February 2016

 

In your February 2016 issue…

 

SAILING SKILLS

 

Expert on board: How to gybe safely

Tom Cunliffe explains the mechanics of gybing, what to avoid and how to gybe flawlessly

 

A question of seamanship

‘How would you cope with flat batteries?’

 

Any questions?           

• ‘What’s the alternative to jackstays?’
• ‘How do I set my topping lift for in-mast furling?’
• ‘How to clean gelcoat?’
• ‘Spronging off?’

 

Expert ashore!

Why people fail RYA exams (and how to pass)

James Stevens shares his advice on how to avoid common mistakes

 

Skipper’s tips           

• Twisting the day away
• Proper sealant
• All in the head 86

 

Learning curve

‘Lightning struck four feet from our stern’

Ian Ward has a very near miss while out for a summer daysail on the East Coast

 

Comment

‘Why anchor lights are unsafe.’

Alastair Buchan asks if it’s time to update the Colregs on lights for anchored boats

 

 

CRUISING

 

Home waters: The wrong way round Ireland

Nigel Calder finds a remarkably beautiful coastline, even if he tackled it the wrong way

 

British Virgin Islands

After a week’s charter, Chris Beeson had been to The Dogs and needed Painkillers but couldn’t have been happier

 

Adventure: One man’s search for sailing Utopia

Roy Starkey has made three shoestring circumnavigations. He tells Dick Durham of paradise lost

 

Cruising life: How to choose crew

The benefits and pitfalls of extra crew

 

Cruising log

Readers’ experiences in Greece and Tonga 62

 

Anchorages

Idyllic places to stop, from the Humber to Scottish lochs

 

 

GEAR & BOAT REVIEWS

 

Pilot book reviews

A look inside 8 new pilot books for 2016

 

Used boat test: Southerly 110

This shoal-draught 35-footer

is ‘perfect for creek crawling and capable offshore’ says Duncan Kent

 

New boat test: C-Yacht 1250i

This capable yacht has had a makeover. She will make you want to sail further, says Graham Snook

 

Technical: What happens when they ban antifoul?

Copper antifouling could be banned by 2020, but what’s the alternative?

 

New gear

• Illuminated lifejacket
• 3-in-1 fridge
• Autorouting app

 

Tried and tested

• Rugged camera
• Deck trainers
• Waterproof notebook