From the popular Dutch range of plywood cruisers, the Waarschip 740 is a tough, fast and capable little yacht you can build at home. David Harding reports
used boat test
Comparing the Oyster 406 and 7 other designs
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…
Guide to buying your first motorboat
There are many reasons why people want to buy a motorboat – the recent Covid-19 pandemic (and a generally unstable world) being one of them. With immediate turn-key power, and…
Hawk 20 Cruiser: fast, fun and functional trailer-sailer
When the Hawk 20 appeared she was hailed as the dayboat that did everything. This model was later followed by the Cruiser version with a cabin. David Harding reports
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…
Clive’s Boats: comparing two Smacks Boats
In my quest to find the perfect trailer-sailer I’ve owned two Smacks Boats – one was fast, the other more comfortable. I’ve loved both, and purchasing the same model twice…
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
Corribee Mk2 vs Silhouette Mk3: which is the best pocket cruiser?
In his latest used boat review, Clive Marsh compares two of the best small sailboats for sale. The Silhouette Mk3 and the Corribee Mk2 are classic pocket cruisers, both designed…
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
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
Gib’Sea 242: family favourite
As a roomy, versatile and affordable family-friendly cruiser, the Gib’Sea 242 has much to offer, says David Harding
Hunter 19: rugged & seaworthy yacht for under £1,000
For sailing performance, seakeeping ability and rugged construction on the smallest of budgets, the Hunter 19/Europa is hard to beat, says David Harding
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
Oysterman 16: tradition in miniature
Condensing all the character, charm and idiosyncrasies of a traditional gaffer into a pint-sized package, the Oysterman 16 has proved to be the ideal boat for one West Country enthusiast.…
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
Rustler 33: the elegant weekender
With many cruising yachts only used for weekend sailing, Rustler decided to create something that's made for the job. David Harding reports
Seascape 18: the light fantastic trailer-sailer
Despite her racy appearance, the Seascape 18 is a versatile and well-mannered trailer-sailer – as David Harding reports