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10 Great Used Motoryachts You Can Buy For $150K

January 16, 2017 1:45 pm

Consider this scenario: you’re in the market for a used motoryacht — probably nothing smaller than 40 feet — with a budget of $150,000, more or less. You want a boat from a good builder (preferably one of their more popular models), and you’re open to the layout as long as it’s comfortable. Everything else is on the table.

If that describes your boating future, you’ll be happy and perhaps a little surprised at the choices available to you in a used motoryacht or cruiser yacht .

To find out for ourselves, we spent two weeks researching this market on YachtWorld, boats.com, etc., and came away with a list of ten models that represent a cross section of what’s available for about $150,000. There’s a lot to choose from here — traditional aft cabin motor yachts, cockpit motor yachts, classic pilothouse yachts, and sporty sedan cruisers.

All of the ten boats profiled below were popular models during their production years which means (a) that a clean used model should be relatively easy to find, and (b) selling or trading up one day should be no problem.

At the end of the day it’s good to know $150,000 still buys a lot of boat. Assuming 20 percent down and a 15-year note, the monthly payment for one of these yachts can be less than $1,000. For many, that’s an affordable number, especially with strengthening home values and historically low interest rates. Food for thought as we approach the spring boat show season.

1. Carver 500/504 Cockpit MY Production Years: 1996–2000

At a Glance: A super-popular model for Carver, basically a condo on the water. This is a cockpit version of the Carver 455/456 Aft Cabin model produced during the same years.

Spacious two stateroom maple interior has a folding bulkhead in the forward VIP stateroom that conceals a small guest cabin/den to port with convertible bunks. (This feature was eliminated in 1999 when the interior was redesigned and the name changed to Carver 504.)

The large U-shaped galley is aft in the salon rather than forward as it is in most motoryacht floorplans. In the master stateroom, the walkaround queen bed faces aft to permit the installation of cockpit access door. Washer/dryer is in forward stateroom. Twin 450hp Cummins diesels cruise at 18 knots.

Best Feature: Huge interior, the result of moving the superstructure well forward in the hull (note the relatively short foredeck).

Pr ice Spread: From a low of about $150K up to the mid-to-high $200s for a newer model.

2. Carver 444 Cockpit MY Production Years: 2001 – 2006

At a Glance: The top-selling cockpit yacht in this class for several years. Basically a Carver 396 Aft Cabin with a good-sized cockpit. The 444’s huge full-beam interior — made possible by raising the side decks to eye level — comes as a surprise. With its panoramic views and nearly seven feet of headroom, the salon’s dimensions are those of a much larger boat.

To save space, the forward head is split with the shower stall to port and toilet compartment to starboard. A sliding glass door in the (smallish) master stateroom opens directly into the cockpit.

In 2004, an optional “Extended Salon” floorplan with a full-size dinette, enlarged galley and redesigned VIP stateroom became available. Twin Volvo 370hp engines cruise at 18–19 knots. Carver sold a ton of these stylish boats.

Best Feature: Enormous salon/dinette/galley area with panoramic outside views.

Price Spread: A random YachtWorld check will find several priced in the mid $100K range.

3. Meridian 411 Sedan Production Years: 2003 – 2008

At a Glance: Very popular (and very affordable) sedan cruiser — a winning blend of sharp styling and spacious accommodations — made the Meridian 411 one of the best-selling midrange boats in her class. Huge interior layout with galley and booth-style dinette forward, a step up from the aft salon area with entertainment center and facing settees.

Large salon windows bring the outdoors in. Modern decor with cherry cabinets, Ultraleather seating, and Corian counters. Master stateroom includes private en-suite head; guest stateroom has a double berth (tucked under the dinette) and access to the second day head. Extended swim platform leads to a large cockpit (with molded bridge steps) suitable for fishing and entertaining.

Lower helm was optional. Wide side decks make it easy to get to the foredeck sun pad.

Best Feature: A super-social flybridge with sun lounge, wet bar, settee, and aft sun pad.

Price Spread:  Low-to-mid $100s to over $300K.

