Drama on board for Lisa Blair
Morning All, Well what a testing 24 hours I have had. Yesterday after I finished writing the blog I heated up my hot water bottle and crawled into bed as the boat was sailing nicely with 20 knots. I had…
All News
The latest news from the world of yachting and sailing including yacht & dinghy reviews, cruising and destination information plus the latest boating gear as well as inshore and offshore racing updates and regatta schedules. All things Sailing, Sail Racing, Sailboats and more.
More drama on board for Lisa Blair after being dismasted
At approximately 0300 (AET) Australian sailor Lisa Blair issued a PAN PAN 895nm south of Cape Town when in 40 knot winds and seven (7) metre swell her boat Climate Action Now was dismasted after the port shroud broke in…
New Sardinian venue for 2017 GC32 Racing Tour
The GC32 Racing Tour will break new ground when it visits southern Sardinia at the end of June: This will be the first time that a major international sailing event has been held at Villasimius, on the Italian island’s southeasternmost…
Cracking start to 10th Sail Port Stephens regatta
A huge fleet enjoyed a cracking start to the 10th anniversary Sail Port Stephens sailed on Nelson Bay in warm 15-20 knot SSE winds. Pantaenius Commodore’s Cup race one was a 15 nautical miler on a course better known as…
Full sail ahead for record Port Stephens regatta
A 20-knot sou’easter propelled a record fleet in record time from Newcastle to Port Stephens today, as the feeder race for – you guessed it – a record 2017 Sail Port Stephens regatta in Nelson Bay NSW. More than 40…
Berntsson and Williams to fight it out for Congressional Cup
“Choices are the hinges of destiny,” goes the famous quote by Edwin Markham, and today’s Congressional Cup racing proved that making good choices can make, or break, you. As the frontrunner after two days of Qualifying, Johnie Berntsson (SWE) elected…
Chris brains the Aero Australian Championship after a 34 year interval
The last time Chris Brain sailed competitively was 34 years ago on a Minnow, the same Minnow that brought him out of retirement for the Aero Australian Championship he won off Black Rock on the shores of Port Phillip in…
BIA support crew departs to assist with cyclone Debbie relief
A Boating Industry Association support crew departed today for Far North Queensland, to help members coping with damage to boats and marinas from Cyclone Debbie. Led by BIA Queensland Manager Aaron McKenna, a team of nine people met up today…
An outsider's encounter with tropical cyclone
After a three year cruise from the east coast of USA, Ian and I arrived on Outsider in Fiji in April 2015, our original plan was New Year’s Eve on Sydney Harbour. But after a month or so in Fiji…
How not to go crazy again – repairing acrylic windows
In May 2012 I wrote an article in Cruising Helmsman about my experiences of removing craze from acrylic windows on my catamaran. I was prompted to write about this subject as I could not easily find if such a technique…
Plenty of reef to share: you only need the southern tip
We have been lucky enough to spend some time around the southern Great Barrier Reef over two cruises, one in winter the other in summer. We stopped at five different spots: Lady Elliott, Lady Musgrave, Masthead Island, Fitzroy Reef and…
Before you go: top ten tips when cruising with novices
You have invited friends or family on a cruise. They have never done it before. They have put their trust in you as their hosts and sailing guides. How do you maximise your chances of a memorable and successful cruise?…
Heads up – Queenscliff the Port Phillip gateway
Not far from the Heads, at the southern end of Victoria’s Port Phillip, lies what must be one of the world’s most unique yacht clubs. Queenscliff Cruising Yacht Club is unique in many ways. Not just because it sits on…
When do you stop dreaming and start living?
Everyone who reads Cruising Helmsman has an interest in boats. There is probably a voice in the deep recesses of your mind saying “one day I’ll just sail away…..”. So how do people actually do it? In this article I…
Replacing that leaky timber deck
There are few things that set off a classic yacht as beautifully as a well laid teak deck. It is relatively non-slip, provides insulation for the cabin and, equally importantly, adds to the traditional appeal. But mine had another undesirable…
Seeing stars – why do I love my Gemini?
