Inside the October issue of Yachting Monthly, you’ll find:

SAILING SKILLS

Skippers’ tips
Keeping furlers in check • DSC radios • Squeaky blocks

A question of seamanship
Do you trust the buoys or the chart?

Tricks of the tide
Surprising tidal phenomena and how to benefit from them

5 tactical tools
The functions hidden in your instruments that can transform your sailing

Yachtmaster refresher
Why going back to school is so useful

GEAR & BOATS

Gipsy Moth IV
What’s it really like to sail Chichester’s iconic boat? Come aboard and let us show you

Winches
Expert tips on servicing, and a guide to the latest designs

New boats
including • Beneteau First 53 • Hallberg-Rassy 40C • Amel 60

Tested: X40
We test the beautiful new X-Yacht and find a thoroughbred

Cross-Channel Cruisers for £25k
There’s plenty of choice for small cruisers capable of crossing the Channel. Here are four we’d pick

New gear
Insulated midlayers • Next-gen beacons • AIS radio • Security camera

CRUISING

Solo adventure
‘I survived the storm but the Australian authorities thought I was a drug smuggler’

Jersey cruising
The southernmost Channel Island has plenty to discover away from the main harbours

North Devon anchorage
Dag Pike shares one of his favourite spots

North Sea crossing to Norway
Making passage from Lerwick to Bergen

Cruising logs
A voyage to Mount Athos • Around Britain • Start them early

REGULARS

Editor’s letter – Snakes & ladders
News – Coastguard pilot shortage • Yacht emissions • Clipper inquiry
Letters – Apparent vs true • C-links
Dick Durham –  Setting a record
Pete Goss – Sailing as a couple
Nooks – The ocean voyager and me
Confessions – Blinded by the light