Just as we think this sailing life can’t get any better, a fierce squall hits as we sail into trouble inside a rocky anchorage. This is a desolate part of…
Cruising
Followtheboat: Dodging trawlers and tugboats in the Java Sea
We had to employ some careful anti-collision tactics to avoid sailing into them. We had checked out of Indonesia, but there was still a long way to go before leaving…
Followtheboat: How to use a hookah to clean your hull at anchor
Typical life at anchor next to a tropical island in the Java Sea: bit of boat work, bit of beach walking, bit of beer drinking. Pulau Belitung was a surprise…
Followtheboat: Exploring an uninhabited private island
In this week’s episode we start off anchored next to a pencil dot of sand and rock surrounded by reef, then sail 180nm north east to Pulau Belitung in the…
Exploring Pulau Macan: The tropical island that thinks it’s a sailboat
We sailed into the deep bay next to Pulau Macan (aka ‘Tiger Island’) for the night and stayed for a week. The only difference between this tropical island and a…
Sailing Jakarta: Polluted, noisy, overcrowded but absolutely brilliant
As much as we love anchoring in the remote and white-sand bays of south east Asia’s islands, we never pass up a chance to drop in on some of the…
Java Sea: Sailing through polluted waters off Jakarta
What is going on in the Java Sea? Illegal fishing. A sloppy-choppy swell. Chattering-clattering coming from our prop. Something really horrible in the water! The further we sailed from the…
Sailing Krakatoa Part 2: Shoreside excursion on an active volcano
After a night at anchor under the cliff face of Krakatoa, we moved our sailboat closer to the smouldering remains of ‘Child of Krakatoa’. In December 2018 Anak Krakatoa, after…
Would you anchor beneath an active volcano? Sailing to Krakatoa Part 1
When we heard about the landslide of Anak Krakatoa and subsequent tsunami in December 2018 we were horrified to learn about the devastation to local communities along the coast of…
Jib, genoa or spinnaker: When to use your light wind sails to best effect
Battered by waves all year, the isolated island of Pulau Enggano is a dot in the Indian Ocean. Rain forest covers the high slopes of the interior, along with carefully-tended…
Sailing in rough weather: How far should you push it?
Sailing can be one of the most serene of pastimes, skimming across the oceans in a light breeze on gentle undulating seas. But offshore cruising can test your physical, mental…
Is the world too dangerous? Sailing to countries outside your comfort zone
“Here in the US there is a lot of talk about people going missing, getting robbed, raped, or murdered, i.e. the world is not a safe place outside the United…
Passage planning on the hoof: How to adjust your best-laid plans
Short-term navigating, when conditions change suddenly and you have to amend your sailing plans on the hoof, is a vital skill to learn for any cruiser. In Indonesia, and throughout…
Introducing… The globe-trotting sailing adventures of Followtheboat
YBW is excited to be partnering with Followtheboat, YouTube’s oldest UK sailing channel. As the longest-running boating forum in the world, it feels like the perfect match. In 2004, Jamie…
Anchoring: Tips and Tricks
Anchoring can be daunting, but once achieved can make for some of the most relaxing trips on board. Read our simple guide to anchoring for some useful tips
Inland cruising tips: Exploring the UK and Europe’s canals
Inland cruising offers a beautiful and peaceful alternative to coastal cruising
Tips for crossing the English Channel
Is there any better feeling than crossing the English Channel in your own boat? Read our guide to crossing the Channel in your own boat below
Pets on board: sailing with your furry friends
Who wouldn’t want their furry friend on their nautical travels? Make sure you comply with the regulations when taking pets on board before you leave
Pictures: SolarSkiff affordable electric boat that fits on top of your car
The SolarSkiff comes in single, double and four-person versions, with prices starting from $3,500. YBW talks exclusively to its creator, American entrepreneur Mark Isaacs.
Meet PBO’s David Selby at this year’s Southampton Boat Show
Dave Selby will be at the Southampton Boat Show to talk about his his his 338-mile trip from Maldon to Southampton on his Sailfish. Dave's 'Marlin's Mission' has so far…