Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting November 2022 - Sample Issue by The Chelsea Magazine Company

BURNHAM MARINA A perfect East Coast haven 9 7 7 1 3 6 7 5 8 6 1 4 8 1 1 SAIL SELECTION How to maximise boatspeed TOP 10 Mallorca’sANCHORAGESﬁnestrevealedwith 2022 £4.95 A voyage of self-discoveryCROSSINGATLANTICROUNDBRITAINANDIRELAND Thrills and spills from TWO epic races GRENADINES The guideinsider’stoparadise BOAT TESTS SOLENT WEEKEND Expert tips to plan your perfect getaway ALL THE NOMINATIONS 20 THE 2022AWARDSYACHTINGBRITISH WINDELO 54 AND VIKO S35 Sponsored by

REGULARS 8 News 24 Tom Cunli e 28 Paul Heiney 30 Andy Rice 98 Jess Lloyd-Mostyn UNDER SAIL 16 British Yachting Awards The nominations are in for 2022 32 Solent day out Clive Loughlin lines up a Solent-based trip for 29 October, 2022 36 How we won the Sevenstar RB&I Race Rupert Holmes talks us through his overall victory in this challenging race 42 Transatlantic crossing Mat Desforges talks us through a voyage of discovery 50 Grenadines Insider’s tips on these stunning islands 64 A Vertue - Round Britain performance Matteo Ricciardi talks about victory in a classic Vertue in the other RB&I race 68 Charter Plan your winter Caribbean escape 70 Gull’s Eye Burnham Yacht Harbour Marina in Essex 78 Top 10 Anchorages Finest spots to drop the hook in Mallorca BOATS 14 New boat news 56 Tested: Windelo 54 A stunning fast cruising catamaran 74 Tested: Viko S35 The best value 35 footer on the market? 94 Three of the Best Three of the ﬁnest brokerage boats EXPERT’S FORUM 85 Expert’s Forum From race tactics to cruising conundrums GEAR 80 Buyer’s Guide Select the right new sails for your needs 93 Launched Our picks and reviews 503678 80

is an author, journalist and TV presenter, and one of Britain's best-known cruising sailors

RICE is a journalist and veteran dinghy racer who has won championships at both ends of a ski

Away from awards, our focus shifts to the upcoming Caribbean season with a look both at the joys of a transatlantic crossing and the pleasures of exploring the Grenadines, with helpful insiders tips from our tame charter skipper, Tom Fletcher. My own personal observation when it comes to crossing oceans is choose your crew with care. I completed a transatlantic in 2012 and, although it was ﬁlled with magical moments, it was rather ruined by the fact the skipper was somewhat inexperienced and dictatorial and, my then girlfriend, who was also aboard, chose to tackle him mercilessly on both these weaknesses. The result was a strangely claustrophobic trip that I later wrote up with frankness in this very magazine. What astonished me at the time was the amount of letters I received criticising me for my ungratefulness in not making the most of the trip. I was surprised, as I always thought people rather enjoyed reading about other people's misfortunes, but clearly that is not always the case. Anyway, if an Atlantic trip can be crossed o my bucket list, a transatlantic with a more well adjusted crew remains there. Despite this, I can warmly attest to the fact that the reward of cruising the Caribbean at the end of the crossing was worth it anyway.

Skipper’s View

THE BRITISH YACHTING AWARDS occur but once a year and this is the month in which we reveal our nominations. Awards ceremonies come in all sorts of di erent ﬂavours but what makes this one a vital part of the sailing world is that it is voted for by you, the readers. It sounds mundane to say but it really is vitally important and makes the outcome inﬁnitely more interesting than if they were selected by a tiny percentage of the sailing world who quite possibly had no true connection with what happens out there on the water. So, while we may not be able to decide, say, who our next leader is, at least you have the power to make sure the most deserving candidates win recognition in the sailing world, whether it be for an outstanding achievement or designing a superb new yacht. So have your say by checking out the nominations on p16 and then going to our awards page at britishyachtingawards.com to cast your vote.

