Ahead of testing the Contest 49CS we has some miserable weather, certainly not the sort of conditions you’d ordinarily choose to go out in. It had been blowing 30 knots…
bluewater cruisers
Expert advice at cruising seminars this spring: book now
World Cruising Club’s popular Ocean Cruising Seminar returns on March 25-26 2023 in Guildford, UK. The weekend seminar is suitable for any sailors considering the transition from coastal cruising to…
Solaris 50 review: fast, fun cruising
The drive to include all the features we now expect of new yachts, such as easy handling, big cockpits for al fresco dining and huge accommodation volumes, all too often…
Oyster 495 review: an impressive smaller Oyster
Good things come to those who wait. After tirelessly chasing the breeze for over 100 miles, we found our just rewards. It was a hazy, moody morning as I rose…
First look: Viator 54DS – electric powered explorer
Electric propulsion makes a great deal of sense for explorer yachts that have to be self-sufficient for long periods. Energy reserves can be replenished through regeneration when there’s enough wind…
Ovni 370 review – go-anywhere shoal draught cruising
With its distinctive range of bare aluminium lift-keel cruisers, Alubat’s Ovni brand has been synonymous with bluewater cruising since the 1970s. After a barren period it came out with a…
Hallberg-Rassy 69: Swedish yard announces its largest model ever
Magnus Rassy has announced that his Swedish yard is to build ‘the greatest Hallberg Rassy ever’ in its largest flagship to date, the Hallberg-Rassy 69. The Frers design is very…
Diving from a boat – advice from the experts
As cruisers, we can find ourselves in some of the most beautiful places this world has to offer. But more often than not, the real magic lies just below the…
First look: Owen Clarke 15m expedition yacht
The Owen Clarke 15m is an aluminium lifting keel expedition yacht, which builds on the success of the Owen Clarke-designed 20m (66ft) Qilak, one of the most notable vessels of…
Bluewater cruising insurance – what you need to know
There’s no getting around the fact it has become a lot harder to get boat insurance, particularly bluewater cruising insurance. However, there are still ways to secure good coverage –…
4 best bluewater cruisers of 2022
The results are in from the European Yacht of the Year Awards as the judges have announced their top four bluewater cruisers of 2022. The European Yacht of the Year…
Second hand boats: how to buy a ready to sail yacht
It’s no secret that if you want to buy a new yacht the wait is now likely to be two years or more. But what if you don’t want to…
JPK 39FC review: new sporty 40 cruiser
I have long held that bluewater cruising yachts, especially those under 40ft, have much to gain from the way today’s smaller short-handed offshore raceboats are designed and set up and…
Best bluewater multihulls: HH OC50
The Xiamen-built HH range of catamarans found popularity for its high-performance, all-carbon, hull-flying designs such as the HH66 and HH55. But the HH OC50 is designed as a more affordable…
Video: onboard the new Oyster 595
Your world becomes a very small place when the ease and convenience of travel is lost, a notion that has really hit home in the last couple of year, However,…
Best bluewater multihulls: Fountaine Pajot Saona 47
In a similar fashion to market leaders Lagoon, the area of mass appeal lies in the mid-40ft sector for Fountaine Pajot – now captured by the Fountaine Pajot Saona 47.…
Best bluewater multihulls: Balance 526 and 482
Balance is a shrewd name for these catamarans, which target that elusive balance of comfort, speed and space, typified by the Balance 526. Founded in 2013 by Phillip Berman, Balance…
Best bluewater multihulls: Seawind 1370 and 1600
The first Seawind 1370 is not yet on the water, but comes with a strong heritage of bluewater multihull design. For nearly four decades, the Australian Seawind brand and its…
The best bluewater multihulls of all time: a complete guide
What are the best bluewater multihulls for long term cruising? The one you own, or the one you can afford is the simple answer. There is a wealth of proven…
Best bluewater multihulls: Discovery Bluewater 50
The luxury Bill Dixon designed Discovery Bluewater 50 may be a decade old now and into its third iteration, but the concept behind its original appeal remains. For those used…