Historic colours of the RNLI
Why are lifeboats the colour they are today... and how did they become like that? Cracking footage in this short video explains some of the history "
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston slams VAT for boats coming home
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston CBE takes up the cudgel on behalf of cruising sailors In a letter published in The Times newspaper today, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Patron of the Cruising Association (CA), highlights the devastating effect of HMRC's demands for VAT on boats returning to the UK. Sir Robin aboard Suhaili in Cowes recently [...]
New sponsor for YJA Yachtsman and Young Sailor of the Year Awards
Stoneways Marine steps up for return of YJA Yachtsman of the Year and Young Sailor of the Year Awards! After that hiatus which 2020 was in so many ways, the YJA Yachtsman of the Year and Young Sailor of the Year Awards are back, and the Yachting Journalists’ Association is delighted to announce that Stoneways [...]
£80K grant for Lowestoft’s sailing trawler Excelsior
Excelsior Trust, based in Lowestoft has received a grant of £80,000 from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help the organisation recover and reopen. The vessel Excelsior, has reached its centenary this year and is a familiar and much loved sight off the east coast. Maintained as a charitable trust for the past [...]
Adrift, with Dan and Dave
An irreverent look at boating life with Dan Houston and Dave Selby
Death of Rees Martin
It is very sad to report the death of Rees Martin, who died suddenly form a massive stroke on Saturday 20th February 2021, writes Dan Houston. Rees was well known to classic sailors as one of the founders of Cowes Classics Week. He was also a past secretary of the British International Six Metre Association [...]
THE BOOM VANG & ITS IMPORTANCE
Depending on the boat you sail, the boom vang will be one of the most important controls to determine the twist of your mainsail. As we go from sailing upwind to across the wind and then downwind, the difference in mainsheet tension will determine how much the boom will try to lift as you ease [...]
Cornwall on film in 1916
From the BFI library of film this shows maritime Cornwall at the height of the first world war. Clips show Looe, Polperro, St Ives (with artist!) and children climbing over the wreck of a boat. Despite conscription having been introduced in March that year fishermen were largely exempt from the draft as theirs was considered [...]
Book signing of Les Fêtes Maritimes
Because of Covid restrictions sadly I cannot be in Rochefort this coming weekend, writes Dan Houston, to join the photographer Nigel Pert in signing copies of our collaborative book - Celebrating Trad Boats (or Les Fêtes Maritimes de Brest ) to give it its French title. On Saturday 26th it's the annual general meeting of [...]