Classic Boat

Admire the world's most beautiful boats, brought to life through breath-taking photography. Classic Boat offers a unique blend of yacht reviews, seamanship and restoration features, history and design columns, practical advice and coverage of the leading international regattas and events. Whether your interest lies in working on restoration projects or sailing in classic regattas; whether you're a wooden boat owner or simply an admirer of traditional marine workmanship, Classic Boat will have something for you.

What unites us…

Classic Boat

DOUBLE PARKING • What do you do if you own and love a late-1950s Fred Parker-designed yacht? Why, you do it all again of course, even if it does mean a serious restoration…

English heatwave

Champagne sailing on the Solent

Tell Tales

LITTLE THERA • One of the most sensational and controversial yachts of her time, the gaff centreboarder Thera was so unbeatable in her early years that she was banned from all racing. Today, restored, she’s part of Australian history – and still the cock of the fleet

Saleroom

The smaller the boat • The less length overall, the more fun overall

The Bridge Builder • Following a hugely successful Dunkirk Return, the correct mix of celebration and reverence, we speak to ADLS Commodore Kevin Finn

THE SEA MAID’S TALE • American builder Century Boats, on the eve of its centenary, remains little known in Europe, but has always produced boats of the highest quality, like this Sea Maid 18

KEEPING VIGILANCE • The exploits of boats like the trawler Vigilance were the stuff of dreams, but the living memories are all gone now. Thanks to the efforts of Will Stirling’s crew of graduates and hard men, plus a good deal of local memory and money, Vigilance is on her way back to glory

BATTLE FOR THE AGES • Father-and-son brokers Peter and Richard Gregson take to the water to see whose boat is better, the younger man’s Folkboat or dad’s Vertue?

A CENTURY OF OCEAN RACING • The club formed to establish the Fastnet as an annual event a century ago, has inspired offshore racing across the world ever since. We look at 100 years of the Royal Ocean Racing Club

JURASSIC LARK • A rookie liveaboard discovers the delights of Dorset over two summers spent going aground on a Norwalk Island Sharpie with just 12in draft

HEFFALUMP

Five recommended anchorages

Moonfleet and the Isle of Purbeck

The rum diaries • At $1 a bottle, who can refuse…

Boats for sale • Looking to sell your boat?

SPIRIT OF TRADITION • Our regular review of the latest concepts, builds, deliveries and developments around the world of SoT yachting. This month reflects the exciting breadth of work out there, from a charming West Country take on the Downeast lobster boat to a full-custom, carbon fibre performance cruiser

Yard News

BRISBANE RIVER YARD • Over its century and more, the yard founded by Norman Wright has turned its hand to almost anything

Boatbuilder’s Notes

Traditional Tool

Letters

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Next month

SUMMER SALE

Return of the Admiral’s Cup • Might ocean racing’s golden years be returning, reflects Barry Pickthall