When thinking of bilge keels in Great Britain, Westerly quickly comes to mind, and when discussing popular recreational boating, the Centaur is a natural choice. Quite common along our coasts, the Centaur is one of the great successes of the Westerly shipyard. The Westerly Centaur is an iconic coastal cruising sailboat, designed by naval architect …
Located on the Belgian coast, Oostende is much more than just a seaside resort. It is also a well-sheltered marina. But above all, it is a maritime crossroads, where history, modernity, and a passion for the sea come together. With its dynamic marina, a rich nautical ecosystem, and a pleasant city, Ostend stands as a …
Straddling the border between Switzerland and France, Lake Geneva — or Lac Léman — stands as a jewel of European sailing. With its 72 kilometers in length and 580 km² of surface area, this glacial alpine lake offers an exceptional playground for sailing, regattas, and water sports enthusiasts. Proof of its vibrancy: a rich associative …
We all know that there are many more seas than oceans, and that they are smaller. But how can we differentiate a sea from an ocean? And more concretely, what characterizes seas, and what characterizes oceans? In short, I invite you to understand the difference between a sea and an ocean. When we go to …
In all civilizations, throughout the history of the world, the sea and oceans have both fascinated and terrified men and women alike. Between sea monsters and gods whose will must not be defied, the sea inspired fear. Today, I invite you to revisit the main gods of the sea and oceans from antiquity. It’s true …
The Lagoon 42 is a cruising catamaran that has successfully won over many boaters and charter bases. This 12-meter multihull is an excellent used catamaran for those who want to sail anywhere with a certain level of comfort. Lagoon shipyard unveiled its Lagoon 42 catamaran at the Düsseldorf Boat Show in 2016. A cruising multihull …
Innovating in the boating world, especially when it comes to layouts, is no easy task. Yet, the Bali 4.3 makes a bold statement. This catamaran redefines spaces and the organization of life aboard a multihull, which has always been the shipyard’s DNA. Here’s a catamaran that’s changing the game. The Bali 4.3 is a 43-foot …
Delphia, a Polish boatbuilder integrated into the Beneteau Group, unveils a new version of its Delphia 11, equipped with a Yanmar 4LV250 engine delivering 250 hp. This model positions itself as a response to the expectations of boaters looking to navigate both inland waterways and coastal areas, offering an unprecedented balance between performance, autonomy, and …
Key Takeaways Why This Race Matters in the IMOCA Calendar The Ocean Race Atlantic is more than just a transatlantic race. It marks the return of IMOCA boats to competition after the summer break and serves as an open-air laboratory for teams preparing for The Ocean Race, the crewed round-the-world race set to begin in …
The Sun Odyssey 33i is a cruising sailboat produced by the shipyard Jeanneau and designed by architect Marc Lombard. Launched in 2009, it is part of the Sun Odyssey range, intended for cruising. With a length of 9.74 meters and a width of 3.34 meters, this monohull positions itself as a family-friendly, seaworthy, and well-designed …
The bilge pump is the safety instrument we tend to forget. And the fact is, the goal is for it to be forgotten. But precisely because we forget it, we take risks. Here, I suggest we revisit the different types of bilge pumps, the regulations, and a list of the most well-known and recognized models. …
The smoke from a boat engine can provide a lot of information about the engine’s health, especially for an inboard engine. The boat engine has always been a source of concern for a boater. And surprisingly, this concern is even greater for sailboat owners… the fear of not being able to rely on it in …
There are boats that simply cannot go unnoticed. Catamarans designed to push the boundaries, combining speed, travel, and pure pleasure. Models that, while not accessible to everyone, inspire dreams and redefine the limits of innovation and sailing enjoyment. Today, we focus on five French shipyards that, each in their own way, break new ground: Excess …
You’re at the helm of a small, simple, and maneuverable sailboat. A boat that lets you dip your toes in the water, on the edge of a beach or in a hidden cove where no one else goes. You’re alone in the world—or almost. The birds are close by. Could true freedom be right there, …
The Gib’Sea 302 is a 9-meter cruising sailboat, designed by the Joubert-Nivelt firm and built by Gibert Marine between 1992 and 1996. With 145 units produced, this sailboat found its audience and became one of the benchmarks in the 30-foot category. With a generous interior volume, above-average build quality, and respectable performance, this cruiser has …
Mooring your boat with complete peace of mind, without worrying about friction or impacts against the dock, another boat, or a pontoon, depends on a thoughtful choice of fenders. This essential equipment plays a very important role in protecting the hull. But what diameter should you choose? How many should you install on each side? …
For most of us, the peak sailing season is summer, from July to August. And you’ve always been told that summer is the ideal time to set sail, right? Well, think again. As the holidaymakers pack up and the beaches empty, a magical window opens for boaters: September in Brittany. Fewer crowds, golden light, wildlife …
From August 14, 2026, Stockholm hosts the Team Racing World Championship, where 12 national teams and 96 sailors compete in J/80 keelboats in fast-paced, two-boat-against-two-boat races. While the event highlights athletic precision and teamwork, it also serves as a platform for Bluewater, a Swedish water technology company, to showcase a groundbreaking solution: turning Baltic Sea …
Changing the sails of your sailboat is generally a big budget. So to avoid making the wrong sails or fabric, here is a short, very simple guide to know if you need to change your sails and how to choose the sails suited to your sailboat. Sails are an important item in the cost of …
Sailing is freedom, adventure, the wind in your hair and the horizon as far as the eye can see. But be careful, behind this dream lie traps that too many beginners fall into. Mistakes that can ruin a budding passion, cost you money, or worse… endanger your safety. What if, without knowing it, you were …
From the October 1-6, 2026, Genoa will return to being the world capital of sailing with the 66th edition of the International Boat Show Confindustria NauticaThe event, which returns to its traditional dates in October, presents itself as a , in a context that confirms Italy’s leadership in the global nautical sector. With a program …
Sailing has always been a school of freedom. A parenthesis where the wind, the waves and the horizon dictate the rhythm. Yet, in the age of total connectivity, our cockpits increasingly resemble spaceship command centers: Fishfinder-chartplotter combos, touchscreen tablets with routing software, high-resolution fishfinders, NMEA 2000 networks, connected anemometers, AIS, radars… Innovations are multiplying, promising …
The Winner 8 Electric is an excellent, high-performance, and very solidly built coastal sailing yacht. Like all sailboats from this shipyard, it offers a sailing experience that combines comfort and efficiency. The Winner 8 is distinguished by its electric propulsion system, an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional diesel engines, and its very shallow draft. We …