Three small, multi-purpose motorboats with simple accommodation tested. What's best, an inboard or outboard engine, a planing or displacement hull?
Reviews
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
Garcia Exploration 45: the ultimate go-anywhere 45ft yacht?
The aluminium-hulled Garcia Exploration 45 is the ultimate ‘go anywhere’ 45-footer, says Peter K Poland. With panoramic views onto the outside world.
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
The Pogo 8.50: stable, fast planing and fun to sail
Rupert Holmes examines the Pogo 8.50 - the forward-thinking, fast-cruising 28-footer from the 1990s and suggests some exciting alternative boats to consider
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
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.…
How waterproof are the Xtratuf Kiata trainers?
The Xtratuf Kiata trainers claim to be 100% waterproof, so Katy Stickland put them to the test
Delphia 11: the roomy cruising boat you can just step on and go
Just like today’s sailing cruisers, the new generation of motorboats give you a lot of space for their length. David Harding spent some time on the Delphia 11 to see…
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
Does the Henri Lloyd Smart Therm jacket really provide targeted warm, wicking and ventilation? We put it to the test
The Henri Lloyd Smart Therm jacket promises targeted warmth, wicking and ventilation through advanced body mapping. James Wood puts it to the test
How well do the Helly Hansen Skagen F1 deck shoes perform on a charter holiday and while running dinghy sessions at the sailing club?
Ali Wood tests Helly Hansen's Skagen F1 deck shoes while on a charter holiday and running children's dinghy sessions at her local sailing club
How comfortable and practical is the Helly Hansen Crew Insulator 2.0 vest?
The Helly Hansen Crew Insulator 2.0 vest is light, water-repellent and can be packed down small. Ali Wood tests it while motoring the canals of France
How well does Renovo Marine Rope Cleaner work?
On the verge of throwing away those stiff, algae-covered warps? Jake Kavanagh tests the new Renovo Marine Rope Cleaner to see if the rope can be saved
Merry Fisher 895 vs Cap Camarat 9.0 WA
Jeanneau has launched two very different motorboats of a similar size. Rupert Holmes put both through their paces