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A novice sailor transitions from the keyboard to the furling line, navigating various learning curves. Jenny Jasper embarks on a Competent Crew course, emerging with a newfound passion for yachting. When I enrolled to enhance my sailing skills through an RYA Competent Crew course, I didn’t anticipate gasping at fins slicing through the waves. While standing on a Dufour 382 yacht admiring the sunlit dolphins, the idea of writing this article had yet to cross my mind. As I leaned over the guardrails, I witnessed two dolphins vanish beneath the keel. Yet, I wasn’t there merely for viewing dolphins—I aimed…

Guiding her all-female crew to triumph in the OGR, Maiden skipper Heather Thomas has shattered records and propelled women’s sailing to new heights. Yet, she began her sailing journey far from the ocean. Heather Thomas is the first female British skipper to clinch a round-the-world race victory, and her crew on Maiden, supported by Tracy Edwards MBE, are the first all-female team to win a global competition. What an incredible source of inspiration! With her win in the Ocean Globe Race, the 27-year-old from Yorkshire has made waves in history. Heather has outperformed Dame Ellen MacArthur’s second-place finish in the…

Don’t allow wind or rain to prevent you from enjoying summertime striped bass fishing in the Northeast. Courtesy Shimano Like any sport, you can invest as much as you desire in preparation for your next saltwater encounter. However, northeast striper expert Blaine Anderson mentioned that the summer months provide ample opportunities for anglers with even basic tackle to engage one of the region’s top sport fish. “It’s easy fishing and the entry barrier is low,” Anderson affirmed regarding the amazing action of the warm season. “These fish are aggressive, and you can catch them throughout the summer.” The striper extravaganza…

Flip Pallot is quite active these days. Over the past year, Flip Pallot’s Instagram has showcased airboat mishaps, whitetail deer, turkey and hog hunting, crafting archery quivers for friends, and instructing fly-fishing classes. The renowned host of “Walker’s Cay Chronicles,” voice of Sport Fishing Television, and co-owner of Frigate Reserve rum is definitely keeping busy. However, he is not too busy to engage in our “Favorite Things” Q&A. Flip’s favorite… … fly-fishing rod and reel: “Temple Fork Mangrove Coast rod, Nautilus fly reel.” … flats-fishing destination: “The Bahamas, when I’m unable to be in the Everglades.” … species to pursue:…

Intrepid novice skipper Monty Halls embarks on a sailing adventure with his family along the south coast of Devon and Cornwall, aiming to reach the Scillies and return while promoting ocean conservation. Being poked in the cheek and repeatedly asked, “Is this annoying? Is this annoying? Is this annoying?” by my bored 11-year-old daughter Isla certainly tested my patience. What intensified my irritation was the fact that while she was pestering me, I was watching our Colvic 34, Sobek, floating on a buoy in the middle of Storm Betty, inch closer to the geo-fence depicted on the screen just inches…

The fishing industry gathers in Orlando, Florida, each summer for ICAST, the world’s largest sportfishing trade show. This is where new fishing tackle and equipment is unveiled before it hits the market in the fall or the following year. Photo credit: Orange County Convention Center Although ICAST, the massive international tackle trade show, is not open to the general public, covering it as a fishing enthusiast journalist allowed me to spend two to three days marveling at the latest fishing innovations. The July event featured an array of intriguing and advanced gear. From the multitude of products on display, I’ve…

When a sudden coolant loss threatened his sailing, Andy Du Port realized it was time to replace his yacht’s old Volvo Penta engine. These engines, once called auxiliaries, were noisy, hot, smelly metal masses that often lacked the power to cruise against wind or tide. My first yacht, a single-cylinder Stuart Turner petrol model I procured in 1979, had a mere three moving components. It misbehaved on the starboard tack but still responded unexpectedly well to a shouted demand when its performance dipped. This engine produced less power than a standard lawn mower and, if put in reverse 20 yards…

North Carolina’s Crystal Coast offers incredible fishing experiences. Paul Doughty Don’t overlook the early light on a glassy, calm morning while discovering North Carolina’s Crystal Coast. Core Sound and Cape Lookout National Seashore deliver an unforgettable atmosphere. As I navigate my skiff over a submerged shoal blanketed in eel grass, I hope to encounter a school of red drum. Maybe some spotted seatrout are in the vicinity, or possibly a striped bass has wandered into the area. This body of water boasts a plethora of fish, largely due to the effects of both the northbound Gulf Stream and the southbound…

You won’t require a larger boat. A brand-new, opulent yacht is about to set sail, featuring more luxurious amenities than most could fathom – including access to a seaside driving range. It can be yours for an appealing base price of $5.12 million. A stunning new yacht will soon grace the waters. Ladenstein Yachts The Ladenstein 88 yacht, crafted in Austria, is a majestic and stylish vessel that spans nearly 100 feet in “innovative” length. This sleek, silver watercraft offers generous space for guests to relish superior conveniences such as an in-house jacuzzi and a Teppanyaki grill for cooking. There…

When David and Sarah Smith embarked on their first significant ocean voyage, they were unprepared for storm Oscar, yet they navigated through it without harm and enjoyed the adventure. Despite squeezing in a brief trip to St Kilda, 2022’s weather in Scotland had been poor, leading my wife Sarah and me to consider a warmer getaway. I yearned for an authentic ocean journey, and a friend recommended the Azores; after some initial research, we resolved to pursue this endeavor. I looked into the 2023 AZAB race, but it soon became apparent that our boat, Mollymawk, a 1984 Pan Oceanic 38,…