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.

Classic Boat

People first

Featured Contributors

ISLAND LEGEND • The cherished family dayboat Cockleshell has a remarkable story that now spans a century

Remote wonder

Perfect trade winds

Tell Tales

WOODEN BOAT STAGE BUILDS ON 2025 SUCCESS • The Wooden Boat Stage will be back at the 2026 Southampton Boat Show and it’s going to be bigger, better and wetter.

BLOOD AND SANDPAPER • In boat restoration the road to glory is paved with power tools and pain. And a lot of sandpaper. But bringing Ona II back to her original splendour, or further, was worth it

Saleroom

The long goodbye • A presentable case for prolonged ownership

Young Gaffers’ Great Adventure • A 115-year-old ex-pilot and fishing boat is sailing around Britain in the capable hands of the young generation in her owners’ family

‘A DAMN FINE HELMSMAN’ 19 NOVEMBER 1938 - 6 MAY 2026 • Ted Turner, founder of CNN News, a winning America’s Cup skipper and one of the most colourful characters in sailing, passed across the bar this year. He was 87

WORLD CRUISER • This new 52ft steel ketch is designed and built for serious ocean voyaging

FATHER TIME FOR SAILORS • Some 300 years ago John Harrison invented a timepiece that would revolutionise navigation and exploration. His life’s work was not fully appreciated then, but today we can be more chronologically correct

THE HEART OF THE SOLENT • Tom Cunliffe continues his Solent odyssey, stopping in at Newtown, Beaulieu and Cowes, paying homage to the area’s history and great sailing stories

MANOEUVRES UNDER POWER • Following last month’s look at mooring and casting-off under sail, we turn to the more common, and sometimes very necessary, use of an engine. From basic tips and manoeuvres, we progress to the vagaries of going astern and the near witchcraft around offset propellers.

HOW EXPERTS DO IT

Free as clean air • Sailing with no engine, out of choice or not

MODERN CLASSICS • New Spirit of Tradition and traditional builds

Clinker, patina and saxboards

Back to work after 40 years for a tidal Thames boatyard

A breathtaking beauty

BEAUTIFULLY DELIVERED • The hallowed ground of Harry King & Sons is the birthplace of many famous yachts and the setting of just as many sailing yarns

A hardy third hand up your sleeve

Stanley No 5702 vice

ROPE & KNOTS • Welcome to our new regular look at all things rope

Letters • LETTER OF THE MONTH SUPPORTED BY MYLNE YACHT DESIGN

Next month

30 YEARS AGO

START OF SEASON 6 ISSUES FOR £12 • Make the most of the season with Classic Boat. Practical advice, restoration tips, and the stories behind the boats you love. For sailors who enjoy the journey as much as the destination

The bottom line • Dave Selby discovers the five true purposes of antifouling