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.
Lowell North, founder of North Sails, has passed away. Nicknamed “The Pope” by his peers, Lowell began his sailmaking career at the age of 14 when his father purchased a Star with cotton sails. The father and son team came…
Seawind have built a reputation on investigating what obstacles monohull sailors have in buying catamarans; then figuring out how to change those ideas to make them more appealing. For this reason I like the way Seawind have looked at the…
This latest Fountaine Pajot catamaran was so new to the Australian market, indeed the world, that at time of testing just after the Sydney International Boat Show in August, there was still no printed brochure available. Mind you, that has…
Let’s start with what I find as the most interesting addition to this yacht’s features. It is in the master cabin in the bow. An offset cabin door to port leaves the starboard side vanity and shower recess with an…
Over the last few years I have been reporting about boatbuilder Beneteau’s change in direction being driven by its general manager Gianguido Girotti. His development of racing yachts, prior to joining Beneteau, has seen him move the company back towards…
It has been a long time since I reviewed a production yacht this small, other than the Cygnet 20 trailer sailer back in April last year. The forty to fifty foot range is indeed a crowded market with these size…
For over 35 years Australian catamaran manufacturer Seawind Catamarans has made a successful run at producing catamarans up to the forty foot mark suitable for family cruising and predominantly the charter boat market. Ever since its move to the Vietnam…
We tested the original Nautitech Open 40 back in August of 2016; shortly after Bavaria Yachts bought the multihull boatbuilder and shortly before that company went into administration. When a venture capitalist management company took over Bavaria one of the…
In this era of mass production boat build whereas a new yacht rolls out the factory door at least once a week, it is amazing to see bespoke cruising yachts still finding the niche on the water. While Australia has…
Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) is seeking feedback on a proposal to remove the requirement to display registration labels on Queensland registered boats and personal watercraft from 1 October 2019. Registration labels have been issued for many years, and is commonly…
Lion New Zealand has been busy since her refit and relaunch and doesn't look like slowing down any time soon. The iconic boat returned to the water in March after a major 18-month refit which was so extensive Lion New…
Superyacht Times. By Laura Nicholls. The 39.6-metre sailing yacht My Song has fallen off a cargo vessel during her transportation from the Caribbean to the Balearics. During Saturday night the Baltic 130 superyacht was lost in the Mediterranean before reaching the Balearics,…
The spectacular flying monohull designed by Eric Monnin will be looking to break records this year as it puts its winter modifications to the test at upcoming regattas. Lessons learned during the Gonet Monofoil’s maiden season have been applied during…
With the introduction of the Ion Power Basic, a safe Lithium Ion battery formulated with Lithium, Iron and Phosphate cells (LiFePO4), a new era has begun, according to WhisperPower, with the perfect sustainable alternative to the conventional lead-acid battery. Thanks…
The 42-metre sailing superyacht wows judges and takes home the 2019 Neptune Award for Best Sailing Yacht by combining a spirit of tradition with outstanding performance features.Sailing yacht Vijonarawas presented with the 2019 World Superyacht Award for Best Sailing Yacht…
Fountaine Pajot has been committed to an environmentally friendly approach for 15 years and has been a precursor with their Ecocruising concept released in 2008 with a wide range of products and options dedicated to “renewable” electricity and freshwater production,…
Fresh, brackish or saltwater, there's always something that finds the bottom of a hull an irresistible place to live. Even with bottom paint, growth will develop that's not only unsightly, but robs the boat of its speed and fuel economy….
