Log of the Week: Cruising Lives, Rally Routes & Liveaboard Lessons

Date: July 25, 2025

This week’s stories are designed for sailors on long voyages—families, rally participants, heritage yacht crews, and those living aboard or dreaming of circumnavigations. Dive into ten expansive updates that span community events, environmental activism, and offshore innovation.

1. Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta Hits Record Numbers ⚓

For its tenth anniversary, the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta (10–13 July) achieved a milestone turnout, hosting nearly 1,600 sailors across 36 classes—including dinghies, keelboats, and the inaugural Melges 15 Europeans. With around 350 boats racing on five courses, including a newly introduced Bay Race for larger cruisers, the event marked a significant moment for mixed fleets. Over 280 volunteers and local yacht clubs contributed to the smooth execution of the event, while spectators enjoyed onshore activities. Beyond the numbers, liveaboards and cruising couples found community and inspiration from seeing so many boats and crews anchored out on Dublin Bay.

2. Admiral’s Cup Returns to Royal Yacht Squadron at Cowes

After a 22-year hiatus, the legendary Admiral’s Cup made a grand comeback at Cowes from July 17–August 1. Organized by RORC, the regatta features inshore and offshore racing, including a Channel Race and Solent fleet competition. This year’s fleet—30 boats across TP52s, JPKs, and cruiser-racers—has begun to split into leading groups, with early dominance by Monaco’s Jolt 6 and Germany’s robust entries. A press event confirmed that high-performance boats, backed by national teams and heritage, will once again chase the iconic Admiral’s Cup Trophy. For long-distance cruisers and racers alike, this marks a powerful resurgence of team offshore competition on the Solent.

3. Pip Hare Joins Canada Ocean Racing for Ocean Race Europe

Four‑time Vendée Globe veteran Pip Hare is set to sail with Canada Ocean Racing in the upcoming Ocean Race Europe (Aug 10–Sep 21). Piloting a new foiling IMOCA, Hare brings deep solo-racing experience to complement skipper Scott Shawyer’s campaign. Her role includes supporting the “Be Water Positive” sustainability initiative and sharing offshore expertise with a crew aiming to meld eco-awareness with performance cruising. For long-term cruisers, this crossover signals a shift in how sustainability and technology blend in ocean racing—offering inspiration for integrating eco systems onboard during extended voyages.

4. Greece Announces Major Marine Protected Areas

On July 21, Greece unveiled two new Marine Protected Areas, spanning roughly 27,500 km² in the Ionian and Aegean Seas—the largest in Mediterranean history. The Aegean park covers 9,500 km² near the southern Cyclades, banning trawling and safeguarding marine megafauna. Amid regional geopolitical sensitivities, Greece proceeded with public consultations and plans to formalize the zones by autumn. These protected waters are expected to enhance biodiversity and signal to visiting cruisers the increasing priority of ecological stewardship. For liveaboards planning long-term voyages in the Med, this creates both richer cruising environments and new navigation considerations.

5. Fin Finder Tracker Lets You Follow Real-Time Sharks

The Fin Finder platform—a collaboration between Texas A&M, Coastal Conservation Association, and AFTCO—now allows public tracking of satellite-tagged sharks in near real-time. Users can observe the movements of tiger sharks, scalloped hammerheads, and shortfin makos in the Gulf of Mexico. Debuted during Shark Week (July 21), this tool offers insight into shark migration, breeding, and feeding without disrupting wildlife. The transparency is ideal for cruisers in warm-water regions, adding safety awareness and conservation engagement to long-range passages.

6. Aegean Awareness Voyage Spotlights Monk Seal Threats

Since July 7, two wind-powered boats have been sailing across Greek islands to raise awareness about the endangered Mediterranean monk seal. The Awareness Voyage, backed by SealGreece and Sustainable Sailing Greece, includes multigenerational international crews conducting workshops in port communities. Underwater cleanups, wildlife reporting, and seal-safe anchoring practices are central activities. For liveaboards cruising the Aegean and Ionian, this effort is a real-time invitation to participate in stewardship as part of their sailing lifestyle.

7. World ARC Rally Reaches Vanuatu: 24 Boats Together

The 2024–25 World ARC Rally—a 26,000-mile full circumnavigation—reached Tanna, Vanuatu this month. Twenty-four yachts arrived simultaneously in Port Resolution, following a fleet track reminiscent of Captain Cook. This mixed convoy approach emphasizes safety, community, and shared experience for liveaboards tackling passages through the Pacific. With organized shore events, local logistics, and optional stopovers, the rally remains one of the most accessible ways to circumnavigate with camaraderie and structure.

8. Clipper Round the World Race Goes Increasingly International

The upcoming 14th Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, launching August 31 from Portsmouth, marks its most international edition yet: 53% non-British crew across 43 nationalities and 45% women under 40. With over 400 amateur sailors undergoing four weeks of training, then racing 40,000 nautical miles across eight legs, this adventure continues to empower diverse sailors. It's a strong signal to liveaboards: long-distance racing is no longer a niche—it’s a global community pursuit open to many paths and stories.

9. Lively Lady Heritage Yacht Undergoes Training Refit

The 1948 teak yawl Lively Lady, known for Alec and Alan Rose’s first solo circumnavigation and later youth sail training, is currently being restored in England. The project includes hull refurbishment, deck renovation, electrical upgrades, and modernization of living spaces. As part of her relaunch, she’ll return as a sail training vessel, offering hands-on learning to disadvantaged youths. For long-time cruisers, this legacy project bridges past and future, reinforcing values of seamanship, durability, and community education—reminders of what cruising truly represents.

10. Malizia‑Seaexplorer IMOCA 60 Sets Sight on Vendée Globe

The IMOCA 60 Malizia‑Seaexplorer, skippered by Boris Herrmann, is gearing up for a Vendée Globe 2024–25 campaign after securing strong performances in The Ocean Race and Transat. This optimized foiling monohull—complete with canting keel, twin foils, and solar arrays—pushes the frontier of performance cruising. Long-term cruisers pay attention: the design innovations and efficiency-focused systems aboard this racing workhorse may well influence future long-distance cruising and refit projects.

✍️ Sailoscope Insight

This edition spotlights community-driven cruising—and the blend of tradition, technology, and conservation shaping long voyages. Whether you're rallying, circumnavigating, or stewarding the sea, these stories show that cruising is more resilient, diverse, and purpose-driven than ever.

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