JESS LLOYD MOSTYN

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Welcome

ANDY

editor@ sailingtoday.co.uk EDITORIALEDITOR Sam Jefferson 020 3943 9261 sam.je erson@chelseamagazines.comGROUPEDITOR Rob Peake ART & PRODUCTION EDITOR Gareth Lloyd Jones WRITER AND SUB EDITOR Sue Pelling PUBLISHING CONSULTANT Martin Nott PUBLISHER Simon Temlett simon.temlett@chelseamagazines.comADVERTISINGADVERTISEMENTMANAGER Mark Harrington 020 7349 mark.harrington@chelseamagazines.com3734SENIORSALESEXECUTIVE Charlene Homewood 020 7349 charlene.homewood@chelseamagazines.com3779GROUPSALESDIRECTOR Catherine Chapman HEAD OF SALES OPERATIONS Jodie Green ADVERTISEMENT PRODUCTION Allpoints Media Ltd allpointsmedia.co.ukCHAIRMAN Paul Dobson CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Vicki Gavin MANAGING DIRECTOR James PublishedDobsonby: The Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee Place, London, SW3 3TQ Tel: 020 7349 3700 © The Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd 2020. All Rights Reserved. ISSN 1367-5869 (print) ISSN 2059-9285 (digital) No part of this magazine may be reproduced without permission in writing. Every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of information in Sailing Today, but no responsibility can be accepted for the consequences of actions based on the advice portrayed herein. The Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd makes every e ort to ensure that the advertising contained in this magazine is delivered from responsible sources. We cannot, however, accept any responsibility for transactions between readers and advertisers. For the Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd full set of terms and conditions please go to chelseamagazines.com/terms-and-conditions Also part of the Chelsea Marine Magazines family: Subscriptions and back issues Tel: +44 (0) 1858 438769 Annual subscription rates: UK £70 ROW £90 Email: sailingtoday@subscription.co.uk Online: Did you know you can manage your subscription online? Oversee your print and digital subscriptions online today simply by signing up at yourupsubscription.co.uk/chelsea/Solo/.https://www.Staytodatewiththelatestissues,updatepersonaldetails,andevenrenewyoursubscriptionwithjustaclickofabutton. Post: Sailing Today, Subscriptions Department, Chelsea Magazines, Tower House, Sovereign Park, Lathkill Street Market Harborough LE16 9EF chelseamagazines.com 5Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting NOVEMBER 2022

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TOM CUNLIFFE

is a writer and blue water cruiser who is currently moored in Singapore CONTRIBUTORS

POWER TO THE READERS AS VOTING OPENS FOR THE 2022 BRITISH YACHTING AWARDS

The North Wales town of Conwy is a paradise for sailors, with two marinas, a beautiful estuary and a quaint old town. There are also some stunning cruising areas to be explored in the rugged coastline nearby, and around the Isle of Anglesey

Photo: Gareth Lloyd Jones

Conwy

Statements were released by a number of organisations, which recognised the Queen’s and Prince Philip’s support of sailing over decades.

HMY Britannia was also a vessel for family holidays, on what became known as the Western Isles tour, cruising around Scotland in the summer. In 1997 Britannia was placed in the port of Leith in Scotland, where it serves as a floating museum and events venue. Clocks on board remain stopped at 3:01, the time that Her Majesty disembarked for the last time.

Chris Preston, Chair of the Royal Yachting Association, said: “Like so many around the world, we are deeply saddened at the loss of Her Majesty The Queen. Her patronages and charities have covered a wide range of issues, from opportunities for young people, to the preservation of wildlife and the environment. It was an honour for the RYA to host Her Majesty The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh on a trip to Cowes in 2012, where they were introduced to a number of young OnBoard sailors who were enjoying the opportunity to try sailing and windsurfing.

RNLIPHOTO;

World Sailing said: “World Sailing’s home has always been in the United Kingdom, and Her Majesty was an inspiration to sailors in the UK, the Commonwealth and across the world. We join with everyone deeply mourning her passing.”

