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Labor Day weekend is almost here and West Marine has rolled out hundreds of Labor Day paddle board deals and kayak deals West Marine’s Labor Day weekend sale features a number of great kayak deals and paddle board deals, with big discounts on offer for your paddling adventures. This year’s sale features some particularly great offers on paddleboards and kayaks, so we’ve rounded up our pick of the best offers for you right here. Most of their offers are live now and will remain so throughout the weekend but will only last until the products are sold out, so don’t hang around. If you’d rather check out all the deals, you can also browse the full West Marine Labor Day Weekend sale yourself. And make sure you take a look at our buying advice for the best paddle boards and best kayaks on the market. [N.B. These are US-only deals, apologies to our overseas readers – ed.] Quick links Check out all the deals in the West Marine Labor Day sale Save up to $1,000 on electronics and navigation in the West Marine Labor Day sale Up to 50% discounts on all paddle sports gear on WestMarine.com Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence. Labor Day Weekend paddle board deals TAHE Sport 11′ BEACH Inflatable Stand-UP Paddleboard Package – now $249.99, was $499.99 This is a full package including paddle board, pump, leash, backpack, paddle etc. making it ideal as a beginner’s paddleboard. At 11ft the board is at the bigger end of the standard inflatable paddle board market. This length helps increase volume, so the paddle board can carry an adult up to 250 lbs and will also increase the amount of glide you get per stroke – at the cost of some manoeuvrability. View Deal 10’6″ Voyager Stand-Up Paddleboard – now $399.99, was $839.99 Anyone that knows about paddle boarding knows that the sport’s popularity has blossomed thanks in large part to the inflatable paddle board market. But for all the technical developments that have allowed inflatables to be

Labor Day weekend is almost here and West Marine has rolled out hundreds of Labor Day boating deals to help you stock up your boat for less… Labor Day weekend is a great time to pick up a bargain on boating gear and West Marine’s Labor Day sale looks particularly good this year. There are hundreds, if not thousands of discounts at the retail giant this weekend, and we’ve trawled through them to pick out what we think are the best of the best. Read on for our guide to the biggest discounts on quality boating gear this Labor Day weekend… [N.B. These are US-only deals, apologies to our overseas readers – ed.] Quick links Check out all the deals in the West Marine Labor Day sale Save up to $1,000 on electronics and navigation in the West Marine Labor Day sale Up to 50% discounts on paddle sports gear on WestMarine.com Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence. 6 of the best Labor Day boating deals West Marine All Clear Offshore Inflatable Lifejacket with Harness – was $229.99, now $137.99, save 40% A proper Type I rated bluewater lifejacket is a must-have for offshore boaters, and this West Marine branded PFD is reduced by more than $90 in the Labor Day sale. View Deal on WestMarine.com West Marine Runabout Lifejacket 3-Pack – was $54.99, now $32.99, save 40% If you’re planning some lake boating or watersports instead, then this three-pack of life vests is great value. They’re Type III rated by the USCG and give 15.5lbs of positive buoyancy. View Deal on WestMarine.com Quiksilver Waterman Men’s Sea Breezer Shirt – was $89.00, now $66.75, save 25% Nothing says ‘cocktail time’ quite like a Hawaiian shirt, and this snazzy palm tree design will brighten up your boating wardrobe this Labor Day weekend. View Deal on WestMarine.com West Marine UV Pro Wide Brim Hat – was $36.99, now $27.74, save 25% Captain’s hats are all well and good (and West Marine has those included in the sale too) but we’re much more

