Introduce your pet to the boat gradually

Introduce your pet to the boat gradually, starting with short trips and gradually increasing the duration of the trips. This will help your pet become accustomed to the motion of the boat. Familiarize your pet with the various sounds and smells of the boat. This can help reduce anxiety and stress during the trip.

Before you leave

Travel regulations for animals vary from country to country so make sure to inform yourself ahead of time about the necessary documentation as well as the regulations about animal quarantine in your chosen travel destination. It’s best to contact the local authorities for this information. With as many people opting for the different profiles of veterinary jobs available, you can get in touch with any one of them, and clear all your doubts, before you set to set to sail with your pet.

If you’re traveling in Europe, for example, you will need a pet passport which needs to be signed by an officially approved veterinary surgeon.

You should also make sure that your pet is microchipped, as this is a requirement in almost every country.

Take care to keep your pet’s vaccination record up to date and plan ahead if you think your pet might need additional vaccines.

Sailing with pets is easily done but it’s advisable to start planning early, as vaccines and applying for documentation can take a while.

Before booking a boat for your sailing holiday, ask your charter agency whether they welcome animals on board or whether you need to plan with certain extra costs.

Safety on board when sailing with pets

If your pet is active, and depending on weather conditions, it might be advisable to secure the outside of the boat with a net.

Furthermore, cats and dogs should always wear life jackets on board (as should their owners, of course).

You can also use a harness if it’s too warm outside for your animal to wear a vest. That way your pet will be more comfortable and you can still easily help it out of the water. You can get different harnesses for different dogs so make sure you get a suitable harness that fits securely. Check out www.jugdog.co.uk to look at the pros and cons of various harnesses.

When choosing a pet flotation device, there are a few things you should consider:

1. Size: Make sure the flotation device fits your pet properly. It should be snug enough to stay in place, but not so tight that it restricts movement or causes discomfort.
2. Buoyancy: The flotation device should provide enough buoyancy to keep your pet afloat in the water.
3. Visibility: Choose a flotation device that is brightly colored or has reflective strips, so your pet is easy to spot in the water.
4. Durability: The flotation device should be made of high-quality materials that can withstand rough conditions.
5. Ease of use: Look for a flotation device that is easy to put on and take off, and that has adjustable straps to ensure a secure fit.
6. Comfort: Make sure the flotation device is comfortable for your pet to wear.

Toilet

Going to the toilet on the high seas can be especially tricky for dogs. Think about constructing a special dog toilet, like a patch of fake lawn or a cat toilet filled with sand.

Try and acquaint your dog with this new technique at home, so it will feel comfortable from the minute it sets foot on board.

If you think this isn’t an option for your pet, plan shorter sailing trips of around 3-5 hours so that your dog can comfortably go on land. Even though cats have it significantly easier, please remember that you should place the cat toilet below deck where it is more stable.

Sun protection and sea sickness

Animals can get seasick on a sailing holiday, just like us humans. Make sure that there are always enough shaded areas onboard for your pet to take a rest, and that there is always fresh water available.

It’s easier on your pet’s stomach if you halve food portions. There are many remedies available (even from human medicine) should your four-legged friend still become sick. Ask your favorite vet about putting together a little first-aid kit!

Further tips for sailing with pets

Playing on the beach and in the water can be a real treat, especially for dogs. But remember that even on board, when the rest of the family is relaxing in the sun, your little one shouldn’t be allowed to get bored.

So pack enough toys and make sure that your pet is always occupied.

Create a little personal corner on the boat where your cat or dog can feel safe if they want to relax during your sailing holiday. Put some blankets or toys from home in this corner, so that your pet will feel as comfortable as possible.

The post Everything You Need To Know About Sailing With Pets appeared first on Sail Universe.

When Rose heard that Francis Chichester intended to sail single-handedly around the world, he was keen to compete. He attempted to start his journey at the same time as Chichester in 1966, but a collision off Ushant meant he had to postpone the departure of Lively Lady.

Who was Alec Rose

The circumnavigation began on 16 July 1967. On 17 December, after 155 days and 14,500 miles, he arrived in Melbourne where he met his son who lived there. Among the people who came to watch Rose’s arrival was Prime Minister Harold Holt, who disappeared later the same day after going for a swim. Rose stopped once more in New Zealand to repair a damaged mast.

The voyage was closely followed by the international press and Rose’s landfall at 12.33pm in Southsea, Portsmouth on 4 July 1968, 354 days later, was met by cheering crowds of hundreds of thousands. It was 10 days before his 60th birthday. The following day he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.

