Features

• Sold on the Solomons
  The reefs and lagoons of the Solomon Islands make a stunning Pacific stopover for Marian and Keith Fletcher

• Essential spring checks
  Fitting-out tips, plus how to inspect your gas system and your rig

• The secrets of Brittany?s island anchorages
  Ken Endean continues his Sail Like a Local series of advanced pilotage

• A survey not tobe sniffed at…
  Exclusive report on an unbelievable breakthrough in surveying skills

• Destinations: Conwy
  Dick Durham guides you in and around this delightful Welsh harbour

• PLUS: Your free pull-out chart
• Seduced by Sophie
  Charles J Doane is swept away by his Maurice Griffith-designed Golden Hind

• Battle of the Somme Estuary
  The riddle of the Somme?s sands are unravelled by Dick Durham

• Red tides of the Faroes
  Eleven-knot tides do not dissuade Anne Evans from cruising the Faroe Isles
  

On Test

• Legend 41
  A good all-rounder for cruising couples, says James Jermain

• Auto ID systems
  Will this new technology transform collision avoidance, asks Toby Hodges

• Buyers Guide
  The best equipment that YM has tried and tested

• New Gear
  Four new lifejackets, plus making the most of wind, sun and water

• Second-hand boat test
  Mike Kopman sails a Nauticat 331and is won over by her comfort and quality

Sailing skills

• A question of seamanship
  It?s midnight, your anchor has fouled, the wind is rising and the tripping line has vanished. What would you do?

• Yachtmaster class
  A call for help during a recent Atlantic crossing reminds Tom Cunliffe that the sea is a less lonely place these days

• Handle with care
  Learning Curve: Paul Boissier decides that prudence can be the better part of valour after a close call in Cherbourg

• Night sailing
  Jack Gush shares the hardships and delights of a solitary night watch while Simon Jinks offers 20 practical tips to help you sail safely in darkness

• Sailing quiz
  Ten teasers to test your nautical knowledge

• Any Questions?
  YM answers your queries on safety, barnacles, rescue beacons and ducks!

Every Month

• Editorial
  View from the helm
• Opening shot
  Stormvogel in full flight
• On Watch
  Calling in the lawyers, smashing world records and staying sober at sea
• Readers? Letters
  Collisions, seeking shelter, navigation skills and learning to ski
• YM subscriptions
  Save up to 30% each month
• Next month/YM Books
  Sneak preview of next month?s YM
• This Cruising Life
  Libby Purves believes that dragging your children to sea may be the making of them
• Blue Water Letter
  Rod Heikell sets off from the Med, bound for Antigua and his own wedding, and has to cope with a tropical storm en route
• A-Z of Second-hand Boats
  The story of Westerly begins
• Around the Coast
  Local news round-up from our coastal correspondents nationwide
• Confessional
  Forgive me Father, for I have sailed