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

Blowing hot and cold

Featured Contributors

GO WEST • Born as a cruiser-racer in the 1920s, the West Solent One Design class slowly declined after the war, but with the help of a keen Essex boatbuilder and the W Boat Association, the WSOD has made an impressive return

The Maine Event

Vibrant, Relevant, Renewed

Tell Tales

Sailors welcome Tally Ho back to UK waters

Books & Calendars • As the winter draws in, quiet nights and possible presents come to mind. We’ve chosen a selection of new releases and classics, fiction and factual. We hope you find something to help pass the long evenings and shore up the onboard library

Saleroom • Dedicated to marine antiquities, collectables and auctions

‘How’s Sally?’ • Before entering into a relationship with a little old wooden boat, a good survey and a nose in the bilges is essential for your future sleep, your savings and your sanity

Conserving the UK’s historic vessels • As National Historic Ships UK celebrates 20 years and recent funding success, we speak to its Director, Hannah Cunliffe, about the challenges faced by historic vessels and the traditional skills needed to keep them going, as well as the projects and efforts to support them

THE 2026 REVIEW • Recalling the regattas, reunions and relics that made this a year to remember (but mainly the regattas)

BOUNCING BACK • From a dramatic sinking off Guernsey to regattas in the Mediterranean, this classic 1962 ocean racer has survived the decades against the odds, and with three generations of the Hill family remaining faithfully at the helm, her remarkable legacy sails on

KING FISHER • Celebrating a century of fine British boatbuilding and enduring maritime passion, 40ft motor yacht, Seran, returns to the Thames for active family holidays and a little time spent throwing over a rod and line, too, for old times’ sake

COMING HOME • Nine years ago, Leo Goolden gave a man $1 for a wreck… This summer, he sailed Tally Ho home to Falmouth

WINTER APPROACHES • This lay-up season, we take a look at the key jobs for all degrees of exposure – whether you have the luxury of tucking your boat up in a cosy barn through winter, hauling it out into the nearest yard, or leaving it afloat and strapping everything down to weather the seasonal storms

Tern back time • Lowering standards and raising the boom

MODERN CLASSICS • New Spirit of Tradition and traditional builds

Yard News • Please send your restoration, build and general yard stories to editor@classicboat.co.uk using the subject line Yard News

X-MEN & FAIREYS • A walk around Whittle Marine is as much a tour of pedigree British racing history as it is a reflection of a successful, traditional boatyard

The perfect gift this Christmas • SUBSCRIPTIONS FROM £22.99

ROPE & KNOTS • This month, Sue demonstrates how to create a shock abosorber

The perfect gift this Christmas • 1 YEAR FOR JUST £39.99

Letters

Next month

America’s Cup monkey business • The 1886 British challenger had more than one secret weapon, as Dave Selby recounts, even though he wasn’t there