James Holman, Commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron, said: “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was the Patron of The Royal Yacht Squadron throughout her reign. She gave unstinting support to our late Admiral, His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in his love of sailing. She owned and sailed in HMY Bloodhound, and she still personally owned the Dragon, Bluebottle, and took a close interest in her recent successes. All Members of The Royal Yacht Squadron will deeply mourn her death, and we send our utmost sympathy to His Majesty The King and to all members of The Royal Family.”

“So our respects to The Royal Family at this moment - our thoughts and with them, and we wish them and everyone around the world the very best moving forward from this sad news.”

Sir Ben Ainslie gave a tribute at the SailGP press conference in SaintTropez (see story overleaf), after the series’ Commonwealth teams, Australia, Canada and New Zealand together observed three minutes of silence and lowered their team flags to half mast.

The Royal Yacht Squadron fired 21-gun salutes on Friday 9 September and on Saturday 10 September, to mark the Queen’s death and the proclamation of the new king.

PINTORICARDOPHOTO: 8 NOVEMBER 2022 Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting

“I think that is how many people around the world will remember her. And certainly in this world we are currently living in, that perspective is one of the things the Queen certainly stood for and I am sure the rest of us could certainly gain some from following that.

Ainslie said: “Looking back at all the response to everything that has happened over the last 24 hours, there were some attributes made of the Queen and what she stood for - devotion, service, humility, respect, humor, enjoyment, and perseverance.

Ebb and flow

DuringAssociation.”CowesWeek, RYA Council meetings were often held on HMY Britannia, one of 83 royal yachts over the years.

Sailing pays tribute

“In the days and weeks to come we hope the sorrow turns to celebration of an incredible life - perhaps the most incredible life that’s ever been lived.

“Having Her Majesty as Royal Patron, alongside the support of her husband HRH The Duke of Edinburgh as former RYA President, and her daughter The Princess Royal as our current President, has undoubtedly helped us to raise awareness of our aims to increase participation in boating, to promote safety afloat and to raise sailing standards. Her Majesty will be sorely missed and we offer our deepest condolences to our President, The Princess Royal, and her family.”

RNLI Chief Executive Mark Dowie said: “On behalf of everyone involved with the RNLI, we send our heartfelt condolences to The Royal Family on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty has dedicated 70 years as patron of the RNLI, engaging with and recognising the efforts of thousands of our people. We place on record our sincere thanks for Her Majesty’s unwavering commitment to saving lives at sea. Our thoughts are with The Royal Family and Her Majesty’s loyal subjects across the United Kingdom andTheCommonwealth.”Queenwaspatron of the lifesaving charity since ascending to the throne following the death of her father King George VI in 1952.

Leading sailing organisations paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, following her death on Thursday, 8 September.

EVENTS | NEWS | TALES FROM THE SAILING COMMUNITY

News

The RYA looked back at how in 1948, the then Princess Elizabeth and and Prince Philip were listed as new members of the RYA, known then as the Yacht Racing Association. It became the Royal Yachting Association in 1952 when Sir Ralph Gore, then President, spoke of “Her Majesty’s recent command that the name of the Association will in future be the Royal Yachting

The winners are announced and trophies presented on 28 November, at an exclusive ceremony at the Royal Thames Yacht Club in Knightsbridge. Limited tickets for this event will be released for sale nearer the time –watch our News section and online.

Rupert wins Round Britain & Ireland epic

There are categories for the best new boats launched in the last 12 months, the best pieces of new sailing kit and clothing, the best marinas, as well as categories that recognise personal sailing achievements.

Pip Hare’s IMOCA Medallia took line honours. You can read Rupert’s full acount of his race on page 36.

highlight of the marine industry calendar and a moment when we can pause and take stock of the greatest achievements in the sailing world from the last year. The category shortlists are put together by our editorial team and expert panel of contributors. Now it’s up to you, our readers, to decide who wins!”

Our long-time contributor Rupert Holmes writes in this issue of his gruelling experience in the Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race, which he and co-skipper Richard Palmer won after a dramatic, edge-of-yourseat finish with minutes to spare.

