While we were given a tantalising peak last autumn of what iconic Italian brand Wally may be up to under its new Ferretti ownership, only now have full details been…
New yachts
First look: Vaan R4
Even if Vaan’s debut boat had not been the only catamaran moored to the ancient brickwork of the canal at Hellevoetsluis, there would have been no mistaking this fascinating boat.…
First look: GT325
Nearly 10 years after GT Yachts launched the GT35, the company has re-emerged with a brand-new boat: the GT325. The original GT35 was designed by Stephen Jones and built by…
First look: Oceanis Yacht 60
Beneteau’s latest flagship is intended as a sturdy and stylish bluewater vessel with a very high standard of interior finish. It’s also a result of a Lorenzo Argento and Roberto…
First look: Jeanneau 65
The new Jeanneau 65 represents a significant makeover of the already successful Jeanneau 64. As with the Jeanneau 60 this is intended as a boat that can be configured in many…
New boats at 2022 boat shows
The northern hemisphere summer is drawing to a close and for sailors this means that boat show season is upon us. With dozens of world premieres among the line-up at…
First look: X-Yachts X49E – Danish yard’s first electric yacht
X-Yachts has launched its first yacht with electric propulsion, a 49-footer for long distance cruising, the X49E. The Danish yard worked closely with the owner, who wants to use his…
First look: Zen50 – innovative wingsail rig
How far is it possible to push the concept of this kind of yacht? Maltese firm Zero Emission Nautic has gone further than most with its Zen50, thanks to the…
Best new boats at Cannes 2022
Hosted every September in the Port of Cannes, the Cannes Yachting Festival is Europe’s biggest on-water boat show, with dozens of world premieres among the line-up. Here’s our pick of…
First look: Seaquest 46SQ
Light displacement greatly reduces the amount of power needed to drive a vessel – an important factor in an electric yacht. This is one of the reasons Mike Eaton, who…
First look: Viator 54DS – electric powered explorer
Electric propulsion makes a great deal of sense for explorer yachts that have to be self-sufficient for long periods. Energy reserves can be replenished through regeneration when there’s enough wind…
Nautitech 44 Open review: space and performance?
It’s been more than six years since the Nautitech yard in Rochefort launched an entirely new design, but this Nautitech 44 Open marks the company’s return to the forefront of…
First look: Balance 442 – lightweight, fast catamaran
Although relatively heavy designs that maximise space and comfort still dominate the market, demand for lightweight and fast cruising catamarans appears to be increasing dramatically, with this South African yard…
First look Dehler 46SQ
Following the successful update that transformed the Dehler 38 into the 38SQ, the German yard has given similar treatment to its flagship model, a Judel/Vrolijk design dating from 2015, now…
First look: Sunreef 60 Eco
There’s a rapidly accelerating trend towards maximising the amount of solar power installed on cruising catamarans, which can be seen being taken up a step on the new Sunreef 60…
First look: LM46 comfortable modern, wood yacht
This gorgeous performance cruiser is built of cold moulded timber with strategic carbon stiffening, by Lyman-Morse in Camden, Maine. Kiwi designer Kevin Dibley has drawn a boat that will offer…
Hallberg-Rassy 69: Swedish yard announces its largest model ever
Magnus Rassy has announced that his Swedish yard is to build ‘the greatest Hallberg Rassy ever’ in its largest flagship to date, the Hallberg-Rassy 69. The Frers design is very…
First look: Fountaine-Pajot Aura 51
This French yard’s latest model, the Fountaine-Pajot Aura 51, hit the water a couple of months ago. She packs in a huge amount of accommodation, both on deck and below…
Beneteau First 27 review: sportsboat given the Beneteau treatment
The original version of the Sam Manuard-designed Seascape 27 (now branded as the Beneteau First 27 SE) has long been one of my favourite small yachts. In 2014 I sailed…
First look: Grand Soleil 40 Performance
In recent years there’s been a dearth of new performance cruisers of this size, so this Grand Soleil 40 Performance is a welcome addition to the market. It’s intended to…