4. Silverton 39 Motor Yacht Production Years: 2002 – 2008

At a Glance: This maxi-beam aft cabin cruiser — and her lookalike predecessor, the best-selling Silverton 372/392 Motor Yacht — is proof that a roomy interior trumps graceful styling almost every time. Elevated side decks on both sides of the house provide a huge full-beam salon as well as direct flybridge access to the foredeck.

The 39’s galley rivals many larger boats in storage and counter space. Both staterooms have queen beds, generous storage, and en-suite heads with stall shower. High-gloss cherry trim, Corian counters, and Ultraleather upholstery compliment the interior. Molded steps lead from the swim platform up to a roomy aft deck with wet bar, bench seating and hard top.

Note the triple helm seat on the flybridge. The 39’s high freeboard will test your docking skills on a windy day. Standard 380hp gas engines cruise at 16–18 knots.

Best Feature: Enormous two-stateroom interior dwarfs anything in her class. Excellent galley.

Price Spread: $150K to the mid $200s.

5. Bayliner 4788 Pilothouse Production Years: 1994 – 2002

At a Glance: Arguably the best big-boat value ever. Spacious, well appointed, and surprisingly fuel efficient. This is basically a restyled (and lengthened) version of the very popular Bayliner 4550/4588 Pilothouse.

Her three stateroom, two head interior features a full-beam salon with large U-shaped galley forward to port, wet bar, L-lounge seating, and large side windows. In the pilothouse, there is a settee aft of the helm and a companion seat to port.

Visibility from the pilothouse is excellent. Second guest stateroom with upper/lower bunks doubles as a den and opens directly to the master stateroom — very clever. An inflatable dinghy can be carried on the extended flybridge deck. The engine room is a tight fit. Forget all that talk about Bayliner quality — the 4788 is simply a lot of boat for the money.

Best Feature: Comfortable salon that opens to the large cockpit — perfect for entertaining. 

Price Spread:  Low-to-mid $100s for a 1994–95 model to $230 to $250K for a 2001–02 model.

6.  Sea Ray 550 Sedan Bridge Production Years: 1992 – 1998

At a Glance: Stylish 1990’s cruising yacht with three-stateroom interior and extra-large cockpit. The salon is impressive, a wide-open (carpeted) living area with cut-down galley, long leather sofa, entertainment center, and big wraparound cabin windows.

The forward master stateroom is huge with an island queen bed, two hanging lockers, vanity, and private en-suite head. Roomy guest stateroom has a full-size berth, and the second guest cabin has over/under bunks. Both heads have stall showers, but guest head is tight. Lower helm was optional. Center transom door is flanked by built-in bench seats in the cockpit.

In 1996, the flybridge ladder was replaced with molded steps and the helm was relocated aft. The 550’s straight sheer and drooping bow are distinctive. Detroit 625hp 6V-92 diesels cruise at 22–23 knots.

Best Feature: The large cockpit and party-time flybridge — great attributes for entertaining.

Price Spread: $150K to the mid $200s

7. Maxum 4600 SCB Production Years: 1997 –2001

At a Glance: Modern styling, an inviting two stateroom interior, and a very competitive price made the Maxum 4600 SCB one of the best motoryacht buys of her day. Maxum engineers packed a lot of value into this boat. The salon is exceptionally inviting with wraparound windows, a long leather sofa, cherry cabinets, and full entertainment center.

A raised dinette is forward to starboard, opposite the home-size galley with overhead glass storage and Corian counters. A lower helm was optional in place of the dinette. Note the tub in the master head. In the cockpit, a center transom door opens to an extended swim platform able to support a PWC.

The 4600 SCB is surprisingly fuel-efficient boat, a feature that stems in part from her relatively light weight. Cummins 370hp diesels cruise at 16–18 knots.

Best Feature: An affordable price — this is what brokers call a lot of boat for the money.

Price Spread:  From about $100K for an older model up to $200K-plus for 2001–02 model.

8. Sea Ray 450 Express Bridge Production Years: 1998 – 2004

At a Glance:   An innovative yacht when she was introduced in 1998. Not many 45-footers have three staterooms. The aft stateroom — accessed via a private entryway next to the salon door — includes a full-length berth with hanging locker and built-in washer/dryer.

