Instead of a pilot house, these rugged semi-custom lift keel aluminium yachts have a full deck saloon, along with a number of interesting features including hybrid propulsion. The prototype Viator…
Rupert Holmes
J/45 tested: Fast cruiser with timeless appeal
We’re close-hauled, sailing the new J/45 at 7.5 knots and catching up with a modern 55-footer, but slowly falling into her lee. Winding on a little mainsheet tightens the leech,…
First look: JFA Adventure 68
The aluminium Bill Dixon designed JFA Adventure 68 adds a new dimension to this renowned Breton yard’s range of semi-custom performance cruising yachts. It’s a vessel that’s designed to go…
Boat test: X-56 The Xtra mile
Large cruising yachts are enormously appealing, but it’s imperative that they’re easy to tame in deteriorating weather. Yet if this is achieved through making the boat underpowered it will be…
First look: Oceanis Yacht 60 – new bluewater flagship
Beneteau’s new flagship, the Oceanis Yacht 60, is the yard’s third model to come out of the collaboration with Lorenzo Argento and Roberto Biscontini that started with the First Yacht…
Swan 58 tested: best of both worlds?
No other yard has been as consistently successful in producing iconic models as Nautor – historically Swans are invariably the very best yachts of their era and subsequently become design…
First look video: Hanse 460 – the French-designed Hanse
Following a generation of Judel/Vrolijk designs, the new Hanse 460 is the first from Berret Racoupeau, which will surprise many as it forces closer comparison with French production yachts such…
Transat Jacques Vabre: lessons from the experts
Two boats achieved stunning victories in the latest edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre, establishing leads before the halfway mark that they extended to the finish: the 30-metre Ultim trimaran…
Fist look: Elan E6 – new flagship performance model
This new Elan E6 looks like a real weapon. Elan has collaborated with three key firms to try to ensure the new flagship of its performance line has the edge,…
Extraordinary Boats: the new 11th Hour Racing IMOCA 60
For decades the whole point of designing an IMOCA 60 has been to win the Vendée Globe solo round the world race. However, the adoption of the class by The…
Best boating products of 2022: The hot list
2021 has seen many new boating products come onto the market, despite the difficulties seen throughout the year, here’s our Yachting World roundup of the best boating products of 2022…
Flax 27: update to already impressive offering
The Flax 27 was one of the stand-out boats at Boot Düsseldorf in 2019. It’s a work of art that showcases what can be achieved with natural fibre and bio-resins.…
First look: Olympic 32 designed for double-handed racing
This short-handed one-design offshore race boat is a Finot-Conq design commissioned by the Ultimate Boat Company and aimed at the two-handed offshore class that was originally scheduled for the 2024…
The future of boatbuilding: a greener approach
When enjoying a glorious day on the water it’s easy to assume sailing must be one of the most sustainable activities on the planet. Yet in many respects the marine…
JPK 39FC review: new sporty 40 cruiser
I have long held that bluewater cruising yachts, especially those under 40ft, have much to gain from the way today’s smaller short-handed offshore raceboats are designed and set up and…
First look: Arcona 415 – electric production yacht
The new Arcona 415 is pitched as the first series-produced yacht with electric propulsion as standard. Arcona already has a long history of developing boats with optional electric motors, dating…
Extraordinary boats: Bluebottle – late Duke of Edinburgh’s boat
After an 18-month restoration to an impressively high standard, Bluebottle, the Duke of Edinburgh’s boat, is racing again for the first time in 60 years. Even better, the boat won…
First look: Beneteau First 36 – Sam Manuard designed performer
This Sam Manuard design is arguably one of Beneteau’s most important new models for years. The company’s First range used to dominate the performance cruiser/racer market. These were fast, yet…
Best Helly Hansen Sailing Jackets
Helly Hansen has a huge range covering all types of watersports and lists more than 100 sailing jackets, so picking the right one for you can be difficult. Here’s out…
First look: Spirit 30 – Spirit’s smallest ever yacht
The sleek classic style of all Spirit Yachts is guaranteed to turn heads and the Ispwich-based yard’s smallest new model for many years, the spirit 30 is no exception. The…