WEEKEND WARRIOR

The PTS26 motor launch, built in Holland but inspired by Swede CG Pettersson, is so popular that it’s changing the market

- STEFFAN MEYRIC HUGHES

It’s often been said that boats are like people; seldom if ever are they compared to talking bears. But this one, a shiny new PTS26 belonging to British designer Andrew Winch, is named after Baloo from the Jungle Book. The bear – at least the Disney version – is like the charming, naughty uncle who teaches you to steal apples and fight, so you might expect a vessel named after him to be similarly overpowering and rough around the edges. Thankfully, the PTS26 – even with the over specc’d 190bhp diesel this one has – is nothing like the singing bear and more like Bagheera, the reliable, well-mannered black panther: dad. But that name is already taken by the owner’s other boat – an 18ft Tofinou daysailer that comes out to sail in company on test day. And what a day that was, with just enough wind for Baloo to send spray flying, and for Andrew’s brother-in-law David to fill the sails on Bagheera. The warm, unbroken sun made it feel like the last summer’s day of 2020, stolen from autumn’s grasp.