boat test

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

Finnmaster Pilot 7 Weekend

She might not have been designed as a sports boat, but somebody thought about this craft’s alter ego when designing the helm layout. As the day got rougher it was apparent that the Pilot 7 was built to take a

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

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

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

Princess V42

The reality is that regardless of time, this boat is still a superbly built, beautifully finished and highly capable offshore sports cruiser. It seems that after 15 years or so, the Princess V42 has become a bit of a forgotten

RIB-X Explorer 760

The 760 remains a laudably rapid, stylish and entertaining family boat with a spacious deck and a rare degree of Britishness in both design and construction It is clear that the 760 has the potential to forge itself a key

Orkney Pilot House 25 & 27

The Pilot House has been conceived and executed as a stately cruising boat for boaters who engage in activities … The ride in waves was comfortable thanks to the blend of vee hull to break her fall and solid seakeeping

Fletcher 19 GTS

In all, a great family boat that has a cheeky side to her when you want it. With this boat you get the chance of some spirited driving when things are getting feisty … Fletcher 19 GTS Once the owner

Clear Aries Cabin

… with its excellent helming, its unerring balance, its crisp responses and its uncommonly dry ride, this boat has the power to put a very broad smile on your face. … it’s so nimble and light-footed in its application of

Dusseldorf Boat Show – January 2016

To see so many small builders… producing really first-class work helps revitalise your enthusiasm for marine recreation It’s sexy, fast, beautifully built and completely unlike anything else in the world. How wonderful would the world be if all boats were

Wellcraft - Push your limits with the Wellcraft 355

Premier Marinas Dry Stack - Trafalgar Wharf

Henri Lloyd
MDl Dry Stack

Yamaha - The most exciting way to get from A to B campaign
Quarken 2023
Boatfolk May 2023

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