Phil and Roxy Johnson enjoy a memorable cruise to Venice, exploring the ‘city of love’ by boat I’ll be the first to admit that I wanted to ‘skip’ Venice. In the myriad of Mediterranean sailing destinations I discussed with my wife and co-captain, Roxy, I thought we shouldn’t take time away from the endlessly beautiful archipelago of Croatia to sail to the northernmost end of the Adriatic to visit Venice. Why would we? Just to end up getting our keel stuck in a Venetian lagoon mudflat, or push through mobs of tourists all trying to snap the same picture of a gondolier under the Rialto bridge? But after searching in vain for a reasonably priced marina near a major international airport so we could leave our boat to attend a summer wedding back in the US, our plans coalesced around sailing to Venice… and I’m so glad it did. Since late 2018, Roxy and I have been working remotely while living aboard our 47ft monohull yacht, Sonder. She’s taken us from the Caribbean to the USA, across the North Atlantic, and throughout the Mediterranean visiting a succession of once-in-a-lifetime destinations, though possibly none quite as unique as Venice. Lying at the northern tip of the Adriatic, Venice can be reached via a long daysail from the Istrian coast of Croatia or, as we did, an overnight passage from further south along the Dalmatian coast. As of January, Croatia is now part of the same Schengen EU immigration zone, so departing sailors no longer need to stamp out when sailing to Italy. However, last summer that was not the case, so our passage began with an abnormally lengthy two-hour Croatian exit formality at a concrete quayside in Marina Kremik before motoring out into a becalmed slate-blue Adriatic. With a somewhat limp mainsail hoisted tight to catch the first hint of wind, we motored north-west to immediately exit Croatian waters (as per the Croatian law in 2022) before adjusting our course northerly towards the vast Venetian Lagoon. It was now past 2100hrs and the daytime humidity had given way to a light evening fog which diffused the lights of hundreds of nearby

Sam Fortescue looks at the latest clothing developments making technical marine clothing more eco-friendly Back in the days when togging up for a sail meant donning a stout Guernsey and some tightly woven gaberdines, sustainability was barely on the agenda. Wool and cotton were the main fabrics of choice, with perhaps a latex or wax coating to offer a modicum of waterproofing. Today there is an astonishing array of technical fabrics and clothing to keep us dry inside and out without cramping our range of movement. Garments keep working in the Southern Ocean, in the Arctic Circle and under intense activity. But alas, there is a cost to progress, because we rely almost exclusively on man-made synthetic fibres and coatings whose chief precursor is crude oil. The problem with wet weather gear is in fact several fold, because these are composite garments built in several layers. The outer layer of fabric will typically be polyester or nylon, and it is treated with something called a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating – a chemical which makes water bead off. Then there is a vanishingly thin synthetic membrane sandwiched between the inner and outer layers of the garment, made of a polymer. Toxic compounds Until recently, DWR has been manufactured from a chemical family known as perfluorinated compounds, or PFCs. These are related to Teflon and are described as ‘forever chemicals’ because their key characteristic is not to break down in nature (they wouldn’t work very well if they did). They’re toxic substances, and research suggests that they are carcinogenic and interrupt the reproductive cycle. Many waterproof membranes, including Gore-Tex, are made from sheets of extended PTFE (aka Teflon), which belongs to the same family of chemicals. Sailors are drawn two ways on this, because the instinct to preserve the elements on which we rely is strong. At the same time, nobody wants to go back to the dark days of sodden woollens and chattering teeth. Fortunately, yarn manufacturers, chemical giants and garment makers are all pulling in the same direction (and will be regulated to do so) and there are interesting developments in the pipeline. Zhik’s eVent fabric uses a 50%

