Entering the water is a serious step and should not be done in open water. Photo: Stuart Anthony / Alamy Stock Photo

Learning how to free a fouled propeller from fishing lines can prevent a catastrophic shipwreck during a cruise.

Whether snagged suddenly in the middle of a channel, or a drifting target for shipping, or close to a lee …Continue reading »

The post Essential tips to survive a sudden emergency: How to free a boat’s propeller from rope or fishing gear appeared first on Yachting Monthly.

A wave over the deck or a rain shower can be enough to start the process of hypothermia. Photo: Nick Leather

Being too hot or too cold at sea can quickly turn a sailing trip into a disaster. Here are some ways you can stay safe on the water in different temperatures

Extremes of temperature whilst sailing affect not only our comfort but may have a significant effect on health and wellbeing. …Continue reading »

The post How to deal with heat and cold at sea appeared first on Yachting Monthly.

Deadman's Beach, BVI. Photo: Stuart H Newberger

Spending winter in the tropics is a dream, but cruising the Caribbean may test your ability to handle unexpected gear failures.

During the spring of 2024, a friend of mine delivered my 41ft Moody sloop from Annapolis to American Yacht Harbor …Continue reading »

The post ‘There is no such thing as too much preparation’: Cruising the British Virgin Islands appeared first on Yachting Monthly.

Every month Yachting Monthly's resident expert, Rachael Sprot answers a readers sailing question. This month, what to do if someone anchors too close?

Clara, Fi and Ahmed are cruising north Brittany on Clara’s Rival 34, Grace. Clara is a recently-qualified Coastal Skipper, and …Continue reading »

The post What to do if someone anchors too close to your boat? appeared first on Yachting Monthly.

Each month Yachting Monthly's resident expert, Rachael Sprot, answers a reader's question. This month, how to cope with a prop wrap

Sadler 29, Nimbus, is on passage from North Shields to Grimsby when the engine falters and cuts out. Skipper, Tim, …Continue reading »

The post How to deal with a prop wrap appeared first on Yachting Monthly.

Having thorough, easy-to-use checklists for all situations and emergency processes on board can dramatically reduce failures and improve safety for all on board, says Tom Sanders

Would it sound far-fetched if I told you a simple piece of paper could save your boat from expensive breakages …Continue reading »

The post How having a checklist could save you and your boat appeared first on Yachting Monthly.

Every month Yahchitng Monthly's resident expert answers a reader's question. This month, Mike and Linda ask if it's wise to cross a shipping lane without AIS

Mike and Linda are crossing the Channel from Poole to St Peter Port via the Alderney Race in their Bavaria …Continue reading »

The post Without AIS, would you cross this line of shipping? appeared first on Yachting Monthly.

A raucous welcome awaited in Treguier. Photo: Getty

With a combined age of 140, two intrepid ex-dinghy racers sailed in the Yachting Monthly Celtic Triangle Race 2025

The Yachting Monthly Celtic Triangle is a single- or double-handed offshore race from Falmouth to Kinsale (Eire) to Treguier (Brittany) …Continue reading »

The post ‘We were battered by Force 7 winds for 24 hours’: The Yachting Monthly Celtic Triangle Race appeared first on Yachting Monthly.

A mental image of your sail’s shape from above will help you trim it for maximum drive

Sails are not flat sheets of fabric but are cut and fabricated so they form a shallow dish shape. To …Continue reading »

The post Sail Trim tips for cruising sailors appeared first on Yachting Monthly.

The Cruising Association has launched its new lobster pot campaign, Marked Gear = Safe Gear, which calls for existing guidance around the marking of static fishing gear to be mandatory – and you can join!

Poorly marked fishing gear, lobster pots and creels in UK waters are a hidden and real safety hazard to yachtsmen, …Continue reading »

The post Join CA campaign to mark static fishing gear appeared first on Yachting Monthly.