Any old sails?
Sails Ocean Sails (or SOS for short) is a self-funded charity that started in 2005 to redistribute used sails from Australia to fishing people in the Pacific. Many of the recipients have relied on the outboard motor since the Second…
Boats & Gear
The latest insights on racing and cruising yachts, keelboats and dinghies. Plus all of the latest gear, boating accessories, equipment and sailing clothes from Australia and around the world.
Where sailboat navigation is going in 2020
In the Australian sailing news four years ago, there was an article about the SailTimer Wind Instrument being the first masthead anemometer with an internet connection, and some of the implications that would have. Those capabilities have all been realized,…
Top-down unfurled!
In the coming days, an impressive fleet of over 170 boats will be tackling the unpredictable and often challenging conditions that will be thrown their way as they head south in this year’s Sydney to Hobart yacht race. This iconic…
Profurl – the NEXt generation has landed!
The new version of the well-known nine-year-old NEX range is now available in Australia. Several innovations and technological features will bring an even better performance, safety and comfort when sailing. The main highlight is the new Furlassist feature, a patented…
Why Alex Thomson chose Zhik gear for his Vendee Globe campaign
For performance apparel brand Zhik, there are many parallels with Alex Thomson Racing. As a new brand on the street early in 2000, Zhik rapidly found success with top dinghy sailors through radically re-engineering, and forever changing, the design of…
Top-down furling video – and some bonus dolphins
Ronstan shot an excellent video on Port Phillip, showing the benefits of top-down furling. During the shoot a couple of dolphins tried to photo bomb – you'll see them in the background at about the 1.27 minute mark. Go to https://youtu.be/YgchRun3niI to…
Lifejacket standards “grace period” set to end
Did you know that, by 2021, your lifejackets will need to comply with Australian Standard 4758.1? Did you also know that lifejackets made to Australian Standard 1512 have been using a standard that is eleven years out-of-date? The humble lifejacket,…
Mariners Diary 2020 – the handiest boating book
An innovative and informative three-in-one boating book has just been released, designed to save mariners time, money and space. Mariners Diary 2020, written specifically for Australia and New Zealand, brings together important information into one concise, comprehensive and easy-to-follow book. …
New for 2020 – APEX waterproof shorts, pants and jacket from Zhik
New for 2020 is Zhik’s APEX range of jackets, shorts and long pants, made from a highly breathable, two-layer, waterproof fabric with a DWR (durable water repellent) coating and fully-taped seams. The APEX jacket is an all-round coastal/offshore jacket with…
OLAS Core – a portable, virtual tether and MOB alarm system for big boat crews
OLAS Core is a small, portable, wireless Man Overboard Alarm system for boats up to 50ft long and up to 15 crew. It instantly triggers a loud, 85 decibel emergency alert, within four seconds if there is a man overboard…
Foreign superyachts now able to charter in Australia
This morning, the Morrison Government introduced the Special Recreational Vessels Bill 2019 that will allow foreign owned superyachts to charter in Australia. The ability for these vessels to charter will unlock an estimated 11,800 jobs and $1.64 billion in revenue to…
The Boat Works commits to 10 years free haul out to the GC Volunteer Coast Guard
On Saturday 23 November, Deputy Commander Southport Mike Hoffman welcomed Gold Coast waterways’ proponents and VIPS to the 2019 Volunteer Coast Guard ‘Blessing of the Fleet’ at Southport QF1. After the traditional smoking ceremony, performed members of the Yugambeh People,…
Yacht up for auction after major WA drug bust
A $560,000 yacht allegedly used in a foiled attempt to import almost 1 tonne of illicit drugs into Western Australia is set to go under the hammer. WA Police Force initially seized the Sail Yacht Zero (SY Zero) in September…
JPK announces delivery spots available in time for 2020 northern race weeks
Take a look through the results of three major regattas in the UK and Europe during the 2019 race season, the Fastnet, Cowes Race Week and the Middle Sea Race and the obvious IRC performer across all divisions is the…
Shark attack: New wetsuit could reduce blood loss
By The Maritime Executive 2019-11-18 17:04:24 A new wetsuit material could help reduce the wearer's blood loss if they are bitten by a shark, according to research conducted at Flinders University in Australia. Blood loss is the leading cause of…
SP80 : the Swiss challenge to smash the current world sailing speed record in 2022
Lausanne, 19 November 2019 – SP80 was born from the encounter of three engineering students passionate about sailing, kitesurfing and speed. Their goal? To break the world sailing speed record in 2022 and bring it back to Europe. This record…
Ocean Safety presents updated Ocean ISO liferaft container
Ocean Safety has developed a new container for its Ocean ISO Liferaft, reducing weight and making the raft easier to handle, a critical factor when launching it over the side of a vessel. The Ocean ISO is one of the…
Sailboat frozen in St Croix River may stay out all winter
Twincities.com. By Mary Divine. Mike Olson wasn’t optimistic Friday morning when he arrived at the Boom Site Landing north of Stillwater. “I don’t think I can move it now,” he said. Olson, 45, of Chicago City, was referring to his…
World's first shark deterrent for boating at METSTRADE 2019
The newest shark deterrent product by Ocean Guardian will be featured by SOS Marine at the 2019 METSTRADE Show – the world’s largest trade exhibition of marine equipment, materials and systems. SOS Marine is a multi-award-winning Australian company with over…
Propspeed introduces new Foulfree coating for transducers
Auckland, New Zealand – Propspeed announced today the introduction of a new foul-release coating designed specifically for transducers – Foulfree. Designated by Airmar as a certified transducer coating, Foulfree releases marine growth, reducing the maintenance needed to keep transducers clean and…