When it comes to picking the right kit for offshore sailing it’s hard to know where to start. Here, we walk you through the key items you need to head off into the ocean Offshore sailing offers a thrilling and adventurous experience and it is hard to imagine a place where sailing is closer to its ‘purest’ form. But it also requires careful consideration of what to wear offshore sailing to ensure your comfort, safety, and readiness for changing weather conditions. When choosing clothing for offshore sailing, safety and functionality should be your top priorities. Where someone coastal cruising on a relatively warm day can wear almost anything, those heading offshore will want to opt for clothing that is designed specifically for maritime activities, as they are constructed to withstand saltwater, strong winds, and other challenging conditions. Look for features like water resistance, UV protection, and reflective elements. Offshore weather can be unpredictable, so a layering strategy is essential. Start with a good sailing base layer, add mid layers for insulation, and top it off with waterproof sailing jacket and trousers. This allows you to adjust your clothing as conditions change without compromising safety or comfort. Pack spare sets of clothing in waterproof bags to ensure you always have dry options available. This includes extra base layers, socks, underwear, and mid layers. Don’t forget to include warm clothing for night shifts or unexpected temperature drops. Night time offshore sailing requires additional precautions. Wear bright, reflective clothing and consider a high-visibility vest. Attach reflective tape to your gear and clothing to enhance visibility in low light conditions. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a novice setting out on your first offshore voyage, this guide will provide you with essential insights into the what to wear offshore sailing and let you know the best gear for your journey. Base Layers When it comes to sailing base layers, start with moisture-wicking base layers that keep sweat away from your skin. Synthetic materials like polyester or merino wool are excellent choices. These layers help regulate body temperature and prevent chafing during long hours at sea.   Helly Hansen Lifa Stripe Helly Hansen brought performance

The first America’s Cup preliminary regatta raced in AC40s will take place in September 2023 in the Catalonian port of Vilanova i la Geltrú The 37th America’s Cup may still be a year away but in early September 2023 we will see the first AC racing of this cycle as teams take to the water in the 2024 America’s Cup venue, Vilanova i La Geltrú, Barcelona for the first America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta. Racing in the event will take place over four days between 14-17th September 2023 in the newly created AC40 class foiling monohull, with a day of official training taking place on 13th September. In contrast to the America’s Cup itself, raced in purpose-built AC75’s, which the teams develop themselves within a rule framework, the AC40’s are a strict one-design class. It is these mini foilers that are set to be used by each team in the Youth and Women’s America’s Cups both of which will take place next year. Given the one-design nature of the AC40s the America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta will not reveal a great deal about where each team stands in the current cycle. As any avid watcher of America’s Cup racing will know the Cup is as much a design contest as it is a sailing contest. Britain’s Ineos Britannia training on their AC40. Photo: Paul Todd/AMERICA’S CUP However, as the AC40 and AC75s are fairly unique in their foiling style – both being monohulls without a keel and foils to port and starboard that can be raised individually – we will still get a good representation of where the teams stand in terms of the unique skills required to sail this type of foiler competitively. Another advantage for spectators will be to experience racing in the venue for the America’s Cup proper at a similar time of the year as Cup racing (the AC will take place in October 2024, with more preliminary events and the Women’s and Youth America’s Cup scheduled for September). The six America’s Cup teams set to compete in both the 37th AC and this preliminary regatta are: Emirates Team New Zealand (Defender), INEOS Britannia (Challenger of Record), Alinghi

Improving the humble tack is an area where many crews can make gains, even marginal ones. Olympian and Ocean Race skipper Robert Stanjek shares some key areas to focus on for improvement with Andy Rice Tacking into an uncomfortable swell using the optional heavy weather staysail. Photo: Andreas Lindlahr/EYOTY While a tack is one of the most fundamental manoeuvres, it’s also hard to execute well. The more crew on board, the harder it is to co-ordinate the timing of the roles. The bigger the sea state, the more critical the timing and execution of the tack to minimise the boat-stopping impact of the next wave. Coming from an Olympic sailing background, having raced in the Laser single-hander and represented Germany in the Star keelboat, Robert Stanjek has taken his obsession for the small details into the big boat scene. He gives a lot of thought to every aspect of the race course, including what makes a good tack. He only asks that you don’t judge him by his tacks on an IMOCA. “They are a 60ft tank designed to go fast in a straight line for hundreds of miles,” he says. “Tacking them around a short course is not a pretty sight because they’re just not designed for it!” [Note: this was before the major collision between Guyot and 11th Hour Racing at The Ocean Race Leg 7 start]. Instead, Stanjek offers his five best tips on how to tack a more conventional, fully-crewed keelboat. With close upwind traffic in one-design fleets, like these ClubSwan 50s at the Rolex Swan Cup, marginal gains made through each tack can have a big pay off. Photo: Carlo Borlenghi/Rolex Alter your rate of turn Tacking is not a simple manoeuvre. For a good tack on a fully crewed boat you need everyone working to the same rhythm. The helmsman, mainsheet trimmer and headsail trimmer all need to be on the same page. Most of the time the tactician calls the countdown and the driver puts the boat into the turn. But you need to vary the rate of turn for different conditions and sea states. In flat water you start on a wider

