I'm Matthew, a Jersey sailor working my way up through the RYA qualifications. I've done my Level 1, and this site is where I put everything I learn about the gear that makes life on the water easier and more enjoyable.
I'm not going to pretend to be a grizzled ocean skipper. The guides here are thoroughly researched: manufacturers' specs, long-term owner reviews, and what you actually see on the pontoons and in the chandleries around St. Helier. Where I've used something myself, I'll say so. Where I haven't, I'll say that too.
What I can offer is the Jersey angle. Our 12-metre tides, drying harbours, the Race of Alderney, damp Atlantic winters and long summer evenings at anchor in St. Aubin's Bay all shape what gear makes sense here, and that's the lens for everything on this site.
What we cover — and what we don't
The Island Skipper covers sailing lifestyle gear: galley equipment, cabin comfort, clothing and footwear. We deliberately don't review safety equipment — lifejackets, harnesses, flares, EPIRBs — because those need hands-on, expert assessment to recommend responsibly. For safety gear, speak to your local chandlery or sailing school.
Affiliate links
Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. That never decides what gets recommended, and I'm always clear about whether a recommendation comes from my own use or from research.
The Channel Islands
Jersey sits around 14 miles off the Normandy coast at 49°N. The Channel Islands are self-governing British Crown Dependencies — not quite England, not quite France, and entirely their own thing. The sailing is exceptional: strong tides, interesting passages, and on a clear summer evening, some of the most beautiful anchorages in northern Europe.