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Accident reports provide a stark reminder of the dangers at sea, but to ensure safe downwind sailing, we must learn from mistakes, explains Rachael Sprot. A crash gybe is one of the most destructive incidents that can occur on board. The level of power unleashed when the wind strikes the mainsail from an unintended direction is immense, and the rapidity with which it happens leaves little time for evasive measures. Over the past two decades, several tragic crash gybe accidents have occurred, analyzed by the MAIB and other organizations, which reveal deeply sobering insights. While studying accident reports is routine…

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Woody Brown Jr. embodies a cherished family tradition. The gem he protects is a twin-hulled sailing vessel popularly known as a catamaran.“You can find catamarans globally, but many people are unaware it was invented right here in Hawaii,” he remarked. “I want to ensure we preserve that legacy for as long as possible.”He emphasizes this because his father, Woody Brown Sr., a revered figure in maritime history, pioneered the modern catamaran, reflecting his passion for the ocean.“He was a glider pilot, surfer, and sailor,” Woody Jr. shared.His catamaran, Manu Kai, launched the family enterprise that has graced…

A large chinook salmon, appearing fresh from the ocean, is snagged in the Lower Columbia River near Astoria. Capt. Hugh Harris, True North Outdoors. Capt. Hugh Harris from True North Outdoors in Portland tells me that a chinook salmon can detect a single drop of its home river in 50 gallons of water. In the Columbia River, Harris’s local waters, chinook may pick up that scent while the tides carry them from the ocean to the river at the start of the season. During summer, many fish wait in the ocean close to the Columbia River’s mouth before making their…

Marie Tabarly claimed line honours in the Ocean Globe Race, breaking her father’s record while sailing his renowned 73-foot ketch Pen Duick VI. Marie Tabarly, daughter of French sailing icon Eric Tabarly, has emerged from her father’s shadow and made history by becoming the first to cross the finish line in the Ocean Globe Race—a milestone that eluded Eric during his three attempts at the challenging 27,000-mile event. "We did it… We’ve won in real time… No one can surpass us… This was our goal all along," Marie Tabarly exclaimed while maneuvering her father’s 52-year-old ketch Pen Duick VI across…

Berkley HighJacker Saltwater Jon Whittle Topwater: Berkley HighJacker Saltwater "I frequently utilize the HighJacker Saltwater for fishing in shallow waters due to its higher pitch sound, which I believe attracts more fish. I tie an Albright knot from the main line to the leader, followed by a loop knot to the topwater to maximize action. My preferred technique involves working the bait quickly and aggressively. I tend to fish with this bait faster than most anglers, resulting in a greater percentage of hookups, thanks to its three hooks." — Travis Land, Redfish Tournament Pro, Seguin, Texas Buggs Fishing Curl-Tail Redfish…

Top sailors globally will hit speeds of up to 60 miles per hour this weekend during the Sail GP Season 4 Grand Final in San Francisco.Teams from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Emirates Great Britain, France, Germany, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, and the USA will compete. After 13 events of fierce racing at the most renowned venues worldwide, the F50 fleet is back in San Francisco to crown the ultimate champion of Season 4 and vie for a $2 million prize.The F50’s hydrofoils help the boats rise above the water, minimizing drag, while a vertically mounted airplane wing acts as the sail.…

The Italian shipyard Wider Yachts has announced that its inaugural multihull model, Acali, will debut internationally at this year’s Cannes Yachting Festival. This 28-metre composite catamaran has been designed in partnership with Luca Dini and is built to RINA class specifications. Notable features include a main deck reserved for the owner, a large beach club, and a hybrid propulsion system. The WiderCat 92 provides spacious interior volumes due to her 12-metre beam. Specifically, the main deck is allocated for the owner’s cabin and includes a private foredeck lounge that takes up almost half of the total area. The yacht accommodates…

While it’s standard practice for competitive sailors, marking your lines is essential even for the recreational cruising sailor. Many yacht skippers who cruise do not do much marking on their vessels. They depend on their experience and memories of how to configure the sails under different conditions. However, having an effective coding system on your boat can be quite beneficial. The balance of the boat is the key indicator of proper sail adjustment. Even with a neutral helm, there’s no assurance that the sails are optimally set. If you need a rudder angle greater than 8 degrees to maintain course,…

The connection between superyacht design and the lifestyles of their owners is often deeply entangled, with each significantly influencing the other. This was one of the prominent themes discussed at Benetti’s 2024 Yachtmaster event. During the conference, it was noted that contemporary owners buy yachts to reflect their lifestyle, including designs that prioritize the layout’s functionality. Following the unveiling of several cutting-edge designs in the past year, Sebastiano Vida, head of product at the Italian shipyard, shared insights with BOAT’s Hannah Rankine on how these designs accommodate the changing demands of superyacht owners. Sebastiano Vida, head of product at BenettiCredit:…

Guy Malpas explores Corsica, Sardinia, and Italy on the inaugural voyage of his Hallberg-Rassy yacht Realizing my dream of cruising the Mediterranean on my own yacht came true in 2023 when I took delivery of a new Hallberg-Rassy 372 in June in Ellös, Sweden. The opportunities were there—let’s seize them! I arrived early at the Hallberg-Rassy yard in Ellös and stepped aboard Palaemon III for the first time. It felt like meeting a new life partner. After a quick tour of the yacht, we unpacked and set sail. With sails up in a gentle breeze, we headed north toward Norway,…