With the 75th Rolex Sydney to Hobart yacht race fast approaching, it's time to ensure your boat is ocean race ready!

Carl Crafoord is currently preparing for his 34th Hobart Race on his Cookson 12 "Sail Exchange" and is happy to share his knowledge on the race and boat preparation. This includes rules and advice on safety gear, storm sails and sail numbers. Plus Bettina shares her catering tips and menu she will be preparing for the big race!

Upgrade your boat gear at a fraction of the cost by using recovered lines that have been professionally refurbished 

Reducing landfill by recycling/re-purposing is the way of the future. Sail Exchange have successfully been selling second hand sails and equipment globally for the past 3 years and have now partnered with Wet Tech Rigging offering the budget conscious sailors an alternative.

Here are 5 reviews to help you find the perfect Boat Shoe

 We have recently interviewed the most savvy boaters and this is what they are looking for in a boat shoe - fast drainage, quick dry, good grip and a shoe that does not leave a scuff on the deck and if it looks good then that’s a bonus. The look of the traditional boat shoe is changing from oiled-leather moccasins to a more technical shoe which is just what our 1st shoe review encompasses -

Whether you're a club racer, ocean racer or enjoy extended cruising, managing your sail inventory can be a challenge. The trick to balancing boat optimisation with cost is having headsails with the broadest possible range so you can carry less on board and be kind to the budget.

It doesn’t matter what type of sailing you prefer, most headsail inventories on yachts carry compromises and trade-offs to cover a range of conditions with various wind speeds and wind angles.

Read more about what to wear whilst sailing and the best sun protection

We have created a checklist of what you need to protect your skin on the water. A safe amount of sun exposure is good for your health in the form of  vitamin D, however if you are spending time on the water sailing then the sun's rays intensify from reflection off the water. So you need to be even more vigilant and increase the level of sun protection

So you’ve decided to invest in a spinnaker. How do you know which type of kite is best for your needs?

There are many varieties of spinnakers all with different shapes. Depending on your level of competence and the number of crew, there are specific shaped spinnakers for specific wind angles. For example on a Racing Yacht we would carry at lease 5 different shaped spinnakers for various wind angles and wind speeds. We also have a full crew. However on a Cruising Yacht you want to carry less spinnakers and you almost certainly have less crew.