In 1973 Rose was given the honour of firing the starting gun for the first Whitbread Round the World Race. On 17 May 1975, he opened 5th Littlehampton Sea Scouts’ HQ Gordon Hall in Lineside Way, Littlehampton, West Sussex.

Rose’s voyages are detailed in his book My Lively Lady. He wrote a children’s version, Around the world with Lively Lady (1968) and another book My favourite tales of the sea (1969).

The post The life of Alec Rose, the sailor who wanted to defeat Chichester appeared first on Sail Universe.

Filmmaker James Aiken lives aboard a 33-foot yacht, which he sails around the North Atlantic, searching for waves and stories to tell from those who live at the wild edges of the world.

Last year he sailed from Cornwall to The Hebrides, with the trip documented in this brand new short, and is already planning future voyages to The Faroes and The Orkneys.

“I purchased the boat and spent some time on a partial refit in Cornwall before setting off and making my way North to Stornaway in the Hebrides.  She’s a Tradewind 33 so a solid and very capable vessel, and managable singe handed. My dream is to spend time sailing in the Northern waters, Scotland, The Faroes and Norway, surfing where possible, and meeting and documenting local people.“

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If in our famous sailors Top 15 there isn’t your hero, do not worry: write it in the comments below the article!

Peter Blake (1948-2001)
When he made the exploits: 1990, 1994
Sailor and environmentalist. Among the many exploits, Peter is one of the most famous sailors of all time. He won the Whitbread 1989/90 on board ketch Steinlager II and in ’94 the Jules Verne Trophy with Robin Knox-Johnston.

Chay Blyth (1940)
When he made the exploit: 1971
His name is carved in history. He was the first in 1971 to circumnavigate the globe single-handed without stopping from east to west, against the winds and currents, onboard the 59 foot British Steel.

Franck Cammas (1972)
When he made the exploit: 2010, 2012
His records list is very long. We have chosen the Jules Verne Trophy in 2010 and the victory of the Volvo Ocean Race in 2012 onboard VOR70 Groupama.

Francis Chichester (1901-72)
When he made the exploit: 1966-67
Aged 65: the creator of the Ostar sails from Plymouth onboard 16 meters Gipsy Moth IV and launches in the round the world solo, who turns in 274 days. A myth.

Olivier De Kersauson (1944)
When he made the exploits: 1989, 1997, 2004
The king of the multihulls is always a record hunter. In 1989 he establishes the primacy of the round the world solo, in 1997 and in 2004 he won the Jules Verne onboard the trimaran Geronimo.

Michel Desjoyeaux (1965)
When he made the exploits: 2001, 2009
“The professor” won everyhing He made history by triumphing twice at Vendée Globe, the only sailor in the world (in 2001 and 2009 onboard Open 60 Foncia).

Alessandro Di Benedetto (1971)
When he made the exploit: 2009
In 2009, Alessandro Di Benedetto has been around the world in solitary without stopping on the smallest boat ever, a 6.5 m Findomestic, employing 268 days.

Bernard Gilboy (1852-1906)
When he made the exploit: 1882-83
In 1882, Bernard Gilboy sailed a 19-foot (6 m) schooner that he built himself from San Francisco 7,000 miles (11,265 km) miles across the Pacific in 162 days until he was picked up exhausted and starving off Queensland, Australia after a swordfish pierced his hull and he lost the rudder.

Francis Joyon (1956)
When he made the exploit: 2008
He is the fastest one. Joyon holds the record of the round the world solo, completed in 2008 on the trimaran Idec (57 days, 13 hours and 34 minutes).

Robin Knox-Johnston (1939)
When he made the exploits: 1968, 1994, 2007
In 1969 he became the first man to perform a single-handed non-stop circumnavigation of the globe and was the second winner of the Jules Verne Trophy (together with Sir Peter Blake). For this he was awarded with Blake the ISAF Yachtsman of the Year award. In 2006 he became at 67 the oldest yachtsman to complete a round the world solo voyage in the VELUX 5 Oceans Race.

Bernard Moitessier (1925-1994)
When he made the exploits: 1965, 1968
Maybe he is the most famous sailors of all time (together with Eric Tabarly). In 1968 Moitessier participated in the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race, the first round the world yacht race. With the fastest circumnavigation time, Moitessier was the likely winner but he elected to continue onto Tahiti again and not return to the start line in England, rejecting the idea of the commercialization of long distance sailing.

Loïck Peyron (1959)
When he made the exploits: 2012, 2014
In 2012 he won the Jules Verne Trophy onboard Banque Populaire V. In November 2014, he won the Route du Rhum single-handed transat on Banque Populaire VII maxi trimaran. He set the new record, travelling from Brittany to Guadeloupe in 7 days 15 hours 8 minutes and 32 seconds (22.93 kts average speed).

