How to cancel your Sailing Today subscription and protect your rights

Why you might want to cancel Sailing Today

Your decision to cancel Sailing Today stems from practical reasons: subscription costs climbing year on year, your sailing interests shifting, or simply discovering that the magazine no longer reflects your lifestyle on the water. Whatever your motivation, you hold statutory rights that entitle you to a straightforward cancellation process without hidden fees or unnecessary delays. Yafee has helped thousands of UK magazine subscribers navigate cancellations efficiently, ensuring they recover funds they're legally entitled to claim.

Sailing Today is a monthly publication serving the UK sailing community since 1997, published by Chelsea Magazine Company Limited. The publication offers print editions, digital subscriptions, and bundled packages-each governed by distinct cancellation rules. Your subscription falls into one of two legal categories: a fixed-term annual contract or a rolling monthly agreement. Understanding which framework applies to you determines your cancellation pathway and timeline.

When cancellation makes financial sense

You should consider cancellation immediately if you hold a rolling monthly subscription (typically £5-7 per month) but have not opened a digital edition in two months or longer. You should also act if you've received renewal charges without advance notice, or if a price increase pushes your annual outlay beyond £65. Most critically, if you purchased your subscription within the last 14 days, you hold an unconditional statutory cancellation right under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013-a legal protection that supersedes the magazine's terms and conditions entirely.

Signs your subscription no longer serves you

Unopened digital issues accumulating in your inbox, unread print magazines piling up, or confusion over renewal dates and opt-out procedures all signal that your subscription has become a financial drain rather than a valued purchase. If you remain uncertain whether cancellation is right for you, Yafee's step-by-step guidance clarifies your position before you commit to any action.

Your consumer rights under UK law

UK consumer protection law grants you enforceable rights when cancelling magazine subscriptions, regardless of how clearly-or unclearly-Sailing Today communicates their cancellation process.

The 14-day cooling-off period under the consumer contracts regulations 2013

From the moment you purchase a Sailing Today subscription, you enter a 14-calendar-day cooling-off period. During this window, you can cancel for any reason without penalty, and Sailing Today must refund your full payment within 14 days of receiving your cancellation notice. This right applies to digital subscriptions as firmly as it applies to print; the company cannot argue that you have "consumed" the service and therefore forfeit your refund. You must notify Sailing Today in writing before the 14-day deadline expires. An email with a clear cancellation request and timestamp counts as formal written notice.

Your legal position: You hold an absolute right to cancel and receive a full refund within 14 days of purchase, irrespective of the terms printed in Sailing Today's cancellation policy. Document the date you send your cancellation email, and retain a copy in your records.

Consumer rights act 2015 protections after 14 days

Once your 14-day cooling-off period closes, your cancellation entitlements depend on your contract type. If you signed a fixed-term annual contract, you must generally wait until the contract renewal date-unless Sailing Today's cancellation notice period is so unreasonably long that it becomes an unfair contract term under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. If you hold a rolling monthly subscription, you can cancel with written notice, typically by providing 30 days' advance notification to avoid being charged for the following billing cycle.

Furthermore, if Sailing Today fails to provide transparent cancellation terms before you purchase, or if they deliberately obscure or obstruct the cancellation process, you can escalate your complaint to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The CMA investigates unfair contract terms and deceptive commercial practices in the subscription industry.

Subscription pricing and contract types

Sailing Today offers multiple subscription packages, each with distinct costs and contract lengths; understanding which you hold ensures you cancel using the correct procedure.

If you are unsure which type of contract you hold, log into your Sailing Today account or check your confirmation email and most recent invoice. Yafee recommends taking a screenshot of your subscription details before you cancel-it provides evidence of your contract terms if a billing dispute arises.

How to cancel your Sailing Today subscription

The cancellation method you use depends on whether Sailing Today offers an online portal, app-based cancellation, or requires you to contact their customer service team directly.