The Black Sea is to the north, the Aegean to the west and the Mediterranean to the south Annabel Finding on the pleasures to be found cruising Turkey For the last five years we have wend our way from the Channel Islands to the crystal waters of the Eastern Mediterranean. Our 56-footer Kytra is registered in Guernsey so we have always cruised with the knowledge that every 18 months she must leave the Schengen area and spend at least one day outside the EU to avoid incurring VAT. So far we have spent time in Gibraltar, Albania and now Türkiye (formerly spelt Turkey). In addition our personal limit as non-EU passport-holders restricts us to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen zone, hence spending time in Türkiye allows us to cruise for longer. (As a cautionary measure we return home at least a week before our 90-day limit is up in case we need to make a mercy dash back to the boat for any reason.) This routine suits our semi-retired lifestyle well as we can enjoy the shoulder months in warmer climes and spend the summer at home in Alderney. For full-time liveaboards there are possibilities to gain residency in Türkiye if you have an annual marina berth; this must be reapplied for every two years. Türkiye’s Turquoise Coast boasts many beautiful anchorages. Photo: Anton Petrus/Getty Turkish bases Türkiye is a huge country surrounded by sea on three sides with over 4,000 miles of coastline. The Black Sea is to the north, the Aegean to the west and the Mediterranean to the south. There is also the internal Sea of Marmara, between the Bosphorus and the Straits of the Dardanelles, connecting the Black Sea with the rest of the world. There are cruising grounds on all these coastlines but the most popular area for both charter fleets and private owners is what is often referred to as the Turquoise Coast or Turkish Riviera, along the south. Article continues below… Sailing in Europe: Your guide to 90 days of summer cruising Whether you need to fit around work, school, or Schengen zone requirements, three months of sailing in Europe

Your home to explore the world’s most remote places: Outremer’s latest bluewater catamaran delivers style, safety and speed in just 52 feet “Trustability” was the word that Caroline and Magnus Tallqvist used to describe Franny, their brand new Outremer 52 – the first hull of Outremer’s latest design. “Trust that it will keep us safe. Trust that it will take us fast where we need to go. Trust that it’s solid, repairable, and environmentally respectful. Trust in the Outremer brand,” they explained. Outremer catamarans have a reputation for striking the delicate balance between comfort, safety and performance. With the launch of the 52, Outremer has once again raised the bar for the bluewater catamaran sector, elevating an already well-proven concept with their latest addition The Outremer 52 was specifically designed to be accessible, dependable, and easy to handle. To achieve this, as with all Outremers, the core design concepts of the 52 were born from extensive feedback from the Outremer ‘family’ – the community of existing owners. Features such as the secure closed – but openable – access to the sugar scoop, the ability to sail and steer the boat entirely from the enclosed cockpit, and the sense of flow throughout the boat are significant improvements in design. They were born from the real life stories and experiences of the diverse Outremer family that is involved in bluewater catamaran ownership: parents, partners, children, racers, cruisers and even people brand new to sailing. The 52 is built for purpose: to turn bluewater cruising dreams into reality. A home for boundless adventures, she is safe and stable enough to live in for long periods of time. The beauty and magnificence of the surroundings pours in through a fully opening window at the galley, creating a deep connection with the natural world. The sumptuous saloon seating and generously sized watch-keeping station makes the interior as practical as it is luxurious, while the pivoting helm and 360-degree visibility through front and side windows, topside portholes and a sliding door offers a means of steering the boat entirely protected from the elements, meaning no compromise needs to be made between seamanship, safety and comfort. To

