Welcome to the first episode of Sailing Nerds — a new sub-series from The Sailing Podcast — where we discuss all things boaty.

For this inaugural episode, Yachting Monthly Editor (and Sailing Podcast host), Theo Stocker met up with Yachting Monthly, Yachting World, Practical Boat Owner and Motor Boat and Yachting Digital Editor, Toby Heppell at the Royal Lymington Yacht Club.

Despite years of working together on the business side, we’ve rarely dug into our shared passion: getting afloat.

Prepare for some misty-eyed reminiscing as we compare our East Coast dinghy-saiing childhoods before we tackle the eternal question: Is Cruising the only real form of sailing, or is Toby’s beloved Racing the superior pursuit?

We also take a deep dive into the used boat market with a fun challenge: What’s the best boat you can buy for under £5,000?

Hit that like and subscribe button, and let us know in the comments: Are you team cruising or team family? 👇

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The Sailing Podcast host (and Yachting Monthly Editor) Theo Stocker dives into the highs and lows of the recently resurrected Yachting Monthly Celtic Triangle Race with three enthusiastic entrants: veteran participant Jane (JT), single-handed sailor Rob McGregor, and experienced co-skipper Kathy Clayton.

They all unpack the three-leg course, which starts in Falmouth and features famed stopovers in Kinsale, Ireland, and Tréguier, Northern France, before sprinting home. Discover why this event, run by the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club, is renowned as much for its friendly atmosphere and legendary shore-side socials—like the Guinness-fuelled club nights and the Tréguier hog roast—as it is for the sailing.

We cover the competitive action, including how the fleet blends serious racing yachts with cruising boats through handicap classes, and hear the nail-biting stories from the water: from managing the Land's End TSS and dealing with fog-bank start lines, to the challenges of single-handed micronapping and the demoralising effects of flat calm on the 300-mile leg.

Finally, the sailors give practical advice on how to get your own boat ready for major offshore events, detailing the Category 3 safety requirements (plus life raft), the necessary 125-mile qualifying voyage, and the crucial importance of a strong skipper/co-skipper partnership.

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In this candid second episode of The Sailing Podcast, legendary offshore sailor Pip Hare joined Helen Fretter and Theo Stocker in summer 2025 days before setting sail on the intense Ocean Race Europe!

Recording onboard the powerful IMOCA 60, Canada Ocean Racing - Be Water Positive Pip details her shift from solo racing to joining the Canada Ocean Racing crew. She discusses the intense training needed to master the foiling yacht, and the challenge of the short, brutal race legs around Europe

Pip also talks about the emotional resilience required after dismasting in the Vendée Globe and explains why she remains committed to competing in the 2028 Vendée.

The Sailing Podcast is a Brand New Podcast Series from the folks behind Yachting Monthly, Yachting World and Practical Boat Owner magazines. Subscribe today to make sure you never miss an episode.

Please note due to technical difficulties the audio quality of this podcast recording is not up to standard. However, we decided the content was sufficiently interesting to warrant publication nevertheless.

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