On the Wind
5-Oceans rescue – Mike Golding on how he saved fellow solo sailor Alex Thomson and then was dismasted. Plus: will Britain field an America’s Cup team?; the ARC welcomes back family sailors; free Guinness in our Boat Show offer!

The Walrus
SCOD – the movie. What’s not to like about a refit psychodrama?

Letters
Can I help you, Sir? – service in the boating industry; the sad loss of Challenge Business; a fair price for Cowes Week

Robin Knox-Johnston
As the first severe storm strikes the Velux 5 Oceans, Robin makes some tough decisions

Gear
Top marine gear in 2006 – all the DAME award winners from the Marine Equipment Trade Show in Amsterdam

A grand day out
The organisers of the London Boat Show in January are turning the event into a day out for all the family. We look at the features they have introduced and preview the best of the new boats and gear on display

Leading Edge
Powered by water? Scientists pursue the goal of separating hydrogen from water for a truly universal alternative power source

Yachts
A special Friendship from Ted Fontaine; Class 40 from Down Under; 8m Perth one-design

On test: Big style, small budget
We test two production 50-footers which offer a lot of style for your money – the Bénéteau First 50 and Dufour 525 Grand’Large

Flight of the Falcon
With her free-standing, computer-controlled clipper rig, the 288ft Maltese Falcon is arguably one of the most remarkable yachts to launch since the 1930s. David Glenn sails her

Cats and crabs in the Chesapeake
The Gunboat 48 catamaran, with its high-tech, ultra-modern style, is in sharp contrast to the timeless old world charm of the Chesapeake Bay, but nevertheless proves to be the ideal craft to go ‘gunkholing’ in this superb cruising ground

A giant in Lilliput
The models that Malcolm Darch creates are so exquisitely intricate that more is revealed, the closer you get to them. Alan Harper examines Darch’s latest creation, the Fife designed Cicely

There’s nothing like the South Pacific
Remember the musical? Then you’re thinking of the Society Islands, where Andrew Bray took a charter with The Moorings and found a cruising ground so different it felt like sailing to the very edge of the world

Practical cruising
Anchoring. They’re not sexy, but anchors are a fundamental piece of kit that needs careful thought. Andrew Roberts offers practical tips on choosing and stowing anchors, dropping and setting the hook

Cruising
Young Polish crew tackle the North West Passage; Woody Allen makes the SCOD a film star; the Rev Bob Shepton returns to Greenland. Plus: Focus on flares and their modern alternatives

Great Seamanship
Who needs an autopilot? A French sailor from the 1930s describes how he set up his 36ft gaff cutter to sail herself without the benefit of self-steering

Racing
Murphy’s rule. How Shaun Murphy and his double-handed partner took on fully crewed yachts and won RORC Yacht of the Year. Plus: great America’s Cup disasters of recent times

Inside Alinghi
The America’s Cup Defender packs its boats for Dubai, while team members do the lecture circuit

Going for Gold
Introducing a new regular column following the British Olympic squad on their quest for medals at Beijing in 2008 and London 2012

SuperSail
New 30m Leopard will earn her keep as a charter yacht and may tackle a world record; concept design for a mercury-ballasted twin keeler

Yachts for sale

Classified ads

One Amazing Day
Andrew Bishop of World Cruising has an uncomfortable experience in Biscay