CRUISING
‘…And now the Shipping Forecast’
How the sailors’ essential weather report is put together, from blank sheet to broadcast

A capital commute
Ben Meakins forsakes his daily train journey and commutes from Hamble to London under sail

Blue Water Letter
Rod and Lu Heikell blaze a trail across the Pacific to the Marquesas and beyond – and face a medical emergency

A boat for all reasons
Cruising, racing or simply creek-crawling, Roy Hart has a yacht for every occasion – and some amazing tales to tell

Two legends meet
Mike Golding sails Gipsy Moth IV on the eve of the Vendée Globe round-the-world race

Norway’s secret
Explore the land of Beowulf under sail – David Lomax presents a magnificent cruising ground, just 200 miles from the UK

SAILING SKILLS
Expert on board: Free your prop at sea
Knowing how to free a fouled propeller could spare you an emergency services call-out – or save your yacht from sinking!

Skipper’s tips
Free weather forecasts, bridge clearance tips and more

A question of seamanship
Is a straight line on a plotter the best way across the Channel?

Learning Curve
A propeller wrap off Guernsey turns into a race against time

Any questions?
Crossing a TSS, using GPS with old charts, SSB aerials…

Engine lay-up essentials
Follow our easy, step-by-step guide to ensure your trusty diesel purrs smoothly into life next season

BOATS AND GEAR
Head-to-head boat test: Why buy a deck saloon?
We test two all-weather cruising yachts from Finland

Used boat test
She looks like a bargain, but after three hard charter years in the Med, is a Bénéteau Océanis 393 still in good shape?

Southampton comes of age
The Southampton Boat Show turned 40 this year. YM joined the party and asked show-goers what they thought

New gear
Finger spanners, gas gizmos, dual-purpose plotters and more

Tried and tested
There’s a pair on every space shuttle but do image-stabilised binoculars deserve a place on your boat?

New Boats
Chris Beeson finds some bright ideas on boats at the show

REGULARS
Editor’s log
Sailing with Mike Golding

Opening shot
A dip in deep water

Cruising news
Pirates foiled in daring Special Forces raid…

Readers’ letters
Your views and opinions

Libby Purves
Cap’n Geek and AIS perils

Cunliffe on Cruising
Sailors need selective memories

Nigel Calder’s tech talk
An ode to radar

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A-Z of used boats
Crabber, Corribee and Crealock

Around the coast
Posh new marina for Southend and the rest of your local news

The confessional
Yachtsmen confess their sailing sins