Biski
Another outstanding beacon of hope, technical excellence and … real-world relevance from the excellent Gibbs yard An amphibious bike from Gibbs is much more than just an indulgent curio Weird but Wonderful: Gibbs Biski Alex Smith explores the latest amphibian
Husky R8s 36
This is a very exciting and yet easy boat to drive. It combines all the luxuries and practicalities of a family boat with blinding performance, good handling and quick steering. It is exceedingly tough externally, which is matched by the
Sessa Islamorada 23
Sessas are well built and not known for structural problems A full mechanical survey is a must in any boat, but with an older petrol boat, ascertaining exactly how it performs during a pre-purchase sea trial is equally important Sessa
Chris-Craft Calypso 30
The boat’s standard specification is impressive and includes goodies that might not appear at all on more modestly priced boats The Calypso 30 is a boat with few faults and an awful lot to offer Customisation looms large with the
Avon 340 Seasport Deluxe
A great tender from a returning brand. The hull on the Avon is pretty impressive; even an inexperienced driver is safe, which is important if you’ll be letting your children loose at the helm. The Avon Seasport is the type
Chris Craft 22
As a comfortable family craft that can stretch its legs when needed, this boat is pretty unique in this country. The standard of finish to the gelcoat is outstanding, and when you lift the engine hatch you find that this
Boston Whaler 270
You expect a Boston Whaler to work well, feel robust and drive obediently – and the new 270 Dauntless does exactly that. For those who favour substance over bravado, this is an indisputably capable, versatile and reliable family companion. When
Beneteau Flyer 7.7 SPACEDeck
The Beneteau Flyer 7.7 SPACEDeck is a high-quality, multipurpose sports boat – impressive both in terms of construction and in its ability to perform. Bates Wharf have a winner here – a great boat that’s hard to find fault with.
Sealegs Interceptor 9000
The extra-wide 3m beam enables the provision of huge deck space and creates a very stable yet versatile work platform. Targeted at both commercial and military applications, the Interceptor 9000 is … capable of an impressive 44 knots at a
Seadoo Spark
The stability of the Spark makes it virtually impossible to turn over. The whole ethos behind the Spark is to get people on the water at an affordable level. Reigniting the Spark Since its launch last year, the Seadoo Spark
Sargo 36 Fly
The Sargo 36 is a truly exciting boat to drive with its razor-sharp handling. Though capable at all speeds, you will find yourself driving faster than you intend as a result of its smooth ride and relatively low sound
Galia 750HT
At wide-open throttle, pushing past the 30-knot barrier, the Galia proved to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing … This boat benefits from not trying to be all things to all men. The standard of build in the Galia 750
Voyage to the End of the World
The team worked together superbly and held their nerve as gradually, with each pounding, stomach-lurching wave, we fulfilled our dream and rounded the Horn. Our brave RIBs took a battering as the towering waves swallowed us up and spat us
Shearwater 890S
The Shearwater 890S is a great rival to the mainstream brands of big sports RIBs/superyacht tenders available in this country. It has much going for it, not least price and build quality. Cutting around the photo boat, the 890S proved
Tremadog Bay
A posh high tea on the terrace is an absolute bargain, and the views are sublime. Older readers may just remember that baffling 1960s thriller/sci-fi series The Prisoner, which was set at Portmeirion. The wildlife here is abundant, and you
Ocqueteau Timonier 615
Out in the cockpit, which is completely self-draining, there is more space than many similar boats from other makes. At just over 6m the 615 has a useful balance between the accommodation and open cockpit. The spacious wheelhouse gives rise
West Coast Adventure
In the 12 miles we’d only seen four other walkers. Planning ahead of trips allows you to get the most out of your time away and can be part of the enjoyment. Quite simply, nothing beats good planning. I’ve found
Bavaria E40
The entire layout is very sensible – a great deal of thought has been given to how the boat will be used and those aspects given emphasis. The helm has a glorious view surrounding the boat, being slightly elevated from
XO 360
Where it excels is in providing those key creature comforts needed to drive and navigate fast in all weathers. The saloon/main cabin rightly is the place to be. Running into the strengthening F4 you could feel and see the sharp
Nimbus 305 Coupé
The 305 Coupé is an impressive boat given that it performs with one relatively modest engine. It can be many things to many people without compromise, while offering a solid level of build to match its sea credentials. The hull
Selva 650
The main role of the Selva 650 is as a family picnic conveyance and relaxed leisure platform. The layout is clean and un-fussed, some might say Spartan … The boat handled the conditions with ease Selva 650 The Selva Marine
Cobra 9.5m Nautique
This is a very capable boat built by a company with a lot of experience in big luxury RIBs. It is good to see that the Cobra has not lost its bite, as it does a very good job of
Draco 22RS
It is meant as a runabout picnic boat, but the handling and seakeeping are a cut above the norm, as one would expect from this pedigree. This is a serious boat that drivers will enjoy and newcomers will find easy
Cobra 7.7 Suzuki/Yamaha Solent Shoot-Out
This is Cobra’s most popular RIB and with good reason. It is easy to tow and launch and yet is big enough to rough it offshore. It is a high-quality British-built boat that has been meticulously designed as a fast
Regal 2000ES Bowrider
HMS heads out to Florida to test a high quality, pocket-sized bowrider that’s truly built to be driven… Regal 2000ES Bowrider If you’re new to powerboating, it won’t take long before you come to appreciate that owning a boat opens
