Lovers of the Oyster 406 and other centre cockpit concepts will know that the style has largely died out among smaller and mid-size yachts. Yet it remains very popular in…
Rupert Holmes
Comparing the Sadler 34 and 9 other designs
During the 1970s and 1980s, Sadler Yachts was one of the UK’s best-known boatbuilders, producing a range of serious sea boats that remain popular as cruising yachts today, including the…
How to attach deck fittings securely
Rupert Holmes explains how to strongly attach new or replacement fittings to decks – and how to fill redundant old bolt or screw holes
The best 27 foot boats: the Hunter Ranger 265 + 5 other models
From the mid-1980s onwards, Hunter Boats in Essex produced a succession of popular and comfortable 26 to 27 foot boat designs that sail well and offer modern, bright and spacious…
Comparing the Westerly Typhoon 37 and 6 other designs
Rupert Holmes looks at the the Westerly Typhoon 37, his favourite Westerly model of all time, and other alternative boats you might want to consider
Best centre cockpit sailboat designs: the Moody 34 and 346 + 5 alternative yachts
The Moody 34 and 346 were the smallest and best-selling of Moody’s centre cockpit sailboat models in the 1980s. Rupert Holmes weighs in on their merits and offers 5 alternative
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32 + 8 alternative yachts: which is the best 31/32 ft boat?
Rupert Holmes compares the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32 with 8 other 31ft and 32ft used boat designs from the late 1990s and early 2000s
Beneteau Oceanis 393: the groundbreaking design
Rupert Holmes looks at a popular model from the third generation of Beneteau’s Oceanis cruising yachts that represented a big step forward compared to earlier designs
Fitting a new toerail or grabrail on your sailboat or motorboat
Rupert Holmes explains the techniques for the removal and replacement of toerails and grabrails on our your boat
The Pogo 8.50: stable, fast planing and fun to sail
Rupert Holmes examines the Pogo 8.50 - the forward-thinking, fast-cruising 28-footer from the 1990s and suggests some exciting alternative boats to consider
Cornish Shrimper 19: the popular traditionally-styled cruiser + alternative boats to consider
Rupert Holmes looks into why this small, traditionally-styled cruiser remains so universally popular – and suggests some alternative boats that fulfill a similar brief
Westerly Centaur: Britain’s most popular yacht
Rupert Holmes analyses the pros and cons for today’s boat owners of the most popular cruising yacht ever built in Britain, and also suggests some worthy alternatives
Bavaria 34: find out why this boat was a sell out success
Rupert Holmes revisits this popular high volume cruiser from the late 1990s and early 2000s and looks at the alternatives
A sustainable alternative to marine ply?
Even the best marine ply is not totally moisture resistant and will eventually succumb to rot after extended periods of raised moisture levels. Supersede Marine Board is said to be…
Second hand focus: Hallberg Rassy 352 + 8 alternative yachts to consider
Rupert Holmes celebrates the attributes of this iconic, but expensive, Scandinavian design and highlights other options
Merry Fisher 895 vs Cap Camarat 9.0 WA
Jeanneau has launched two very different motorboats of a similar size. Rupert Holmes put both through their paces
Is it time to switch to an all-electric boat?
Rupert Holmes takes an in-depth look at the practicalities and pitfalls of choosing electric propulsion, or even an all-electric boat
Contessa 32: the second-hand classic + 6 alternative boats
Rupert Holmes analyses this extremely seaworthy classic and suggests a dozen other viable lower-cost alternatives
How to choose a watermaker
Rupert Holmes explains why a basic watermaker may make sense onboard your boat
Why you should buy a boat you have never heard of
Rupert Holmes says less well-known designs can often be a perfect second-hand choice and explains his own thought processes when choosing