Journal

The selection of materials for mooring lines is pivotal, as they directly impact the safety of both your boat and others. The emphasis here lies on specific properties, which may differ from those required for bulkheads. Mooring lines should exhibit high elongation, commonly referred to as "stretch," along with a high breaking load and resistance to wear. Moreover, they should be easy to handle, a quality sailors term as "lean." Polyester and polyamide are the most prevalent materials for mooring lines, although polypropylene may also be suitable for certain applications.

Many boats and yachts find themselves manoeuvred onto the dry in autumn. For those left on the jetty as winter approaches, it's time to dress warmly for the cold months ahead.

Whether for a swim stop or a whole night, anchoring is part of yachting and water sports. In many harbours in the Mediterranean, you can't do without it. Moreover, it is safety-relevant to master the corresponding manoeuvres. We show you how to anchor properly…

Fires are unfortunately a serious issue in yachting. In the last year, more than 15 yachts over 24 meters have been lost. As with any incident, there is rarely a single cause therefore, there is no single solution to eradicate the risk. However, there are a number of precautionary measures that owners can take to lower the risk of fire.

In order to prevent major damage, proper engine care also plays a role in addition to the major engine inspection. Even a small action here and there can make all the difference. We have compiled a list of the checks you can easily carry out during the season for outboard and inboard motors.

The effectiveness of correctly installed lightning protection systems has long been proven; however, regrettably such devices are not yet standard on boats and yachts. But owners can act. Specialist companies offer several possibilities of averting or at least reducing the devastating effects of a lightning strike; these possibilities are described briefly below.

It is a sad fact that every spring, shortly after launching, many boats moored safely at the quay then sink, and turn what can be the most beautiful time of the year into a fiasco.

A Pantaenius client was sitting on board his large flying bridge cruiser in her permanent berth at the marina. He was seated outside, aft, with the cockpit door closed, for it had been a little damp overnight. There was some early morning fog, but another sunny day was on the cards. The following is his account of a harrowing series of events.

Let’s be honest: when was the last time a professional rig check was carried out? As many of us know, almost everything on board a sailing yacht relies on the rig, and yet, often, it is not given the attention it deserves. Any rigging is only as strong as its weakest link and, for sailors, a broken mast is probably the worst thing that can happen. Nevertheless, the rigging is often neglected because of time pressure and lack of technical knowledge.

Clean, effective and easy to use - for cooking, heating or cooling. Gas-powered systems can now be found on almost every yacht. However, this popular energy source also has a high risk potential.

While many yacht owners devote themselves to polishing hulls, greasing winches and repainting bulkheads during winter, they often completely overlook one of the most critical parts of their yacht: the rig.

Strong winds, onlookers at the jetty and a narrow berth – even the most experienced sailors can sometimes feel the stress in such a situation. Sometimes the mooring manoeuvre goes smoothly. However, when there are challenging factors, it can be quite trying. An undamaged and safely berthed yacht is what counts at the end of the day.