Voting opens for British Yachting Awards

Voting is now official open for our British Yachting Awards, which we organise annually, with our parent company Chelsea Magazines, to celebrate the best of the racing and cruising worlds.

After an extraordinary series of match-racing duels between boats that were within sight of each other for 100s of miles, the 1,805 nm race came to a thrilling climax on the 16th day, when 10 yachts finished in a 14-hour flurry. Among them was Jangada. Five boats were still racing but it was calculated that none of them could better Richard and Rupert’s IRC corrected time. Rob Craigie’s Sun Fast 3600, Bellino, racing Double-

The Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland departed in light winds off the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes, just as the UK fell under a rare heatwave in early August. The conditions didn’t change until the boats reached the western isles of Scotland. Jangada was racing in the highly competitive double-handed class, sailing against crews including Shirley Robertson and Dee Caffari.

Handed with Deb Fish, was second (pictured below left in light winds off Great Skellig). Sam White and Sam North racing JPK 1080 Mzungu! is ranked third overall, under two hours behind Jangada after IRC time correction. All three teams were racing in IRC Two-Handed category.

Group editor Rob Peake said: “The British Yachting Awards has become a

BELLINOC/OPHOTO:WINDSLIGHTTOMLINSON/JAMESPHOTO:FINISH 9Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting NOVEMBER 2022

Vote at britishyachtingawards.com

NewsNewsNewsNews

It’s now up to you to decide how to cast your vote after persusing the nominations, listed in this issue starting on page 16, and also online at britishyachtingawards.com.Traditionallywehavemany thousands of votes coming in, but categories are often decided by the closest margins, so every vote does really count! Your votes alone decide the winners.

The British Yachting Awards is proud to announce category sponsors BoatLife, sponsoring the Young Sailor of the Year, and Hyde Sails sponsoring Cruising Yacht of the Year.

The winners are also revealed in our February issue, published on 30 December in the UK.

Richard said: “Just a full-on race, absolutely no let-up; snakes and ladders all the way. The pressure was always on. Mentally this race was totally exhausting, but great fun with really close competition. The final 12 hours was incredible. As soon as Bellino crossed the line, the clock started ticking and we had a goal to aim for. Our routing andhimRupertspare.tworeachpredictedprogrammewecouldthatgoalwithminutestoIwokeupandtolditwasgameonwewentforit.”

Mzungu’s Sam White said: “The close racing with Bellino was so intense it just blew our minds. We managed to get out in front, but with the wind shutting down so many times, it was actually a disadvantage to be the leading double-handed boat. The teams behind could see us stall and they could then potentially avoid the wind hole. The level of competition was superb, with the pressure on all the time. After St Kilda we were pretty much in a match race with Bellino for 1,000 miles.”

The victory means Richard’s much-campaigned JPK10.10 Jangada is now in line to take the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s Points Trophy, which is given to the boat that accrues the best results across RORC’s international series of races. It is one of the most demanding and logistically complex trophies to win, with amateur crews like Richard and Rupert up against fully professional teams.

Ainslie said after day one: “That was some of the best racing I’ve ever taken part in – at times the boat was shaking through cavitation to the point that I’d imagine it was what it feels like being in a rocket re-entering the earth’s atmosphere. All the teams were pushing the limit.”

The final day proved light, with little foiling possible, and it was Jimmy Spithill and his United States SailGP Team that took the overall win, beating the New Zealand team of Peter Burling and Ben Ainslie’s Great Britain team in the grand finale.

Great Britain SailGP Team helmed by Ben Ainslie in light winds on day two.

Thumbs up from Jimmy Spithill as Red Bull Racing F1 driver Max Verstappen takes the wheel for a drag race against Tom Slingsby and the Australia SailGP Team, ahead of the event.

“We have a great team, that has come through quite a lot of adversity through the past couple of seasons. We keep digging and putting ourselves out there and definitely have the capabilities to win the events. I’m confident that we can get there.”

