some recent publications reviewed HEAVY WEATHER SAILING by K. Adlard Coles, revised by Peter Bruce published by Adlard Coles Nautical at £30 ISBN 07136 3431 6 'Heavy Weather Sailing' has long been the standard textbook on the kind of weather most yachtsmen hope never to experience.

But, although the sea may not change, yachts do. With the first edition published back in 1967 and even the third edition now more than ten years old, it was time to bring this classic up to date.

K. Adlard Coles died in 1985 and it has fallen to respected author and yachtsman Peter Bruce to step into the master's shoes.

Wisely, much of Cole's masterfully understated prose remains. The book has been modernised by the addition of more recent accounts and interpretations, for example, the rescue from a 40ft catamaran off Portland in the hurricane of October 1987, which earned Derek Sargeant, coxswain of the Weymouth lifeboat, his Silver Medal.

'Heavy Weather Sailing' is a salutary read for any sailor. We may hope never to experience the conditions described, but we should all read about them. First, it may make us more determined than ever to avoid them, and second, it may give us a greater chance of surviving the worst conditions we do meet.

OUTBOARD MOTOR MANUAL by Keith Henderson Published by Adlard Coles Nautical at £12.99 ISBN 07136 3424 3 The modern outboard engine is potentially a very reliable and trouble-free power unit - and this useful addition to the 'Motor Boats Monthly' series could ensure that it stays that way.

With engine failure a very common cause of lifeboat call-outs, any increase in a boat owner's knowledge of his engine must be useful.

This increase in overall awareness is the target of Keith Henderson's book.

The author treads a careful path between generalisation and being over-technical to produce a nicely balanced volume. Starting with a brief look at the concept of the beast, chapters follow on choice, fitting and setting up the engine, propellers and maintenance.

The final chapters look at towing, and general boating tips and advice.

A useful volume, if a little expensive for 125 pages in a soft cover.

BOAT UPKEEP LOG By Peter Bruce Published by Boldre Marine at around £5.95 ISBN 1 871680042 It may seem odd to publish a book which the reader has to complete, but the concept in this case is not only sound, it may be a lif esaver! Minor defects on a small boat may be so insignificant as to be forgotten, and it is surprisingly easy to forget things from one weekend to the next.

However, a few minor faults may combine to start a knock-on effect that ends with the honorary secretary's telephone ringing...

Yachting magazines have long been encouraging us to write things down. But it takes an experienced sailor to take the concept of an Upkeep Log beyond a dogeared exercise book - this is where Peter Bruce has scored with his compact spiral-bound volume.

As well as encouraging methodical recording of defects so they can be properly rectified, there are spinoffs in space for recording ideas for improvements and end- and beginning - of season maintenance routines, with aide memoires to guide the owner. Sections for recording slipping and propping details, equipment lists and useful contact addresses and 'phone numbers bring together almost everything that a boat owner needs to keep his vessel up to scratch.

A simple idea, executed with thought and care.

CABIN TRUNKS AND FAR HORIZONS by Carlene Pomfret published by MM Productions at £14.95 ISBN 09517685 06 A lifetime of travels by sea are recorded in an anecdotal and at times moving way by the widow of Surgeon Rear Admiral Arnold Ashworth Pomfret CB QBE.

This personal account 'casts in stone' the course of the author's childhood, her marriage to the Rear Admiral and their family fortunes during travels to South Africa, Liukungtao and Jamaica in the 1930s and 40s.

Of interest to those wishing to learn more about the life of a Navy wife in the earlier part of this century.

THE STORY OF KIRKCUDBRIGHT LIFEBOAT STATION 1862-1991 by Dr R.N. Rutherfurd and T.R. Collin Booklet, priced at £3 A well presented history of the station, including that of Balcary as well. Details of officials, news and lists of services are easy to read.

It is interesting to note that the station records are kept in the local Stewartry Museum, an example other stations may consider taking up with their museum.

Available from the honorary secretary Alex Strachan at Long Acre, Castledykes Road, Kirkcudbright DG6 4AN (include 45p p&p).

Books on this page can be ordered from all good bookshops (except where alternative addresses are given) by quoting the author, title, publisher and ISBN number.

Record Review...Record Review...Record FEAR A BHATA (OH, MY BOATMAN) by Capercaillie Re leased on Survival Records Popular Scottish band Capercaillie released their single 'Fear A Bhata' in November to raise money for the 'Dependents of the An tares Appeal Fund' and the 'Premier Appeal Fund'.

These two funds were established to help the families of the boatmen lost in two recent tragic fishing boat accidents. TheAntares was reportedly 'dragged down by a nuclear submarine' and the Premier was lost in high seas.

The 7in single, which also carries 'A Cur Nan Gobhar As A Chreig' ('Herding the Goats from the Rocks') is a fitting tribute to the men lost. It features the haunting vocals of Karen Matheson, whose voice Time Out' magazine described as having 'such beauty and poignancy' as to make her delivery in Gaelic almost unbearable.

The beautiful record is well worth a listen.

Further information on how to obtain a copy is available by telephoning 081-8472625..