Forward of that, the amidships stateroom features a double berth with partial standing headroom and an opening port. An island queen is in the forward stateroom. Both heads include separate stall showers. Aft of the galley is a breakfast bar with two swing-out stools. Small salon windows limit natural lighting below. Topside, the huge party-time flybridge has seating fore and aft of the center helm console. Note the unique staircase descending from the flybridge to the foredeck.

An extended swim platform was a popular option. Cummins 450hp V-drive diesels cruise at 20–22 knots.

Best Feature: Huge party-time bridge area.

Price Spread:  An early model might be found for $150K. Newer can easily exceed $200K.

9. Carver 440 Aft Cabin Production Years: 1993 – 1999

At a Glance: The largest model in the Carver fleet when she was introduced in 1993. A big 44-footer with an usually spacious salon, two double staterooms, two full heads, and a convertible dinette — sleeping accommodations for as many as eight adults.

The maple wood accents and carpeted salon are showing their age, but large cabin windows make the interior open and airy. Note salon entertainment center. Full-service galley includes double sink, upright refrigerator, washer/dryer, Corian counter and hardwood floor.

The aft deck is large enough for a table and chairs, and the flybridge has dual captain’s chairs with bench seating forward of the helm. Bow pulpit, fiberglass swim platform, and radar arch were standard. Carver sold a lot of these boats and used models are plentiful.

Best Feature: Very spacious layout with room to entertain a small neighborhood.

Price Spread:  From about $100K for an older model up to $200K-plus for 2001–02 model

10. Sea Ray 420 Aft Cabin Production Years: 1996 – 2002

At a Glance:   Sleek aft cabin cruising yacht incorporated European styling influences in an era when too many American-built motor yachts looked like floating condos. Well-appointed two stateroom galley-down interior sleeps up to eight — includes L-shaped sofa and raised dinette in the salon, walkaround queen berths fore and aft, two full heads, and stand-up utility room under the salon sole.

Full-size galley comes complete with separate Sub Zero refrigerator and freezer, convection oven, and lots of counter and storage space — a big plus. The aft deck is big for a boat this size. Molded steps make boarding from the extended swim platform easy and safe.

Built on a fully cored hull with prop pockets to level the engines. A good performer with 450hp Cummins diesels— cruise in the mid 20s (27–28 knots top.

Best Feature: Utility room with washer/dryer and pantry — a very unique feature in a boat this size

Price Spread:  From the low $100K range for a 1996–97 model up to about $200K for newer.

Ed McKnew  PowerBoat Guide Founder

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Used Yachts For Sale From 91 To 100 Feet

Listed below are used yachts for sale worldwide from 91 to 100 feet. Use the search tools to narrow your exploration. SYS Yacht Sales offers a wide range of used yachts for sale, including explorer yachts, luxury cruisers, motor yachts, trawlers, pilothouse yachts, sailing yachts and everything in between. Search top brands like Hargrave, Princess, Ferretti, Sunseeker, Azimut, Benetti and much more. Need assistance? Contact our experienced yacht brokers. We look forward to helping you find the yacht that's right for you.

Horizon FD100

Fd100-908 - in production.

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Canados Oceanic 100 Tri-Deck

Majesty 100

Order to build.

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Numarine 30XP

Numarine 30xp.

Azimut 100 Leonardo

Baia ONE HUNDRED

Burger Classic

Ocean Alexander Skylounge

Custom Line Custom Line 100

Extra X30 VILLA

Azimut 100 Grande

Custom Colvin Schooner

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For aspiring yacht owners looking for a luxury yacht for sale, we have put together a fine selection of luxury yachts and megayachts for sale from all over the world. Search BOAT International's collection of superyachts for sale and filter by type, length, asking price or age. Narrow the results by selecting specific features, or browse by speed, designer and much more.

Explore luxury yachts for sale

Search for everything from motor yachts for sale from renowned Dutch yards including Feadship and Heesen , premium Italian names including Azimut , Sanlorenzo and Benetti , popular British builders Sunseeker and Princess , and American megayachts for sale from US yards such as Westport .

Our collection also features sailing yachts for sale from legendary names such as Royal Huisman , Perini Navi , Nautor's Swan and Jongert , as well as some of the most well-known explorer yachts for sale .

