Mothers are a notoriously proud species. But for a while now I have suspected my own has taken the maternal rule of sprog pride to a new level. Since acquiring the position of Editor of this fine publication, she has managed to publicise news of my role far quicker and more efficiently than any emailed press release, sky writer or moon tattooist could ever hope to achieve. In an indefatigable manner, she waxes lyrical to any friend, foe, passer by and any unsuspecting harbour master who is just trying, politely as possible, to direct them to a berth...

In fact we have seen sales rise exponentially in my conspicuously inland hometown in Surrey. Is this because we publish the best boating mag out there? I’d like to think so. But I much suspect the matriarch of the family has been entering WHSmiths on a daily basis and near enough forcing copies of the magazine to any poor shopper that happens to trundle within a ten metre radius. I’m not entirely sure the mostly non-boating folk of that pleasant town are too concerned with the rights and wrongs of passage planning and what tender would really suit them… but the poor blighters do not stand a chance against such a fiercely proud Porter.

Happily living several counties away, I can pretend I didn’t hear about the local reports of ‘Proud woman terrifies newsagent customers’, but friends who have remained are now pleading for me to speak out…

So as sales rise in level with the fear, and the folk of my hometown gain a forced appreciation of all things Sports Boat and RIB, I thought I’d issue a quick thank you (and a bit of an apology) to all who live there. You know who you are.

Ps the next issue is out on the 21st July. You may as well save yourself the hassle and report to Smiths in a timely fashion – she may know where you live…