Phil Clandillon looks at the best second-hand yachts for sailing popular cruising grounds; this month, the Dutch inland seas and waterways
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Leaving little wake: the joy of sailing slowly
Slow sailboats leave no wake, and the minimal water disturbance also means greater opportunities to observe marine life, says Clive Marsh
These six legendary boats defined modern sailing: from the Optimist to the Mini 6.50
The history of sailing is not just a story of wind and water – it is also a story of boats. Of six boats in particular: the Optimist, the Hobiecat…
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…
Boat rudders: everything you need to know
Delivery skipper Ben Lowings examines how different popular rudder designs affect handling, and explains how to maintain them
New big boat vs old small boat: which is best?
Based on his experience, Saša Fegić examines whether new, larger yachts are better than older, smaller models
Fit for the future: the pioneering boat by BlueTree
Annie Means talks to the founders of BlueTree about their innovative approach to boatbuilding design and construction
Abandoned boats and end-of-life vessels – a growing problem
Abandoned boats and end-of-life vessels are a growing problem and environmental concern, agree UK harbour authorities, sailors and community groups.
Restoring Tethra: how a Looe fishing boat became a dining sensation
Annie Means talks to the owners and restorers of a Cornish motor luanch which is now used for dining afloat
Propeller care: everything you need to know
Stu Davies has valuable tips on how to maintain your prop – and explains how this vital bit of kit works, and why propeller care is needed
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.
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
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.…
Sailing in the land of fire and ice and beyond: sailors share their high latitude cruises
Peter K Poland talks to two boat owners whose production vessels have been pressed into service in chilly Arctic waters
Second hand focus: Hallberg Rassy 352 + 8 alternative yachts to consider
Rupert Holmes celebrates the attributes of this iconic, but expensive, Scandinavian design and highlights other options
Contessa 32: the second-hand classic + 6 alternative boats
Rupert Holmes analyses this extremely seaworthy classic and suggests a dozen other viable lower-cost alternatives
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 you should buy a boat you have never heard of
Rupert Holmes says less well-known designs can often be a perfect second-hand choice and explains his own thought processes when choosing