Afloat, Ireland's boating magazine, hits the shelves this week, with a bumper 100-page Annual.
 
Packed with all the latest news and reviews from across the sailing, motorboat and water sports worlds, Afloat's 2009 Annual also looks at the future of Irish sailing.

In your newsagents Friday, December 4, 2009
 
Among the stories in the 2009/10 Annual are:
 
Stop and think – The VOR stopover in Galway showed that there are untapped riches from the sea, writes David O’Brien
 
Dragon's tale – The story of how the Irish-Chinese VOR entry made it around the world without ballast or money

Racing away from recession – Markham Nolan climbs into the crow's nest and scans the horizon for reasons to be cheerful in 2010
 
Bottom of the barrel – Abandoning the Asgard was a new low for a nation that has long turned its back on the sea, says Tom MacSweeney

Bringing home the turf - Anna McCormick joined the crew for the annual Calico race to Kinvara

So long, Alpha Zulu Zero Niner – WM Nixon runs through the year that was, from A to Z
 
Stars of the Sea – We figure out who's going to win the Sailor of the Year competition

Round Ireland, white knuckles – Afloat goes on a record-breaking rib ride with Phillip Fitzgibbon and Mike Shanahan
 
Golden moments – Howth's Autumn League captured the best of the weather for its 140-boat fleet, writes Graham Smith
 
Santa for Sailors  – Afloat's selection for your Christmas stockings, plus Paul O'Doherty points the way to the best in holiday reading

Easy rider – Afloat checks out the new SeaRay 375 Sedan Bridge and finds her the pick of the class
 
Inland Waterways Review – ‘Tis the season to be jolly; or is it? Brian Goggin questions the traditional seasons –with plenty of reason
 
Final Voyage – The maritime world bids farewell to two very special members: Paul Murphy and Michael Bowen
 
Marketplace – If it's a boat you want, we've got it; if it's a service you need, we know the place to go
 
Soundings – Mr Nixon's SSIA was finally put to good use - on a worse-for-wear American sloop
  
Plus sailing news, results, opinions and all our regular columnists – all in the full-colour, bumper Annual, at all good newsagents now!

For more information contact: Angela Fealy – DI: 01 202 0374