Rupert Holmes

London

Journalist, Editor and Photographer at Freelance

Freelance yachting journalist, copywriter, editor & photographer.

Featured in: Favicon

mercurynews.com Favicon

usf.edu

broadwayworld.com Favicon

simonandschuster.com Favicon

kpcc.org

powells.com Favicon

wlrn.org

eastbaytimes.com Favicon

wesa.fm

wpr.org + 107 more

Articles

Small crews, big ambitions: double-handed teams in the Rolex Fastnet Race

2 weeks ago | yachtsandyachting.com | Rupert Holmes

Small crews, big ambitions: double-handed teams in the Rolex Fastnet Race by Rupert Holmes / RORC 9 Apr 20:08 BST The past few editions of the Rolex Fastnet Race have seen a burgeoning double-handed contingent fighting some of the most tightly fought battles on the course. This year will again see a line up of hugely experienced and successful competitors that makes predicting a likely top 10 an almost impossible challenge.
Vendée Globe 2024: Race Finishers, Resilience & Lessons Learnt

Jan 23, 2025 | sailingtoday.co.uk | Rupert Holmes

The 2024 Vendée Globe proved to be a record breaking edition in many respects that defied expectations and dramatically shifted the boundaries of what we know to be possible in offshore sailing. Even before the starting gun, this year’s race made history through being oversubscribed for the first time in its 35 year history, including an unprecedented 11 new boats. The race also delivered incredible stories of endurance, innovation and tenacity.
A sustainable alternative to marine ply?

Jan 10, 2025 | pbo.co.uk | Rupert Holmes

Even the best marine ply is not totally moisture resistant and will eventually succumb to rot after extended periods of raised moisture levels. Supersede Marine Board is said to be the first true 1:1 replacement to marine-grade plywood. TAGS: boatinggearpracticalTop stories Ever since its advent some 75 years ago, marine plywood has been a wonder material for boatbuilding.
Vendée Globe Halfway Mark: Around the World Updates

Dec 16, 2024 | sailingtoday.co.uk | Rupert Holmes

Records have repeatedly been broken, including from the Equator to the Cape of Good Hope, a stretch which saw the 600 mile a day barrier smashed. Yet, in a race renowned for a drop out rate approaching 50 per cent, it’s remarkable that only two boats had retired at or before the Cape of Good Hope. Part of that is undoubtedly due to the gentle conditions at the start on November 10. At that time of year the Bay of Biscay can be ferocious, with multiple vigorous weather fronts to negotiate.
Second hand focus: Hallberg Rassy 352 + 8 alternative yachts to consider

Dec 11, 2024 | pbo.co.uk | Rupert Holmes

Rupert Holmes celebrates the attributes of this iconic, but expensive, Scandinavian design and highlights other options There are many things to like about the Hallberg Rassy 352, one of the Swedish yard’s most popular models ever. More than 800 were built over a 14-year period and they continue to command a high price on the second-hand market, far in excess of most other boats of a similar size and era.
Is it time to switch to an all-electric boat?

Dec 3, 2024 | pbo.co.uk | Rupert Holmes

Rupert Holmes takes an in-depth look at the practicalities and pitfalls of choosing electric propulsion, or even an all-electric boat TAGS: enginesgearTop stories Is it time to switch to an all-electric boat? Increasing numbers of new vessels of all descriptions are all-electric, with systems including propulsion, induction hobs and electric ovens, hot water and dinghy outboards. But can all this really work in practice?
Contessa 32: the second-hand classic + 6 alternative boats

Nov 27, 2024 | pbo.co.uk | Rupert Holmes

Rupert Holmes analyses this extremely seaworthy classic and suggests a dozen other viable lower-cost alternatives Since its launch more than 50 years ago, the Contessa 32 has retained a reputation as one of the most seaworthy yachts of its size, yet it also still races competitively as a one-design class. This was the second design from David Sadler to be built by Lymington boatbuilder Jeremy Rogers, following the long-keel Contessa 26 of 1966.
Kraken 58 First Look: A cruiser with embracing central cockpit for easy handling

Oct 27, 2024 | yachtingworld.com | Rupert Holmes

The Kraken 58 follows the same distinctive style as other models in the range, with a design that makes it easy to handle thanks to an embracing central cockpit. TAGS: New yachtsTop stories Over the past few years Kraken has forged an enviable reputation thanks to its contemporary take on what’s needed to create no-nonsense serious bluewater cruising yachts.
Want to know Kimberly Baer's Top 3 Books of 2024?

Oct 22, 2024 | shepherd.com | Rupert Holmes |Holly Gramazio |Kira Peikoff |Kimberly Baer

In the near future, scientists have figured out how to create eggs and sperm from any bodily cell. Now there’s an illegal market devoted to stealing celebrities’ DNA so fans can have their babies. This imaginative premise piqued my interest, and a series of well-paced plot developments kept me turning pages. The perspective shifts smoothly among three protagonists, allowing readers to explore this intriguing scenario from multiple perspectives.
How to choose a watermaker

Oct 21, 2024 | pbo.co.uk | Rupert Holmes

Rupert Holmes explains why a basic watermaker may make sense onboard your boat A watermaker is not something that many Practical Boat Owner readers might have considered a decade or two ago – and is still something that’s not necessary for most cruisers based in the UK and elsewhere in northern Europe. However, the situation is different for those planning to cruise in the Mediterranean on a longer-term basis.