Buckle/SailGPHighwinds on

A near capsize for the Canada SailGP team, helmed by Phil Robertson, with France SailGP Team helmed by Quentin Delapierre behind. © Bob Martin/SailGP

Spithill’s win revived a troubled season for the United States team so far. He said: “It’s fantastic to get that first win, it’s been a long time coming, but it was just an incredible team effort this weekend, and it’s great to be on the board at last. We have just been working really, really hard since the beginning of this season. We backed ourselves, we knew we would get there, we just needed to keep learning the lessons and not worry too much about what was said outside the team.”

10 NOVEMBER 2022 Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting

Technical issues for GRB with their starboard daggerboard case led to an early retirement, but after the shore team completed a quick on-water fix, they were back racing and managed to finish the day in fifth place overall.

SailGP’s foiling F50 catamarans were using the high winds off Saint Tropez to close in on their outright speed record at final practice on Friday 9 September. Favourites for the win at the Range Rover France Sail Grand Prix were the New Zealand SailGP Team, with Peter Burling looking for a third win in row after victories in Plymouth and Copenhagen.Dayonesaw the big winds increase, with some of the biggest breeze ever seen on a SailGP racetrack, gusts of 29kts giving the sell-out crowd thrills and near spills.

Amelie Riou, strategist of France SailGP Team on loan to the USA team, lifts the trophy after the US win.

Brits on podium in SailGP France

Ainslie said: “It was all about finding the pressure to get the boat around the course and in the right position. The team did a really good job to get into the podium final. It wasn’t easy out there. Congratulations to Jimmy and the US Team, they’ve been knocking on the door for a while now.

The Tall Ships Youth Trust has been visiting ports around the coast this summer as it navigates Britain in a 72ft yacht crewed by disadvantaged young people.

High-level practical skills, measurement experience, and attention to detail, ideally in boatbuilding or surface finishing, are required. In addition, you will need to be able problem solve, work independently and have good people skills.

I sat in the saloon, dazed and barely able to stand. Slowly, I drank some orange juice. Then the North Sea came rushing back to finish off its curse. I raced up on deck and hung over the cockpit yet again threw up.

“This is a really rare opportunity to play a major role in the team’s preparation for Paris 2024.

[Mate] Rob had followed me and sat nearby as I hung there groaning. I told him I wanted to go home. And then he did something only a wise ‘old-ish’ man with a flowing beard could do. He gave me a good, motivational talk and I sat up full of life again.

“Olympic sailing relies on equipment and we need someone who can help ensure we have the best-prepared kit in the world.”

Diary report from crew member Troy, after the sail to Newcastle: “We had got a right good slap from the raging North Sea and came out the other end groggy and beaten, but nonetheless alright.

I, however, was still suffering. I felt like someone had thrown me into a tumble dryer, spun me around for a good five minutes and then tossed me down a hill.

With less than two years to go until the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, a rare opportunity to join the British Sailing Team has arisen.

British Sailing Team seeks help

The trust’s CEO Alastair Floyd said: “The pandemic stopped us from running this fantastic tour but not anymore! It’s been great to offer young people the opportunity to sail from one part of the country to another and experience different sailing and living environments. It’s also helped us to spread the word about our work with open events in Whitehaven, Greenock, Newcastle and Ipswich.” tallships.org

11Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting NOVEMBER 2022

Kids go round Britain with charity

The trust’s Round Britain Adventure started in July from Portsmouth and had reached Royal Quays Marina in North Shields as we went to press, with Ipswich the final stopover in September. Overall 80 young people aged 12-25 will have benefitted from doing a leg or more, joining the boat as it stops at their lcoal port.

The trust, based in Portsmouth, has been operating as a youth sail training charity for 66 years, most recently running 72ft yachts originally built for the Global Challenge events. The trust is fundraising to buy a new boat capable of giving the same life-changing opportunities to more youngsters.

The day went on and we set sail and continued our voyage. The sea was easier on us then. We all sat in the cockpit and laughed, sang to music that blasted through the speakers and ate chicken korma on deck, seasoned with spits of salt water from the North Sea.

If this sounds like you, you’re invited to contact workshop@ britishsailingteam.com for an informal chat.

