How to deal with an unwell member of your crew
James Stevens considers a problem sent in by a Yachting Monthly reader who asks how to deal with an unwell…
How to tension your yacht’s rig with wire or rod rigging
Ivar Dedekam author of Illustrated Sail & Rig Tuning gives his guide on tensioning a yacht’s wire or rod rigging…
How to pass your Yachtmaster Practical Exam
Theo Stocker is put through his paces on an RYA Yachtmaster Offshore prep week, before taking the exam itself. Find…
How to improve power management on a yacht
Mike Morgan offers advice on how to improve power management on a yacht and preserve precious amps for those that…
How to prepare for your Yachtmaster Offshore exam
In an age of digital navigation and walk ashore pontoons, how hard can the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore be? Theo Stocker…
How to avoid this collision in fog while sailing a yacht?
James Stevens considers a problem sent in by a Yachting Monthly reader who asks how to to avoid this collision…
How to rig a preventer and boom brake: Our expert guide
Rigging a preventer or using a boom brake is just good seamanship when sailing downwind, but doing so badly is…
How to learn to sail: Catching the sailing wave
A sailing newbie moves her hands from the keyboard to the furling line, surfing learning curves. Jenny Jasper dives into…
What can be learned from these 4 major accidents at sea?
Accident reports make sobering reading, but if we want to sail downwind safely, then it pays to learn from gybes…
Why marking the lines on your yacht is crucial
It’s common practise for racing sailors, but marking your lines is crucial even if you are an occasional cruising sailor…
How different yacht types change sailing characteristics
Ken Endean looks back on the boats he has owned over 50 years and explains why the hull lines of…
How to rig a yacht’s mooring lines to avoid chafe
James Stevens considers a problem sent in by a Yachting Monthly reader who asks how to rig a yacht’s mooring…
A beginners guide to easy yacht navigation
Sometimes, rather than knowing where you are, it’s easier to know where you aren’t, says Justin Morton in his guide…
‘Dodging ships can feel like being a chicken crossing a very busy motorway’
It seemed odd when container vessels mysteriously started keeping clear of Peter Webb’s yacht, but the AIS-related answer only appeared…
Training in a time warp
Nick Quirke answered the call for some adventurous hands-on schooner training, with no experience necessary to sail around 3,500 miles…
How to recover from a violent gybe at sea?
James Stevens considers a problem sent in by a Yachting Monthly reader who asks how to recover from a violent…
how to tune the rig of a yacht
Ivar Dedekam is the author of Illustrated Sail & Rig Tuning brings us this guide on how to tune the…
How to get your boat home if you experience an engine failure
We rely on the engine a huge amount, but when it stops, do you know how you would get yourself…
How to squeeze a yacht into a tight marina berth
James Stevens considers a problem sent in by a Yachting Monthly reader who asks how to squeeze a yacht into…
How to optimise sail trim
The author of Illustrated Sail & Rig Tuning, Ivar Dedekam, provides his expert advice on how best to optimise sail…
The sailing rules you can ignore… and those you can’t: an expert guide
Andy Du Port explores which rules need to be followed to the letter to avoid collisions at sea and considers…
How do you recover a man overboard?
James Stevens considers a problem sent in by a Yachting Monthly reader who asks how do you recover a man…
‘We suddenly heard a loud noise from the engine. We had no idea what it was and it got us worried ’
After the engine breakdown on board his Nicholson 35 Lady Blue in the Kiel Canal, one of the busiest commercial…
Expert guide to celestial navigation
A sextant and the sun is all you need to find your position, says Tapio Lehtinen. It’s easier than messing…
The forecast is unsettled, should you leave harbour?
James Stevens considers a problem sent in by a Yachting Monthly reader who wants to know whether you should leave…
How do solo sailors sleep at sea? Experts share their tips and advice
When Andy Pag was planning a 450-mile solo passage, sleep was the biggest source of worry. Here’s how he created…
How to sail a trimaran: Expert advice for sailing with three hulls
For their size, trimarans can punch well above their weight in speed, cruising potential and fun. Monohull sailor Theo Stocker…
Should you risk crossing a harbour bar in these conditions?
James Stevens considers a problem sent in by a Yachting Monthly reader who wants to know whether to risk crossing…
How to use radar on a yacht
Radar is now more efficient, more affordable and far more advanced than even a few years ago. Rachael Sprot explains…
How to navigate when a navigation light is obscured
James Stevens considers a problem sent in by a Yachting Monthly reader who wants to know whether to proceed when…