Features

• Four summers, four nations
  Tom Cunliffe heads to Norway for his summer cruise and has a memorable time returning home via Scotland, Ireland and the West Country

• Westcoasting
  Ken Endean?s west coast cruise continues with stops on either side of the Irish Sea. He visits Portpatrick and Donaghadee and gets a taste for the North Channel

• Isle of look outs
  YM?s Paul Gelder and Dick Durham discover dark secrets during a late summer cruise to Alderney

• Rally Portugal 2003
  Dick Durham learns about running repairs as he sails with the ?Boat Doctor? during the Yachting Monthly Rally Portugal 2003

• Destinations: Falmouth
  With its maritime museum and improved yachting facilites this West Country port is the perfect base from which to explore the Helford and Fal, says James Jermain

• Cyber sailorman meets old gaffer
  Tom Cunliffe discovers that choosing software is just the start of the fun and games as he to switches to electronic charts

• Breathables on a £200 budget
  Toby Hodges checks out eight pairs of oilies that shouldn?t break the bank

• Survey! Survey! Survey!
  YM?s expert surveyor helps Dick Durham choose a used boat. But will he trade up or down ? and has he really had enough of wooden yachts?

• Southampton International Boat Show Preview
  We look ahead to SIBS 2003 with news of the boats and gear to look out for, plus the chance to win £5,000 worth of sails
  

Sailing Skills

• Learning Curve
  A skipper faces a £10,000 repair bill after a lightning strike wipes out his yacht?s electronics

• Sailing skills bookshelf
  Sextants, sail trim and test papers ? plus Colregs made fun and easy

• Better Boat Handling
  Yachtmaster Instructor Examiner Simon Jinks on bow and stern-to mooring in the Med

• Yachtmaster class
  When should you slip ropes, plus mini tips on tracking, plotting and snubbing

• Sailing Quiz
  Test your nautical knowledge and win Transas Nautic NaviGator chart software

• Knots
  Geoffrey Budworth on how to create a ?sky hook?

• Sea Sense
  Des Sleightholme?s last ever column for YM
  

On Test

• Nordship 43 DS
  James Jermain is impressed by the flagship of this small Danish builder

• Bavaria 38 Match
  Mike Kopman welcomes the German marque?s new cruiser/racer

• Essential Buyers? Guide
  Your at-a-glance guide to the top products we’ve tested in 2003 including the best chartplotters, fixed GPS, tenders and radios

Every Month

• Editorial
  View from the helm

• On Watch
  Solent knockdown and European GPS

• Readers? letters
  Fear of fog; a double dose of VAT

• Next month/YM Books
  Sneak preview of YM?sOctober issue

• YM subscriptions
  Save up to 30% every month

• This Cruising Life
  Libby Purves considers the pleasures and perils of a singlehanded husband with a satphone

• Blue Water Letter
  Jungle-clad hills and rich, tropical fruit await Wild Bird?s crew in Jamaica as she prepares for the Panama Canal. By Colin Lowe

• A-Z of second-hand boats
  The Ss continue, including Scanmars and SCODs

• Any Questions?
  Expert advice on anchoring with chain or rope

• Around the coast
  Local news round-up from our correspondents

• Property
  Dream waterside homes for sale

• Confessional
  Human mooring line and mud larks in Poole Harbour