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Sail trimming for cruisers

by Simon Jollands | Boat Handling, Crewing skills, Navigation, Yacht ownership

Whether racing or cruising, a well tuned boat will sail faster and tend to heel less than a boat with badly adjusted sails. On a racing yacht, constant effort and considerable skill is required by the crew to keep the sails trimmed to gain maximum performance, added...

How to improve a yacht’s upwind performance

by Simon Jollands | Boat Handling, Crewing skills, Navigation, Yacht ownership

There are several ways to improve the upwind performance of a sailing yacht. Read on for some useful tips that should help in the upcoming season. One of the easiest ways to boost windward performance is to make sure your boat has a clean bottom, as even a coat of...

Sailing to windward – how to take advantage of wind shifts

by Simon Jollands | Boat Handling, Crewing skills, Navigation, Yacht ownership

For most sailors, sailing upwind is the most exhilarating point of sail as you tack your way to your destination. Sailing to windward is a bit like zig-zagging your way up a mountain road through a series of hairpin bends – great fun but also calling for...

How to use tides and currents to your advantage

by Simon Jollands | Boat Handling, Crewing skills, Navigation, Preparation, Yacht ownership

If you are contemplating a cruise through tidal waters and strong currents, then planning your trip carefully in advance is essential to enable you to take advantage of favourable tides rather than constantly fighting against them. Big tides demand considerable...