Choosing the best inflatable can be tricky, but the catamaran-style Aircat 285 promises to offer a stable, high-performance alternative to traditional designs. Jake Frith put it to the test
Boats
w1Da: the yacht that broke the mould
From the archive, David Harding test sails the w1DA - a boat unlike any other that he has sailed and that marked a new approach to the production yacht
The Grand Cormoran: capable camper-cruiser
The Grand Cormoran is a camper-cruiser capable of handling heavy weather. David Harding puts the boat through its paces
The Cormoran: tradition with a twist
Built in southern Brittany, the Cormoran is a day-sailer developed from traditional working craft. David Harding went to France to test the boat
SunCamper 31: “a highly practical river cruiser that can punch across a lake if needed”
An example of the new breed of river cruiser, the SunCamper 31 looks unlike anything most of us have seen before – but there’s a very good reason for that,…
Golant Yawl: a practical modern gaffer
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…
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
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
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
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
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?
The Allures 45: crawl up creeks and dry out or cruise offshore
Peter K Poland takes the helm of the French-built, aluminium-hulled cruising Allures 45 yacht: a variable-draught aluminium-hulled blue water cruiser