Step 1: locate your Sailing Today account login

Visit the Sailing Today website and log into your subscriber account using the email address and password you created at purchase. If you do not remember your password, click "Forgot password" and follow the reset process. Write down your subscription reference number-a unique identifier printed on your invoice or displayed in your account dashboard. You will need this reference when you contact customer service.

Step 2: check for online cancellation in your account settings

Once logged in, navigate to "Account settings," "Subscription management," or "Billing." Sailing Today may offer a direct "Cancel subscription" button in this section. If you see a cancellation option, click it and follow the prompts. The system will typically ask you to confirm your reason for cancellation and may offer a discount to retain your business. Decline any retention offers if you are certain you wish to cancel. At the final step, the system should display a cancellation confirmation number; screenshot this and retain it in your records.

Step 3: if online cancellation is unavailable, gather your contact details

If Sailing Today does not offer online cancellation, you must contact their customer service team via email or post. Note down:

• Your full name as registered on the account
• The email address linked to your subscription
• Your subscription reference number
• Your preferred cancellation date (at least 30 days from today for rolling monthly subscriptions, or 30 days before annual renewal for fixed contracts)
• The date you purchased the subscription (for 14-day cooling-off claims)

Step 4: submit your cancellation request in writing

Email your cancellation request to Sailing Today's customer service team. Your email should state clearly: "I wish to cancel my Sailing Today subscription with immediate effect" or "I wish to cancel at the end of my current billing cycle [insert date]." Include all the details listed above. Use a professional tone and avoid emotional language; your email is a legal record. Send the email from the same address linked to your subscription account. Within 24 hours, take a screenshot of your email's sent timestamp-this proves when you submitted your cancellation.

Alternatively, if you prefer postal notification, send a letter via recorded delivery to Sailing Today's registered office (detailed in the final section below). A recorded delivery receipt provides proof of your submission date.

Step 5: wait for confirmation and monitor your next billing date

Sailing Today should send you a cancellation confirmation email within 5 business days of receiving your request. This email will confirm your cancellation date, any final refund due, and the date your access to digital content will terminate. If you do not receive confirmation within 7 days, send a follow-up email referencing your first cancellation request and its timestamp. Keep all correspondence in a dedicated folder on your computer.

Step 6: verify cancellation on your billing statement

Check your next bank or credit card statement approximately 5 days after your cancellation date. Confirm that Sailing Today has not charged you for a subsequent month or renewal period. If an unexpected charge appears, you have grounds to request a refund. Document the charge with a screenshot of your statement and contact Sailing Today's customer service immediately, citing your earlier cancellation confirmation email.

Understanding refunds and timing

Your entitlement to a refund depends on your contract type and when you cancel in relation to your billing cycle.

Refunds within the 14-day cooling-off period

If you cancel within 14 days of purchase, Sailing Today must refund your full subscription cost within 14 days of receiving your cancellation notice. The refund should be processed to your original payment method. If you paid by debit or credit card, the refund typically appears within 5-10 working days. If you paid via bank transfer or PayPal, the timeline may vary by 1-2 days. Do not assume a delay means the refund has been lost; contact Sailing Today after 14 days have passed if the refund does not appear.

Refunds for rolling monthly subscriptions cancelled mid-cycle

If you cancel a rolling monthly subscription with 30 days' written notice, you will not receive a partial refund for the current month. Instead, you will stop being charged from the date you specified in your cancellation request. For example, if you cancel on 15th January with effect from 15th February, you will be charged for January but not for February onwards. You retain full access to your subscription until 15th February.

Refunds for fixed annual contracts cancelled before renewal

If you hold a fixed annual contract and cancel more than 14 days after purchase but at least 30 days before your renewal date, you will not receive a refund for the portion of your subscription you have already used. This is lawful under UK consumer law for fixed-term contracts, provided Sailing Today clearly disclosed the cancellation terms at the point of sale. However, if the company failed to provide transparent cancellation information before you purchased, you may have grounds to claim a pro-rata refund via the CMA.

