Why would you need a marine torch that costs £200, particularly if it needs recharging rather than using batteries? Although I had been impressed with Exposure Marine’s innovative and extremely…
Gear
Spinlock Deckvest LITE
The Spinlock Deckvest LITE is one of the best lifejackets I have used, principally because it feels the least cumbersome. I am not going to argue that it’s the best…
Karver KJH Handle tested
Who’s it for? Any sailor who wants added purchase when hand-pulling a rope of 8mm or less. Tested by Matthew Sheahan
B&G H5000 review – instrument package for all sailors
B&G is the only company that currently produces a range of instruments specifically designed for sailing. It became clear during two days trialling its new equipment aboard three yachts in…
Velocitek Shift tactical compass
The Velocitek Shift is an interesting new product that can help make the decision about when best to tack. It uses changes in compass heading to let you know if…
Squid weather software program
This is an exciting new weather program that collates online weather information. Developed by experienced offshore sailors and navigators, Squid weather software has been designed as a tool to download…
Garmin Quatix watch
Apart from telling the time, one of the most useful functions on the ground-breaking Garmin Quatix sailing watch is the tidal data, which allows you to find HW and LW…
Can energy drinks and sporting supplements can help you race better?
From water bottles stuffed into cockpit rope bags to Mars bars tucked away in sailing jackets, food and drink on the move for many racing sailors hasn’t altered much over…
Rudder failure in the Med: how Ross Applebey made it to safety and fashioned a replacement
Losing a rudder is a big issue, but in bad weather it can quickly become the trigger for a chain of even more serious and potentially catastrophic events. When Ross…
Pip Hare’s choice of EPIRBs, PLBs and other man overboard aids that could just save your life
EPIRBs When activated, an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) transmits its details on 406MHZ and, if GPS-enabled, the vessel’s position to within 100m. This signal is relayed by satellite…
Focus on liferafts: are you ready should the worst happen?
For six days in May last year Britain held its breath as the search went on for Cheeki Rafiki and her crew. Signals had been reported and hopes were kindled…
World’s first wifi radar – wireless radar straight to your iPad with this device
Furuno’s new 1st Watch Wireless Radar is the first wifi radar in the world and makes radar affordable and practical for virtually all yacht owners. It comprises a radome, a…
How to keep your connection to the internet on board, so you can remain online offshore
There isn’t as much logic as you might expect when it comes to hooking up to the internet on board. For our list of types of equipment to get you…
Gear test: top clothing and kit to keep you warm and dry, tested by us with Skip Novak at Cape Horn
It’s the ultimate test of wet and cold weather gear, as Elaine Bunting, David Glenn and Skip Novak go to Cape Horn
How to set up your autopilot to sail faster, more comfortably and be more efficient
Pip Hare explains how setting your autopilot to suit conditions will be faster, more comfortable and more efficient