A semi-bespoke gentleman’s launch in cedar strip construction, the Westons Point 27 is a real head-turner that oozes traditional craftsmanship, as David Harding reports
boat review
Seascape 24 vs Seascape 27: Is a planing cruiser really practical?
Bowling effortessly downwind at 15 knots can be fun, but what are the compromises? David Harding sails the Seascape 24 and Seascape 27 to find out
Elan Impression 43: a spacious interior & satisfying sailing performance
High, wide and thoroughly modern, Elan’s new Impression 43 offers a remarkably roomy interior and more performance than you might expect, as David Harding discovers
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
Elizabethan 31: the solid offshore cruiser
Her reputation as an able passage-maker makes the Elizabethan 31 highly sought after by cruising folk, but she’s also a spirited performer, says David Harding
Vita Power Seal and Sea Dog: the new electric RIBS which can run at 6-8 knots for 10-25 hours
With a reputation for ‘plug and play’ electric propulsion, Vita Power has launched electric RIBs of its own design. Jake Frith drives them to see how they handle
Dragonfly 25: the versatile trailable trimaran
Equally happy cruising with the kids or flying two hulls at 20 knots, the Dragonfly 25 is a versatile trailable tri. David Harding went for a spin
Hanse 348: the spacious performance cruiser
The Hanse 348 promises excellent performance under sail with ease of handling, even single-handed. Peter Poland puts it to the test
Viko 21: A trailer sailer that sets the standard
Costing from £23,000, the Viko 21 seems remarkably good value – but what does she offer apart from economy? David Harding investigates
Maxi 84: roomy, capable & rewarding to sail
Why has the Maxi 84 proved so popular since her launch 45 years ago? David Harding sailed Maximus, the ‘work in progress’ refurbished PBO Project Boat, to find out
Sloop vs cutter – which is best? From the PBO archives
At Victoria Marine they produce some very fine boats, well designed, and well built. Beyond that they also follow a policy of allowing each customer the maximum possible freedom of…
3 great british motor-sailers: boats that you buy by the pound
Over a career spent as a boatbuilder and latterly as a freelance journalist, I have noticed that some owners of sportier yachts tend to trade up to bigger or more…
Devon Yawl test sail and review
A friend and I once decided that instead of sailing, an August hike might do us good. So we took the coastal path from Branscombe to Bigbury. On the leg…
Jaguar 27 review and test sail
Boat testing is fun. But testing in the Ionian under an October sun is even better. Quite a few years ago I was invited to join a flotilla as part…
Nicholson 32 review and test sail
The Nicholson 32 was one of the first production-built GRP yachts of its size. It quickly gained a reputation for being an ultimate go-anywhere cruiser that was also fitted out…
Big new small yacht: Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 tested
Thirty years ago a small boat might have been anything less than around 24ft. However, that number has since leapt upwards, with many large manufacturers paying scant attention in the…
Return of the sporty trailable cruiser
A performance weekender built in Britain has been missing for a long time – which is why it’s good to meet the BTC-22, says David Harding
April 2019
Free plans for building your own Nigel Irens 14-footer, and more, in the latest issue of PBO
March 2019
Sleep easy at anchor - a twin-hook anchoring technique to keep you safe in the roughest storm - in the latest issue of PBO
February 2019
Popular classics! 11 great yachts and what they cost today (part 1 post war and 1950s) in the latest issue of PBO