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  • Docking, Sailing her in

    Sailing Her in – 12 Tips to Make It Easier

    If you sail for long enough, at some point you will have an engine failure. Instead of calling for help, a bit of preparation and – dare I say it – practice, might save the day and let you sail in. I learned the hard way, by sailing an engine-free yacht along the Queensland coast for ten years, in all weather and all seasons. It took a while before I became confident, but these are my top 12 tips:

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  • Boat Smell, Eliminate Boat Smell

    How to permanently eliminate boat smell

    Ah, the distinctive smell of…boat. A mixture of diesel, cooking fumes, mould and stale air, sometimes with a hint of wet dog - instantly recognisable to anyone who has looked at second hand boats. That odour is not only a turn-off for buyers, but contributes significantly to seasickness.

    There’s no excuse for this smell, although some old salts seem to think it is both inevitable and, well, salty. The main causes are poor ventilation, oily bilges, deck leaks and dirt. Back in the day, it was accepted that boats leaked, ventilation was mainly to keep the timbers sound, and cleaning was not necessarily a priority. Thankfully we have moved on from this. Modern boats should not leak - from the hull or anywhere else.

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  • News - Pets Afloat

    Pets afloat – take them or leave them behind?

    However much we love our pets, there is still much to consider before taking them cruising. How long will you be gone? Will the pet miss you, or settle easily with someone else? Some animals adapt happily to life afloat, while others hate it, or are simply unsuitable due to temperament or size. Traditionally cats and small dogs have made the best furry shipmates, but there is a surprising array of pets and their owners happily sharing the confines of a boat.

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  • News - Sun Fast 3600 under sail

    The Sun Fast 3600 has been named IRC Boat of the Year 2016!

    The Sun Fast 3600 has just been named IRC Boat of the Year by the UNCL, “Union Nationale pour la Course au Large,” which assembles a jury composed of journalists from the marine press (Couse au Large, Voiles et Voiliers, Voile Magazine, Seahorse Magazine).

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  • News - On The Hard

    On The Hard - 10 tips to make your haulout easier

    I really enjoy the annual haulout - said no one ever. This is especially true if when you roam far from your home port and need to find a different yard each time, but even at home there are ways to minimise the pain – to the body and the wallet.

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