Mallorca – an off-season experience
When a friend invited me to visit her in Mallorca where she had been living for two years, I was at first divided. There was the excitement of seeing her again and exploring what is always spoken of as a…
Cruising
Dedicated to Cruising the world under sail including destinations, navigation, sailing tips, safety ideas, yacht & multihull reviews along with stories and insights for the sail cruising life in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
Croatia cruising – Dubrovnik to Split
When the Yugoslav Republic disintegrated in the 1990s the east coast of the Adriatic descended into horrific violence. Now, almost twenty years later, the area is peaceful, the damaged buildings have been rebuilt, the economies have stabilised and tourism has…
Dual Magnetic Island winner declares title defence a must
World, national and Magnetic Island Race Week champion Peter Sorensen has declared he is heading back to the scene of his last Queensland regatta win, the 2015 Magnetic Island Race Week. Sorensen and his Sydney 36 The Philosopher’s Club team…
By sail, ship and land … they’re all heading for Hamilton Island Race Week 2016
At least one yacht from Europe by ship, many by road trailer from across Australia, the rest under sail; and they’re all headed for Hamilton Island Race Week 2016. Such is the interest in this year’s regatta that entries are…
What do you do when you win a yacht but don't know how to sail?
The Daily Echo. What do you do when you win a yacht? Well, first thing’s first, you learn how to sail it. On a whim Anna Millington, 29, decided to enter the competition to win the 23ft vessel when she…
Man overboard – practical steps to ensure survival
By John Martin, Island Cruising Association You’d think the most likely time someone would fall overboard at sea was in bad weather with rough seas and a pitching, heaving vessel… you’d be wrong! There’s no question that men are more…
Multihull Solutions Wonderful Sail 2 Indonesia Rally update
John & Lyn Martin – Island Cruising Association (NZ) It’s been an exciting start to the year with the inclusion of Sail Karimata in the 2016 program, the new documentation regime now set in concrete and at the time of…
Abell Point Marina declares 2016 the year of the Very Important Boatie
If you are wondering where you can have the blue carpet rolled out on arrival and be treated like a VIB (Very Important Boatie), look no further than Abell Point Marina in 2016. The new Abell Point Marina is designed to…
Man swept off yacht swims for seven hours before reaching shore
The Weather Channel, AP Press. A recent sailing trip turned into a nightmare for David Thompson when a large wave knocked him from his sailboat off the northern coast of Puerto Rico. Clinging to a tether on the back of…
Crew attempting to re-create Pacific Ocean expedition rescued at sea
Mashable. By Jessica Clautz. A 14-member crew aboard two balsa wood rafts was rescued off the coast of Chile on Thursday, after the vessels were swept up in strong currents hundreds of miles off Chile's coast. The crewmembers had intended to…
Crack-down on live-aboard and derelict vessels in Miami area
Broward & Palm Beach New Times. By Dierdra Funcheaon. Karine Prudent was on her boat near the Venetian Causeway in Miami Beach this Tuesday morning when an officer pulled up alongside. “It's 10. Let's go!” he shouted. Prudent, age 45, has…
Jeanneau fleet to have a real ball at Sail Port Stephens
A rotund character by the name of ‘Wilson’ will be having a ball, literally, when a large and fun-loving fleet of Jeanneau yachts gather for the Commodores Cup cruising series at the 2016 Sail Port Stephens regatta, April 11-13. Wilson…
New hands on the helm at Cruising Club of America
GREENWICH, CONN. (March 15, 2016) – In 1922 the first Reader’s Digest magazine was published, radio arrived at the White House, and Babe Ruth signed a three-year contract with the Yankees. That same year also saw a quieter milestone achieved…
The oldest shipwreck from Europe's Golden Age of Exploration found off the coast of Oman
National Geographic. By Kristin Romey. The oldest shipwreck from Europe's Golden Age of Exploration has been found off the coast of Oman, the country's Ministry of Heritage and Culture announced on Tuesday. The wreck is believed to be that of…
Update on possible tropical cyclone in Queensland's north
The Bureau of Meteorology is closely monitoring a tropical low in the Gulf of Carpentaria, forecast to move slowly east today and intensify slightly. At this stage the likelihood of a tropical cyclone developing is considered low, increasing to moderate…
The Great Gatsby comes to Darling Harbour with the Classic and Wooden Boat Festival
Celebrating the beauty and diversity of Australia’s heritage vessels and their craftspeople, the Australian National Maritime Museum will present the Classic and Wooden Boat Festival from 15-17 April 2016 in Sydney’s Darling Harbour. The Australian National Maritime Museum’s CEO, Kevin…
Solo sailor praised after yacht sinks in New Zealand
A quick-thinking Kiwi yachtie attempting a solo circumnavigation of New Zealand has survived disaster off the coast of Kaitaia. The 48-year-old man activated his rescue beacon when his 15-metre vessel began taking on water 100 nautical miles west of Kaitaia…
New prediction tool gives 2-3 minute warning of incoming rogue waves
By Jennifer Chu | MIT News Office Sailing history is rife with tales of monster-sized rogue waves — huge, towering walls of water that seemingly rise up from nothing to dwarf, then deluge, vessel and crew. Rogue waves can measure eight…
Cruising the Patagonian fjords
It was not really an auspicious start to the cruise on Windjammer. Our early 0500 departure from Puerto Natales in southern Chile stretched out to an 1800 departure when we tried to raise our anchor and found that it was…
