From the Editor
With pay to play hugely popular all across the leisure industry, why is the Global Challenge in trouble?

On the Wind
Previews of two major single-handed races starting this autumn – the Velux 5 Oceans round the world and the transatlantic Route du Rhum. Plus: next Global Challenge on hold; superyachts take the stage at Monaco and two J Class boats up for sale

The Walrus
Do you remember It’s a Knockout? Well, wait till you see the London Boat Show . . .

Letters
Who says the Pogo 40 is ‘affordable’? A pleasant experience in Finland; escaping to a pilot cutter

Robin Knox-Johnston
Never mind the Open 40, what about an Open 30 to keep costs down?

Gear
Backpack diving; super-slippery hulls; compact antennas for your electronics – all seen at the Southampton Boat Show

Leading Edge
Green power – Lagoon catamarans have an impressive new diesel electric power system which will turn your yacht green

Yachts
Finot Conq’s 16m oceanic one-design; Bloodhound sniffed out; mini J for daysailing

Bumper autumn collection
We test 18 new boats from the first two major European boat shows, Southampton and IJmuiden and look at the nominees for European Yacht of the Year 2007

On test: ClubSwan 42
Created by Nautor’s Swan under the instructions of the New York Yacht Club, this new one-design has a great pedigree, but does it do the business? asks Jonty Sherwill

A Caribbean season
As the hurricane threat recedes, yachts prepare to head west from Europe to warm tropical waters. In this 18-page section we cover:

ARC – first timer’s tips
Cruisers, new and experienced, give their tips on how to prepare for the Atlantic crossing

Progress and paradise
Pilot book author Chris Doyle looks at how the Caribbean has changed in the last 30 years

Yard by yard
The newest developments in facilities for yachts

Beyond soca and calypso
Look beyond the well-trodden path of the eastern Caribbean to the west and the south where islands are just as charming but without the crowds

Maxi Midas touch
Fresh from winning a Gold medal at the pre-Olympic regatta in China, Ben Ainslie stepped aboard a maxi in Sardinia, with predictable results

Practical cruising
A layman’s guide to laying up. How to make a good job of winter maintenance and reap the benefits in the spring

Cruising
A disabled sailor’s round Britain ‘Everest’; violent attacks on yachts in the Caribbean; weather website revamped

Great Seamanship
Two’s a crowd. Weeks alone on a large ocean in a very small boat can do strange things to the mind of a sailor. Val Howells meets an unwelcome crew

Racing
Record turnout at the Melges 24 worlds; China’s first Olympic test – Tim Jeffery from Qingdao; Grant Simmer on Alinghi’s Defence so far

Last word
Mike Golding on what keeps him going

Inside Alinghi
A team tour followed by tough training

SuperSail
Megayachts Mirabella V and Maltese Falcon grab the limelight at the Monaco Superyacht Show. Plus: how handy is a helicopter?

One Amazing Day
Design debut of Rob Humphreys