Next month – Febuary 2000. On sale 13 January:

Canada calling: The Pacific North West is still one of the frontiers of cruising. Matt Sheahan and photographers Malcolm White enjoy an unusual cruise by Swan and by float plane

First test for Firefly. Yachting World’s editor Andrew Bray on his new boat, a YW H42, and how its systems such as the Hoyt JibBoom, the water ballast and the other ideas built into it all work. Technical Editor Matt Sheahan adjudicates to ensure the truth comes out…

Groupe Finot: They have designed almost 30 boats for Beneteau, but Jean-Marie Finot and his partner Pascal Conq are best known for their Open 60s. Today they are putting the ideas learned in this development class into practice on fast cruising yachts.