The biggest transformation of boatbuilding in our lifetime is under way, with the drive to eliminate carbon emissions and use composites that can be recycled into a new boat. Rupert Holmes visits those yards spearheading the change Beneteau has already built a First 44e such as this using recyclable resin, sustainable decks and electric propulsion Imagine a future where you could buy a standard production yacht which is built not from virgin fibres, toxic resin, and fitted with teak or plastic decks, nor propelled by a noisy engine fuelled by noxious heavy oil, but instead one crafted from natural products, which runs silently, emission-free and with very little carbon footprint. And where, at the end of the yacht’s life, you could trade it back in with the builders so they could separate the fibres from the resin and recycle it into a new boat. That future is here and now in 2023. Thanks to years of research and development from some of the largest yards, your yacht of tomorrow is already available today – you maybe just didn’t realise it. Whether crossing the Atlantic, or enjoying a sunny afternoon in local waters, the sense that sailing is an activity that takes us closer to nature is a strong one. Yet the vessels that provide this experience are the product of a sizeable polluting industry. Fortunately that situation is now changing quickly and two of the world’s largest boatbuilders are already making big steps towards producing more sustainable yachts. At the same time, some of these changes will make yachts cleaner and quieter, with the potential for longer periods of autonomy when cruising long distances. A step-change was already in evidence at last year’s International Multihull Show, where a number of new catamarans sported solar arrays with outputs of several kilowatts – enough to feed almost all the hotel loads of these power-hungry vessels (enough to run a modest house in fact), with the exception of air conditioning and hot water. However, this is just a first – and easily achieved – step in a rapidly evolving transformation. During that edition of the show Fountaine-Pajot announced its Odysséa24 strategic plan, which

The IMOCA 60 Malizia-Seaexplorer is the world’s fastest monohull, having set a blistering 24-hour record of 641.08 nautical miles while competing in The Ocean Race transatlantic leg Followers of the IMOCA 60 fleet will know that two names have dominated the class over the past two generations when it comes to design: VPLP and Verdier. So, it’s no surprise that all five of the IMOCAs competing in The Ocean Race come from those same drawing boards (and in the case of the oldest boat in the fleet, the 2015-launched Guyot Environnement, a VPLP/Verdier partnership). Of the four designs, three are by Verdier – 11th Hour Racing Team, Holcim-PRB, and Biotherm. This leaves Boris Herrmann’s Malizia-Seaexplorer as the sole latest generation VPLP IMOCA in the race, but the differences in its design concept run much deeper. Malizia-Seaexplorer was, uniquely among the fleet, designed from the outset for both the 2023 Ocean Race and the 2024 Vendée Globe. The result is a distinctively different looking IMOCA. VPLP explains that the design differs markedly from previous iterations of IMOCA, particularly in the shape of the hull. Much of this was the result of lessons learned during the 2020 Vendée Globe. The main aim of the hull studies VPLP undertook was to optimise Malizia-Seaexplorer’s performance in the heavy seas of the Southern Ocean without compromising its ability to perform in the more moderate conditions expected on the Atlantic stages of both The Ocean Race and Vendée Globe. Damage to the original L-shaped foils proved fortuitous – the replacement C-shaped ones actually performed better. Photo: Ricardo Pinto/Team Malizia Bow shape German skipper Herrmann had made three laps of the planet before the Ocean Race start and had specific ideas he wanted to incorporate into the design. Malizia-Seaexplorer has noticeably full bow sections, a higher freeboard and more curved sheerline. Co-skipper Will Harris explained that the boat’s bow shape and volume are two of its key design features. “The first 3.5m of the bow were cut off, in effect giving us a scow bow,” Harris said while showing me around the boat in the Newport stopover. “It means we’re less likely to catch the bow as we

