Designing a boat that will have a production run of 20 years is rare these days. Other than a few contemporary classics, genuine production boats tend to have a shelf…
monohull
First look: Beneteau Oceanis 37.1
Beloved of the charter industry as well as many private owners, Beneteau’s Oceanis 38.1 has been a mainstay of the range since its launch nine years ago, yet yacht design…
First look: Bestevaer 36 – smallest ever model
In a world in which yachts are constantly becoming larger, this Dutch brand is bucking the trend, with the smallest-ever model in its 20-year history. It’s intended to offer performance…
J-Boats J/45 review
Moving water is hard work. A big, foaming wake might look impressive, but it’s not fast. Glide through the water with as little disturbance as possible, however, and the chance…
Grand Soleil 34.1 review
Getting to know a boat you haven’t met before can be a true voyage of discovery. And in the case of Andy Iyer and his family, with their Grand Soleil…
GT325 review: a little different
There seems to be a consensus that all new cruising yachts look the same, but I would defy anyone to say that about the GT325. That’s because she is different…
X-Yachts X43 review: fast passage making in comfort
You know the stars have aligned when you get Force 4-5 and bright sunshine, as well as a boat, crew, photographer and RIB all in the right place at the…
Jeanneau Sun 2500 review
Size is often an overrated feature in a boat. Bigger can be better in some instances but, to my mind, the old adage that the fun derived from a boat…
Oddity the yacht designed by a legendary yachtsman
Designing my own boats has resulted in a series of different craft, ranging from small, high-performance multihulls through to a sea kayak, a Cornish lugger, a huge futuristic catamaran and…
Westerly Konsort review: a re-purchase 40 years on
When fellow sailing instructor Liz Le Mare invited me aboard her recently acquired boat, I didn’t need much persuading. She’d recently married a fiercely competitive dinghy sailor, Richard, and their…