Sail Magazine

by Peter Nielsen

Peter Nielsen is SAIL’s Editor-in-Chief.

Just Launched: First 20, First 25S, B42dc & SeaRail 19

by Peter Nielsen, Posted November 8, 2012

hese days, it’s becoming rare for a production boat—no matter how good it is—to survive more than a few seasons before falling victim to the perceived demands of the market for newer, fresher, ever more modern styling.

Stories from The South Pacific: Time Out in Tonga

by Peter Nielsen, Posted October 22, 2012

Eskimos, according to urban legend, have 32 words for snow. Or perhaps it’s nine, or 15. No matter. Tongans must have at least that many words for the color blue.

Just Launched: Blue Jacket 40, HPS 38 & Cornish Shrimper 19

by Peter Nielsen, Posted October 11, 2012

You’re about to read a sneak preview of a sharp-looking new performance cruiser from Island Packet. Yes, you read it right—that Island Packet, the one renowned for tough, long-keeled, bluewater cruising yachts.

Finely Poised

by Peter Nielsen, Posted September 20, 2012

Cue jokes about how perfectly balanced Jeanneaus are… this Sun Odyssey 40’s skipper fell afoul of the long sandspit at the entrance to the River Hamble, on England’s south coast, one night in April.

Curse of the Cursor

by Peter Nielsen, Posted September 18, 2012

The first time I ever used a GPS on an offshore passage we almost lost the boat. The navigator, delighted with his new toy, had plotted a waypoint just off our destination, but somehow missed the long, low, unlit headland between us and it.

Lifeproof Your iPhone

by Peter Nielsen, Posted September 14, 2012

Cell phones and water don’t mix, which by extension means that cell phones and sailing don’t mix. Although I usually leave my phone belowdecks while I’m actually sailing, I once managed to fall overboard while the boat was sitting happily on its mooring...

A Performance Cruiser from Island Packet

by Peter Nielsen, Posted September 4, 2012

There’s a distinctly sporty look to the latest boat from Island Packet Yachts. With its twin wheels, fin keel, spade rudder and lofty rig, the Blue Jacket 40 marks a new direction for the Florida company, which has been building its line of distinctive-looking long-keeled bluewater cruisers for more than 30 years.

Epoxy Resin in a Caulking Gun

by Peter Nielsen, Posted August 25, 2012

Like all owners of older boats who like to do their own work, I’m extremely familiar with epoxy resin. I reckon I’ve used a good few gallons of it, for both major projects and little jobs where only small amounts are needed.

Flagship: Leopard 58

by Peter Nielsen, Posted August 24, 2012

South African yard Robertson & Caine has been a major force in the cruising multihull market ever since linking with charter giant The Moorings a decade ago. Its latest design is the Leopard 58, which will be known as the Moorings 5800 when in charter livery.

Flagship: Swan 105

by Peter Nielsen, Posted August 23, 2012

The announcement of a new boat from Nautor’s Swan is always a red letter day in the big-boat world, and designer German Frers Jr. was typically upbeat about the yard’s latest creation at an informal pre-launch party at the New York Yacht Club.