Welcome to the fourteenth edition of the Solent Handbook, a must for sailors, nature lovers, and those who enjoy life on the water and great food and entertainment onshore. So, dip in and take a perfect glimpse into life along the Solent. For serious sailors or those new to life on the water, we have some sound advice. Our Tea and the Art of Weather Forecasting is a fascinating insight into how, in just 15 minutes and without apps, you can safely predict the day’s weather. And all in the time it takes to enjoy a cuppa. Neil Brinsdon, Managing Director at Spencer Rigging gives us his expert advice on maintaining the reliability and performance of your running rigging which is essential to ensure smooth sailing and prevent unexpected issues on the water. And there’s information from Pete “Stokey” Woodall who offers training on all aspects of ocean sailing with an emphasis on celestial navigation and meteorology as well as our Guide to Yacht and Sailing Boat Hoses and Fittings feature. Read about the team behind Mermaid Gin that has sustainability goals at the heart of their business, working to reduce its carbon footprint, and supporting seagrass meadow restoration projects. They are also celebrating the distillery’s co-founder Xavier who competed in ‘The World’s Toughest Row’, making a 3000 nautical mile crossing of the Atlantic to raise funds for marine and wildlife charities. For nature lovers, the Green Blue’s Boating Wildlife Awareness Week runs from the 10th to the 14th of June, and we’ve got a great feature on interacting with birds and other wildlife both on the water and onshore, and what to do if you spot a friendly dolphin or seal. 2024 sailing dates for your diary must include the Round the Island Race on the 15th of June. This year’s Cowes Week will run from the 27th of July to the 2nd of August, and as ever with the world’s oldest regatta, there’ll be entertainment both in the Solent and in Cowes town as the Island celebrates this annual event held since 1826. Don’t forget that we have our online handbook at solenthandbook.com to keep you updated with what’s happening on the water, race fixtures, and any other Solent sailing news. Thanks for the support of our advertisers without whom we wouldn’t be able to produce the handbook and please return that support when you are on the Island or sailing along the south coast. From the Solent Handbook team, we wish you safe and happy Solent sailing. www.SolentHandbook.com 3 Managing Director Andy Kinnaird Sales Yasmin Attrill Accounts Louise Kinnaird Design Laura Craven Published by Inspired Media © 2024 Inspired Media t: 07773 276215 | e: [email protected] | solenthandbook.com