Ernest Henry Shackleton (1874-1921) 
When he made the exploit: 1916
He was a polar explorer who led three British expeditions to the Antarctic. He needed to the crossing of Antarctica from sea to sea, via the pole. To this end he made preparations for what became the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, 1914–17. Disaster struck this expedition when its ship, Endurance, became trapped in pack ice and was slowly crushed before the shore parties could be landed. The crew escaped by camping on the sea ice until it disintegrated, then by launching the lifeboats to reach Elephant Island and ultimately the inhabited island of South Georgia, a stormy ocean voyage of 720 nautical miles.

Joshua Slocum 1844-1909
When he made the exploit: 1895-98
He was the first man to sail single-handedly around the world. In 1900 he wrote a book about his journey Sailing Alone Around the World, which became an international best-seller. He disappeared in November 1909 while aboard his boat, the Spray.

Eric Tabarly 1931-1998
When he made the exploits: 1964, 1980
Maybe he is the most famous sailors of all time (together with Bernard Moitessier). In 1964, Tabarly raced in the Single-Handed Trans-Atlantic Race on Pen Duick II and won, with a time of twenty-seven days and three hours. In 1980, Tabarly sailed the trimaran Paul Ricard for a transatlantic race, beating Charlie Barr’s transatlantic record. He has been the first sailor to experience the foils.

The post 15 famous sailors of all time. Who is the best for you? appeared first on Sail Universe.

Cherbourg Race, Cowes to Cherbourg, 2^nd September

The Cherbourg Race marks the end of the RORC British domestic offshore season and sees teams take on a short dash across the English Channel to Cherbourg. The 75nm race is typically won and lost during the difficult and tidal escape from the Solent. However, the tide can also play a big factor on the approach to Cherbourg and the race epitomises the phrase ‘it isn’t over until it’s over’. Being the last race of the season, the entry list is packed full of experienced teams and fast boats. Offshore regular Lance Shepherd’s Telefonica Black, the former Volvo Ocean Race boat, is a sure-fire favourite to claim line-honours. However, as has become the case in the last few years, the number of entries in the double-handed class surpasses that of any other class. Can Jangada take another win this season, albeit in a much shorter race?

France SailGP, Saint-Tropez, 10^th – 11^th September

SailGP returns to the French Riviera in September for the France Sail Grand Prix which will take place in the Mediterranean waters of Saint-Tropez. Saint-Tropez boasts a rich maritime history and some of the finest sailing waters in the world, with the Gulf hosting a number of famous sailing events including the iconic and prestigious Voiles de Saint-Tropez. The talent on the New Zealand team has finally come to the fore after a slower start to their SailGP journey than everyone expected, with the team winning the last 2 events. Can they win 3 on the bounce or will we see season leaders Australia at the front again?

British Keelboat League Series Final, Royal Southern Yacht Club, 30^th September – 2^nd October

The British Keelboat League gives sailors from around the UK the unparalleled opportunity to go up against one another in a series of events in matched boats. After qualification events in Cardiff, Hayling Island and Ullswater, amongst other venues, the series final will be held at the Royal Southern Yacht Club in a fleet of the new and exciting RS21s. Who will deal with the tricky and tidal waters of the Solent best and be crowned the winners? Only time will tell, but there is no doubt that the British Keelboat League Series, founded in 2016, is helping to improve and develop the quality of keelboat sailing in the UK.

The post Fixture Calendar’s Guide to the Biggest Sailing Events in September 2022 appeared first on Sail Universe.

The Oyster 495 was launched in April, with the World Premier Tour starting at St Katherine’s Dock, London before setting off on her maiden sail to Oslo. From there, the tour has travelled around Europe visiting Gothenburg, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Southampton, Palma and Barcelona. 

In between Private Viewings and exclusive sailing opportunities, the Oyster 495 will be available for public viewing at Cannes Yachting Festival and Genoa International Boat Show. 

This ‘baby bluewater superyacht’ from Oyster has been heralded as setting a new bluewater benchmark and is a game changer for luxury, custom built cruising yachts.

The Oyster 495 is a collaboration between Humphreys Yacht Design and Oyster Yachts‘ own in-house design studio, overseen by Oyster’s CEO & Owner Richard Hadida and Oyster’s founder Richard Matthews.

This experienced team has produced their best work to date, creating this remarkable new Oyster. The powerful Humphreys designed twin rudder hull form delivers true performance cruising and clean lines. The beam is set well aft, contributing form, stability, and great sailing performance, making the Oyster 495 a true live aboard, go-anywhere bluewater yacht, designed to be sailed shorthanded. For complete peace of mind the hull is DNV GL certified and uses latest state-of-the-art materials and production techniques to maximise strength and integrity.

