BOAT REPORTS
QUICK SPIN: SEA RAY 355
Is this sharp American contender ready to bring the fight to the big European yards?
NEW BOATS
Our roundup of the top new launches at the London Boat Show, including: Sunseeker 131, Princess 75, Beneteau Swift Trawler 30, Cormate T27, Sessa C42, Sheerline 1090HT, Delphia Escape 1050, Rodman 890 Ventura, and Anytec 747 Cabin
TEST: GALEON 420 FLY
With its customiseable interior, three different drive options and top quality fit out, this Polish- built flybridge makes an appealing alternative to the usual 40ft offerings
TEST: XO 360
Love the looks, speed and handling of the XO 270, but want room to sleep on board? This new two-cabin 36-footer has space AND pace!
AWARDS: MOTOR BOAT AWARDS 2016 WINNERS
We reveal the best new boats of the year and explain why the judges chose them
TEST: OTAM 80
A cool gentleman’s express cruiser with serious racing pedigree and four MTU engines
BOAT MASTER
NEW TECH
Dave Marsh explains drag and its effect on different types of hulls, plus Nautibouy’s inflatable platforms, Wakejet’s electric wakeboard and Spinlock’s LED lifejacket
TRIED & TESTED
Antex portable soldering irons, Zhik ZKG shoes and Roche Marine rail clips
OUR BOATS
Fleming 55 owner Piers Du Pré talks passage planning, while John Brunyate gives his Jeanneau NC14 some TLC
USED BOAT: CRANCHI 43HT
A beamy cockpit and IPS power make this Italian cruiser a very tempting proposition. We sent Chris Jefferies to inspect a 2008 model
FIND ME A USED: SCANDINAVIAN SPECIAL
Nick Burnham scours the market for the best used buys from the masters of safe, practical boating – Saga, Marex, Windy & Nimbus, all hailing from Scandinavia
CRUISING TALES
AN OVERTURE TO ORKNEY
Peter Cumberlidge travels through the Caledonian Canal and across to Orkney, where he discovers countless sheltered bays, spotless white beaches and long summer days where time seems to slow down
MEANDERING TO THE MED: PART THREE
Howard Walker presses on into Champagne country via the River Marne, where the scenery is every bit as impressive as the wine. But first Nomade has to squeeze through the ominous-looking Tunnel St-Maur
STARTING OUT AND TRADING UP
Keen to expand his boating horizons, Four Winns owner Phil Sampson traded in his 268 Vista for a Fairline Targa 34 and explains how this upgrade has taken his boating hobby to another level
REGULARS
