Every discerning sailor will carry out some sort of weather routeing before going out on the water. The extent to which we are able to predict weather patterns and assess…
Gear reviews
Atlantic gear test – Pip Hare tests kit on a 5,400nm crossing
Varta High Optics 3C Flashlight – 9/10 Used: every night of the race for sail trim, sail changes, rig checks and problem solving. This handheld torch allowed me to pick…
Tested: AIS MOB devices – help your crew to save your life if you should go overboard
In a safety briefing for the double-handed Transat Jacques Vabre race, a French search and rescue pilot told us just how hard it is for a spotter plane to see…
Zhik ZMerino Thermals
I wore these Zhik thermals during the 2015 Fastnet Race, in a three-layer combination system with midlayers and outer layers. The top was worn for about 75 per cent of…
£72.30
SunGod Classics2 sunglasses review
I like sunglasses and have accrued a growing collection of assorted pairs. Rarely do I part with much money for them however, as I see little point when I know…
£45.00
Seabung review
Sometimes products come along that make you question why no one has thought of them before. And that was definitely my first impression when I got hold of a Seabung…
£49.99
Henri Lloyd Elite Therm mid layer jacket and trousers
I used these midlayers during the 2015 Fastnet Race, and although it was not a particularly cold event, these were the best piece of kit/clothing I brought with me. I…
£134.95
Pontos four-speed winch
How frustrating it would be to have a car with just two gears! Yet most sailors still rely on standard two-speed self-tailing winches for all winching applications. The self-tailing winch…
£1,033.00
Flipbelt
Although designed as a comfortable place for runners to hold their iPod or phone, the Flipbelt is also a useful way to carry money, keys or phone securely in warmer…
£25.00
Henri-Lloyd Halcon jacket
Elaine is not the only one to fall for a packaway-style jacket (see her review of the Musto Women’s Evolution Primaloft Jacket). The Henri-Lloyd Halcon jacket became an instant favourite and…
£135.00
Cousin Trestec Constrictor 10 review
Working on the same principle as the Chinese finger trap, the Cousin Trestec Constrictor 10 is a simple yet effective means of securing relatively highly loaded lines. This principle of…
£80.00
Musto Women’s Evolution Primaloft Jacket
This is my new favourite mid-layer jacket. The Musto Women’s Evolution Primaloft Jacket is warm, but incredibly light. It is filled with PrimaLoft, a patented synthetic microfibre that has almost magic…
£149.00
Sailfuse tested
There are a number of solutions on the market to help control a gybe and minimise the effects of a crash gybe, but how practical, effective and relevant are they…
£159.00
Walder boom brake tested
There are a number of solutions on the market to help control a gybe and minimise the effects of a crash gybe, but how practical, effective and relevant are they…
£250.00
Wichard Gyb’Easy tested
There are a number of solutions on the market to help control a gybe and minimise the effects of a crash gybe, but how practical, effective and relevant are they…
£215.00
Pip Hare’s choice of EPIRBs, PLBs and other man overboard aids that could just save your life
EPIRBs When activated, an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) transmits its details on 406MHZ and, if GPS-enabled, the vessel’s position to within 100m. This signal is relayed by satellite…
SafeSip drinking cap
This SafeSip cap allows you to use virtually any drinking vessel without fear of spillage. The UK-made reusable silicone cap stretches over cups, glasses and cans to keep liquids in…
£4.00
Karver KBO 10 lashing block
Lashing blocks offer weight-saving, good articulation, no metal-on-metal wear and high strength, so it’s no surprise they are becoming popular. This KBO block is elegant-looking with rounded edges to avoid…
£172.00
Delorme inReach Explorer
This piece of kit has an impressive array of functions packed into a small handheld device. It is a tracker, it can send and receive text messages via the Iridium…
£270.00
Exposure Marine X2 marine torch
Why would you need a marine torch that costs £200, particularly if it needs recharging rather than using batteries? Although I had been impressed with Exposure Marine’s innovative and extremely…
£200.00