THE ALBUM - Powerboats and steamers go up the River Lot in France

VELSHEDA Pt 2 - Tim Jeffery reports on the restoration of the year; John Leather recalls the J's heyday

TASMA VI - Yealmbridge Yachts' first effort is the "stuff of dreams" says a besotted Derek Toyne

SUNRAY - She looked flawless at Greenwich. So how does she sail? Vanessa Bird finds out

THE OLDEST FIFE? - Alex Stephen meets Vagrant, an 1884 Dublin Bay one-design

THE CANOES OF SVEN THORELL - John Leather on Sweden's king of canoe design, sail and oar

OPTIMISTS AT 50 - From 'soapbox' pram to most popular dinghy ever; Kevin Desmond on the amazing Oppy

HERVEYBENHAM - Bill McDonald recalls an East . Coast literary legend

DESIGN COMPETITION Pt 3 - ARABELLA - Robin Gates on a wooden yawl from Victoria Yachts

MAST MAINTENANCE - Checked your mast lately? Derek Eaglen thinks you should

EDITORIAL - Historic craft or super-yacht?

TELL TALES - Flying wrecks; Colin Archer sunk; Ransome boat in US; Beaulieu dates; reader survey

SUBSCRIPTIONS - 14 for the price of 12

LETTERS - Thames A-Raters; electric boats; proper luff lacing

ROBERT SIMPER - Everyone loves a Crabber, but what about other cross-overs?

NEXT MONTH - Tom Cunliffe's Westernman

CALENDAR - Portsmouth '98 and others

BOATMAN'S NOTES - The Pardeys join the team; Wanderer update; gold cavetti

DICK JOHNSON - It's not too late to lay-up

ARCHIVES - Selling out fast

LAZARETTE - What do you want for Xmas?

USEFUL ADDRESSES - Get connected

GETTING AFLOAT - Robin Gates on lifeboats

STERNPOST - 'Boats or babes?' wonders a child-wary Adrian Morgan