The best kayak shoes supply support, grip and provide protection for your feet from everything from the cold to sharp objects in the shallows at the put-in and take-out points There are myriad styles of paddling footwear available – from wetsuit booties to sneaker-like water shoes and sandals – but the most important function of the best kayak shoes is to protect the bottom of your feet. Whether you’re a sea kayaker, a river runner, a canoeist or SUPer, paddling adventures all start at a put-in point and end at a take-out place – and sometimes there are portaging sections midway through your adventure too, not to mention those unplanned moments where you find yourself falling out of your boat or off your board. During these moments, when your feet are in shallow water (often in places where visibility isn’t great because of silt, sand or mud), all kinds of rocks, sticks, stones, shells, coral and other sharp objects can cause painful puncture injuries to your soles. The best kayak shoes will shield you from these so you can confidently concentrate on launching your craft, or carrying it out of the water. And, of course, you can’t completely discount looks – the best kayak shoes will look as good on the beach and at the bar as a pair of the best boat shoes. Here we have tried and tested a wide range of the best shoes for kayaking, canoeing, rafting and stand-up paddleboarding, to help you select the ideal footwear for your aquatic adventures. Best kayak shoes: Water sneakers Salomon Amphib Bold 2 Salomon Amphib Bold 2 A lightweight, submergible sneaker that performs well in the waves and on the trails Specs Gender: Men’s / Women’s Weight (per shoe, men’s size 11): 210g Materials: Synthetic mesh upper; Contragrip rubber outsole; Quicklace Colors: Sky diver, quarry & estate blue / Black & quarry Compatibility: Kayaking, canoeing, SUPing, SwimRun, canyoning and coastal walks and runs Reasons to buy + Very versatile; Lightweight; Quick draining; Quick drying; Easy to put on; Good looking Reasons to avoid – Low thermal protection; No recycled content used; Relatively expensive This summer sneaker works just as

Terry Hutchinson is one of the world’s best tacticians, but he’s yet to achieve his ultimate ambition. Sean McNeill finds out what it takes to call the shots at the top American professional sailor Terry Hutchinson has been called many things in his 40-year career racing sailboats. Brash. Outspoken. A horse’s you-know-what. And they’re among the less incendiary labels – comments typically lodged from competitors who are turned off by Hutchinson’s histrionics on the racecourse or envious of his success as a tactician. Those who know him best, the owners and sailors he races with, the beneficiaries of his talents, use more complimentary words. Intense. Driven. A softie. Emotional. An amazing talent. A close friend. Words don’t phase Terry Hutchinson. Say something negative to his face, he’ll likely shrug his shoulders and reply with a more biting comment back about your own character. He’s developed thick skin over the years. If it’s on the more complimentary side, he may return the favour, but still with a dash of bite. He falls on the brutally honest side of commentary, a trait developed through years of working at the back of the boat where a single word can determine a whole campaign’s fate. “I’ve known Terry a long time, since he was a young guy in Annapolis, maybe around 12 years old,” says Gary Jobson, America’s Cup-winning tactician and mentor to Hutchinson. “Every time you hear about Terry, he’s at or near the front of the fleet. He’s very intense on a sailboat. He focuses hard, winning is really important to him. He doesn’t take any prisoners.” “Terry is very good at what he does. He’s one of the best tacticians around,” says New Zealander Warwick Fleury, mainsail trimmer on Quantum Racing. “No matter what the programme is, America’s Cup or TP52s or whatever, he absolutely gives 100%. I don’t think he differentiates between classes. When the race is on, it’s 100% effort. I really enjoy sailing with him.” Terry Hutchinson has built a résumé that places him in the top echelon of sailing professionals. He has an ability to attract the best sailors to the programmes he runs by offering them