Emergency grab bag: what's in yours
If it ever came to abandoning your yacht in a hurry would you be prepared? Would you have ready all you would need to grab and run? When about to embark on an ocean passage it is essential that you…
Ebb and flow, the story of waves
When we think of ocean waves we immediately conjure up a vision of rolling water, but everyone has a different response to them. Some are gentle and some (when kicked up by a mighty wind) can be so majestic and…
Mummified body of solo sailor found on dismasted yacht
The mystery of the yacht that was discovered drifting in the Pacific Ocean by the Clipper crew on board LMAX Exchange in January has been solved after Phillipine fishermen spotted the Sun Magic 44 Sayo and alerted local police. Crew…
Canadians and Brits rescued from disabled yacht near Thailand
Four people have been rescued by a cargo ship after the mast broke on the yacht they were sailing. The motor also stopped working and a jury-rigged sail tore. They were adrift for five days. Maryse Doyer, 68; Jaques Doyer,…
Keelboats on the Gippsland Lakes: yes it can be done
“I’d never sail the lakes in a boat without a draw-up keel.” The owner of a modestly-sized trailer sailor shakes his head as he eyes the length of our Jarkan 36. The envy lacking in his gaze becomes understandable as…
Danger in the cans: one person's recount of hell
One of the most heartwarming things we can do is to see a long-held dream fulfilled. But we must take care and ensure that everything we do is done in safety. Otherwise, life can take a very dramatic turn. I…
Fire! A yacht owner's biggest fear
We all know fire can do devastating damage in a very short time.So why then are many of us reluctant to put a little more effort into fire detection and suppression equipment? Personally, I would like to see any boat…
Cruiser of the year nomination #2: John and Leanne Hembrow
Readers may have seen the support Cruising Helmsman gave for the recent Down Under Rally.The rally organiser, John Hembrow, has been nominated by John Thornely for the Cruiser of the year award to be decided later this year. It is…
Boat attacked in St. Croix Waters, sailor seriously injured
St Thomas Source. By John Baur. A sailing community website reported Wednesday that a Frenchman sailing through the Virgin Islands on his way to Guadeloupe in January was attacked and seriously injured at sea. According to reports, the sailor, 70-year-old…
Volcano Race 2016 – racing past Mother Nature's fireworks
Offshore racing crews will get to experience one of the world’s most exceptional race courses when they take part in the Volcano Race 2016, off the west coast of Italy over 16-22 May. Organised by the International Maxi Association (IMA)…
Organisers expect a strong multi-class turnout for 2016 Top of the Gulf Regatta
PATTAYA, Thailand – The 12th Top of the Gulf Regatta Presented by Ocean Marina will showcase the Gulf of Thailand's world-class sailing credentials when sailors from around the world descend on Ocean Marina Yacht Club from 30th April to 4th…
How to get a free copy of the best practical cruising book ever written
When Patricia Lucas emailed me to say she was sending me a copy of Alan Lucas' latest book, I was naturally excited. I have Alan's excellent cruising guides to the NSW and Queensland coasts and have obviously read every article…
Cruiser of the year award: get your nominations in
Alan and Patricia are one of the first nominations for the inaugural 'Cruiser of the year' award. If you want to nominate someone you think worthy then read to the bottom of the story and click on the e-mail address…
The Bay Regatta: Racing amongst the mountains
PHUKET, Thailand – Billed as 'Asia's fun regatta', The Bay Regatta 2016 is set to welcome over 40 yachts and more than 250 competitors to the four-day inter-provincial regatta that starts and finishes in Phuket and races through some of…
Yacht hits reef off King Island: sailors rescued
The Courier. By Ben Hansen. BEYOND SAVING: The $600,000 yacht that sunk off King Island early Thursday morning. Photo The Courier. A $600,000 yacht sank off the south-east coast of King Island on Thursday morning. Tasmania Police said the…
Cruising over? Time to do an end of season safety check
The Boat Owners Association of the United States have released a reminder and useful instructions on how to check a lifejacket. The instructions concentrate on the popular yoke-style inflatable life jackets that keep you cool on a hot day and…
Entries open for Port Douglas Race Week
For those in the south anticipating a cold, wet winter, perhaps a trip to Port Douglas for the Mickey Ink Port Douglas Race Week would be the solution. Held in the beautiful tourist town north of Cairns every year, with…
ABC's Australian Story explores the loss of yachtsman Andrew Witton
When Coffs Harbour handyman and avid surfer Andrew Witton left Australia in 2006 it was supposed to be the trip of the lifetime. His plan was to sail across the South Pacific, visit friends in South America and then make…
Cruising the kingdom: searching for paradise in Tonga
For some sailors the Kingdom of Tonga is just a stop on the coconut milk run; another country to check off the list and a spot to provision in the rush across the great Pacific Ocean in one frenzied season….
How do long distance sailors cope with different port authorities?
In Aden, Yemen, the local navy commander told us we would have nothing stolen from our sailing boat because the local pirates had told him we were their friends. But, he warned, we could have our throats cut if we…
(Not) going my way? Taking the guesswork out of hitching
Bathed in the soft light of a new day, Playa Zipolite some 80 kilometres east of Puerto Escondido on Mexico’s southwest coast, looked like a poster child version of today’s modern Corona beer billboards. But unfortunately, the beer commercial comparison…
