My mate, Simon, called me for advice on anchor chains. Perhaps stung by my accusation that he was anchor-shy, he and Sue have decided to update Navassa’s ground tackle. They…
Cruising life
Jonty Pearce: Convalescence
As a yachtsman there is nothing more frustrating than not being well enough to sail, especially if you are a doctor. Having had a small battle with a hernia that…
HMS Ebay
I first met Dick Durham when he came aboard for a ‘Me and My Boat’ session, during which I jokingly referred to Aurial as ‘HMS Ebay’. It tickled his fancy…
Ketch sailing: Jib and jigger
Carol and I are both admirers of the ketch rig. Some Yachting Monthly readers may have seen my article on the rig (Six reasons to sail a ketch, May 2014)…
A killer whale and a wetsuit
Our blogger, Jonty Pearce, recounts a recent shopping trip with his wife to find a wetsuit
A sailor’s guide to whales and dolphins
Spotting wild whales and dolphins while sailing is a joy, says marine conservationist Anna Moscrop
Jonty Pearce: Head In The Clouds
I worry about clouds. Not the fine grey fluffy ones that hog the sky and deny us our vitamin D, or the dark ones that so love to drench us,…
Jonty Pearce: The Marina Nomad
As the recession deepens and our economy shrinks, the opportunity to relocate boats to other areas has been increasing. Marina waiting lists are shortening, and dropping demand has seen managers…
Jonty Pearce: Concrete Gardens
The sun is shining, the wind mild, and the seas calm. So why am I stuck miles from the water working in the garden and not sailing? The pressures and…
Jonty Pearce: The first sail of the season
During our Friday evening three hour drive to Aurial, we reassured ourselves that Saturday would dawn still and sunny for our inauguaral 2015 sail. Gladly, it did, though I woke…