Innholdsfortegnelse for Summer 2018 i Yachting Monthly

What do you picture when you think of a round-the-world yacht? A carbon rocket ship like Alex Thompson’s Hugo Boss, a luxurious bluewater cruiser complete with bimini and solar panels, or Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s long-keeled Suhaili? It is unlikely you’d pick a 22ft trailer sailer, but that is what Polish sailor Szymon Kuczyński has used to complete his non-stop solo circumnavigation. His lifting-keel Maxus 22 was built for inland waterways and is smaller even than the Mini Transat raceboats. The feat is remarkable. This is Kuczyński’s second circumnavigation – his first included stops – yet it was without fanfare that he arrived back in Mayflower Marina in Plymouth after 271 days at sea, having passed south of all the great capes and survived all that it entails (p6). Explaining his…

British Marine has announced that the 2019 London Boat Show will not go ahead in January. It said it had made the decision after independent research revealed a large number of key exhibitors ‘were not prepared to commit’ to exhibiting at a five-day show at ExCeL London. An ‘insufficient number’ of signed contracts of commitment to the 2019 show, particularly boatbuilders and boat retailers, along with poor visitor satisfaction with the 2018 event, have also contributed to the decision. President of British Marine David Pougher said it couldn’t commit ‘to running a show which is clearly forecasted in its current format to be commercially unviable and will not meet customer satisfaction levels.’ Instead, the body will focus on the Southampton Boat Show, which marks its 50th year in September. Long-term…

The RNLI has defended its decision to sack or suspend volunteers at some of its 238 lifeboat stations. It follows a number of recent high-profile incidents, including the sacking of two volunteers at the Whitby station in North Yorkshire. The pair were dismissed for what the charity describes as ‘social media activity’. They are said to have targeted a member of the RNLI staff without their knowledge and used graphic sexual images that went ‘far beyond banter’. The use of ‘explicit images’ on station mugs was also mentioned in relation to the pair. Scarborough’s long-serving coxswain Tom Clark stood down last year after being accused of leading ‘an unofficial exercise’. This was said to have involved untrained passengers being ‘given operational control of the lifeboat in poor weather conditions and…

Bounty’s End, the replica boat which featured in the Channel 4 series, Mutiny, will soon be visiting schools in Plymouth and the south-west, helping young people learn about sailing and history. Round-the-world yachtsman Conrad Humphreys, who skippered the vessel in the TV programme, secured the boat after the series. He then launched the Bounty Project in partnership with the Island Trust, which provides residential and day-sailing activities for young and disadvantaged people. The project has successfully raised more than £12,000 through crowdfunding to cover the cost of Bounty’s End’s visits to schools, educational material, sailing trips for the children, visits to public events and maintenance of the boat. Humphreys said that he was absolutely overwhelmed by the public support. ‘Huge thanks to everyone who supported our Bounty Project Crowdfunder, which…

Bend the rules LETTER OF THE MONTH I read with interest the news item regarding Suhaili and the National Historic Ships Register (YM, May 2018). Surely she, above all yachts afloat, deserves national, indeed international, recognition. The article notes that she is listed on the National Small Boats Register. A glance at their database would indicate that a large proportion of the boats listed are located in museums. Surely we don’t want Suhaili to spend the rest of her days mouldering in some museum back yard, as are so many important craft, particularly as Sir Robin Knox-Johnston has already rescued her from Greenwich. To base such an important decision on a discrepancy of just seven inches can only be regarded as pedantic, particularly since National Historic Ships UK is quite…

Catamarans are safe and fun, making them perfect for introducing sailing to those new to the sport There are golden moments that sum up why we sail that I sometimes wish I could bottle up and give to non-sailing friends to explain the appeal. Sundowners at anchor would probably be the most popular variety of this amber nectar for landlubbers. Like a strong martini, it would spark an instant hunger for more. In the absence of such a tonic being available in shops, a charter somewhere warm, escaping the depths of a UK winter on a seriously comfortable boat, is probably the most attractive lure to those harbouring doubt about the concept of a sailing holiday. An opportunity to charge the glass of the uninitiated with several shots of what…

