Multihulls World #176

ON TEST SAIL
Astus 14.5
Bali 4.6

ON TEST POWER
Overboat
Long Island 78 Power

CRUISING
Tongatapu – Tonga
Postcards

FEATURE
Australia: The multihull island!

CHRONICLE AROUND THE WORLD
Caribbean Jazz

PRACTICAL
Match: Parasailor or traditional symmetrical spi?
Multihull basics: Sail repair
Diagnostic: Fitting out your forepeaks

FOCUS
Sunbrella, the fabric of our multihulls

FEATURES
Downwind
The Photographer’s eye
News from the pontoons
Racing news
Shopping
Second-hand: Heavenly Twins
Who’s who: Jeff Schionning

EDITO - Open the borders

For almost a year now, the world has sunk into an abyss that even the greatest Hollywood screenwriters would have barely dared to imagine. Lockdowns, travel restrictions, prohibition to leave your home port, to leave an anchorage or to arrive in another country... And what about the boat shows and the incredible energy they deliver, which we have been deprived of since last April? The pandemic that we are experiencing will profoundly and probably permanently change our lifestyles. Our passion for sailing will undoubtedly be impacted and we will have to adapt. It is difficult, to this day, to imagine a catamaran vacation on the other side of the world, to plan an ocean passage or an Atlantic circuit.

We can only hope - as singer Tiken Jah Fakoly of the Ivory Coast sings so well - that we will end up “opening the borders” [Ouvrez les frontières] and that we can quickly regain our freedom to sail. This editorial also has a somewhat special flavor. It is in fact the 150th that I’m signing in the columns of Multihulls World. It is also my last.

For almost two years now, a new team has been at the helm of the magazine. This handover has been deliberate, organized and above all... successful! And we are delighted and proud to know that it is in such good hands.

So, one last word: Thank you all, readers, boating industry professionals, and all those who have and continue to produce Multihulls World, for having followed us and offered us your trust for so many years.

A page has been turned but I leave with a heart full of memories, sharing, sailing and “a few” glasses of Ti’ Punch prepared with great care, and great rum, by our chief boat tester and friend Philippe Echelle!

So here we are - Corinne, my dear partner and better half, and myself - “handing over”. And now, just like you, reader friends, are eager to discover the latest issue of the magazine in our mailbox! Fair winds to Multihulls World and good sailing to all of you. We can’t wait to meet up (again) in a dreamy anchorage, somewhere at the far side of the world... Many, many thanks to you ALL!

JC Guillaumin