Ensign are moving to 'in-house' and digital service
Ensign Yachts, agents for Bavaria, Nautitech and Italia yachts, is changing its sales direction. The strategy will see it reduce its retail footprint across Australia, while developing reach by expanding its presence in yacht clubs and marinas around Australia; plus…
The end to a perfect cruising day: brought to you by Nanni generators
The purpose of owning a yacht is to go sailing. For readers of Cruising Helmsman that means to get away from it all and get out there. A marina berth is all well and good, but the real reason you…
High-tech composites key to champion keelboat’s revival
The nifty Jack Holt-designed keelboat, Saltash – eight-time winner of the Brisbane to Gladstone Race – is being given a new lease on life by the craftspeople at Norman R. Wright & Sons, using the latest generation epoxy and carbon…
HH Catamarans begins production of the first HH88 “supercat”
HH Catamarans has begun mold construction for a new ‘supercat’ that will propel the brand into superyacht territory. Hudson Yacht Group, the award-winning builder of HH Catamarans, is a builder of luxury performance cruising catamarans. A spokesperson said this new 88ft (26.8m)…
SailGP’s F50 crowned World Sailing's Boat of the Year
NEW YORK – October 29, 2019 – As SailGP prepares to kick off its second season in 2020, the global championship continues to be recognized for its successful debut. Today, the F50 catamaran – the fastest sail race boat in…
The new Gill OS2 range
British clothing company Gill says it built its reputation for quality and reliability with the OS2 offshore jacket and trousers, it’s most popular product over the last few decades. With its new collection launched in December 2018, the British brand…
Multihull Solutions to exhibit leading catamaran at 2019 Mandurah Boat Showcase
Multihull Solutions is expecting a strong turnout to its stand at the 2019 Mandurah Boat Showcase in Western Australia on 16 – 17 November. The Asia Pacific multihull specialists will be exhibiting the Lucia 40, one of Fountaine Pajot’s most…
Sixteenth Cygnet 20 ordered from Australian trailer sailer builder
Bluewater Cruising Yachts, the boat building company located in Cardiff, New South Wales, has taken its 16th order for the Cygnet 20 trailer sailer. The order, from a Northern Territory couple, now means Cygnet 20 orders are booked to Sept/Oct…
America’s Cup partnership conjures up new challenge for AkzoNobel’s Awlgrip brand
AkzoNobel’s Awlgrip brand will be the official coatings supplier for New York Yacht Club’s American Magic team, which will challenge for the 36th America’s Cup. The American Magic entry will use Awlgrip’s HDT Flag Blue as the hull color for…
F50, Ichi Ban and Sun Fast 3300 nominated for 2019 Boat of the Year Award
Three diverse boats, all with unique characteristics that highlight the diversity of equipment and design in sailing, have been nominated for World Sailing’s 2019 Goslings Boat of the Year Award. The F50, a high-performance one design multihull, Ichi Ban, a…
Zhik's new dinghy boot range has arrived
Zhik is launching a completely revamped range of high cut dinghy boots for different climates and sailing styles. Zhik High Cut Ankle Boots Updating a longtime favourite for sportsboat and dinghy sailors, Zhik’s high cut ankle boots offer great support…
60th anniversary of the north Atlantic crossing by catamaran
On 30th September 1959 the 40ft catamaran Rongo sailed into the Conway River in North Wales after crossing the North Atlantic from New York. Rongo was the first catamaran to have made this difficult voyage, sailed by the now world…
FLIR: New M300 Series marine cameras
ARLINGTON, Va. (September 23, 2019) – FLIR Systems today announced the FLIR M300 Series, a new generation of maritime thermal cameras delivering advanced awareness-enhancing technologies, safer navigation, and integration with onboard boat systems. FLIR M300 Series cameras are designed for…
Ronstan's 30mm lashing block for high-load applications
When world champions choose a product, there is always a good reason. In the case of this new 30mm lashing block, World Moth Champion, Paul Goodison, uses it in his vang system because it handles the high loads with low…
If you have a spare $7.5 million and want a classic design…
The 187-foot (57m) Loretta is now for sale with Northrop & Johnson. The sailing yacht is listed with Sales Broker Cameron Bray; the yacht is asking $7,500,000. Timelessness and luxurious comfort are the epitome of sailing yacht Loretta. Built by…
Vesper Marine reimagines VHF Radios with the new Cortex
Auckland, New Zealand – Vesper Marine, a leading manufacturer of marine electronics, announced today a revolution in marine VHF with the release of Cortex – the world’s first radio with wireless touchscreen handsets, built-in Class B SOTDMA smartAIS transponder and remote…
Jean Pierre Kelbert talks JPK and the reasons for its Fastnet success
Jean Pierre Kelbert, the great French yachtsman and founder of Europe and the UK’s dominating yachting brand JPK is delighted that double-handed sailing is on the rise in the Asia/Pacific and reveals his thoughts on getting started. After an amazing…
Brest Atlantiques – a new development aboard the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild
Following a very busy summer, which saw the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild secure her first victory in the Rolex Fastnet Race, as well as enabling the Franck Cammas / Charles Caudrelier pairing to validate their qualification for the Brest Atlantiques,…
Fountaine Pajot wake up call
Since Fountaine Pajot formed as a partnership in 1976 as a racing dinghy boatbuilder, it quickly presented the cruising catamaran to a sceptical market. Only to see it mass produce its growing range to claim the title of the world's…
Volvo Penta and Fountaine-Pajot reveal electric sailing catamaran in Cannes
Cannes Yachting Festival will serve as the backdrop for Volvo Penta’s unveiling of a new take on its Saildrive system – an electric Saildrive prototype. Offering the prospect of onboard comfort, near-soundless, low vibration operation, and silent mooring, the initiative…
