The Sailing Podcast

In this episode of The Sailing Podcast – brought to you by Sunsail – host Theo Stocker escapes the winter chill of the Düsseldorf Boat Show to step aboard the sleek, aluminium Pure 42. Joining him is a true heavyweight of marine journalism: Toby Hodges, the Boat Test Editor for Yachting World and a veteran judge for the European Yacht of the Year awards.

With a career that spans several hundred boat tests (perhaps even a thousand), Toby offers an unparalleled 'bird’s-eye view' of the current state of yacht design. From the massive volume of the new Beneteau First 60 to the stripped-back, slippery elegance of the J/7, the pair break down the trends defining the 2026 season.

Inside This Episode:

Düsseldorf Highlights: A deep dive into the 17 halls of the world’s largest indoor boat show and the resurgence of major brands like Bavaria and Hanse.

The Rise of Solar: How innovative, tailored solar panels are turning coachroofs and hardtops into powerhouse energy generators without sacrificing aesthetics.

Safety First: A look at why the new Clipper Round the World yacht designs are following the trend of moving mainsheets out of the cockpit and under hardtop protection.

Small Boat Soul: Why the Saffier 28 and the J/7 are proving that you don't need a hundred feet of carbon fibre to have a world-class experience on the helm.

Special Offer from our Sponsor: Sunsail
This episode is made possible by Sunsail. If you're dreaming of your next adventure on the water, Sunsail is offering a free day of sailing for every week you book in 2026. Book seven days and pay for six, or book a fortnight and get a free weekend included!

Claim your offer at: https://bit.ly/4aS5Nmm (Offer valid worldwide excluding Italy. Book by January 30th, 2026.)

The Sailing Podcast is the latest series from the teams behind Yachting Monthly, Yachting World, and Practical Boat Owner. Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode of maritime stories and sailing inspiration.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this latest episode of The Sailing Podcast, host Theo Stocker steps aboard the famous Contessa 32, Ascent, to sit down with Jesse Rogers of the renowned Jeremy Rogers boatyard. While Jesse helps run the family business – famous for building Contessas and high-tech carbon fibre projects – her background in environmental journalism brings a unique and critical lens to the materials that define the yachting industry.

The heart of this conversation dives deep into the world of teak. Long considered the gold standard for boat building due to its natural oils, durability, and non-slip properties, teak has a dark side that the industry can no longer ignore. Jesse and Theo explore the 'Blood Teak' crisis, the impact of the Myanmar military coup on timber supply chains, and the complex reality of 'greenwashing' in the global wood trade.

From the history of 'Green Contessas' to the hunt for the perfect sustainable alternative, ranging from thermally modified maple and cork to cutting-edge synthetic decks made from rice husks and timber waste, this episode is a must-listen for any sailor concerned with the provenance of their vessel's decking.

Jesse shares her journey from a sailing novice to a leading voice in maritime sustainability, arguing that while the world order may be shifting, our responsibility to use precious resources as though they are gold has never been more vital.

Special Offer from our Sponsor: Sunsail

This episode is made possible by Sunsail. If you're dreaming of your next adventure on the water, Sunsail is offering a free day of sailing for every week you book in 2026. Book seven days and pay for six, or book a fortnight and get a free weekend included!

Claim your offer from Sunsail – Free Day Offer (Offer valid worldwide excluding Italy. Book by January 30th, 2026.)

The Sailing Podcast is the new series from the teams behind Yachting Monthly, Yachting World, and Practical Boat Owner. Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode of maritime stories and sailing inspiration.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this 7th ever episode of The Sailing Podcast, host Theo Stocker steps on board Mansura, the Hallberg-Rassy of veteran sailor, author, and pilotage expert Miranda Delmar Morgan.

Miranda shares the incredible history behind her boat's name, tracing it back to a 1912 hybrid propulsion vessel owned by her family—a boat she believes may have been the "private yacht" that secretly spiritied Albert Einstein away from the Nazis to the shores of Dover in 1933.

The conversation then shifts to Miranda's epic four-month summer voyage, covering over 4,000 miles from the South Coast of England to the stunning Lofoten Islands in the Norwegian Arctic. Miranda discusses the logistical challenges of managing 16 different crew members, the technical demands of navigating the "rock-strewn" inner leads of the Norwegian coast, and the surreal experience of sailing under the midnight sun in 20°C heat.

Special Offer from our Sponsor: Sunsail
This episode is made possible by Sunsail. If you're dreaming of your next adventure on the water, Sunsail is offering a free day of sailing for every week you book in 2026. Book seven days and pay for six, or book a fortnight and get a free weekend included!

Claim your offer at: https://www.sunsail.com/uk/offers/free-day-offer
Free Day Offer (Offer valid worldwide excluding Italy. Book by January 30th, 2026.)

The Sailing Podcast is the new series from the teams behind Yachting Monthly, Yachting World, and Practical Boat Owner. Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode of maritime stories and sailing inspiration
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this inspiring episode of The Sailing Podcast, join Theo Stocker and Laura Hodgetts aboard Jazz Turner's yacht. Jazz is the first female disabled person to complete a solo, non-stop, unassisted circumnavigation of the UK and Ireland.

Jazz opens up about her extreme 28-day challenge, her life-limiting Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), and the determination that drove her to crawl across barnacle-covered rocks to save her boat just 50 miles from the finish. She details the vital modifications made to her 27ft boat, Fear, and the emotional moment a pod of dolphins appeared in her darkest hour.

Please note: This Podcast was recorded several months ago and we understand Jazz's plans may have changed since then.

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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this fascinating episode of The Sailing Podcast, Theo Stocker visits the historic Buckler's Hard with Mary Montagu Scott, director of Beaulieu Enterprises and trustee of the new Buckler's Hard Shipyard Trust.

Mary shares her deep connection to the Beaulieu River, tracing the yard's history from its medieval origins to its peak in the 18th century, when it built 55 ships for the Royal Navy. She delves into the incredible story of the HMS Agamemnon, Nelson's favourite warship, which was launched here in 1781. Mary recounts the ambitious archaeological project to survey the Agamemnon's wreck off the coast of Uruguay and the ongoing excavation of the original slipways at Buckler's Hard.

Discover the plans to lay a full-size replica keel of the Agamemnon to preserve 18th-century shipbuilding skills, and hear Mary explain why, despite a life sailing tall ships and diving on wrecks, her favourite place to sail remains the tranquil creeks of the Beaulieu River on her small scow.

The Sailing Podcast is a 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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.