An Orca sinking story from the Pacific, a new Bruce King boat for sale, why you should go small, why you should go simple, holidaying on a Thames barge in Essex…. and much more!

I’ve been thinking a lot recently about the intersection between comfort and satisfaction.  I suppose it’s been fuelled by spending time amongst the oversized, over-specced  and poorly considered boats that make up 90% of the Mediterranean cruising fleet. Extreme hardship is without doubt miserable, and extreme luxury is usually unrewarding but somewhere on this continuum, there is a sweet spot, a place where we balance our needs and our desires … a spot that’s probably different for everyone.

This week we discover for you, four interesting options combining a love of timber boats with an unapologetically indulgent sailing holiday. And not a flotilla in sight!