Affordable Gemini catamarans are designed by British boat builder Tony Smith, who established his company Performance Cruising in the USA and went on to build more than 1000 of this production boat. They have become one of the most popular…
Ian Williams wins the crimson blazer at Congressional Cup
In a series of matches that were as mercurial as the weather, Ian Williams (GBR) and his team GAC Pindar triumphed in the 53rd Congressional Cup, beating Johnie Berntsson (SWE) in a fifth and final winner-take-all match. Not since 2012…
Jake Lilley signs on as grinder for Artemis Racing
Finn sailor, Jake Lilley, joined the team at the end of 2016 as a Grinder after impressing Exercise Physiologist , Pete Cunningham. “Jake has shown great dedication to his training over the past 5 months or so and has turned…
Williams dominates at Congressional Cup
In France they call it a “Repêchage.” In America it’s known as a “do-over.” And today, in the world of top-level match racing, it was called “redemption.” Ian Williams (GBR) – who finished at the bottom of the pack in…
Five Finn finale makes magic moments in Palma
Put five top Finn sailors on a beautiful stretch of turquoise waters, 25 knots of wind and baking hot sunshine and you have a recipe for some magic happening. Magic happened today in Palma. After a spectacular final race as…
Edmond De Rothschild unveils new maxi
On Thursday, the Gitana Team invited the press to the Palais de Tokyo museum in Paris to mark the official launch of the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, a ‘giant’ measuring 32 metres long and 23 metres wide, which is undergoing…
Request for assistance goes international through Australian Sailing magazine Facebook page
The impact on boat owners and the marine industry in QLD by Cyclone Debbie has been devastating but as always, the industry has been quick to respond with support. Jeanneau Australia dealers received a communication from the BIA asking for…
Everyone gets a piece of the pie on Day One of Congressional Cup
Long Beach (CA), USA (March 29th, 2017) – Brilliant sunshine greeted the all-star line-up of Congressional Cup 2017, racing along the shores of Long Beach, California. Conditions were nothing like last year’s dismal, drizzly weather. But the wind played havoc…
VO65 MAPFRE dismasts during offshore testing in Spain
At 17:15hrs local time on Thursday afternoon while the team was sailing about seven nautical miles SW of the island of Ons (Pontevedra) near their home base in around 25 knots of wind and four meter high waves the VO65…
Farr 40 Gaeta Open entry is now available
Some of the most spectacular venues in Italy will comprise the 2017 International Circuit for the Farr 40 Class Association. With the Rolex Farr 40 World Championship already scheduled for Porto Cervo in July, class organizers have announced two additional…
Para World Sailing Strategic Plan heading in the right direction following IPC President visit
On 28 March 2017, Sir Philip Craven, International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President met with senior World Sailing officials, receiving an update on the progress the world governing body is making in its Para World Sailing Strategic Plan. In the…
Artemis happy with first round of America's Cup practice racing in Bermuda
The latest round of America’s Cup Class (ACC) practice racing ahead of the 35th America’s Cup concluded on a beautiful spring Sunday on the Great Sound. Artemis Racing had a good weekend, winning six straight races on Saturday and Sunday….
Dinah Beach Cruising Yacht Association prepares to host inaugural scavenger hunt
TAMARA HOWIE, NT News POLISH off the wheels and throw on the detective outfits – the inaugural Dinah Beach Cruising Yacht Association scavenger hunt is here. DBCYA general manager Wendy McCallum said it was a great way to get out…
Experience trumps youth as Dickson wins Ficker Cup
Scott Dickson and David Storrs defeated young challengers Harry Price and Nevin Snow in the semi-finals of the 38th annual Ficker Cup, with Dickson, representing Long Beach Yacht Club, going on to win the prestigious Ficker Cup trophy, and a…
America's Cup Hall of Fame: Australia's Syd Fischer one of three to be inducted
The America's Cup Hall of Fame is to induct three personalities in 2017: John K. Marshall, Doug Peterson, and Syd Fischer. The America's Cup Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on October 5, 2017 in San Diego, California, aboard…
Peter Burling lost overboard as 'hairy moments' highlight Team New Zealand testing
Stuff.co.nz. By Duncan Johnstone. Team New Zealand skipper Glenn Ashby admits to “plenty of hairy moments” – even losing helmsman Peter Burling overboard – as they push their new America's Cup catamaran to the limit. The Kiwi syndicate are in the…
Sailing concludes in New Zealand, it is time to pack for Bermuda
After 21 days of sailing in the Hauraki Gulf, Emirates Team New Zealand has lowered its bold red wing sail in New Zealand for the final time with the focus immediately shifting to begin disassembling their race boat and get…
Entry opens for 2017 CYCA Winter Series
Online entry has opened and the Notice of Race is available for the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s annual Land Rover Winter Series, which opens with the Windward Trophy Great Veterans Race and the Jill McLay Ladies Day on Sunday…
Explanation of America’s Cup rules and process for rule changes
There has been some recent uninformed comment and news reports concerning the America’s Cup Rules and the reasons America’s Cup teams voted to change various rules. In particular, there seems to be confusion about the new allowances for daggerboards and…
Yachts damaged and sunk as the Whitsundays bears the brunt of Tropical Cyclone Debbie
As Cat 4 Tropical Cyclone Debbie loses intensity and tracks south towards Brisbane, the Gold Coast and northern NSW, residents and visitors to the Whitsundays Islands, Airlie Beach, Mackay and other affected areas of northern Queensland are emerging from their…
URGENT: Cyclone Debbie – support our affected members
As always when disaster strikes, people are quick to help in whatever way they can. The Boating Industry Association has sent an appeal to all its members, asking for both monetary and physical assistance for the operators of the marinas…
Musto BR1 for inshore and coastal sailing
Upgraded for 2017 after feedback from leading sailors, Musto's new BR1 range provides a great foul weather gear solution for summer sailing and those winter series days when the sun shines brightly. Breathable, windproof and allowing for full freedom of movement, Musto…
Looking for crew for a racing yacht?
SYDNEY, MARCH 29, 2017: MySail, an app to find crew for racing yachts, has been launched in Sydney to help yacht owners recruit and manage appropriate crews for their vessels. Created by avid sailor, Deborah Dalziel, MySail simplifies the task…
Captain's Deck makes a visit to Fremantle
The Cruising Helmsman Yacht Club travelling seminar responded to an invitation from the Fremantle Sailing Club to host one of their day-long seminars last weekend. With the Fremantle Doctor piping in early at over 30 knots, over 60 people attended…
Abell Point starts the clean up after TC Debbie
The crew at Abell Point Marina are working hard to assess the damage after the wrath of tropical cyclone Debbie tore through the Whitsunday islands and mainland coast on Tuesday 28 March. The category 4 cyclone reached the mainland coast…
