Blogs

Image: Marine Conservation Society

Definitely designed with getting afloat in mind this dry bag will allow you to take your gear on the water without getting wet. Not only is it a really useful size – 22 litres – but it has various pockets to hold valuables, a towel, clothes and a couple of drink bottles. It is easy to grab your bottle as the deck bag has two external pockets.

The top mesh pocket is ideal for easy access for items like your mobile (inside dry bag), cap, suncream and so on.

Long before Blue Planet was aired on TV, artist Kevin Dean was becoming increasingly concerned about the amount of plastic waste that was being washed up on the beach near his home in Southsea, Portsmouth. He began designing a large stainless steel fish sculpture, six metres long and based upon the sea bass, a species that is often caught in the Solent.

Named The BIG FISH, the sculpture’s belly would be partly exposed to reveal a typical range of plastic rubbish that could be collected from Southsea Beach. The concept was readily adopted by Portsmouth City Council and several sites for siting The BIG FISH on Southsea Seafront were suggested.

Once again the RYA is offering its 110,000 plus members a complimentary ticket to the 2018 TheYachtmarket.com Southampton Boat Show taking place from 14 – 23 September.

Members are able to claim one free ticket to any day of the show, as well purchasing up to three additional tickets at the special discounted rate of just £13* (a transaction fee of £1.95 applies for purchased tickets).

The NWF arrives in Rutland in the Midlands next week and this year includes a homage to all things dinghy sailing.

Not only is it a chance for dedicated windlovers to celebrate their passion for all things water-based, but it’s also a chance for complete newcomers to experience the thrill of being on the water.

British Marine, organisers of TheYachtMarket.com Southampton Boat Show 2018, has announced a long-term commitment to marine conservation to mark World Oceans Day (8 June 2018).

Celebrating its 50th Show this year, British Marine is taking steps to minimise the environmental impact of the event and raise awareness of the plight of the world’s oceans among its thousands of visitors and exhibitors. Working with the Marine Conservation Society, the organisers have launched a dynamic three-year pledge which includes moving away from single use plastics, serving only sustainable fish, continuing to recycle waste wherever possible and encouraging environmentally responsible behaviour by visitors, exhibitors, staff and other stakeholders

Image: GGR/PPL

Image: Clipper Race/OnEdition

Les Sables d’LOnne. The French port in the Vendee region will host the start and finish of the 2018 Golden Globe Race. Image: Alexandre Lamoureux/Les Sables d’LOnne/GGR

The historic Solent Sunbeam fleet celebrated 95 years on the water with a weekend of excellent racing on Chichester Harbour at the end of May in their special 95th Anniversary Regatta.

19 of the class, which was designed by the eminent designer Alfred Westmacott in 1922, took to the water for a perfect weekend of sunshine and moderate breezes. Such is the longevity of the class that the first Sunbeam, V1, Dainty, at 95 years old was racing against a one-year-old boat!

This week Boatshed agreed with chairman and founder Don McIntyre of the Golden Globe Race (GGR) to supply a number of technical support services to the GGR website and technical team.

The marina at Sutton Harbour

The Patriot 700 Sports Utility Vessel is an accessible fishing and workboat.

After the successful launch of the Patriot 600 Fishing vessel in 2015 at the Bournemouth Skipper Show, Patriot Marine Ltd have now developed this hull into a vessel specifically for those with limited mobility. The USP of this hull is its stability, allowing it to be configured for many uses.

New research from last minute UK holiday rental provider Snaptrip.com has revealed that 82 per cent of the nation has a clear lack of knowledge when it comes to UK wildlife and are unaware of the wild animals that inhabit the country.

What is lurking in our seas is a mystery to most, as more than three-quarters (78 per cent) of Brits were unaware that you could spot an orca (killer whale), 77 per cent did not know you can see a humpback whale, and 40 per cent of people did not realise you could spot sharks, despite at least 11 different species being found locally.

The Revolve 18 dress by Protest features a colourful all over print with large stripes and styles. Bright, bold and striking, this dress is ideal for relaxing summer days spent on the boat or chilling in your local sailing club or marina.

£32.99

The J/70 Southern Area Championships, hosted by the Royal Thames Yacht Club, attracted 19 J/70 teams for two days of thrilling racing in sparkling early summer weather.

Seven races were held in classic Solent sea breeze conditions, with the wind speed piping up to a glorious 18 knots in bright sunshine. Jeremy Thorp’s Phan (RsrnYC) was the overall winner, scoring four race wins, and discarded a fifth to win the regatta by a considerable margin. John Greenland’s JDog (RTYC) was runner up, and Patrick Liardet’s Cosmic (RSrnYC) was third.

Ancasta is gearing up for Poole Harbour Boat Show 2018, which takes place from 8-10 June .

Ancasta will be representing both Beneteau Sail and Beneteau Power at the show. On display will be an Oceanis 41.1 from Beneteau Sail and from Beneteau Power, the Swift Trawler 30 and 35 as well as the Gran Turismo 40.

The Royal Torbay Yacht Club hosted the RYA’s Annual “Push the Boat Out” free sailing taster sessions this May – with dozens of Torbay families taking part.

The programme enables anyone to try the sport of sailing with a fully qualified instructor.  Participants were suited and booted at the Yacht Club before heading to Haldon Pier to hop onto an inflatable craft and whisked away to their sailboat, waiting in the bay.  A range of craft were available to try, from sleek dinghies to larger sportsboats for the adventurous.  The feedback from the new sailors, fresh and rosy-cheeked from an hour on the water was a resounding “Brilliant!”

Following its support at the GBR Optimist Team Selection Trials earlier this month, Marlow Ropes announces its sponsorship of the International Optimist Class Association (IOCA).

As a practical partner for grass-roots sailing, Marlow will share it technical expertise and work with coaches and sailors to ensure that the best lines are used for the application.  At the key events in the IOCA calendar Marlow will provide rig-checks, rope education and practical splicing workshops.