COCKWELLS DUCHY 25

The Southampton show was awash with mass market sportsboats offering plenty of pace and space but none of them could match the charm of this compact British-built compact cruiser. Based on the hull of the popular Duchy 27 but modified to take an outboard engine and reconfigured as a more open day boat/weekender, it has much the same appeal as its larger siblings but in a smaller more affordable package.

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LOA: 25ft 0in (7.62m) BEAM: 9ft 1in (2.76m) ENGINE: 30-220hp single outboard TOP SPEED: 28 knots PRICE: From £189,000 ex VAT. CONTACT: cockwells.co.uk

It also offers a few distinct benefits of its own. It's short and light enough to be towed behind a family SUV, you can spec it with anything from a silent electric outboard to a 200hp petrol engine for either river or coastal cruising, and without a big engine box cluttering up the cockpit you've actually got more space for family and friends.