FEATURES

Virgin explorer
Island hopping is easy in the British Virgins

Good tidings
Our experts get number-crunching with the latest tidal height calculation programs for laptop and palmtop computers

Enter the Round the Island
YM is offering a new Family Trophy in this classic event

Boat test: Elan 333
We sail this slippery new offering from Slovenia

Destinations
Our pull-out chart series visits Burnham-on-Crouch, the Cowes of the East Coast, and St Peter Port in Guernsey

I did it Biscay
Crossing the Bay with Rally Portugal, now a Yachting Monthly event

Win a £1,000 Ocean Safety liferaft
Voted top by YM in a recent major group test

Distress calls digital-style
Soon, we’ll all need to take the DSC exam

Right hook
The latest generation of mooring aids put to the test

Boat test: Hunter Channel 27
The Ranger 265 gets a makeover and a new name

Our guide to cutting red tape for yachtsmen cruising Europe

Blueprint for a blue water cruiser
Nigel Calder reveals how he chose his ultimate long-distance cruising yacht, with tips for blue water buyers

Sail power
Mainsail trim

Sailing Skills
– Question of seamanship
– Mapping the weather: David Houghton’s final article on how to draw a weather map
– Tom Cunliffe’s Yachtmaster Class
– Des Sleightholme on the fool’s gale
– Pilotage quiz: Win a GPS worth over ‘200
– Learning curve
– Crew class: step-by-step guide to crewing skills

REGULARS

• On watch: Including Marina Spy and Pub Guide
• Readers’ letters
• Marina Guide survey
• Charter news
• New boats
• Waterside property
• Any questions?
• Subscriptions
• New gear/gear test
• Cruising home
• Blue water letter
• This cruising life – Libby Purves
• Around the coast: Latest news from our correspondents
• Second-hand focus
• The Confessional: Readers own up to their sailing sins