Common mistakes that delay or prevent cancellation

Thousands of subscribers encounter unnecessary barriers when cancelling-but most are preventable with foresight and clarity at every step.

Failing to meet the 30-day notice requirement for rolling subscriptions

The most common error is submitting a cancellation request fewer than 30 days before the next billing date. If you email Sailing Today on 20th January asking to cancel "immediately," but your next renewal is on 1st February, the company will charge you for February. You must instead request a cancellation date at least 30 days away. When you submit your cancellation, state explicitly: "Please cancel my subscription with effect from [specific date 30+ days from today]." This clarity prevents accidental charges.

Cancelling via an incorrect channel or contact address

Sending your cancellation request to a general customer service email address, social media inbox, or phone line may result in your request being logged as a customer inquiry rather than a formal cancellation notice. Always request a specific cancellation email address from Sailing Today's website, or use the cancellation function within your online account if available. If you must contact them, ask explicitly: "Which email address should I use to submit a formal cancellation notice?" Retain their response as proof you used the correct channel.

Not documenting your cancellation submission

If you cancel online via your account dashboard, the system should issue a confirmation number immediately-screenshot it. If you email your cancellation, screenshot the sent email showing the timestamp and recipient address. If you post your cancellation, use recorded delivery and retain the receipt. Yafee emphasises this point because billing disputes hinge on proof that you actually submitted a cancellation request. Without documentation, Sailing Today can claim they never received your notice, leaving you liable for unwanted charges.

Not following up if confirmation does not arrive

Assuming your cancellation was processed without receiving written confirmation is a costly mistake. Always wait for an email confirmation from Sailing Today before you assume your subscription has ended. If confirmation does not arrive within 7 days, send a follow-up email with the subject line: "Follow-up: Cancellation request dated [insert date], reference [insert confirmation number if you have one]." This creates a clear record of your diligence.

What happens after your cancellation takes effect

Your cancellation marks the end of your billing relationship with Sailing Today, but several matters require your attention to ensure a clean break.

Retained access to digital content

If you held a digital subscription, Sailing Today will deactivate your login credentials on your cancellation date. You will lose access to the archive of back issues and may no longer be able to download or read current editions. If you wish to retain copies of articles or issues you have purchased, download them to your computer before your access terminates. Some subscribers take screenshots or PDFs of articles they value.

Unsubscribing from marketing emails

Cancelling your subscription does not automatically remove your email address from Sailing Today's marketing list. You will likely continue receiving promotional emails about special offers, reactivation discounts, or new products. To stop these emails, click the "Unsubscribe" link at the bottom of any promotional email you receive, or contact Sailing Today's marketing team separately to request removal from their mailing list. Yafee recommends doing this within 10 days of your cancellation date to prevent ongoing unwanted contact.

Checking for accidental renewals or charges

Set a reminder on your phone or calendar for 5 days after your cancellation date, then check your bank statement for any unexpected charges. If Sailing Today has charged you after your cancellation date, you have the right to dispute the transaction with your bank or credit card company. Provide your bank with your cancellation confirmation email as evidence of your request. Your bank will then raise a chargeback dispute with Sailing Today, and the company must refund you or justify the charge. In most cases, banks side with the consumer in cancellation disputes.

Your rights if Sailing Today refuses to cancel

In rare cases, a company may refuse to process your cancellation request, claim they never received it, or demand an exit fee that contravenes your legal rights. You have formal escalation routes.

Resubmit your cancellation request with formal notice

If Sailing Today ignores or refuses your initial cancellation, resend your request via a different channel. If you first emailed them, send a recorded delivery letter instead. If they claim not to have received your email, contact their customer service by phone, state your request verbally, and ask for the call to be noted on your account. Request a reference number for this call. Send a follow-up email confirming what you said during the call: "I am writing to confirm the cancellation request I made during our telephone call on [date] at [time], as discussed with [staff member name if available]."

