Cowes Week Guide
A practical Old Sea Dogs guide to Cowes Week: racing, shore plans, berthing, viewing points, first-timer traps and what to check before heading for the Solent.
CYCA · © CYCA · © cyca Noakes Sydney Gold Coast
Boating news, reviews, and sea stories
Old Sea Dogs
Nearly four decades after its inaugural race, the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race continued to prove that offshore success depends as much on patience and seamanship as outright speed.
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Useful pages for real days afloat
The Old Sea Dogs Guide to the Round the Island Race
How to think about the Round the Island Race: the course, pinch points, race-day planning, spectator notes and the practical checks that matter before the start.
Solent Marina Guide
A practical guide to choosing Solent marina stops, from Cowes and the Hamble to Lymington, Portsmouth and Yarmouth, with the checks that matter before arrival.
UK Boat Show Calendar
A checked calendar-style guide to UK boat shows and sailing events, with confirmed dates called out and uncertain listings kept honest.
Beginner's Guide to Yacht Clubs
What yacht clubs are for, how to visit one without feeling out of place, what membership usually buys, and how to find the right club for your sailing.
Edited by Michael Hodges
A practical Solent eye on boating stories
Old Sea Dogs is being tightened around attributed sources, corrections, image credits, practical notes and Michael's own boating judgement: RYA Day Skipper, Powerboat Level 2, years around Cowes and the Hamble, and a taste for details that survive contact with the tide.
Featured Club
Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC)
Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC) is based in Hong Kong, Hong Kong. It is known for harbour racing, offshore events, dinghy sailing and a busy social calendar in one of the world's great port cities.
Open club pageLatest from the Watch
Fresh sailing stories, race notes and waterfront news
Round the Island Race Became a Journey of Recovery, Friendship and New Beginnings for the Stride Forward Crew
The 2026 Round the Island Race was about far more than finishing positions as a remarkable crew demonstrated how sailing can rebuild confidence, purpose and lives after serious injury.3 min read
Round Britain & Ireland Race 2026: The Next Generation Sets Sail for Offshore Sailing's Greatest Test
The Royal Ocean Racing Club's 2026 Round Britain & Ireland Race is more than another offshore contest. It is where ambition meets endurance as experienced veterans and young sailors tackle 1,800 unforgiving miles around Britain and Ireland.3 min read
Editor's Choice
Hand-picked stories worth a proper look
Chosen for useful detail, clean attribution and a reason to read beyond the headline.
News
Revolution Met Evolution as Malizia 4 and DMG MORI Global One Redefined IMOCA Design
Malizia 4 and DMG MORI Global One brought opposing IMOCA design philosophies to The Ocean Race Atlantic, setting revolution against evolution in a fascinating test of offshore speed and reliability.
News
A New Helm for Heesen Yachts: Captain Mike Rouse Appointed as Strategic Advisor
Heesen Yachts, a pioneer in the yacht-building industry, positions Mike Rouse as Strategic Advisor, intending to optimise the captain's technical prowess and commanding expertise.
News
Nausicaä: Lürssen Launches Unconventional Fuel-Cell Superyacht and Jassj Sets Sail for Sea Trials
The maritime world welcomes Nausica, an innovative superyacht equipped with fuel-cell technology, while its sister ship, Jassj, embarks on sea trials.
Races
Unpredictable Weather and Tight Margins at Border Counties Midweek Sailing at Shotwick Lake
A spectacle of adventurous sailing, Shotwick Lake became the epicentre of drama at the latest Border Counties meeting.
Boat Reviews
Launches, sea trials, and owner-minded notes
Reviews are written around the questions buyers and skippers actually ask: handling, access, storage, maintenance, and whether the layout works once the weather turns.