Sailing Today is the magazine for hands on cruising sailors, offering a wealth of practical advice and a dynamic mix of in-depth boat, gear and equipment reviews.
It is written cover to cover by sailors for sailors. Since its launch in 1997, Sailing Today has sealed its reputation as the magazine for essential sailing information and advice.
Thanks to our superb team of experts, Sailing Today is packed with news and advice for the hands-on cruising sailor. Specialising in yachts between 25ft and 60ft, with fantastic market leading boat and gear tests, and regular advice about seamanship and navigation, Sailing Today delivers the practical back up needed for those who enjoy using their boats, be it cruising around the coast, across the channel or in blue waters.
Sailing Today
Skipper’s View • DINGHY SAILING WAS THE FIRST LOVE OF MANY SAILORS AND IT IS VITAL THAT WE ENSURE THAT IT CONTINUES TO FLOURISH
CONTRIBUTORS
Small boat, big ocean • The Mini Globe fleet takes a breather in Cape Town. The fleet of Alma 580 19’ plywood boats is well on its way to complete a gruelling 28,000nm singlehanded race which circumnavigates the globe
Rumble down under • The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is one of a handful of iconic races known for sometimes fearsome conditions. You know you’re in the home straight when you sight the rugged headland of Tasmania’s Cape Raoul. For a full race report turn to p10
Ebb and flow • EVENTS | NEWS | TALES FROM THE SAILING COMMUNITY
New boats • Sam Jefferson looks at the latest designs and launches
Paul Heiney • Paul eyes up the burgeoning AI revolution and its effect on the sailing world with a certain degree of cynicism and world weariness
Andy Rice • The comings and goings of SailGP, plus Andy salutes the movers and shakers who push technology boundaries to another level
HIGHS IN LOWS • Karen Hubbard narrates a voyage in the wake of Erskine Childers – a trip from Belgium all the way through the Frisian Isles and into the Baltic Sea
Tom Cunliffe • Tom recalls a close-encounter story with a group of ‘likely lads’ in the Caribbean who finally got their comeuppance!
MERLIN WIZARDRY • The Merlin Rocket celebrates 80 years as a national class in 2026. Louise Johnson caught up with current class Chairman Stuart Jenkins to find out what continues to make this class so robust and appealing
RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show preview 2026 • Launch into the new season at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show 2026. The UK’s biggest celebration of small-boat sailing and watersports returns to Farnborough International from 21–22 February 2026 for a weekend of inspiration, innovation and practical know-how
MILE EATER… WORLD BEATER? • The Jules Verne trophy for the fastest non stop trip around the world has always attracted wild designs. The all-new Gitana 18 may be the most exciting yet, as Sam Fortescue reports
CAN WE FIX IT? • What’s it like when things go wrong at sea but you’re not the one in charge? Ali Wood chats to ARC+ sailors as they reflect on breakages and rig damage on their transatlantic passage
SPACE - THE FINAL FRONTIER • Sam Jefferson sails the new Dufour 54 – a boat that attempts to give new meaning to the term ‘roomy’
UN-THAI THE LINES • Where can sailors go to beat the winter blues? Georgie Corlett-Pitt steps off the beaten track with a beach holiday in Thailand
BIG, FAT GREEK HOLIDAY • From beach holidays to flotillas, there are few places to match the huge choice on offer in Greece, says Sue Pelling. Here we look at some of the options in three popular areas – Cyclades, Ionian, Saronic Gulf
RISK MANAGEMENT • Insurance isn’t glamorous but it’s vitally important. Sam Fortescue looks at the options available to sailors in 2026
SWAN IN...