Adam May, Chief Technical Officer for the British Sailing Team, said:

Team GB’s sailors are the most successful in history – and now the team is on the hunt for a practical, hands-on boat technician to work alongside its world-class technical team to help keep that title.

The role will involve working with the British Sailing Team’s Chief Technical Officer and Boatbuilder at the team base in Portland, Dorset, preparing and maintaining a variety of Olympic sailing dinghies and boards, and to help with the day to day running of the workshop.

Staring out into the open expanse with rolling hills of water as far as the eye could see really opened up something inside me. It filled me with a pungent nostalgia that really had no reason to be there. The atmosphere was electric and everyone was bantering and getting along like a ‘house on fire’ and then some. It was seriously the getaway I needed and I definitely am not alone in that regard. It was a needed escape.”

RS Sailing held the third quadrennial RS Games at Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy from 21 July to 5 August.

RS300 National Champion – Paul Watson

The Olympic days of the RS:X are gone, alas, but World Sailing will continue to allow ‘paddling’ to help propel your boat or board’s progress through the water. Paddling involves using any part of your body, usually hand or feet, to increase SOG in conditions where wind alone won’t do it. In foiling classes the idea is less popular, due to the risk of slicing your hand or foot o , but in the old-stlye, hull-inwater classes, the practice remains useful, although it is surprisingly little known. With racing as competitive as ever, at elite and club level, the marginal gains to be made can be the di erence between winning and losing. However, not all umpires approve of paddling, so do be sure to check the latest Rules before you hang your legs over the transom and attempt to kick your way to the ﬁnish instead of just sailing there. If caught out, consider protesting that you were in fact celebrating, as may well have been the case in this shot from the RS:X Europeans a few years ago in Marseille...

RS200 Celebration Champion – Tom Hewitson , Lucy Hewitson

RS400 Celebration Champion – Ollie Groves,

RS Aero European Champion – RS Aero – 5 Chloe George / RS Aero 6 – Chris Hatton / RS Aero 7 – Martis Pajarskas / RS Aero 9 – Peter Barton

When wind alone won’t get you there... Quote and buy online at www.noblemarine.co.uk or call us on 01636 707606 Authorised & regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority 12 NOVEMBER 2022 Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting

Do be sure to check the Rules before hanging your legs over the transom...

DIFFICULTY RATING: 1/5

Sam Waller

RS500 World Champions – Tim Wilkins & Heather Wilkins

RS Vareo National Champion – Luke Fisher

The RS brand was launched in 1994 and RS Games has been held every four years sinceJon2014.Partridge, CEO (Commercial) of RS Sailing, said: “It’s hard to put into words what the RS Games 2022 meant to RS Sailing. It’s always so inspiring to spend time at an event with our customers and we’ve been overwhelmed by the positive response we’ve received.

RS100 National Champion – Huw Powell

Position: The Paddler

RS21 National Champion – Hugh Watson, Helen Watson, Susanna Bickford, Emma McEwen

“We are so grateful to WPNSA and all our amazing partners that made this event possible. It was a truly special couple of weeks. We have made memories that will last a lifetime.”

Alex Newton Southon, CEO (Design & Technologies) of RS Sailing, said: “It was incredible to see all 16 classes racing. We’re so proud that our humble classes get so many people involved in our amazing sport.”

RS600 National Champion – George Smith RS700 European & National Champion – Theo Galyer

RS800 National Champion – Tom Morris, Guy Fillmore

RS Aero Youth World Champion – RS Aero 5 –Jonathan Bailey / RS Aero 7 – Vejas Strelciunas

RS Tera World Champion – RS Tera Sport – Ruta Mažunaviciute / RS Tera Pro – Archie MunroPrice

RS Feva World Champion – Joseph Jones, Charlie Howard

The RS Games 2022 was registered for Clean Regatta status.

The event comprised an impressive four world championships, two European championships, eight national championships, and 16 RS classes racing overall. A total of 713 RS boats and 1,037 competitors took part.

Big success for RS Games