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Sam Llewellyn was born on Tresco, Isles of Scilly, where his family has lived for 170 years. He was brought up between the coast road and the sea in North Norfolk.

For several months most years, Sam goes sailing to research his novels. He has sailed in most places from Turkey to the Baltic, in Maine, the West Indies, and the Pacific Northwest.

Sam contributes to the London Times, Daily Telegraph, Independent, Yachting Monthly, Classic Boat, Sailing magazine, and Practical Boat Owner, where he evangelises for his "Minimum Boat" philosophy.

Sam has written many many articles proclaiming his "Minimum Boat" philosophy, covering wide ranging topics including:

• The old(ish) ways are often the best for depth sounding
• Just how may varieties of string do you need on a boat?
• The simplest of means to keep weed and barnacles at bay
• Rationalised anomalies, catharpins and futtocks [Whatever that means! Ed]

Sam will give us a presentation based on this popular column and also talk about his new "Dazed Kipper Manual" (Say it aloud!)

Vyv Cox, writer for Yachting Monthly, has sailed for most of his life, initially racing dinghies and catamarans, then for the past 20 years cruising yachts . Now retired, he is a Chartered Engineer and for 30 years was responsible for the diagnosis of engineering failures in the petroleum industry.

Originally based in Anglesey, with wife Jill he cruised extensively throughout western Britain. Relocating to Holland they cruised widely, from the Baltic to Biscay in their Sadler 34. For the past five years they have cruised for six months of every year in the Mediterranean.

AGM at 7pm then at 8pm:

"Boat preparation for Cruising the Mediterranean for a whole summer season, and places to visit when you get there."

Drawing on 20 years experience of fixing and maintaining small yachts while cruising them extensively, Vyv Cox has photographed some of the most attractive scenery in coastal Europe, while managing to keep oil and bloodstains off the camera. His talk will include shots of some of the most photogenic places in the Med, mixed together with some of the equipment additions and problem solutions that have made it all possible.

"2000 miles on a yacht through the French canals"

Tony and Irene Brooks sailed their 23ft clinker built yacht to Calais from their home port on the river Medway in Kent. They then did a complete circumnavigation around France via inland waterways, returning to the Medway after a trip of some 2800 miles, which included 648 locks and many adventures along the way.

"Circumnavigation of the UK"

Sam will be looking at planning aspects of a Round Britain Cruise such as: when to leave, which route, which direction, what to take, how long does it take and many other key questions. The talk will answer these questions and many more and will be coupled with an entertaining account of her trip round Britain in 2006 with her mate Margaret (Mags) Campbell in their Rival 38, Ituna.

This talk should whet your appetite to set off - our coastline is stunningly beautiful.

He has served before the mast in small sailing ships, skippered yachts for private owners, raced offshore, been to sea as mate on a coasting merchant vessel and taught sailing, seamanship and navigation at every level. He is an RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Instructor Examiner and has worked as a consultant for the governing body of sailing in the United States.

In his own yachts he has cruised with family and friends to destinations as diverse as Brazil, Iceland, the Caribbean and Communist Russia. Specialising in vintage and classic craft, he has become a world authority on gaff rig.

When not at sea in his 22-ton gaff cutter, he lives with his wife in the New Forest where he rides a large motorcycle and cultivates roses.

TWO Royal Navy Topics to Tantalize you:

• The Royal Navy & Piracy: Past & Present. This paper will look at the Royal Navy’s centuries long record of countering piracy in order that all forms of shipping may undertake their lawful business at sea. It will discuss both achievement and challenges in these forms of ‘constabulary’ operations & the international aspect of counter-piracy, including the current Operation ‘Atalanta’ off East Africa.
• The Falklands Conflict: This lecture will examine the background, conduct and consequences of the Falklands War of 1982, using evidence from both sides. In doing so it will seek to challenge several common misperceptions about the war. This paper has previously been presented to British Forces in the Falklands and to the Royal Navy’s Maritime Warfare Centre.

Steven's "behind the scenes" views are always fascinating - don't miss these insights!