Many boat owners have asked me to advise them on which liferaft they should buy.

Size will not be difficult to decide but I am often torn between valise or container, bearing in mind the former must be stowed out of the weather and the latter must be stowed in the correct aspect and never, ever stepped on. If crew do put their weight on the canister, it could break the seals and the next thing you know water is inside and you may have a failure in an emergency.

I AM in the process of helping a couple commission their boat prior to sailing the yacht to Marmaris in Turkey.

I sing the praises of the internet where you can learn from others, pass on some of your wisdom, or have a rant about your pet like or hate.

I have used links to seek information about the trip and our destinations. I have received some very helpful advice which seems to come from all corners of the globe.

I like to keep up my Astro navigation skills and rather baulked at the idea of having to fly back with more than eight pounds of sight reduction tables in my suitcase.

The Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship is about kids making powerboats go as fast as they can. Right?

NOT true says Andrew Norton, RYA Motor Cruising Projects Manager, who is leading a renewed campaign to get even more sailing clubs involved in this nationwide scheme promoting safe boat handling for youngsters.

The championship, sponsored by Honda and Ribcraft, is an annual series of local heats and regional finals, culminating in the national final at the Southampton Boat Show every September.

WHAT do you think of when you hear the word Sailability?

A charity? The RYA? Disabled sailors on your local lake? Or maybe some well-intentioned, nebulous concept that brings disabled people and boats together? Does it actually matter?

I think it does and here’s why: The word Sailability means all of the above, but all are quite different entities and if you are to support any with your time or money, then you should make it your business to differentiate between them.

Sailability: The concept.
Sailability is the bringing together of disabled people and boats. The word is used in dozens of countries around the world to describe their national disabled sailing programmes.

When the question arose is 1995 as to whether the RYA should Trademark the word “Sailability”, it was agreed not to in order to spread the concept far and wide.