The 495 offers many of the exceptional features found on the luxury boat builder’s larger yachts, making her unique amongst her peers. Oysters use automated sailing technology to make shorthanded sailing even easier, including in-mast furling and push-button B&G sail handling controls operated from the helm positions. Easily handled by a couple or family, the 495 is equally at home on coastal cruising trips, crossing an ocean or even circumnavigating the globe. 

The Oyster 495 features an ergonomically styled centre cockpit and deck saloon, with a flush foredeck. This offers outstanding light and ventilation to the centre of the boat, making the saloon feel bright and spacious. The iconic wrap around deck saloon windows flood the saloon with natural light. On deck, the transom houses a powered boarding/bathing platform, which is push button-operated from the helm. The flat deck at the stern and flush foredeck offer plenty of space for entertaining and comfortable sunbathing.

The wider beam offers excellent returns in space above and below decks – an unexpected bonus on a 50-foot yacht – maximised by Oyster’s intelligent interior space planning and design. The luxurious interior includes an impressive owners’ cabin, with signature triple Oyster Seascape windows, which create an amazing feeling of light and space.

The post Oyster Yachts 495 Ready To Debut at Cannes Yachting Festival 2022 appeared first on Sail Universe.

Boat two is sold, and the mould production is now well underway at the Sweden Yachts Groups facilities in Kungsviken.

The CR490DS has been developed to encompass all the attributes associated with exceptional blue water cruiser sailing characteristics. From the initial brief, the ambitious task was to achieve the best performing blue water yacht in her class.

The aft cockpit design of the CR490DS has been developed to achieve a spacious yet protected seating area, incorporating a glass windshield and bimini to shelter the crew from the elements whilst on long passages. The deck layout has been conceived with sail control and ergonomics at the heart of the design philosophy, ensuring ease of control whilst undertaking sail changes or reefing, as well as general trim and manoeuvring.

“We are very proud to be working with Mattias and Sweden Yachts Group in the development of the new CR490DS. CR Yachts have a long-standing history of producing exceptionally crafted bluewater yachts with uncompromised sailing performance. This ethos aligns fully with our own as a high-end yacht design firm and it is clear our collaboration of experience and skills has resulted in a very exciting new design“, says Ben Rogerson, BRYD Director.

Below deck, the layout has been developed to achieve an innovative deck saloon layout with options for customised cabins and utility rooms. Synonymous with the CR Yachts range standards, the interiors have been detailed to a very high standard with a careful selection of wood grains and materials for a superior interior finish.

The standard design supports a light oak silk varnish finish for the global fit-out with cladded hull sides bringing a rustic homely feel to the spaces.  

The sail plan and riging have been developed to enable performance with ease of handling. Adopting underdeck furling systems and the option for in-mast roller reefing for push-button control 

The post First Details of the new CR490DS Unveiled appeared first on Sail Universe.

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Oyster Yachts will be exhibiting the Oyster 495 at Genoa International Boat Show, from 22-27 September.  

The World Premier Tour started at St Katherine Docks, London in April, where the 495 departed on her maiden voyage to Oslo.  From there, the tour heads to Gothenburg, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Southampton and then to the Mediterranean, visiting Barcelona, Cannes Boat Show (6-11 September) Genoa, Palma, before heading to Miami and then onto Sydney in 2023.  

“The Private View concept has been very successful for us, especially over the past couple of years. The World Premiere further develops this concept and, importantly, takes us directly to our clients. Each stopover event will be managed by our Sales Team and guests will be able to explore this ground-breaking boat in safety and in their own time,” comments Stephen Parkinson, Oyster Sales Director, Rest of World.

The 495 is a collaboration between Humphreys Yacht Design and Oyster’s own in-house design studio, overseen by Oyster’s CEO & owner Richard Hadida and Oyster’s founder Richard Matthews. 

This experienced team has produced their best work to date, creating this new Oyster. The powerful G6 twin rudder hull form delivers true performance cruising and clean lines. The beam is set well aft, contributing form, stability, and sailing performance, making the Oyster 495 a true liveaboard, go-anywhere bluewater yacht, designed to be sailed shorthanded. 

Hand-built with Oyster’s bluewater DNA running through her from bow to stern, the Oyster 495 offers many of the features found on the luxury boat builder’s larger yachts, making her unique amongst her peers. Easily handled by a couple or family, she is equally at home on coastal cruising trips, crossing an ocean or even circumnavigating the globe.

