As the man responsible for the ubiquitous Cornish Shrimper and a host of other small gaffers, Roger Dongray is a well-known name in British boating – but what does he…
David Harding
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Legend 31: a clever piece of yacht design
The Legend 31 was built with quality in mind, is roomy down below and performs surprisingly well in terms of both performance and ease of handling, as David Harding reports
Kite: the lightweight trailer-sailer with heart
David Harding tests this simple and efficient trailer-sailer gaffer which doesn't hang around
Hustler 25.5: why this Holman & Pye classic still beats modern cruisers
Not only is Holman & Pye’s Hustler 25.5 one of the prettiest boats on the water, but she also provided the inspiration for the Oyster range of yachts, as David…
Jeanneau Sun Dream 28: a capable coastal cruiser
Jeanneau’s Sun Dream 28 is a popular choice among sailors looking for good performance and roomy accommodation. David Harding reports
How to avoid spinnaker broaching
Spinnakers and cruising chutes can make downwind sailing fun and faster – as long as you don’t let them take over. David Harding offers some tips on safe handling
Yarmouth 22: a long-keeler which balances tradition and fractional rig performance
With her modern fractional rig and blister coachroof, the Yarmouth 22 is a long-keeler with a difference. David Harding reports
Tofinou 7: a French tradition
With her centreboard, big cockpit and inboard engine, the classic-lined Tofinou 7 is a stylish and versatile day-sailer. David Harding reports
Cornish Crabber 12: the dinghy that combines gunter rig tradition with surprising stability and space
Dinghy design is a complex balancing act, but the Cornish Crabber 12 manages to be roomy, stable, and fun to sail for all ages. David Harding puts it to the
How to replace your running rigging: The essential DIY guide for older cruising yachts
Replacing old, tired lines is a critical job for any sailboat owner. Follow this step-by-step process for a full running rigging overhaul.
Waarschip 740: the offshore boat you can build in your garage
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
The new BayCruiser 21: Is this the best trailer-sailer ever built?
17 years after kick-starting a revolution in trailer-sailing, Swallow Yachts has launched the BayCruiser 21. The new model is light, fast, simple to launch and easy to sail, says David
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
SpearFish 520: fast, efficient inflatable
What’s the point of the ‘long and thin’ as opposed to the normal ‘short and fat’ with a small inflatable? David Harding tests the Spearfish 520 to find out
How to cope when marina berthing goes wrong
Nobody gets every tricky marina manoeuvre right first time – but what do you do if things don’t go as planned? David Harding presents an escape route
Three pilothouse boats: Bella 703, Orkney Day Angler 20 and Drago Sunday Fishing
Three small, multi-purpose motorboats with simple accommodation tested. What's best, an inboard or outboard engine, a planing or displacement hull?
Westons Point 27: the head-turning gentleman’s launch
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
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
Marina boat manoeuvring: reversing the roles
When couples sail together, one usually takes the lead when it comes to marina boat manoeuvring, remaining on the helm, while the other does the leaping around – but that’s…