Slow sailboats leave no wake, and the minimal water disturbance also means greater opportunities to observe marine life, says Clive Marsh
Clive Marsh
The best small Westerly yachts for family cruising on a budget
Westerly yachts can be seen at most UK ports and harbours: they’re roomy family boats and some are designed for racing. The smaller 20ft to 26ft yachts, can often be…
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…
How I started my small-boat collection with an Invicta 12
There’s only the Invicta 12 to blame for getting me into collecting small boats. New Zealand is one of the better places to go boating but I was not based…
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…
Invicta 26: a long keel yacht for the price of a good dinghy
Based on the Folkboat, the GRP Invicta 26 is a classic long keel yacht that can often be bought for the price of a good dinghy.
Luggers: why I find them a joy to sail
Prolific small boat owner Clive Marsh shares his experience of sailing Drascombe and Devon Luggers
The Tideway dinghy: celebrating the classic trailer-sailer
While the 10ft option is easy to row and a delight to sail, Clive hails the 12ft trailer-sailer as one of the best boats he’s ever owned
Medway Doble: the classic sprit sail dinghy
Small boat enthusiast Clive Marsh celebrates the Medway Doble, a derivative of the Peter Boat and other small sprit sail dinghies
Why you should consider the weight of boat tools
Minimise the need for weighty tools on board by swapping metal parts with wood and rope, and muffling those you can’t with leather, says Clive Marsh
SeaHawk 17: the mini yacht that has it all
Can’t choose between a bilge keel, fin keel or drop keel/centreplate for your boat? Then why not get a yacht that has all three…
Why I have 5 boats in the garden
A variety of trailer-sailer options ensure maximum time on the water, says Clive Marsh
Emsworth lugger: the easy to handle dinghy
Simple lug rigs for ease of-handling make these ‘popular tenders for discerning sailors’ Clive’s choice for single-handed dinghy cruising
The beauty of the Thames barge, Greta
Small-boat fanatic Clive has a day off his usual trailer-sailers to savour the wonderful and much bigger world of the Thames barge
Seaworthy, cheap dinghies for less than £500
For low cost traditionally-styled GRP trailer-sailers, consider the Foreland and the Otter available at bargain basement prices
Hastings Boats: stable and seaworthy dinghies
The smaller Hastings luggers (22ft or less) are called punts – and Clive Marsh has converted several 16ft versions back to sail
Scow boats: sturdy little sea-going vessels
Clive shares his love of the South Coast variety Avon Scow: 11ft lug-sailed boats with a heavy galvanised steel centreplate
Westerly Cirrus and Tiger: two excellent fast cruisers that can now be bought for the price of a decent sofa!
Clive Marsh shares why those looking for a smaller boat should consider the Westerly Cirrus and Tiger
Lune Pilot 11: why you should sail this fine, little boat
A very interesting boat with a long keel, which makes it slightly unusual for a dinghy
What is the best hat for sailing?
Prolific boat owner Clive Marsh argues in favour of the Breton cap as the one-size-fits-all-conditions superior sailing headwear