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.

Halcyon days

Classic Boat

PACE, SPACE & GRACE • It’s well known that Alfred Mylne and William Fife III enjoyed a healthy rivalry. What is less well known is that they occasionally collaborated. Irina VII is the result of one of those rare joint ventures

Classic Boat Awards 2026

SYMPLY THE BEST • Finland has, apparently, been ranked the world’s happiest country for nine consecutive years. Judging by the atmosphere at this year’s Classic Yacht Symposium it must have made some contribution to this accolade. Nigel Sharp and Barry Pickthall report from the event.

Tell Tales

Watson, Fife & Mylne THE GREATS • From the first trained designer to full yachting dynasties, this holy trinity certainly benefitted from the same opulent and adventurous times but also delivered truly groundbreaking designs and style, with legacies few can match. That they also shared the same stretch of water seems as incredible as the vessels they created

Saleroom

Think hard before you leap • The life of a traditional boatbuilder can be rewarding, in some ways

The Gaffers’ gaffer • OGA president Mike Beckett lives and breathes traditional boats. He not so much owns his 1888 yawl, as is closely related to it

ESPRIT DE FLOTILLE • The Alfred Mylne-designed fleet of Dublin Bay Sailing Club 21 Footers is enjoying a remarkable revival, driven by a community of sailors with a clear common purpose

RIVER MAN • Our 2026 Lifetime Achievement winner on shipwrecks, human anatomical design, a love of hard work and boats – lots of boats

GEMS OF THE THOUSAND ISLANDS • A two-stop road trip starts with an impeccable collection of boats, a show, and inclusive building programs, all found at the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, NY

HOUSE OF CRAFT • Next we head to the Boldt Yacht House, built to serve a long-abandoned mansion-castle on the St Lawrence River. It’s worth a visit for the location and architecture alone, but happens to house a significant collection of classic boats

SHELTER FROM THE STORM • Timeless though ever-changing, the Solent has sheltered mariners since the dawn of time and still has a few secrets to share. And lots of stories. With so much to cover, we start with its western reaches

FAVOURITE HAVENS

MARINAS • Solent moorings

MOORING UNDER SAIL • A great day on the water can be scuppered by a lousy mooring experience. The pressure of squeezing into a crowded harbour or picking up a buoy in a fast-moving stream can be pushed beyond human endurance if a crowd has gathered. Or what if the day starts badly when you cast off? A few basic considerations before you approach or embark will help. In part 1, we focus on mooring under sail, with part 2 switching to motor.

Distance run • The lost art of streaming a proper log

MODERN CLASSICS • New Spirit of Tradition and traditional builds

Yard News

Classics getting ready to launch

Big wooden classics

Dropping in

POWERING AHEAD • This Dutch yard is known for its classic restorations and racing pedigree. Together with its sister company, Brasken Masten, it is connected to many recent prestige projects as well as the classic racing fleet. This summer, its focus has shifted a...