Escalate to the competition and markets authority if the company persists

If Sailing Today continues to refuse your cancellation after 14 days of your formal request, you can lodge a complaint with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the UK's consumer protection regulator. Visit www.gov.uk/cma and select "Report a consumer complaint." Provide the CMA with copies of your cancellation requests, timestamps, and correspondence showing the company's refusal. The CMA investigates unfair contract terms and deceptive cancellation practices. They have power to require companies to refund consumers and cease unlawful practices. Yafee has observed that many subscription disputes resolve within 3-4 weeks once the CMA becomes involved.

Dispute the charge with your bank or payment provider

If Sailing Today charges you after your cancellation date and refuses to refund you, contact your bank or credit card company immediately. Explain that you cancelled your subscription but the company charged you anyway. Provide your bank with your cancellation confirmation email and any correspondence from Sailing Today. Your bank will raise a chargeback or reversal request, requiring Sailing Today to justify the charge or refund you. Banks prioritise consumer protection in subscription disputes and will typically reverse unauthorised charges within 5-10 working days.

Cancellation checklist

Use this checklist to ensure you complete every essential step before, during, and after your cancellation.

Comparing Sailing Today to alternative publications

If you are cancelling because Sailing Today no longer suits your interests, consider whether a different sailing magazine or digital platform better serves your needs.

If cost is your primary reason for cancelling, Practical Sailor offers a digital-only alternative at £39.99 annually-a saving of £10 compared to Sailing Today's digital edition. Yafee recommends sampling a competing publication's free trial or single issue before committing to a new subscription.

Contacting Sailing Today for cancellation

Use the following contact details to submit your cancellation request to Sailing Today.

Email cancellation

Send your written cancellation request to Sailing Today's customer service email address. If their website does not list a dedicated cancellation email, contact their general subscriber support address, which you will find under "Contact us" on their website.

Postal cancellation to registered office

If you prefer to cancel by post, send your cancellation letter via recorded delivery to:

Sailing Today subscriptions
Chelsea Magazine Company Limited
The Maltings
West Street
Bourne
Lincolnshire PE10 9PH
United Kingdom

Address your envelope to "Subscriber Services" or "Cancellations Team." Include your full name, email address, subscription reference number, current payment method, and the date from which you wish your subscription to cease. Send the letter via Royal Mail Special Delivery or another recorded courier; retain your receipt as proof of posting.

Phone cancellation

Sailing Today may accept cancellation requests via telephone, but a phone call alone does not constitute a formal written cancellation notice under UK consumer law. If you call, ask for the staff member's name, the date and time of the call, and a reference number for your cancellation request. Immediately send a follow-up email confirming the details of your phone conversation. This transforms your verbal request into a written record that protects you legally.

Final summary and next steps

Cancelling your Sailing Today subscription is a straightforward process when you understand your legal rights and follow a clear procedural pathway. Your entitlement rests on two foundations: the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, which grants you a 14-day unconditional cancellation right, and the Consumer Rights Act 2015, which governs cancellation after that period. Whether you hold a rolling monthly or fixed annual subscription, you must submit your cancellation request in writing, document the date you submit it, and monitor your bank statement to confirm that no further charges occur.

Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel magazine subscriptions without losing money, facing unnecessary delays, or encountering hidden fees. The key to success lies in clarity-be explicit about your cancellation date, use the correct contact channel, retain proof of your submission, and follow up in writing if confirmation does not arrive. If Sailing Today refuses to honour your cancellation, the Competition and Markets Authority and your bank both have power to force a refund and investigate the company's practices.

Start your cancellation today by logging into your account, locating your subscription reference number, and submitting a formal written request stating your preferred cancellation date. Yafee recommends completing this step immediately if you are within 14 days of purchase-your statutory right expires after 14 calendar days, and you want to act while you hold maximum legal protection. Document everything, stay patient, and trust in your consumer rights.