The post Oyster Yachts Added Extra Destinations to Unveil the new Oyster 495 appeared first on Sail Universe.

Skippers can’t just show up on the start day. They have just three months to arrive in Spain on August 6th for the start of the Prologue. (The Host Port will be announced in the next weeks). This will include compulsory safety briefings and independent surveys of the boats and rigs. The Entrants then complete the SITraN Challenge race to Les Sables d’Olonne for a busy fun time at the GGR Les Sables Race Village opening in Port Olona on August 20, 2022.

The clock is ticking louder by the day. This is especially true for overseas entrants. Two Canadian and two American entrants are just about to launch their boat after extensive refits and prepare to sail to Europe. Two South African entrants are setting sail on the 6600-mile voyage north to the start.

They are all feeling the pressure: there is now little room for failure in their boat preparation and crossings. If your boat is not in the water by now, this means you should be rushing!

“The first challenge of the GGR is getting to the start and the biggest is getting to the finish! We currently have 23 entrants and I hope they all make the start” said 2022 Golden Globe Race organiser Don McIntyre. “Many entrants face time and money pressure, but also the human element of leaving things to the last minute also kicks in about now. Some are wishing they did more in the years before, but quite a few are well organised too. That will make a difference when the gun goes“.

Australian and New Zealanders are the most distant from the start. 2018 GGR Veteran Mark Sinclair (Capt. Coconut) has been at sea solo non-stop from South Australia for 156 days, in his Lello 34. He should landfall in Les Sables d’Olonne around May the 21st finishing his 2018 circumnavigation and ready for the start of his 2022 GGR. He endured four consecutive storms last February when rounding Cape Horn and now has a repaired broken forestay.

Kiwi Graham Dalton was trapped in New Zealand by Covid travel restrictions and has just flown into Les Sables d’Olonne. He has a huge job ahead to complete the refit of Jean Luc Van den Heede’s race winning Rustler 36. Local sailmakers, riggers and engineers are helping, but time is tight! He must then sail the 2000 miles GGR qualifier.

South African entries must cross both the South and North Atlantic Oceans. Jeremy Bagshaw left Cape Town a week ago and Kirsten Neuschäfer will set sail in the next few days for the 6600 miles voyage north.

Both are planning to cross the Equator as far West as they can to replicate the last leg of the last leg of the race to Les Sables d’Olonne, while polishing their celestial navigation skills, expecting to make landfall late June.

The Canadians and Americans need around 30-35 days to complete their Atlantic 3000 /3600-mile crossings to Europe if all goes well.

In Canada, Edward Walentynowicz is behind schedule and will launch late May with a planned departure date 7th of June, going first to the Rustler shipyard in Falmouth for an in-house revision of his “Noah’s Jest”. He is pushing to make the prologue on time!

Gaurav Shinde recently completed the paint Party of “Good Hope” in an elegant grey livery and launched in late April in Lake Ontario before crossing. He has a long way to go down the St Laurent River before even reaching the Atlantic. With all-new equipment and systems, he hopes it all works!

Further south, American Guy deBoer in Florida just launched his “Spirit” on May 2nd with the help of his team and completed his jury rig test, but his many boat modifications are yet untried. He told us “The date may move a day or two but I expect to set sail on June 1st. You should expect me to arrive in LSO by July 5th. See everyone very soon!”

His neighbor Elliott Smith, the youngest entrant in the race is facing overwhelming odds giving himself until the end of May to set sail and be in Europe on time for the start. Like many entrants he needs to complete his jury rig and emergency steering trials. He still has to purchase the required 2022 Golden Globe Race safety gear and is short on sails but is fuelled by pure passion!

For European and UK entries, being closer does not necessarily mean being ready. Several entrants are rushing to get their boats finished on time. 80-year-old UK Entrant David Scott Cowper was hit by Covid and a shortage of available labour to help his refit. He remains confident of completing it and his 2000-mile solo qualifier just in time.

Finnish entry and 2018 GGR veteran Tapio Lehtinen is heading a double refit in Finland of both his 2022 GGR entry “Asteria”, a Gia 36 and his 2023 Ocean Globe Race entry “Galiana” a Swan 55, at the same time. He will bring both yachts to Les Sables d’Olonne for the start.

Spanish entry Aleix Selles is completing his refit in the Adriatic and will have to multitask, working on the boat while completing his 4000 solo qualifying mileage for the race. He admits he is behind schedule but insists he will be at the start.

With nearly half of the 2022 Golden Globe Race fleet at sea over the next couple of months, the lead into the next edition of the GGR already promises a few adventures even before the start! The time for talking and refitting is just about over.

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