One of Coca-Cola’s taglines was, “Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” No words could be more appropriately said when referencing an Antigua sailing vacation. If you have always wanted to set sail in Antigua for the holidays, there has never been a better time to start planning it. Prices are…
The latest Gill coastal sailing jackets and trousers series come in men’s and women’s models. They are sleek and modern-looking garments packed with clever features to ensure you’ll be kept dry in foul weather. During my 10-year career in yachting, this is one of the best foul-weather sets I enjoyed wearing on deck, even over…
Life jackets (also called PFDs or buoyancy aids) have a typical lifespan of around 10 years. Below are key facts about their durability: Remember, over time, life jackets may lose effectiveness, and all life jackets will inevitably expire. But you can prioritize your safety by monitoring their condition. How Long Are Life Jackets Supposed To…
Disposing of marine flares requires a careful approach because they cannot be thrown in the trash or incinerated in a non-approved facility. The chemicals within flares, particularly perchlorates, are harmful to the environment and can pose health risks, including the potential to cause cancer. It’s important to find an authorized facility to incinerate expired flares,…
The Bahamas was good enough to be featured in the opening line of a well-known Beach Boys song. In that case, it should make its way onto your list of sailing holiday destinations. Like many destinations, it has its own attributes that should be considered when planning your trip. After taking everything on this list…
Saint Lucia is one of the most visited Caribbean destinations. With its jutting mountain tops (the Pitons), crystal clear waters, and exciting culture, it’s hardly difficult to see why. Because the Caribbean is a group of islands, there are few ways better to explore it than an ocean cruise. And what better cruise is there…
A sport as old as sailing, which went unaltered for decades, is currently seeing a technological renaissance thanks to innovation in the sport. So when it comes to the best sailing watches, it’ll depend on if you are a purist (mechanical) or a modernist (digital/smart sailing watches). In my 10-year career working in the yachting…
A 10-year yachting career has meant I have dropped more pairs of sunglasses overboard than I care to remember. It has also meant that I’ve tested almost every brand out there. Here are the best sailing sunglasses that you can currently buy. Had I known about these at the beginning of my career, I may…
Let’s get straight into this by stating that the best satellite phone for sailing must use the Iridium Network. Why? Because Iridium is the only satellite communications network that has global coverage. So I’m not even going to bother recommending phones that use other satellite networks such as Inmarsat or Globalstar. If this were an…
When it comes to sailing boots, you will want to look out for a few things. Are the boots breathable, tall, or short, and what are they made from? In my 10-year career in the yachting industry, I’ve found the best overall pair of sailing boots are the Gill Tall Yachting Boot. However, the equation…