• Plastic or classic?
  
  ‘They don’t make ’em like they used to!’ YM puts three modern yachts up against three classics to see if the old adage holds water

• Playing hooky
  
  In part two of anchoring techniques, Simon Jinks examines various influences on our choice of anchorage and the importance of having an escape plan

• Rock hopping
  
  Ken Endean visits the Isles of Scilly, a tantalising archipelago of 48 sun-soaked islands

• The Atlantic alone
  
  Paul Gelder and Miles Kendall meet the motley crews taking part in the 11th solo transatlantic race

• Free chart
  
  Peter Cumberlidge explores the hidden anchorages in the Rade de Brest. Plus, free pull-out chart

• It’s good to talk
  
  Shortwave radio reaches the parts others can’t… Hugh Marriott presents the first of a two-part special on long-distance communications for ocean voyagers

• Glorious Grenadines
  
  Sarah Norbury goes chartering in the Caribbean and finds herself skippering a ‘honeymoon cruise’

• Bénéteau beauty
  
  Peter Nielsen tests Bénéteau’s latest addition to the Oceanis range, the Groupe Finot designed Clipper 331

• Second-hand focus
  
  James Jermain sails Kim Holman’s classic Rustler 36

• Boat buyers’ guide
  
  Choosing a long-distance cruiser

• The high life
  
  YM tests ten bosun’s chairs and picks the best buy for comfort, safety and price

• New gear briefing
  
  Simon Jinks checks out the latest equipment from WhisperGen – a ‘silent’ generator to a battery monitoring kit

• Sailing Skills
  
  
• Question of seamanship – a troublesome tow
  
  
• Learning Curve – Escape from a waterspout
  
  
• Tom Cunliffe’s Yachtmaster Class
  
  
• Quick Tips and Des Sleightholme’s Sea Sense
  
  
• Pilotage quiz answer; quick tips
  
  

Regulars

• Editorial
  
  
• On watch
  
  Including Marina Spy, Club Call and Pub Guide
• Readers’ letters
  
  
• Any questions?
  
  
• Next month/Subscriptions
  
  
• Blue water letter
  
  From Annie Hall
• Blue water postscript
  
  
• Libby Purves
  
  On boating neighbours from hell
• Around the coast
  
  Latest news from our correspondents
• YM books
  
  
• Waterside property
  
  
• The Confessional
  
  Readers own up to their sailing sins