A gripping tale of Outrunning a Sirocco storm off Italy’s southern shore in an 18ft Drascombe Lugger, this extract from The Lugworm Chronicles introduced by Tom Cunliffe For anyone interested in small-boat voyaging – or indeed, any sailor wanting to get seriously close to the sea itself, The Lugworm Chronicles by Ken Duxbury is a ‘must-read’. I, for one, couldn’t put it down. Ken Duxbury was born in 1923, volunteered for the Navy in World War II, then took up a commission which he held until the mid-1950s. After a four-year cruise in his 14-tonner, he founded and ran a Cornish sailing school. His book about sailing the 18ft open Drascombe Lugger Lugworm home from Greece with his wife ‘B’ 50 or more years ago takes us so close to the salt of the sea that it’s often far from comfortable. The style of writing is from a different era to our own and bursts with charm. I suspect that it smacks of a Naval ward-room in 1940. We join Ken and B on passage along the south-facing shore of the heel of Italy’s boot. Stand by for a wet ride and some brutal decisions… Extract from The Lugworm Chronicles I think I like being lost. One spends one’s lifetime being continuously ‘found’, so getting lost makes a change. Now you might wonder how this is possible along a dead straight piece of coast when the port you’ve just left is behind you, and the port you’re heading for is within 30 miles ahead. But, like most things in life, being lost is a purely relative state. The trouble is, all those damned ‘Torres’ look the same. Oh, their names are wonderfully different: there’s Torre Chianca and Torre Lapilio, Torre Colimena, San Pietro, Boraco and Molini all standing guard along that low Apulian coast and which, I ask you, is which? Just miss one, or see a hillock which might – or might not – tell its own sad story of ravage and rape, and where are you? You’re frantically stabbing around with dividers and a clock. And anyway you can’t keep checking when you’ve one ear clamped to the

In the latest instalment of her series on double handed sailing skills, Pip Hare explains the best processes for handling symmetric spinnakers Rotate the spinnaker to behind the jib and mainsail so it is to leeward and blanketed by them. Photo: Richard Langdon/Pip Hare Ocean Racing Double handed sailing skills are increasingly important to master as the recent boom in double handed racing, both inshore and offshore, continues and boats designed for couples to cruise two-up become ever more popular. We now regularly see crews of two managing all sizes of boat, and sailing them with the same efficiency and expectations as full crews. These techniques are designed for double handed crews sailing a yacht with an autopilot, and an asymmetric spinnaker. We’re sailing a J/99, which has a fixed bowsprit and hanked-on jib. Thanks to Key Yachting for their support. Many new designs now favour asymmetric spinnakers for downwind sailing and we’ve covered those techniques in earlier articles (see yachtingworld.com/tag/double-handed). However, the symmetrical spinnaker still has its place in both the cruising and racing worlds and for many boats will give better downwind VMG performance than the asymmetric alternative. Learning to manage this type of sail as a double-handed crew is a very attainable skill and should not be considered risky. We’ll break down the key components to managing a symmetrical spinnaker, starting with hoisting and dropping in this article and moving on to gybing in next month’s issue. If setting a symmetric double-handed you’ll need one crew on the mast/foredeck and another in the cockpit, with the autopilot steering. Photo: Richard Langdon/Pip Hare Ocean Racing Crew positions For both hoists and drops you’ll need one crew in the cockpit managing lines while the other is on deck managing the sail. The autopilot should steer throughout these manoeuvres, and it’s well worth investing in a remote control to allow steering adjustments from any position on the boat. For both the hoist and drops, set the pilot to steer to a true wind angle. This should be deep, to reduce the apparent wind and provide shelter under which to launch the spinnaker. The Hoist Set the pilot to steer a wind angle of