The National Nature Reserve of Skomer Island held promises of close encounters with wildlife and amazing scenery. Our journey so far had taken us west from Cowes, along the south coast, around Land’s End to Milford Haven. We waited for a break in the weather before starting the 12-mile passage from Milford Marina. At 0600 on an eerie morning, we made our way past the tankers and factories and out of the West Channel. We gave Saint Ann’s Head a wide berth before setting our course to Skomer, with the island of Skokholm to port. To starboard were cliffs, beaches and Westdale Bay, where we’d walked days earlier to glimpse our next destination. The main thing on our mind though was navigating through Jack Sound, and all too soon we…

If you have a news story to share, contact News Editor Katy Stickland Email Katy.Stickland@timeinc.com Tel 01252 555 166 Polish skipper Szymon Kuczyński is claiming a new world record for sailing the smallest boat solo around the world, non-stop and unassisted. He completed his 271-day voyage in his 6.36m Maxus 22, Atlantic Puffin. The trailer sailor built by Northman was designed for inland waterways. Kuczyński, who left Plymouth on 19 August 2017 and arrived back on 17 May 2018, took the traditional route, rounding the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin and Cape Horn. Speaking to YM, Kuczyński said his biggest challenge was the weather in the Drake Passage off Cape Horn. A storm in February resulted in a knockdown that damaged the mast, leaving him without a boom or…

Ten Cruising Association members will sail their boats alongside Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s ketch Suhaili as she enters Les Sables-d’Olonne ahead of the start of the Golden Globe Race. The suggestion came from Sir Robin, the CA’s patron, who is to accompany the race’s 18 entrants as they make their way from Falmouth to the start line in western France. All the skippers will be leaving Falmouth on 14 June following the Suhaili Parade of Sail, which is being held to mark Sir Robin’s achievement in winning the original 1968/69 race. A suitable rallying point is being arranged for the CA boats for the final passage into Les Sables-d’Olonne. CA president Judith Grimwade said it was ‘a golden opportunity’ for its members to be involved in ‘a very special and historic…

X-YACHTS X46 The X46 fits neatly between her siblings the X43 and X49 and shares the family good looks too: plumb bow, sleek coachroof and clutter-free decks. On deck, she has a self-tacking jib as standard and the mainsheet is taken via the recessed mainsheet traveller to a winch forward of each helm position. Genoa tracks are optional and mounted on the coachroof. Beneath the helm position are two large lazarette lockers and a sail locker in the bows – there’s also a liferaft locker beneath the cockpit seating to starboard. Below decks, a Nordic oak interior finish is standard, although teak and bleached oak are also options. The interior promises to be light and thanks to the aft coachroof windows opening, airy too. She comes with twin double aft…

There is no boat quite like this one. It’s not often I can say that. The Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 42 is not unique in her design, nor does she have an original concept, but below decks… Wow! I haven’t seen anything quite like it on a production yacht before. Custom yachts, motorboats and superyachts, yes. But 42ft French cruisers? Non. Gorgeously finished teak, white and grey leather, swathes of white Corian, light surrounds, light switches and plug surrounds in brushed aluminium and little leather pull toggles on the locker front are just a few of the details. Then there are cool blue saloon windows that clear or darken at the twist of a knob. The stunning interior would mean little if she didn’t sail exquisitely too. But nothing of the…

It was time for us to leave Dunkirk having spent a lovely couple of days there with our friend Lisa. We decided that we would return via Ramsgate. The weather – south-westerly, around 20 knots – looked near perfect for our journey. We checked our engine and fuel. Half a tank should have been fine, as we would be sailing all the way. Everything set, we decided to leave early on Easter Sunday. The first few hours were uneventful and the wind was as predicted. However, because of various sandbanks, we kept the engine on, as well as using a little bit of sail until we reached the point where we could turn south and make a course towards Ramsgate. Suddenly, the wind changed, turning northerly and pretty much on…

