One manoeuvre that really makes my heart race when sailing single-handed is a spinnaker drop.…
Expert sailing techniques
Yachting World goes to Cape Horn to research our Storm Sailing Techniques series
As we drove into Ushuaia from the new airport, Skip Novak pointed out a small…
SAIL FASTER SAIL SAFER advanced techniques series Part 12: Spinnaker problems
I have encountered more than my fair share of problems with the spinnaker when single-handed…
5 tips: bowman signals. Get a great start with clear signs to helmsman and trimmers
Five seconds to the start and the row of bows is accelerating towards the line.…
Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques Part 1: the Pelagic Philosophy
Yachting World goes round Cape Horn. Watch how we made our 12-part series about storm…
Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques Part 2: expedition yacht design
Skip shows us around his two Pelagic expedition yachts in our latest video
Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques Part 3: storm sails
Skip Novak has firm views about the easiest and safest way to reduce sail and…
Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques Part 4: Heaving to
Heaving to is an ideal technique for riding out a storm, but there’s an art…
Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques Part 5: reefing
Skip demonstrates what he regards as the only foolproof reefing method for a true offshore…
Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques Part 6: preparing the deck for heavy weather
Why meticulous checks, sensible stowage and forward planning are key for a trouble free passage…
Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques Part 7: sail design
Skip Novak argues that a well-chosen, conservative sail wardrobe is the seamanlike choice for world…
Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques Part 8: drogues and sea anchors
Expedition guru Skip Novak addresses the effectiveness of warps and drogues when it comes to…
Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques Part 9: Sounding an uncharted bay ready for anchoring
Gaining shelter on a hostile coastline can be safer than toughing it out offshore. Skip…
Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques Part 10: Anchoring in heavy weather
Skip Novak explains his philosophy on anchoring, based on having to hold fast in some…
Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques Part 11: Tying to shore
Expedition guru Skip Novak demonstrates how to tie to shore in tough conditions
Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques Part 12: Dinghy handling in heavy weather
Your tender is your lifeline to the shore and its type, size and equipment are…
Sailing round Cape Horn with Skip Novak: An introduction
Get a sneak peak of our brand new series on storm sailing round Cape Horn…
Cowes Week ‘top tips’ from 2012 winners
What does it take to be a winning team at Cowes Week? Check out this…
Rig failure narrowly avoided: six of the most commonly seen ARC rig check failures
Jerry the Rigger went aloft to check 100 rigs on this year’s ARC. Here’s his…