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Advanced techniques to make ‘parking’ easy
Welcome EDITORIAL EDITOR Sam Fortescue 020 7349 3752 sam.fortescue@chelseamagazines.com DEPUTY EDITOR Emma Bamford 020 7349 3753 emma.bamford@chelseamagazines.com SENIOR SUB-EDITOR Henry Giles henry.giles@chelseamagazines.com
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FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS I’ve been bluewater cruising. Not sailing, as such – more figuratively lost on the ocean; I’ve become a father for the first time. As the sleepless nights punctuated by spells of panic and relief roll by, a number of interesting parallels between sailing and parenthood occur to me. The first is the involuntary anchor watch. Even when the baby is asleep, I listen intently for the slightest noise. It reminds me of an awful night at anchor in a rocky pool in south Brittany. As the sun went down the ebb began and the anchor chain grated and scraped across the seabed. With every echo up the chain I fidgeted nervously, darting on deck every 15 minutes or so to check whether we were dragging. In the event, we held fine and I vowed never to omit to use a snubbing line again. The second parallel is the night watch on a long ocean passage. In order that we each get a minimum of sleep, we’ve divided forces, with one parent on baby watch (short spells of intermittent sleep) while the other sleeps (up to three glorious, untroubled hours). It is similar to the routine we adopt sailing long passages two-up. The person going off-watch makes a cup of tea for the person coming on and gives them a handover briefing. Finally, just as when halyards mysteriously unclip and windvanes jam during the witching hours, things seem to go wrong with our daughter’s routine between midnight and 2am. Something of the Joshua Slocum principle. I’m hoping that the similarities here will make her a natural sailor. So much so that we’ve already planned a trip to Brittany this summer. So, any tips on sailing with very small babies to the address below, please! Someone who understands sailing with babies is one of our two new columnists, Jess Lloyd-Mostyn, who lives onboard with her young daughter Rocket. In this month’s column, she describes how her family found a home away from home on the other side of the world, in New Zealand (see page 34). And our other new monthly columnist needs little introduction – the vastly experienced sailor Paul Heiney (page 32). Both Jess and Paul share an evident passion for sailing and are no strangers to adventure or trips to far-flung shores. They fit our motto of ‘Go further, Sail better, Be inspired’ perfectly and we’re delighted they have invited us – and you - along for the ride. Sam Fortescue, editor
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RUPERT HOLMES has 70,000 miles of offshore cruising and racing experience under his belt
JESS LLOYD-MOSTYN and her partner James and daughter Rocket cruise full-time
PAUL HEINEY, writer and broadcaster, has crossed oceans and cruised extensively on Wild Song
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Round The Island preparations and round Ireland record shattered
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28 Interview X -Yachts co-founder Niels Jeppesen talks cruising, racing and cowsheds
32 Paul Heiney Our new columnist discusses what makes the perfect crewmember
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Mamma Mia, it’s cold! Emma Bamford is blown away by Skiathos in spring
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54 Solent secrets Peter Bruce uncovers five Solent anchorages off the beaten path
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14 New boats 36 Feeling 44 The French swing keel flier is back
70 Dragonfly 25 Three hulls, triple the fun
84 Three of the best
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74 Downwind sail choice How to choose what’s right for you
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PINK BREAKWATER MARINA ENTRANCE Use the northern entrance, closest to the shore, marked with port and starboard hand markers
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BLOSCON FERRY PIER Obvious navigational aid to aim for, with a green and white sector light on the end flashing every four seconds (every two in fog)
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