Cruising
Shoal-draught cruisers
From twin keels to twin hulls, lifting keels, leeboards and legs – cruise the creeks other yachts can’t reach 34

30 top places to dry out Some of Britain’s best drying havens
and anchorages

Shelter in the shallows
Why taking the ground makes sense – and where to do it in
North Brittany

Destinations:
Chichester Harbour
Explore the creeks and anchorages of this beautiful harbour with our comprehensive cruising guide

Sailing with dogs: Firth of Clyde
Scottish cruising with two pedigree chums: a black Labrador and a
royal-blue Maxi 1100

Canine cruising
Ten top tips for sailing with dogs

First time skippering across the Channel
Graham Snook explores Cherbourg and the Channel Islands

Paradise found
Rod Heikell finds a perfect pocket of paradise in the San Blas Islands

New books
Practical tomes and nautical humour

Sailing Skills
Expert on board:
Air sea rescue
What to do if an emergency hi-line helicopter rescue is required

Skipper’s tips
Harbour sill strategy, PLUS why it’s right to take another boat’s wind?

Learning curve
North Sea crossing in a near-gale

A question of seamanship
Marina berthing tactics in a gale PLUS Sailing skills library

Any questions?
How to check DSC radio signals, avoid prop vibration and anchor
without dragging

Free CD
The RNLI’s comprehensive sea safety guide

Boats and Gear
100-point boat test: J/97
The first purpose-built cruiser from the famous American racing marque

Used boat test: Halmatic 30
Dick Durham tests this all-weather offshore cruiser
New gear
A pontoon security system, a folding saildrive prop and
a battery monitor?

Gear test: Mini B diving kit
Take the plunge to free fouled props and explore the world beneath your keel

Regulars
Editorial
The view from the helm

Cruising news
Is now the best time to buy a used boat?

Letters
Readers’ views and opinions

Libby Purves
Drying out with legs

Tom Cunliffe
The passage of time has a magnifying effect on yachts

Nigel Calder
From ‘white knuckle engines’ to diesel-electric hybrid drives

Our latest subscription discounts

Staff contacts and readers’ services

The Confessional
Readers own up to their sailing sins