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Design Reviews

Winter Bonding Project

So you want to build a boat with your son. Magazine publisher John K. Hanson, Jr. thinks the New Zealand Scow Moth will make a perfect father-son project.

The Golden Mean

Finding the perfect sailboat for lake use takes some thought, especially if you want something fast that won’t hit too many rocks, and has room for company.

A Great Looper

This powerboat was designed specifically for the “Great Loop”—up the East Coast, through the Great Lakes, down the Mississippi, and back up the coast to New York.

Sabre’s New 66-Footer

Sabre Yachts is building its largest powerboat ever, a 66-footer that is designed to be easy to drive and luxuriously comfortable.

Morris Yachts: Ocean Series 48 GT

The new Morris Ocean Series 48 GT has more sail area, a lighter hull, and a redesigned interior. Morris Yachts also took note of many small features that customers appreciate and worked them into this distinctive Chuck Paine design.

The Marlin Heritage 23 and the Selkie

When all you want is to sail for the pure enjoyment of sunshine, wind, and waves, you don't need high performance. Contributing Editor Art Paine writes that some of the best boats for this are derivatives of Nathanael Herreshoff’s "Fish Class." Two new designs, which embellish upon the excellence of a Herreshoff Fish, are the Cape Cod Marlin Heritage 23 and Doug Hylan’s Selkie.

Ted Fontaine's Friendship Series

Out of a handful of sailboats currently under construction along the Maine coast, two of the prettiest may be a pair of yachts at Rockport Marine designed by Ted Fontaine in his Friendship series. Cari Ali, which was launched last fall but came back to the yard for the winter, is a Friendship 36. The new boat, nearing completion, is a Friendship 50, the largest in the Friendship series so far.

A Ticket to Ride, the Boston Whaler

Why does every teenager want a Boston Whaler? Freedom, adventure, and fun play a big part.

Hunt Harrier 25 Sport

Contributing Editor Art Paine reviews the new Hunt Harrier 25 Sport, comparing it with a C. Raymond Hunt design from 50 years earlier. Both boats feature a deep-V hull design that helps them power through rough water.

French & Webb: Leilu

A Vivier-designed kit boat destined for lake sailing

Bill Buchholz's new old iceboat: Monotype XV

A classic and fast Soviet-era iceboat design

Brooklin Boat Yard: Sonny

A racing and cruising yacht so fine it was built twice