YACHT 22/2026 is available from newsagents and magazine retailers from today. Our feature article focuses on the ideal downwind rig for your boat: which sail is used on which courses, how can it be handled with your existing crew, and what equipment needs to be fitted?
The main topics in this issue
| Topic | That’s what it’s all about |
| downwind sail | Which sail is best for which course, and what to look for when buying |
| IFS Multi Tradewind | Two gennakers on a furling system put to the test |
| Accessories | Equipment that makes large sails easier to handle |
| Astus 26.5 | Test of the towable cruising trimaran from France |
| X-79 and Albin Express | Two sporty GRP classics under the microscope in our used boat review |
| Höga Kusten | A voyage of discovery along Sweden’s northern Baltic coast |
Three hull types to suit a wide range of needs, two yachts for the second-hand market
The Astus 26.5 is said to be trailerable, fast under sail and, at the same time, suitable for cruising. In this test, we’ll be finding out whether this trimaran, which is around eight metres long, can pull off this balancing act – and how it measures up against established designs from Corsair and Dragonfly.
The X-79, on the other hand, is not a boat for crews who would prefer to leave the trimming and sail-handling to others as far as possible. Its appeal lies in the direct feedback, the sporty deck layout and the opportunity to still actively compete in regattas with an older GRP boat. In our value-for-money assessment, we’ll examine whether the comparatively modest entry-level price is in line with the condition of this particular boat.
The Albin Express, on the other hand, combines regatta sailing with a simple cabin for short cruises. It is smaller than a modern cruising yacht, but offers a small crew berths and a boat that responds immediately to trim adjustments. Here, too, when buying, it is the condition of the individual boat that matters more than the lowest asking price.
A longing for the far north
The Höga Kusten begins around 250 nautical miles north of Stockholm. This sailing guide takes you to an unspoilt stretch of the Swedish Baltic Sea coast, where sailing is complemented by shore excursions into the great outdoors. The YACHT features already give a taste of Skeppsmalen and Örnsköldsvik as well as via Ulvöhamn and Skuleskogen National Park.
The “Salty Brothers” travelled all over the world. The three friends set off on their great adventure in 2023 and have now returned – with plenty of stories and anecdotes to share.
A last-minute rescue
A solo skipper went overboard at night during the Silverrudder race. He spent over an hour in the water, clinging to the lifeline whilst being towed behind his boat. In a gripping interview, the shipwreck survivor explains how he managed to call for help and why the rescuers found him in the first place.
Equally fascinating: meteorologist Sebastian Wache explains the extreme weather conditions of the past sailing summer. And YACHT writer Nils Theurer paid a visit to the ‘Boat Hunters’, a special unit of the Criminal Investigation Department.
YACHT 22/2026 is now available at newsagents and in magazine shops, and will also be available shortly at theDelius Klasing appAvailable to download. Or you can simply order it directly here...
Book recommendations
Sail and rig trim explains how to set the headsail, mainsail, spinnaker, gennaker and rig, illustrated with numerous diagrams. To complement the sailing special feature in the latest issue of YACHT, this book provides the technical foundation: Anyone choosing a new sail should understand how its profile and trim affect its performance on different courses. The book helps readers not only to experiment with adjustments to the sheets and rigging, but also to assess their effects in a targeted manner.
Perfect sailing takes a broader approach. As well as sail trim, it covers spinnaker and gennaker sailing, manoeuvres, navigation and safety on dinghies and yachts. Photographs, illustrations and checklists make it a handy reference guide for crews who do not wish to view the additional downwind sail in isolation. The focus is on practical application: how can a manoeuvre be prepared and carried out?
Which sail gets your boat moving most often: the Code Zero, the gennaker, the spinnaker or the genoa? Let us know in the comments.