SAILING SKILLS

Skippers’ tips
DIY tidal plotter • Heed chart warnings • Confident crew

A question of seamanship
How would you safely retrieve this dinghy?

Off-piste sailing
Chart your own way beyond the channel markers

Katabatic winds
A calm evening turns wild in a south coast anchorage

CRUISING

Scotland to Northern Ireland
Our guide to crossing the North Channel

Painting the Roaring Forties
Knox-Johnston’s Golden Globe in oils

Cruising community
Sailing in the Three Creeks Race • Rouen Armada

Anchorages
Quiet spots to drop the hook in Devon and southern Scotland

Grenada
The best charter destination for real sailors

The Menai Strait
Don’t let the fearsome reputation put you off exploring this rewarding stretch of coastline

‘Maiden’ film review
A ‘powerful and inspirational’ retelling of Tracy Edwards’ bid to race in the 89-90 Whitbread

GEAR & BOATS

Fast fun: J/99 tested
Let the new easy-to-sail J-Boat plaster a grin on your face without even breaking a sweat

55 skipper’s checks
Essential jobs to get your boat ready for the season

Go green on board
How cruising sailors can help our seas and save money

Find me a…
Beautiful weekend cruiser with classic lines for fun sailing

Know your liferaft
Would you know how to use your liferaft and what’s inside it? It could save your life if you do

REGULARS

Editor’s letter

News: In Moitessier’s wake • Paul Gelder • All-female Yachtsman of the Year

Letters: The joy of paper charts

Pete Goss: A desperate grab for life

Dick Durham: Back on an even keel

Books: Ransome’s Secret Water

Confessions: Outboard problems