Leisure Boat Guide
Life around boats under 12 metres — family days afloat, sailing, fishing, paddling, watersports, coastal escapes, outdoor living, equipment and wellbeing on the water.
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Hardangerfjord's long waterway, mountains and fruit-growing shores offer a dramatic small-boat destination, best approached with respect for cold water and local conditions.
Friesland's lakes and canals create a gentle cruising environment where the journey between watersports villages is part of the pleasure, especially when starting from Heeg.
A Canal du Midi boating holiday moves at the pace of locks and villages. Careful attention to waterway notices, bridge limits and seasonal closures keeps the experience relaxed.
Croatia's Kornati National Park is a memorable short-cruising destination, but protected areas, designated anchorages and mandatory entry tickets make careful planning essential.
Stockholm's vast Baltic archipelago invites small-boat exploration, but its many islands, changing weather and seasonal services reward an itinerary built around safe, unhurried passages.
A self-drive hire boat on Windermere offers families a simple way to see the Lake District from the water, provided the outing is planned around weather, safety and the hire …
Hiring a dayboat near Wroxham offers an approachable introduction to the Norfolk Broads, from the River Bure's reed-lined reaches to Horning and Ranworth.
A Loch Lomond boat trip offers close-up views of the loch's islands, wooded shorelines and Highland setting, with the village of Luss providing a natural point of interest.
The Menai Strait offers one of Wales's most memorable boating settings, but strong tidal streams and local navigation hazards make guided exploration an appealing first step.
Cornwall's Helford River rewards small-boat visitors who prefer sheltered creeks, waterside villages and an unhurried approach to coastal exploration.
Plymouth is a flexible starting point for exploring Cornwall and South Devon by boat. This practical route-planning guide draws on MDL Marinas' advice to compare destinations, visitor berths, shore time …
With a 6.35-metre hull, up to eight seats and an optional aft sunpad, the Yamarin 63 BR concentrates on easy family day trips and active boating in sheltered conditions.
The Nimbus C9 combines a protected wheelhouse, walkaround decks and simple overnight accommodation in a fast, sub-10-metre family cruiser built for longer seasons afloat.
Highfield's Sport 760 blends an aluminium-hulled RIB with a large open cockpit, stern bathing access and usable family amenities. We look at the practical benefits and the ownership trade-offs.
Garmin's October guide provides a timely starting point for sailors weighing up a chartplotter, wind sensors, AIS-equipped VHF, radar and autopilot. Here is how the choices translate into day-to-day cruising.
The 7.2-metre Axopar 22 T-Top pairs a protected helm area with an agile walkaround layout, convertible seating options and a coastal cruising brief.
A correctly worn and tested engine cut-off lanyard can help prevent a runaway powerboat or personal watercraft. Drawing on RYA guidance, this guide explains attachment, testing, spares, wear and wireless …
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