This week, the Summer Boat Show in London is a resplendent with fine yachts, bristling with new technology. Nearly all are descendants of the hull-shape revolution that took place 25 years ago. By contrast, my own lies quietly on a tidal creek off the south coast. She was designed last year but, seeing her, you might imagine her to be 100 years old and think that her owner must be some kind of lost-soul romantic.

(81).………..

E.      Perhaps I am, though I doubt it. This boat has benefited from all the magic of old- fashioned boat design, but it would have been a much harder job without the advances of modern know-how.