The Good Yacht Guide to Motor Sailers has been designed as a quick reference directory for the yachtsman wanting to establish as rapidly as possible the type of motor sailer that is likely to suit his purposes, especially when searching through advertisements and brokerage lists in the yachting press.

The Good Yacht Guide makes an excellent lead into Practical Boat Owner's Copyshop which reprints test reports from PBO, Yachting Monthly, Yachting World and Motor Boat and Yachting. These reports will usually give at least a profile drawing or photographs and layout plan, plus a description of the boat's sailing characteristics - and usually much more. In recent years they have provided an excellent in depth analysis of individual boats.

This directory gives greater coverage to boats that are likely to be on the second hand market and less to very new designs and particularly tries to cover the best known and proven boats. There are some good vessels built in small numbers and sought after by those who know them, which we have also tried to highlight.

Many of these vessels were offered at some time in "kit" or part-built form for owner completion. Similarly many were produced by a number of different builders. It follows that quality and integrity of construction could vary enormously. When contemplating a purchase, it usually pays to use a qualified Y.D.S.A. or R.I.N.A Surveyor - for your own peace of mind and, with older boats especially, to ensure that you obtain insurance cover when completing your purchase. Always ask if there is a recent survey (by a reputable surveyor). If reasonably good this could save you time and money and may be acceptable to the insurers, if a survey is thought necessary by them.