test report

Wildlife Wonderland

The UK has an amazing array of marine wildlife. As a recreational boater, give it the respect it deserves. The more educated people are about what to do and how to operate power-driven craft near wildlife, the more it is

Ports of Call – Maryport Minimalism

Maryport struck us as a great place to station our boat to take a foray across to the Solway Firth to Scotland, and around to the Clyde …  Maryport is a very convenient and nicely equipped marina, with very helpful

Yard Visit – Custom Yacht Works

‘Today we stand on the edge of an exciting future.’ ‘It’s taken many years for us to filter through suppliers until we found the companies we are happy to use …' ‘Twelve months’ lack of attention to a wooden boat

Towing the Line

Remember that any boat/trailer combination over 750kg must have brakes fitted. While carrying out your checks, be sure to ‘feel’ for play in the wheel bearings. First and foremost, you need to ensure that your load is secure. Do not

This Boating Life – Tales of Tagomago

Franz steered towards this non-biodegradable testament to our modern lifestyle and worrying hazard to marine wildlife. He methodically pulled all the pollution aboard with his boathook, and I helped pack it away in a sack and a large plastic bucket.              

 The Making of RIB Tubes

… The appeal of PVC tubes is straightforward; their price advantage is spectacular. … PU is the uncontested Arnold Schwarzenegger of the RIB fabric world. … For builders of custom and semi-custom RIBs, CSM’s versatility is a big plus.   The

Ports of Call – Enticing Tenby

It certainly has bustle and crowds, but it was much more refined and polished than we had anticipated. It has mostly avoided brashness and the usual seaside tat. There is definitely an emerging ‘cafe society’ feel to the town, and

Garmin inReach Mini

Garmin inReach Mini Following the full-size inReach launched last year, Garmin have developed the inReach Mini. This compact satellite communicator offers two-way messaging and a 24/7 SOS function. Measuring 10cm x 5cm and weighing just 120g, the inReach Mini can

Twin Disc EJS Variable Idle System

Twin Disc EJS Variable Idle System In following up their Express Joystick System (EJS) and Express Positioning, launched last year, Twin Disc have now introduced a new enhanced facility. Simultaneously controlling engine speed, transmission and bow thruster through a joystick,

MV Havengore: The Story Continues

Little has changed since she was commissioned in 1956, except for the addition of the elegant wood-panelled living accommodation, which has been fitted out with Churchillian memorabilia.  It’s remarkable that she has lasted as long as she has in sound

Tecnorib Unveil Pirelli J33 Azimut Special Edition

Tecnorib Unveil Pirelli J33 Azimut Special Edition Tecnorib, official licensee of the Pirelli RIBs brand, made their US debut at the Miami Yacht Show with the new Pirelli J33 Azimut Special Edition – the first model in the range to

Simrad Update Software

Simrad Update Software Simrad have announced the release of a new software update for NSS evo3, NSS evo2, NSO evo2 and GO Series displays that includes sonar enhancements, new automatic routing functionality, C-MAP charting improvements and touch screen control of

Shark Launch Moulded Seating

Shark Launch Moulded Seating Shark seating have added an injection-moulded plastic seat shell to their suspension seat design. The Jockey package has the base, suspension and seat all made of composite plastic, and designer Paul Zwaan says: ‘The idea is

Sunseeker Hawk 27

Should you be in any doubt as to the engines’ credibility, then consider having them rebuilt by an independent engineer with knowledge of these engines.  … if you are up for something a bit different, and cost-effective, that will always

Nimbus 370/380

What was different about driving the Nimbus compared to other semi-displacement boats was the virtually linear performance delivery. The wide scope of its appeal, encompassing both yachtsmen and motor boaters, underlines this boat’s versatility …  These boats are beautifully built

Stingher 900GT

This Anglo-Italian RIB is a serious boat built for maximum appeal. Stingher manage this mix very well by building a boat that is fast and exciting to drive, while remaining safe in the process.  It suffers no handling quirks, and

Rodman SPIRIT 42 Coupé

Her stylish interior is in keeping with the popular concept that tends to dominate the industry – that of creating maximum interior space, often at the cost of extra displacement.  … this is a typically tough Rodman with an efficient

Quicksilver Activ 855 Weekend

The Quicksilver Activ 855 is a well-made boat, whose finish, particularly the joinery, does not smack of compromise. It has achieved a good blend of living accommodation and practicality, which is all too important in this size and type of

Prestige 680S

Prestige 680S If you want a flybridge cruiser that feels like a coupé, Prestige’s ingenious 680S might just be the way to go. Alex Smith reports.     It’s early in the morning - just a few minutes past sunrise

Jeanneau Leader 33

While the 30 and the 36 are quite striking examples of their type, the 33 looks like the best-judged Leader yet. … it achieves pretty much everything the larger boat does, but on a smaller, more affordable platform. Jeanneau Leader

Bella 600 BR

With impressive quality of build, clarity of design and purity of ergonomic arrangement, nothing here is allowed to spoil the drive or complicate the life of the owner.  It’s rapid as well as comfy, secure as well as spacious, versatile

Axopar 37 Sun-Top

Few boats offer such a smooth ride and such an easy point and shoot driving experience. It is cleverly designed and well thought out, with close attention to detail …  On the surface, it may appear to be just another

New Products from Yanmar

New Products from Yanmar 3JH40 Engine Introduced this year, the Yanmar 3JH40 diesel engine is the smallest common-rail diesel engine to date. With an output of 40hp, the compact and ultra-quiet 3JH40 enables smaller-boat owners and commercial-vessel operators to benefit

Seakeeper 2

Seakeeper 2 Seakeeper’s drive to expand their gyroscopic technology to an ever wider section of the boating population has taken a big leap with their launch of the Seakeeper 2. Making its debut at the Miami Boat Show, the Seakeeper

New Range of Honda Engines

New Range of Honda Engines Honda have totally redesigned their flagship outboard motor range. Now the BF175, BF200, BF225 and BF250 will all be based on the 3.6L V6 engine block that previously only the BF250 used. This is a

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

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