The Swan 38 os the sort of boat that has such a reputation you can feel almost daunted by the prospect of sailing one, let alone writing about it. If…
David Harding

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Corsair 880 review: Fantastic, sporty, trailable trimaran
Some boat tests are more memorable than others. Sometimes it’s the boat, sometimes the weather and sometimes a combination of the two. When I tested the Corsair 880, it was…
Beneteau First 27.7 used boat review: Fast, fun, and still very capable
Now and again you come across a boat that occupies a very particular niche in the market. The Beneteau First 27.7 is undoubtedly such a boat. It’s hard to think…
Dufour 44 review: Roomy and competitively-priced cruiser
There are many questions to ask when assessing a boat, whether as a journalist or a potential purchaser, but perhaps the most important question is how well it does what…
Dufour 41 review: unashamedly aimed at coastal cruising
There have always been yachts that claim to offer the best of all worlds. They lure you in with the promise of being able to luxuriate in spacious opulence after…
Jeanneau Sun Light 30 Review: A Family Cruiser With Racing Influence
When the big French production builders started launching boats like the Jeanneau Sun Light 30 in the mid-to-late 1980s, they got the British builders worried. I was working in the…
Bavaria 30 Cruiser used boat review: Great little family cruising yacht
When you’re looking for a second-hand boat, it’s often easy to imagine that there’s a pretty broad choice in any given category. After spending a while thinking about your priorities…
Hanse 410 review: Spacious sailing with dreamy luxury
The Hanse 410 appeared on the scene with a clear family resemblance and spaciousness ideal for speeding along. When the Hanse 460 was launched two years ago, she represented a…
Is this the prettiest production cruiser ever? Pionier 10 review
One lovely summer’s evening last year (and lets be honest, we didn’t have many of those) we were making our way down the Helford River. After six days of living…
Dufour 37 review: Cruiser with all the latest trends
The latest offering by Dufour, the Dufour 37 offers a hull shape that points to the direction of travel in the cruising market. You don’t have to be a dedicated…