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.
© Paul Wyeth
Boating news, reviews, and sea stories
Old Sea Dogs
Countdown to Round the Island 2026 Few races capture the spirit of British sailing quite like the Round the Island Race. With more than 600 boats already entered, the countdown is on for another unforgettable day as sailors of every ability prepare to tackle the famous 50-mile circuit of the Isle of Wight, where skill, teamwork and the ever-changing Solent conditions will decide the day's fortunes.
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Useful pages for real days afloat
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.
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Port Adriano
On the sun-drenched southwest coast of Mallorca, Port Adriano stands as one of Europe’s most modern and luxurious marinas. Designed by the legendary French architect Philippe Starck, this sleek and elegant port blends cutting-edge infrastructure with refined aesthetics, creating a space where yachting excellence meets high-end living. Purpose-built to cater to superyachts and their discerning owners, Port Adriano is
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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.