Sailing

Sailing, seamanship, navigation, weather, voyages and the practical business of making boats work at sea.

Returning to the Shipyard This Spring

We're heading back to the Shipyard to close the hull, build the connecting beams, and finally prepare for launch. After that, I’m looking forward to the maiden voyage to Porto, electrics, interior work, coffee, visitors, and the sea.

My Morning Dose of Sailing Videos

I’m confessing to a serious sailing-video habit, fuelled by coffee and dreams of taking my own little cat to Polynesia. A Wharram Tiki 30 crossing the Moorea lagoon was exactly the encouragement I needed before heading out to work in the cold.

A Bike Fall Interrupts Boatbuilding

I was meant to be re-rigging a Colin Archer near the Arctic Circle, but a slow bike fall left me with injuries to both hands and my knee. Boatbuilding commentary will resume when at least one hand works again.

Waking Up off Brixham

I’m bobbing along the coast by Brixham on a small Wharram in calm seas. That’s a beautiful way to wake up.

Sailing East with Rory on Moana

I joined Rory McDougall on Moana on the way back from Special Hui in Devoran, sailing happily east and getting a crash course in “Tiki whispering”.

Leaving It All Behind for a Few Days

I’m leaving everything behind for a few days and heading to the Special Wharram Hui in Falmouth.

Our Plan for Ikaroa as Sail Cargo

We’re letting you in on our plan to use Ikaroa as a 100 per cent clean, all-electric sail cargo vessel. I’ve also found partners in EcoClipper, who are already working towards a modern sail cargo industry.

Making a New Cover for Nimrod

After moving aboard Nimrod and slowly recovering from COVID, I made a waterproof cover for her boom and foredeck. The craftsmanship may not win prizes, but it should do the job.

A Farewell to James Wharram

James deeply influenced my life as a sailor and designer. I send my deepest condolences to Hanneke, with sadness that we will never show him the Tiki he helped us realise.

Storm Evert Arrives Late

Storm Evert, the first named storm of the year, arrived late after a calm 7 am start. We’re now seeing gusts up to 40 knots and a rather less calm sea.

Nimrod Stuck in Ramsgate Weather

The hotel has drained us, so we took our 24ft little ship Nimrod back towards the South Coast for somewhere cheaper to sleep. We are now stuck in Ramsgate because she does not enjoy this weather straight on the nose.

NOAA’s Blended Global Sea Winds

Kass has shared a resource I’ve been looking for a long time: NOAA’s blended global sea-wind data. Enjoy.

Nimrod, Our Little Lockdown Beauty

Locked away from our boats, I bought Nimrod, a 24ft Falmouth Gypsy, to play with before building the proper one. This post also marks the official premiere of TheSeaNation video channels.