CRUISING
THE JOY OF SAIL
TIME TO TRI AGAIN?
Hugh Marriott’s love of sailing is rekindled during a solo passage across Lyme Bay

CRUISING GUIDE – THE RIVER EXE
THE EXE FACTOR
Hitching a ride down the River Exe reminds Mark Fishwick of a childhood spent learning to sail among the reed beds

BISCAY AND BEYOND
Yachting Monthly Rally Portugal is the perfect way to cross Biscay and sail south to the sun. Chris Beeson meets the fleetclose call in the gUlf stream Drummond Challis is battling storms when a vast ship appears

VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY
Is the Discovery 55 the ultimate luxury blue water cruiser? Dick Durham signs up for a passage to find out

CHOOSING CRUISING SAILS
Tom and Vicky Jackson share their tips on buying sails

GRP RIP
How do you recycle an old yacht? Carol O’Shea has some ideas

BLUE WATER LETTER
Annie Hill enjoys the winter sun in New Zealand

ZERO TO HERO
How to go from absolute beginnner to charter skipper in a week

SAILING SKILLS
COVER STORY: SAFE AMONG SHIPPING
SAFE SAILING IN CONGESTED WATERS
Tom Cunliffe tells you how to evaluate collision risks, judge distances, cross shipping lanes and steer clear of trouble

COVER STORY: EXPERT ADVICE
SKIPPER’S TIPS
Choose a headsail, start an engine, refloat your boat and more

QUESTION OF SEAMANSHIP
Are you better off in an exposed marina berth or an up-river anchorage in a blow? PLUS: The latest book reviews

LEARNING CURVE: A TEMPEST HITS TURKEY
How a family crew survived a 60-knot storm

ANY QUESTIONS
Your queries about cruising French canals,
sonic logs and sewage

BOATS AND GEAR
COVER STORY: CRUISER OR CARAVAN

NEW BOAT TEST: BIG FRIENDLY GIANT
The Legend 50 is certainly spacious but what sort of sailing is she designed for? Chris Beeson gives his verdict

USED BOAT TEST: PILOT HOUSE RETREAT
There’s no surrender to the elements for the owner of this comfortable Nauticat 321

COVER STORY: SOUTHAMPTON BOAT SHOW
NEW BOATS
The pick of the boats making their debut at Southampton

COVER STORY: SOUTHAMPTON BOAT SHOW
NEW GEAR
Extra-large plotter screens, toasting irons and more

COVER STORY: SOUTHAMPTON BOAT SHOW
SHOW MAP AND GUIDE
Essential info, all the exhibitors and where to find them

COVER STORY: HOW TO CHOOSE A LAPTOP
LAPPING IT UP
Should you opt for a laptop instead of (or as well as) a chartplotter? We look at the options. PLUS: Win a laptop

REGULARS
EDITOR’S LOG
The view from the helm

OPENING SHOT
Bay of Islands

NEWS
Yacht VAT debacle

READERS’ LETTERS
Your views and opinions

LIBBY PURVES
What to do with your rubbish?

CUNLIFFE ON CRUISING
Now we all sail luxury yachts!

NIGEL CALDER’S TECH TALK
The revolutionary bilge pump

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AROUND THE COAST
The rise and rise of Stiffkey Cockles plus all the rest of your local news

CONFESSIONAL
Yachtsmen confess their sailing sins