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
used boat test
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
The best boats for Scandinavian cruising, from the Albin Ballad to the Hallberg Rassy 36
There’s a lot to love about Scandinavian cruising. It’s said that Stockholm sailors rarely venture outside home waters themselves– and with 30,000 islands on their doorstep, who can blame them?…
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
Comparing the Oyster 406 and 7 other designs
Lovers of the Oyster 406 and other centre cockpit concepts will know that the style has largely died out among smaller and mid-size yachts. Yet it remains very popular in…
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…
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
Comparing the Sadler 34 and 9 other designs
During the 1970s and 1980s, Sadler Yachts was one of the UK’s best-known boatbuilders, producing a range of serious sea boats that remain popular as cruising yachts today, including the…
Clive’s Boats: comparing two Smacks Boats
In my quest to find the perfect trailer-sailer I’ve owned two Smacks Boats – one was fast, the other more comfortable. I’ve loved both, and purchasing the same model twice…
The best 27 foot boats: the Hunter Ranger 265 + 5 other models
From the mid-1980s onwards, Hunter Boats in Essex produced a succession of popular and comfortable 26 to 27 foot boat designs that sail well and offer modern, bright and spacious…
Comparing the Westerly Typhoon 37 and 6 other designs
Rupert Holmes looks at the the Westerly Typhoon 37, his favourite Westerly model of all time, and other alternative boats you might want to consider
Best centre cockpit sailboat designs: the Moody 34 and 346 + 5 alternative yachts
The Moody 34 and 346 were the smallest and best-selling of Moody’s centre cockpit sailboat models in the 1980s. Rupert Holmes weighs in on their merits and offers 5 alternative
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32 + 8 alternative yachts: which is the best 31/32 ft boat?
Rupert Holmes compares the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32 with 8 other 31ft and 32ft used boat designs from the late 1990s and early 2000s
Corribee Mk2 vs Silhouette Mk3: which is the best pocket cruiser?
In his latest used boat review, Clive Marsh compares two of the best small sailboats for sale. The Silhouette Mk3 and the Corribee Mk2 are classic pocket cruisers, both designed…
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