We'll miss the shipping forecast

The long-wave shipping forecast reaches its centenary in 2024, though it’s not much of a celebration given that LW itself, ‘at the end of its life as a technology’, will be turned off sometime in the middle of the year.

A healthy dose of fatalism is good for you

Nancy, my mother, drummed into me a set of lower middle-class rules, the origins and the validity of which remain, a lifetime later, lost to comprehension.

PIONIER 10

One of the prettiest production cruisers ever built, the Pionier 10 has the manners and performance to match her appearance, says David Harding

GARMIN FENIX 7 SOLAR SMARTWATCH

I’ve loved testing the Garmin Fenix 7 solar edition. I wasn’t a big smartwatch fan before I got one, but I now find myself wearing it most of the time. Primarily a multisport watch, I use it for running and cycling, but it’s also useful for sailing, as well as almost any other activity out there.

LUNGI MCHUNU THERE ARE NO LIMITS

The first African woman to sail to the Arctic, a citizen scientist and climate change activist, Lungi has dared to dream and believes there are no limits to what we can achieve Here she tells Yachting Monthly her story

CRUISING ENGLAND'S EAST COAST RIVERS

A solo, septuagenarian sailor rediscovers the joys, magic and mystery of England's East Coast rivers, sailing over four bars and under two bridges

FIRST TEST POINTER 30

This sleek and sporty weekend sailer from the Netherlands has plenty of appeal for the coastal sailor, found Theo Stocker

NCI joins passport stamping points on the SW Coast Path

The National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) has become an official 'Coast Path Passport' stamping point partner, working with the charity which cares for the UK's longest national trail, the South West Coast Path.

Calor to resupply phased-out gas cylinders

In response to demand from the public and boat owners in particular, Calor will continue to supply the 3.9kg propane and 4.5kg butane sizes, reversing a decision to phase them out taken in February last year.

Falmouth Harbour appoints scientist as new commissioner

Falmouth Harbour has appointed environmental scientist and businessperson Natasha CollingsCostello as a new commissioner, joining its board to help shape the harbour's strategy and prosperity.

Government approves HVO on inland waters

Campaigning by the RYA, the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) and the Cruising Association (CA), together forming the HVO Joint Working Group, has resulted in the Department of Transport allowing inland waterways vessels to be supplied with HVO.

MAIB recommendations after RIB fatality

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published several recommendations for the protection of passengers after an investigation into the tragic death of 15-year-old Emily Lewis, who died in August 2020 when a high-speed Seadogz RIB crashed into a 4.5m-high channel maker in Southampton Water at a speed of 38.4 knots.

Huge wind farm to be in UK waters

Danish renewable energy giant Ørsted has agreed to go ahead with plans for the world's largest wind farm, Hornsea 3, off the coast of Norfolk.

Blue skies at Ocean Globe Race leg 3 start

Blue skies and steady winds heralded the start of the 6,000-mile third leg of the Ocean Globe Race from Auckland around Cape Horn to Punta del Este, with spectators cheering on the retro yachts from the deck of legendary Whitbread yacht Steinlager 2.

SAGITTA 30

If you're after a 30-footer that combines offshore ability with shallow draught, good performance and roomy accommodation, a Sagitta's two hulls might fit the bill. David Harding explains why

HOW IT WORKS WINTER SERVICING

Winter is a great time to make a detailed assessment of your boat's condition. Dennis O'Neill offers some handy reminders on areas that shouldn't be overlooked.

Rediscovering the Whitsundays

New Zealanders Anna Willison and husband Angus embark on what her workmates call an OPOE (Old Person's Overseas Adventure), a circumnavigation

THE AZORES & BACK RACE

Every four years Falmouth hosts a classic ocean race that's open to all; Angela Rice speaks to competitors about its demands and rewards

CORAL GARDENING IN FRENCH POLYNESIA

After witnessing the wonders of the Gambier Islands' flourishing reefs, two sailors meet an inspiring group of coral conservationists

ADVENTURE - IRELAND'S WILD ATLANTIC COAST

Artist Joanna Martin sailed south along the wild west coast of Ireland, where the power of the ocean meets rugged cliffs and deserted shores. She joined husband Mark and son William for part of their circumnavigation of Ireland, heading from County Mayo to Kinsale

'WE SPOTTED PEOPLE IN THE WATER, FIGHTING FOR THEIR LIVES'

When Mike Goodwin and his crew spotted something in the water at the end of their charter, they were unaware of the life-and-death drama in which they were about to play a part. This is his harrowing account of what happened

MAKE YOUR BOAT CHILD-FRIENDLY

Whether you're sailing near or far, a few simple modifications to your yacht can make life on board much more secure and comfortable for children, says Justin Halewood

Using radar for COLLISION AVOIDANCE

Radar is now more efficient, more affordable and far more advanced than even a few years ago. Rachael Sprot explains how to utilise the latest technology to keep clear at sea

A QUESTION OF SEAMANSHIP

Navigation light obscured - can I proceed?

Red sky, morning and night

Red sky at night, sailor’s delight. Red sky in the morning, sailor’s warning. This is the most well-known of the weather proverbs.

Bodge-jobs don't work

Trying to find shortcuts around tricky boating tasks usually doesn’t work. In fact it often creates more problems than before.

FIRST TEST BAVARIA C46

Massive bow sections create a huge amounts of space on board, and in theory, a powerful hull to give lively sailing. Theo Stocker pushes the boat to see if the reality matches up

Child-friendly cruising skills

We hammered along the wild coasts a bit too enthusiastically

Yachtsmen's role in the Great Flood

A train was stopped when it collided with a bungalow planing down a breaking wave

NEW BOATS

Ultra-cool, sporty weekenders and dayboats are a niche of the market that's seeing some exciting new designs emerging. Theo Stocker takes a look at two of the latest