea survival instructor, I have been evacuated from a liferaft by helicopter and…
Navigation briefing: Mike Broughton explains why you still need radar
In a recent feature in Yachting World, my friend and highly respected yachting journalist Ed…
Pip Hare’s sailing masterclass: How to make the most of a water ballast system
No two water ballast systems seem to be the same, but the principles for use…
Expert sailing tips: Mike Broughton on racing fast and wet boats
There’s spray everywhere and your eyes are stinging. You are planing downwind in 20 knots…
Pip Hare’s top tips for preventing chafe on lines, sails and hardware
Chafe on sails and ropes is something we should expect as part of the general…
Tidal streams: How to predict them and use them to your advantage
Whether racing or cruising, our first thoughts are always: ‘What is the tide doing?’ When…
Boom preventers: How to use one and why they’re worth the hassle to rig
Rigging a boom preventer will allow you to sail a true downwind course without a…
Smartphone navigation: Pip Hare’s top tips for sailing by iPhone
No matter how good navigation apps have become, using your smartphone as a main method…
Spinnaker wraps: Pip Hare’s tips on dealing with a tangled kite
I can still feel the pain of my first really bad single-handed spinnaker wrap. I…
Beam seas: Pip Hare’s top tips on dealing with the most challenging conditions
Big beam seas can be the most challenging, unpleasant and dangerous of all conditions to…
Tidal streams: How to read the waves to gain a sailing advantage
Navigators need to have a close knowledge of tidal streams and currents. The latest studies…
Man overboard: How to react and safely recover your crewmate
Turning a yacht around after a person goes overboard (MOB) and heading back in the…
How to fix running rigging at sea: Top tips from pro sailor Pip Hare
When racing across oceans I am constantly torn between loading my spares and repairs kit…
How to reduce sail in a hurry: Top tips from pro racer Pip Hare
Spinnakers The first and most important action is to reduce apparent wind as much as…
How to change sails at night: Pip Hare shares her top tips
Before dark As routine, discuss what sail changes may be required overnight then set up…