Old-Sea-Dogs Articles
Fletcher’s team, cheered on by a roaring hometown crowd, had looked sharp all weekend but fell just short in a shortened, high-drama final on the Solent. The Swiss SailGP Team, skippered by Sebastian Schneiter, grabbed third — a first-ever finals appearance for the team, and a weekend they won’t forget anytime soon.
Burling was all business on the podium. “Challenging conditions, but the team delivered,” he said. “We’re proud to be heading into the European swing as leaders.
© Ricardo Pinto for SailGP
Portsmouth delivered drama, heartbreak, and a Kiwi coup as SailGP’s fiercest foilers fought for glory on the Solent.
23-07-2025
At the head of the fleet is Bryon Ehrhart’s 88-foot Lucky (formerly Rambler 88), chewing through the final 350 miles in big breezes, clocking over 400 miles in a day. Despite starting nearly four days after the first batch, Lucky’s aiming squarely at the Barn Door Trophy for fastest elapsed time. Navigator Stan Honey predicts landfall in the early hours of Friday, July 11. The prestigious King Kalakaua Trophy, awarded for best corrected time, remains undecided until the last boat finishes.
22-07-2025
Here's a bit of fun....!!
In recent years, a striking new trend has emerged on lakes, marinas, and coastal waters: the jet car boat. At first glance, they resemble sleek sports cars—low-slung, aerodynamic bodies, aggressive grilles, and detailed paintwork—but don’t be fooled. These are not amphibious vehicles or floating gimmicks. Jet car boats are high-performance personal watercraft (PWCs) built for speed, style, and showmanship on the water. And they are taking the recreational marine scene by storm.
21-07-2025
Under blazing skies and with the Solent simmering in summer heat, the UKOPRA Offshore Powerboat Championships roared back into action on Saturday with the third round of the series: the legendary “Solent 80.” Eighteen boats took on the demanding clockwise circuit around the Isle of Wight, delivering drama, mechanical heartbreak, and spectacular performances—classic offshore racing in all its noisy, unpredictable glory.
21-07-2025
Wouldn’t be the first time a Jean-Pierre Kelbert design came in sideways and stole the silverware. His initials are stamped on the transom — literally — and his boats have a reputation for upsetting the pecking order in offshore racing. The 34-foot JPK 1050 might just be the sharpest new weapon in a fleet of 73, and it’s already shown a flash of brilliance.
20-07-2025
The Nautitech 40 Open, a 39.4-foot catamaran that’s as much a lifestyle statement as it is a vessel, crafted for the modern sea lover. Built in Rochefort, France, by Nautitech Catamarans—now under the savvy umbrella of Capital Management Partners alongside Bavaria—this multihull marvel is a blend of Franco-German engineering and eco-conscious swagger.
20-07-2025
Revived by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) for its centenary year and to be held biennially thereafter, the 2025 edition promises high-performance racing, intense offshore challenges, and a celebration of sailing heritage.
18-07-2025
The Admiral’s Cup returns to Cowes from 17 July to 1 August 2025, reviving offshore sailing’s iconic team race. National teams will compete in inshore and offshore events, celebrating Corinthian spirit, tradition, and global competition on the Solent.
17-07-2025
Don't forget this weekend the iconic Portsmouth Waterfront Grandstand will transform into the pulse of adrenaline‑fuelled sailing as SailGP’s high-tech F50 catamarans take centre stage. These cutting‑edge, foiling catamarans—each 50 feet long and capable of flying above water at nearly 100 km/h—are the pulse of the sport.
17-07-2025
The 2025 Transpac is full steam ahead, and the fleet is chewing through the miles toward that sweet slice of volcanic paradise: the Diamond Head finish line off Honolulu. It’s the 53rd running of this epic 2,225-mile dash across the Pacific — and it hasn’t disappointed. A race born in 1906, Transpac is part marathon, part chess match, part saltwater soap opera. This year’s show kicked off with staggered starts over five days — a pursuit-style shuffle that’s split the fleet and stirred the pot.
16-07-2025
The Australian Commercial Marine Conference returns to Sydney on Thursday, 31 July 2025 aboard the M/V Starship Sydney. Now in its second consecutive year, the event follows strong industry demand for a dedicated national forum to address sector challenges, explore insights from leading authorities and to strengthen connections across Australia’s commercial marine sector.
Conceptualised by Nick Lester, General Manager at SeaLink Sydney and hosted by the Australian Commercial Marine Group (ACMG), the conference will bring together ferry and tourism vessel operators, marine technology innovators, naval architects and designers, shipbuilders, component manufacturers and suppliers, as well as safety regulators and policymakers.
15-07-2025
The Ocean Race will return to Itajaí, Brazil during the 2027 and 2031 around the world races.
Known for its enthusiastic fans who welcome the sailors and teams after weeks of racing through the challenging conditions of the Southern Ocean, Itajaí is always a welcome stop on the race calendar. This will mark the fifth time the race has been in Itajaí and the 11th visit to Brazilian shores.
15-07-2025
Some people drift into sailing. Rachel Mcguigan charged in—eyes up, hands on, no time to waste.
When she first spoke to Leo Cantwell, skipper of Aileron, he asked her straight: “What do you want to learn?” Her answer was clear and fearless: “I want to do a helming course. I want to learn bow. I want it all. I’m not mucking about.” And she wasn’t. Leo took her seriously—and from that moment, things started moving.
13-07-2025
This weekend, the waters of the Solent will come alive with high-octane action as Round 3 of the 2025 UKOPRA Offshore Powerboat Championship roars into Haslar Marina for the much-anticipated Solent 80. Set for Saturday, 12 July, this event is shaping up to be a showcase of raw speed, adrenaline-fuelled competition, and technical mastery – all played out against the iconic backdrop of the south coast’s legendary boating waters.
12-07-2025
The 20 biggest, fastest boats racing in the 2025 Transpac began their offshore sprint from Los Angeles, California, to Honolulu, Hawaii, today. Ranging in length from 51 to 88 feet, these boats are competing in four divisions and also aiming to win the race’s two most prestigious prizes. The Barn Door Trophy honours the boat with the fastest elapsed time across the 2,225 nautical mile racecourse, while the King Kalakaua Trophy is awarded to the team that posts the fastest corrected time using the Offshore Racing Rule handicap system.
12-07-2025
British skipper Sam Goodchild celebrated his first victory in the IMOCA Class yesterday after crossing the finish line of the Course des Caps - Boulogne-sur-Mer - Banque Populaire du Nord, a 1,800-nautical mile sprint around Britain and Ireland.
10-07-2025
I am based on the Isle of Wight and get to see many yachts and boats of all shapes and sizes.
However The Moxley 12 is a rare gem in the world of cruising catamarans—an elegant, 12-metre vessel built for those who value both performance and long-range comfort. Designed and constructed by Moxley Marine Ltd in 2015, the Moxley 12 (also known as “RA”) reflects a deep understanding of modern multihull design, bringing together speed, seaworthiness, and a spacious onboard lifestyle.
18-06-2025