2013 is going to be the year of the ‘Cat’ - reference not to a Chinese calendar, nor to a cartoon spin off, but to a four metre inflatable catamaran racing boat that has swept the globe.

Its lightweight tunnel hull and 50hp Tohatsu outboard propels pilot and co-pilot to speeds of up to 65mph and 20ft in the air. No wonder the world’s adrenaline junkies are turning to this cheap and competitive sport for their highs.

The UK is no exception and is part of the nucleus of this global sport. Six rounds make up the British RYA National Championship series with the opening rounds held in Gibraltar, Eastern Beach in April.

Deborah Cornick – Editor, RYA Magazine

“I’ve worked at the RYA for 12 years and I’m responsible for the delivery of the RYA’s quarterly magazine sharing all the latest news and information from across the RYA.

“I work with everyone across the company promoting the work of the RYA, publishing what’s new and sharing advice and information with our readers.

“When looking after the needs of so many different types of boaters; windsurfers to motor cruisers, jet skiers to inland boats, it can be difficult trying to make sure we find a balance in the magazine to please everyone, but I do my best to try and put in something for everyone.

“It’s a great moment, if not a little nerve-racking, when I get to see the first final printed magazine and I hope that everyone who reads it enjoys reading it as much as I enjoy working on it.”

Is today a good day to go out on the water?

Before you head out on the water it’s a good idea to check what the weather has in store. Will it be wet? Will the sun be shining? Or can you expect a snow flurry?

A good place to find out what’s in store is from the Shipping Forecast.  The shipping forecast is broadcast by the Met Office every six hours at midnight, early in the morning at 6am, midday and at 6pm in the evening and reports the weather for the 31 different sea areas around the UK and for Northern France and Spain.

Hybrid propulsion for boats has been around for a surprisingly long time, with Royal Thames Yacht Club member Jack Delmar-Morgan, an early pioneer in electrical engineering and the automotive retail business, creating a truly unique yacht back in 1912.

‘Mansura’ was designed to run selectively under petrol, electric or sail power alone, or under any combination of these sources.

The petrol engine could be started electrically and the yacht was equipped with electric lighting, cooking and water heating systems. The hybrid power train delivered 9 knots under petrol power, between five and eight knots under electric power and 11 knots under both - but just as impressive was the silent running and ease of operation and manoeuvrability.