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Used Yachts For Sale Under $10,000,000

100' Custom Tri-Deck Explorer Yacht 2026

$ 10,000,000

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145' Cheoy Lee 145 Global Series Long Range TriDeck 1996

$ 9,999,995

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$ 9,900,000

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$ 9,850,000

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$ 9,798,000

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143' Palatka Shipbuilding Custom 1984

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Naples, Italy

Description

Finding a used yachts for sale under $10,000,000 that fits your needs when it comes to number of passengers, horsepower, inside accommodations, and other features on board can be a challenge with so many options available on the market today. There are many types of boats available under $10 million like  cruising yachts ,  motor yachts ,  Trawlers , and  fishing boats , with many good options across all length ranges. Still, there are plenty of opportunities with brands like  Princess ,  Azimut ,  Sunseeker ,  Viking ,  Ferretti ,  Ocean Alexander ,  Benetti , Westport Yachts , and others. Let the team at United Yacht Sales help you find the right vessel that fits your needs under $10 million.

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20 Bluewater Cruising Sailboats Under $100,000

January 5, 2021 by Travis Turgeon 2 Comments

Choosing the right bluewater yacht for your needs requires a ton of research. With so many designs and features available, it can be overwhelming trying to narrow down your options. The process gets even more complicated when you begin to consider the personal opinions of other sailors. 

So how do you know where to start? Every person’s definition of comfortability will vary when it comes to onboard living. What suits a family of four won’t necessarily suit a couple or a single-handed sailor. Your budget, style, and needs are all unique to you and your situation, so it’s essential to know just what to look for when buying a new or used vessel . 

To start you off in the right direction, we put together a list of our top choices for bluewater cruising yachts under $100,000.

Allied Princess 36

Built as a long-keel ketch or cutter, the Allied Princess 36 was in production from 1972 to 1982. Around 140 vessels were manufactured in total, so you can occasionally find them on the used market. 

While these cruisers’ design and construction are considered sufficient, the excessive use of fiberglass makes the design a bit bland. Although they may not have the most appealing design, these bluewater yachts certainly tick a lot of boxes.

With the full-keel measuring just four-foot six inches, it’s a design that holds steady on its course without pointing as high as a fin-keel design. 

Overall, the Allied Princess 36 is a wonderful option for bluewater sailing.

Prices range between $30,000 and $60,000.

Cabo Rico 38

The Cabo Rico 38 is at the top of its class, constructed with a long-keel cutter rig design that gives it outstanding bluewater capabilities for its price point. The vessel was produced in two models – Pilothouse, and Trunk Cabin – although the Pilothouse design is less common.

Cabo Rico i s consistently successful with it s 38 models, and t hey remain one of the most prominent cruising boats on the water.

Internally, this boat has various features required for a bluewater cruiser: Large water and fuel tanks, a solid design with balsa wood cores for thermal and noise insulation, and an overall seaworthy design.

While this boat wasn’t m eant to win races, it is a fantastic choice for a crui sing vessel.

Prices range between $30,000 and $80,000.

Celestial 48

The Celestial 48 is the largest boat on our list and is commonly sought after by the cruising fraternity. The problem is, these vessels are scarce on the used market. 

The Celestial 48 is a ketch rig with a shoal-draft, fin-keel design, and a center-cockpit configuration that is comfortable and ideal for bluewater sailing. One of our favorite features is the six-foot, two-inch headroom in the cabin, along with high-capacity water and fuel tanks.

The Celestial 48 was built in China by the Xiamen boatyard, although it’s no longer in production.

If you can find one, the Celestial 48 will make an excellent bluewater cruiser.

Prices start near our $100,000 mark.

The Corbin 39 is manufactured in two designs, aft or center cockpit. Designed and built in Canada by Robert Dufour and Marius Corbin, the 39 is now (sadly) out of production. This cruiser remains a favorite of many and is still commonly searched for on the used market.

One thing to note is that most of the boats were sold as unfinished kits, leaving owners to complete the interiors themselves. For this reason, the standard of interior design finish will vary, so it’s worth checking and comparing with other vessels carefully.