Did you know there are penalties for showing unauthorised flags? Any commissioned naval or military officer, any customs and excise officer or any British consular officer may board the offending vessel, seize the flag and arrange prosecution of the owner or master. The penalty varies but is currently a substantial fine – between £1,000 and potentially £50,000, including impoundment of the vessel and a custodial sentence for the owner. (For details, see Peter Johnson, Reed’s Maritime Flags). Flags that attract such attention are the flags and pennants of her majesty’s ships: THE UNION FLAG You should not fly it. This is reserved for the Royal Navy who will fly it on a jackstaff in the bow, hence union jack. Civil ships are allowed to fly a union flag with a…

During summer, Bonifacio on the bottom of Corsica is a nightmare to get into. There are boats jostling everywhere to get a space, ferries and tripper boats sounding their horns and telling everyone to get out of the way, a lot of shouting going on… And so, you begin to wonder just what you’re doing there. Don’t get me wrong – in low season, it is a spectacular place to be and a must to visit. It’s just that summer chaos that can put you off. Fortunately, a little way up the coast is Baie de Figari, an anchorage that is a little oasis of peace after Bonifacio. The approach has rocks and reefs scattered about but is easier than it looks on the chart. The Torre de Figari on…

The first thing that strikes you about the Isle of Man is how friendly everyone is. As a cruising sailor, I always enjoy the moment of arrival at a new port or anchorage and even though I live just 30 miles away on the shores of Strangford Lough, I still get that pleasing sense of something different when I reach the Isle of Man. I think it’s the self-reliance of island people coupled with their willingness to welcome visitors that appeals to me. This character trait was certainly evident on my most recent visit to the thriving fishing port of Peel on the south-west coast. I had gearbox trouble which threatened my long weekend cruise, but it wasn’t long before a local boater had put me in contact with an…

Norwegian outdoor gear company Helly Hansen is being sold to the retailer Canadian Tire Corp (CTC) for C$985 million. Helly Hansen, which is owned by the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, only acquired British sailing brand Musto at the end of 2017. At the time, it said Musto would remain in the UK and continue to produce its own brand of sailing and outdoor clothing and gear. CTC has not been specific about what the deal will mean for Musto, as its purchase of Helly Hansen, which includes C$50 million of debt, will not be finalised until later in 2018. But, it did state that CEO of Helly Hansen Paul Stoneham, and the management team based in Oslo, would continue to lead the business. President and CEO of CTC Stephen Wetmore…

A environmentally-friendly strategy for shipping has been approved in an attempt to halve emissions from ships by 2050, compared with 2008 levels. Members of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for regulating shipping, agreed to the plan that is intended to help stem global climate change. The measures proposed would lower emissions from container ships, oil tankers, bulk carriers and other types of vessel. It also said that emissions from shipping would peak soon and begin to fall. According to the IMO, new ships will be 30% more energy efficient by 2025 compared with those built in 2014. Innovations such as cleaner engines, battery power or hi-tech sails will help towards meeting the 2050 target. In Scotland, Caledonian Maritime Assets already operates three…

Should we add radar to our new boat? Q We have recently changed boats from a very capable Dufour 38 classic to a new Hunter Legend 40 with a number of mod cons. One of the new features on Pelican Chorus (our new boat) is an AIS receiver repeated on to the chartplotter. It gives clear, unambiguous guidance on ships and boat movements as we navigate the busy south coast. But we remember the benefits of radar in fog from previous channel crossings aboard Ribellu, our Dufour, and close-quarters navigation around the Channel Islands. On many occasions, the radar has provided excellent real-time data. Is it worth the radar upgrade at a fairly steep price to give us the best of both worlds, or is it a question of learning…

Email yachtingmonthly@timeinc.com Post Confessions, Yachting Monthly, Time Inc. (UK) Ltd, Pinehurst 2, Pinehurst Road, Farnborough Business Park, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 7BF Send us your stories in less than 200 words Fruits de mer Keith May CONFESSION OF THE MONTH Several summers ago, my wife and I sailed in company with friends for our holidays, setting sail from Cherbourg on a bright July day. We were heading for Diélette, specifically for the moules-frites on the quay. The Alderney race was kind and we enjoyed a slowish sail catching mackerel and heading towards Diélette with our friends’ boat five minutes ahead of us. We both knew we would be arriving just before low water, but the tides looked okay and as we are both bilge keelers and have relatively shallow draft, we…