ON THE WATER:
Classic charter: Xylonite - Kathy Mansfield discovers the joys of a weekend aboard a Thames Sailing Barge on the Essex Coast
John Goode's Masterclass - Picking up tidal moorings with the wind forward of the beam
Reader's cruise - Margaret Dean's inspiring account of her first long passage as skipper aboard Rosalie ofHambk, from the River Fal to the Sallies
Thierry Duboes - What can the crusing sailor learn from the single-handed racer?

NEWS & VIEWS:
News - Record show sales despite Southampton's foul weather
Southampton launches - Boats that broke cover at the Boat Show, full details
Club news - The latest from the Cruising Assoc, Seals and Seacrackers
David Rainsbury - Col Regs should help us, so let's all use them, says David
James Stevens - Learning in the Med? You can take RYA courses there too
Detlef Jens - Boats and nutters, Detlef loves them all
Letters - Small charier boats needed, UKHO off course? Tel] us what you think - plus this month's crossword

TESTING:
SeaWych - There are thousands of 'em and an active association
Just In - The latest marine kit reviewed
Colvic Watson 34 - Why buy a motorsailer, is it all about comfort, space and staying dry?
Shopping around - Variations on the motorsailer theme
Gear on test: A new Icom VHP DSC set, and an electric folding bike are among the tests this month
New boat test: Yarmouth 23 - Beautifully built, heavy displacement gaffer
Group test: Inverters - Nine models tested, Duncan Kent picks the best devices for getting mains power from your boat's 12v batteries

PRACTICAL:
Diesel engine troubleshooting - No-nonsense guide to quick fixes that will get you home safely
Readers' tips - This month: date your trailer tyres, a new use for a hand whisk and where to put your Blu-tac
Q&As - More problems solved - inc expert advice on rigging screws
VHF DSC - Basti D'Oliveira explains how this major step-forward in communications technology works and how to use it