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.

Do not adjust your sets

Classic Boat

AMPED UP FOR LIFE • Before the war, before glassfibre and the runaway success of the Nic 32… before the SCOD even… this 30-footer was Camper & Nicholsons’ first stab at production boatbuilding

The other Xyris boats

The big show in Monaco

Reboot for true classics only

Tell Tales

RAGGED GLORY • Meet Breton boatbuilder BenoiÎt Cayla and friends, who will stop at nothing to save wrecked wooden fishing boats and return them to sail the seas again

Saleroom

Peak ugliness • But they said that about Britannia too…

FROM BRITAIN WITH LOVE • London, Monte Carlo, sherry and a storm all form part of this Huntsman’s history. Now she’s fully back up to speed

Fairey Huntsman 31: Cruiser | Racer | Legend

CANVAS OPINIONS • Former CB art editor, Peter Smith, chooses his favourite paintings from the 2025 RSMA show at London’s Mall Galleries. See more at mallgalleries.org.uk.

ONE STRANGE & STORMY NIGHT • A Christmas tale might involve sacrifice, survival and the odd miracle, but rarely all three

ONE CAREFUL OWNER • She was built the year Elvis was born, and for quarter of her life, the Dunkirk little ship Hilfranor has belonged to Simon Palmer, who tells us about owning such a boat

Owning a yard-maintained Dunkirk little ship

SAIL LIKE AN EGYPTIAN • Sailing to north Africa provided a rare chance to step off the yacht and into the world of the felucca

COSY CABIN • From flickering oil lamps to hard spirits, we find 10 ways to make your cabin warmer this winter

Sixth century pilot • Guided to safety by a man in a curragh

SPIRIT OF TRADITION

The barn-find hydroplanes

S&S masterpiece in for work

Saving a Dunkirk little ship

THE YARD THAT DOES IT ALL • From carbon fibre hulls and jet drives to restoring historic schooners, LM is a glimpse of the future – and it looks trad

New builds

Boatbuilder’s Notes

Split-proof chisels

Letters • LETTER OF THE MONTH SUPPORTED

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30 YEARS AGO

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Cold nights and old flames • Adrian Morgan remembers winters aboard, others try to forget