YM Classic Yacht Rally at Cowes

Take 60 beautiful classic boats, hundreds of friendly Yachting Monthly readers, sunshine and warm breezes.

The result was a rally voted the best ever.

Southampton Boat Show report

Yachting Monthly’s pick of the best new boats and equipment at Southampton for cruising sailors.

Destinations

Next month’s Destinations: Topsham, one of Devon’s less-frequented harbours, and Granville, an elegant French town within easy reach of Cherbourg and the Channel Islands.

Lay up or stay in?

What to do this winter – maintenance or sailing? Our special feature weighs up the pros and cons of staying in the water versus laying up.

Reader’s cruise

A passage from Torquay to Portsmouth goes anything but smoothly.

Sail power

Heavy weather: what’s the best way to set up a storm jib? Are trysails worthwhile?

Boats on test

One hull, two boats: Dufour’s new centre cockpit 36CC and aft cockpit Classic compared.

Plus

Racing around the Cape of Good Hope (below); Libby Purves charters in Croatia; Blue Water Letter correspondent Annie Hill builds a new boat; Sailing Skills and all the latest news.