Ever since its launch a couple of years ago I’ve been following the progress of Zulu Waterways. For those who haven’t heard of Zulu, it’s an app and website cruising guide that shows the location of everything from anchorages and…
MEDIA RELEASE The team at Stella Watermakers have been working to bring you the new “Gen 3” watermaker. Building on the success of the original Stella Watermaker and the subsequent Gen 2, the Gen 3 brings a new level of…
MEDIA RELEASE 3Di NORDAC combines our unique composite molded sail technology with reliable polyester that cruising sailors have trusted for decades. The result is an innovative cruising sail with smoother and more permanent aerodynamic shape. By using exclusive spread filament…
Forget carrying SUPs and a small sail craft on your cruiser. Now you can have them all in one – and go foiling too. The hulls can be ridden individually as Touring or Downwind Stand Up Paddleboards and with…
Don’t be fooled by the size of this new Jeanneau yacht, the award winning Sun Odyssey 319 has been recognised across the world by customers and journalists as one that sets a standard in the small yacht segment. The first…
Skeeta is the latest high-performance foiling dinghy. It is claimed to be both stable and safe, while being easy to rig, launch and sail, making it suited to sailors of all ages and abilities. The wide wings provide the power…
Zhik says its new, improved technical deck shorts are “for sailors putting in the hours afloat”. Whether cruising or racing for long hours, your shorts need to be comfortable, unrestricting and able to deflect water, the media release claims. Made…
The award-winning Seawind 1260 will be displayed at the upcoming Pittwater Sail Expo on the 27th & 28th April as hosted by the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club in Newport. In December last year, the highly read and respected ‘Cruising…
Overall winner of the Concours d’Elégance was the stunning Herreshoff design ketch Arrluuk. A faithful replica of 1939 Bounty and a kindred spirit to last year’s overall winner, 72’ Ticonderoga, she was built in 1997 by Legendary Yachts. Owners Steve…
For days, captains and crews laboured in preparation for the Concours d’ Elégance. A few boats employed the come-as-you-are strategy while others went into full tilt production, setting the stage for the keen eye of judges. Spa treatments included last…
Lofrans announces an expansion on the range of vertical windlasses, the SX Series, which provides anchoring solutions for both sail and motor boats up to 30m. The SX Series consists of the models SX 1, SX 2, SX 3, SX…
Doyle Sails says sail design and software development around new and existing sailing technologies has always been at the core of their operation. Now, the company’s central design team has been furthered strengthened with the appointment of Andrew Lechte. Over…
The Kraken 50, billed as the ‘safest blue water yacht in build today,’ has been launched. Unlike all her contemporaries the K50 features unique ‘Zero Keel’ construction: An all-in-one hull and keel with scantlings to match. Her strength, safety and…
According to Australian agent, Paul Glynn, IRC racing in the Asia/Pacific region has become “an affordable and competitive option” with the entry of the French JPK brand into the market. “The French are at the leading edge of going fast,…
The world-leading Fountaine Pajot Astréa 42 sailing catamaran will be showcased at the 2019 Club Marine Pittwater Sail Expo from 27-28 April. Multihull Solutions will be exhibiting the exceptional catamaran, which recently won the 2019 European Yacht of the Year,…
Multihull Solutions’ 2019 Gold Coast Boat Show on the Gold Coast on 23 March was a huge success drawing crowds from all over Australia and New Zealand to view the extensive lineup of power and sail multihulls on display. Six…
METSTRADE. By Peter Franklin. Millions of boats that were built in the 70’s and 80’s from virtually indestructible GRP (fibreglass) are now referred to as ‘end-of-use’ boats. Committing redundant GRP hulls to landfill is not an environmentally acceptable option, as…
Italia Yachts 11.98 was launched in Venice at the historical Compagnia della Vela yacht club. The boat is the yard’s newborn and the first from the Bellissima series, the best example of the skilled craftsmanship needed to unite excellent sailing…
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has issued a new marine notice. You can also read this marine notice on our website at www.amsa.gov.au/marine-notice-01-2019. Purpose This marine notice advises Global Positioning System (GPS) users of potential issues that may occur with older…
27 MARCH 2019 – AUSTIN, TEXAS – Managers of the world’s most popular racing sailboat class are seeking new builders to complement their existing network of manufacturers, the International Laser Class Association (ILCA) announced today. The move comes after longtime…
One of the key factors behind the astonishing worldwide growth and development of the OK Dinghy over the past 62 years was the intent that boats could be built by anyone, anywhere – one of the overriding concepts from the…
The latest addition to Zhik’s growing range of performance sailing gloves. Zhik’s G1 Gloves are intended for the sailing enthusiast, warm weather and general protection. These ergonomic, pre-shaped gloves are extremely comfortable, and designed to move with the flex and…
According to a marine trade newsletter, Yamaha Motor and Fujitsu will collaborate on trials of a 470 Class dinghy to improve the performance of that sailing dinghy. Known world wide as a manufacturer of motorboats and engines, as well as…
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