Nic Compton

Nic Compton is a marine journalist, writer, photographer and former journeyman shipwright. He grew up on boats in the Mediterranean before returning to the UK to complete his formal education.

A former editor of Classic Boat magazine, he has written 20 books, mostly about boats, and regularly contributes to sailing magazines, including Yachting Monthly, Practical Boat Owner and Yachting World.

Nic previously owned a Victoria 26 and now sails his Freedom 33 ketch, Zelda from the River Dart in south Devon.

MacGregor 26C: How saving a sinking MacGregor led to a South Devon love affair

March 24, 2026

The upper reaches of Mill Tail in Totnes isn’t the most glamorous spot in South Devon. Sandwiched between tall converted warehouses and a cluster of trees on the adjacent Vire…

Cornish Crabber 24 Mk3 used boat review: More than just a creek crawler

January 22, 2026

The village of St Just in Roseland is best known for its stunning 13th century church, described by the poet John Betjeman as ‘the most beautiful churchyard on earth’. Set…

Arion 29 used boat review: The Polish pocket cruiser built for the canals

December 17, 2025

In October 2019, my wife Anna and I decided to sell our Victoria 26. We loved the boat and had experienced some fun times with her, but she was just…

The BayCruiser 23 review: Why this water ballast trailer-sailer is the perfect weekender

November 5, 2025

It started with a burp. Well, in a manner of speaking. There was a strange moment soon after the start of my test of the BayCruiser 23 when owner Mark…

Contessa 32 review: Still an enduring classic

September 11, 2025

‘Once, we were going around Portland Bill in a blow and we hit a wave – the boat stopped and I carried on going. I flew 4ft through the air…

Victoria 26 used boat review: A very lucky barn find!

July 17, 2025

When my wife and I moved from Brighton to Devon in 2015, we made a deal. She could have the dog she pined for and which I didn’t want (too…

Parker 275 used boat review: A small but lively performer

April 22, 2025

There’s no doubt about it, testing second-hand boats is a fun job. You get to meet all kinds of people and sail all kinds of boats which you normally might…

Hunter Ranger 245 used boat review: Small but mighty

February 19, 2025

You can’t miss Peter Waite’s boat Curlew. As you come out of the Stoke Gabriel estuary on the River Dart, she’s the first yacht you meet on the line of…

Used boat review: Vertue – A modest little cruising yacht

January 29, 2025

Anyone who buys a Vertue is buying a boat with a towering reputation. Ever since the prototype was launched in 1936, this modest little cruising yacht, with its well-judged sheer,…

Nordic Folkboat used boat review: One of the most iconic boats ever designed

November 21, 2024

It’s hardly surprising Richard Gregson owns a Nordic Folkboat, there was only ever one sort of boat he could reasonably buy the owner of the Wooden Ships brokerage firm in…