February 2012
On sale: Thu, 12 Jan 2012
From the Editor
It's the quality of the British boat that attracts discerning buyers
On the wind
Ben Ainslie sees red at Finn World Championships; Volvo: the shipping news – why the round the world race is relying on ships; pay-to-sail skipper is criticised in a Marine Accident Investigation Branch report after woman is badly injured; grand-prix MedCup loses main sponsor – Matthew Sheahan asks: is professional racing in crisis?
Letters
Does the iPad have GPS? – the last word; cruising catamarans – the right choice?; a kiteboarding-style tether for yacht harnesses; biodegradable cleaning
Laven's Olympics
As the red mist descends over Ainslie, Kate Laven looks at Olympic sailors' difficult relationship with TV
Leading Edge
Rigging looks as if it could be the weakest link on the Volvo Ocean Race
Robin Knox-Johnston
In memory of a no-nonsense bargeman with native wit
The Walrus
Secret ship transports, sourcing spare masts, evading pirates – the Volvo Ocean Race would make a great video game
Gear
Featuring all the Design Award winners from the Marine Equipment Trade Show, from 3D chart plotting software to a Chinese finger-trap textile clutch
BUILT in BRITAIN
Quality British boatbuilding is enjoying a renaissance. In our special 30-page report, we look at the top British yards, craftsmen and designers, with extracts from Yachting World boat tests and one-to-ones with company managing directors
Boat of stories
From a hairbrush to a sliver of Jimi Hendrix's guitar, the Boat Project used donated pieces of wood to build a boat as an art installation for the Cultural Olympiad. But each donation had to have a story behind it
Cruising
Search and rescue plans revived; the solitary endeavours of 86-year-old British sailor Les Powells; French jail Somali pirates; solo sailor 'forced' to abandon
Advanced sailing techniques
1: Avoiding a Chinese gybe. Our new series on advanced techniques by sailing coach Pip Hare is backed up by an exclusive video
Five go across the Pond
We meet five very different crews at the start of their transatlantic crossing with the ARC and find out how they prepared
Great Seamanship
Iced in. Norwegian explorer Fridtjof Nansen attempts to reach the North Pole in his Colin Archer-designed Fram
Performance World
The weight of winter wind. Is winter air 'heavier' than the equivalent wind strength in summer? Andy Claughton of the Wolfson Unit in Southampton provides some answers to this perennial conundrum
Olympic profile
The Paralympic duo in the British SKUD 18 each play to their strengths to form a successful partnership, finds Matthew Sheahan
SuperSail
Life is sweet at the Bitter End. David Glenn finds a well-equipped, family- friendly resort at the extremity of the British Virgin Islands
Yachts for sale
Classified ads
One Amazing Day
Successful owner-driver Niklas Zennström describes how his yacht Rán 2 won the Mini Maxi Rolex World Championship in 2010 after hitting a rock
