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The Dreaded Halyard Swivel!

~You may find that I am poking a bit with this one. Perhaps the British might call it “a bit cheeky”, but I assure you it is all in good fun… THE HALYARD SWIVEL I just wanted to take a minute and chime-in on the “halyard swivel phenomenon” that has (apparently) taken the sailing world by storm. I…

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US Sailboat Show, Annapolis

It’s Boat Show Time and we are back at it again. Please come see us, ask us questions and see what we have to Offer. Mention this Blog and receive a voucher for a FREE Rig Tune and Rigging Inspection. Thanks and see you at the show.    

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Sick of Sailing – Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15

Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing WINS!!!! I can’t think of a more deserving team. Although I am an Alvimedica fan at heart, I had my heart set on Azzam to win this from the get-go. Mainly because I am such a fan of Ian Walker. Now that the race is over, I don’t know what to do…

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Time to Burn

Team Donfeng Racing has made it to Itajaí! Incredibly the mast arrived all the way from Dubai around the same time. Since Ushuaia, most of the race team has been replaced by shore crew for the delivery to Brazil. This allowed the regular crew the opportunity for some much needed rest and the shore crew the opportunity…

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AC and the VOR

Some big news in the two sailing events that will always have my full attention. The Americas Cup has announced the return of the classic (yet modernly equipped) J Class boats for the 35th edition of the Americas cup taking place in 2017, in Bermuda. This will add some class back into the highly modern,…

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Keeping Up with the Cup

The 35th Americas Cup will be taking place in Bermuda in 2017. Here it is March 2015 and things are starting to heat up… Dean Barker, a 15 year veteran at the helm,  was recently devastated with the news that he would be replaced by 24 year old Peter Burling as the skipper of Team New…

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Dongfeng Troubles

With the usual suspects, Team Brunel, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, Donfeng Racing, atop the leader board; the Chinese team lost a halyard. This snag led to a night time trip aloft (eeeek!) and a position loss. 3rd place is currently being held by Mapfre, but with only 7NM as a buffer, the Spanish entry will need…

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Clear to Tack?

What are the options when considering a boat that tacks its own sails from one point-of-sail to another. Newer boats are being designed a bit more mast forward, with taller masts and bigger mainsails. These newer designs are predominately main driven and implement a smaller self-tending jib (shown below), which helps with pointing when going upwind. If you…

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The Crowhurst Scandal

Here is a really unique story that has surely left an everlasting impression in yachting history… In October 1968 the Sunday Times sponsored the worlds first single handed around the world race, The Sunday Times Golden Globe Race. This is the race that helped make Sir Robin Knox Johnston the sailing legend he is today. This…

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Anchors Aweigh

Sometimes in sailboat racing the guy that deploys the anchor first, pulls into the lead. Winds have been light and variable for most of this leg, as expected. However, the teams are nearing the final rounding mark and things may start “heating up”, as the teams begin to turn upwind  ~ see what I did…

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Garcia Yachts

I have always fancied the exploration designed yachts. They just scream heavy duty and robust, which I like for anything I’m going to be sailing around the world. Aluminum has been the choice material for many reputable exploration yachts of the past. Garcia Yachts of France seems to think, “why mess with success”. Take a…