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
new boat test
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…
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
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
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…
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
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350: setting new standards
Testing a pre-production prototype of Jeanneau’s new 33-footer, Rupert Holmes finds a boat that sets a whole raft of new standards
IZIBoat: Simple sailing on a yacht that can be towed by bicycle
Rupert Holmes sails an innovative catamaran design intended to widen participation in sailing among those with little time to get on the water in more conventional craft
Pointer 22: the refreshingly simple trailer-sailer
Light, slim and fast, the Pointer 22 is a no-nonsense day-sailer-cum-weekender, says David Harding
Vita Power Seal and Sea Dog: the new electric RIBS which can run at 6-8 knots for 10-25 hours
With a reputation for ‘plug and play’ electric propulsion, Vita Power has launched electric RIBs of its own design. Jake Frith drives them to see how they handle
Dufour 37: ‘a fast, comfortable cruiser’
Peter Poland sails the sparkling performing and spacious Dufour 37
Globe 5.80: the home-built ocean racer
What’s it like to build your own plywood 19-footer to race solo across the Atlantic? David Harding sailed with Keith Oliver onboard his Globe 5.80 to find out
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 380: “excellent all-round sailing performance”
The 380 is one of the latest offerings in Jeanneau’s updated Sun Odyssey range. Peter Poland puts the boat through its paces