Our boating scene is still as vibrant as ever
Say what you like about the demise of Cool Britannia but at least our boating scene is still as vibrant as ever. That’s why we have dedicated this issue to the best of British boating.
The astonishing rise of Sunseeker, Fairline and Princess from small parochial yards into leading global players shows no sign of slowing down. In this issue alone we’ve got a full test of Sunseeker’s Manhattan 60, world exclusive photographs of Fairline’s new Targa 44 and, on our website at www.mby.com, a sneak preview of the new Princess 95.
But it’s what’s happening further down the scale that really excites me. Just look at the craft on this month’s cover. You may not recognise all of them but each one is a testament to British ingenuity, from the
small but perfectly formed Aquila 27 to the extraordinary wave-piercing VSV long-distance cruiser.
And while some may carp that much of the Oyster LD43 is built in New Zealand or that the Revival 38 looks a trifle expensive next to mass-produced alternatives, I am proud to claim them as fellow Brits. Both were designed in this country for British companies and both are so drop-dead gorgeous that you would be guaranteed a quayside berth in any marina the world over. The big question now is which of these smaller players will be joining Sunseeker at the top table in 20 years time?
Last but not least, we’ve joined forces with aerial photography specialists Get Mapping to bring you a stunning new series of Eye in the Sky guides to the UK’s best boating arenas. We’ve kicked the series off with a view of Chichester Harbour as you’ve never seen it before. Look closely enough and you might even be able to spot your own boat.