When found, the Corbin 39’s present a very reasonable price tag, but a full survey is essential.

Prices range between $40,000 and $60,000.

The Freedom 36 is one of the smaller yachts on our list, but it has an exciting design that attracts cruisers. The wide beam and long waterline design allow for a much larger interior than most other boats of similar length. As a cruiser, space is a top priority, so this cruiser should be on your list of considerations.

A unique feature of this Freedom yacht is the stayless carbon fiber mast. It looks a little odd for most, with no forestay or backstay and a mast that flexes alarmingly in the wind. It’s a proven design, though, and gives clean lines just like an aircraft wing.

The Freedom 36 is certainly an exciting cruiser to keep an eye on.

Prices range between $40,000 and $80,000.

Gulfstar 44

Known as a capable cruiser or live-aboard boat, the Gulfstar 44 is a spacious yacht that can take you around the world.

Designed with a fin-keel and skeg-rudder, the Gulfstar is comfortable and well built.

Internally, you’ll find a large galley, king-size aft cabin, and spacious fore cabin, with ample room in the saloon. Earlier Gulfstar vessels suffered from inconsistent build quality, but from around 1976 onwards, the company made huge improvements.

For a spacious bluewater sailboat with excellent heavy-weather handling characteristics, the Gulfstar 44 is a great choice.

Prices start around $60,000.

Hans Christian 38

If you’re considering cruising the world in a bluewater yacht, then the Hans Christian 38-T should be added to your shortlist of candidates. 

With a full-length keel design and laden with solid teak, this boat weighs in at 12.5 tons, making it a heavy displacement vessel that you can rely on to take you through some of the harshest conditions.

Manufactured in Taiwan, these cruisers can be a chore to acquire. One of the most common downfalls of the Hans 38-T is electrical problems, so be sure to get the wiring checked out by a professional. 

Outside of electrical issues, this boat is a proven winner in the cruising world. 

Prices start around $70,000 but expect to pay well over $100,000 for the more admirable models.

Hinckley Bermuda 40

The Hinckley Bermuda 40 was in production for over 30 years, from 1959 until 1991, but only 203 boats were manufactured in total. Many Bermuda 40s were used as racing vessels throughout their production, winning the Northern Ocean Racing Trophy in 1964. 

The design also gained many admirers in the cruising world thanks to the long keel and centerboard, which allows the boat to maneuver through shallow waters. The Hinckley Bermuda 40 is hard to beat for versatility, combining classic looks with the shallow draught and generous interior space.

Early models from the 60s and 70s start around $80,000, but later models land well above our $100,000 threshold.

Island Packet 35

Although only in production for six years, 178 Island Packet 35s made their way onto the market. These vessels have become justifiably popular with coastal cruisers and bluewater sailors alike.

These cruisers are available in two designs; long-keel or long-keel with centerboard – both of which come with cutter rigging. 

The design is conservative and built for comfort rather than speed. Inside space is very generous, with a 12-foot beam, a v-berth cabin in the forepeak, and a double cabin on the aft port side.

Island Packet 35’s appear on the used market regularly, so locating one shouldn’t be too much of a hassle.

Prices start at around $65,000.

The Niagara 35 is a popular cruiser available in two exciting models, each one coming with a fantastic interior design. 

The original model features a center galley and marine toilet that separates the fore and aft areas. The saloon is completely closed off, making it useful during extended passage journeys.

The later model has a double-berth forward, separated from the saloon by the head and shower. Both models include a spacious cockpit design. Through its 12 years of production, 260 Niagara 35’s went on the market – so you can regularly find them for sale.

Early models start around $30,000, with later models coming in closer to $70,000.

Only 32 of the Robert Perry-designed Nordic 40s went through production, making them exclusive and difficult to find. If you do manage to get your hands on one, however, you won’t be disappointed.

The fin-keel and skeg-mounted rudder design allow for up to six people to stay comfortably, including extra storage space for luggage and provisions. 

The Perry design is recognized for the quality of its fittings, including rod-rigging and full hull insulation on early models. After 1987, they cut back on a few design features, but it’s still a quality boat. 

If you can manage to find a Nordic 40, it will make an excellent investment.

While it may be rare to find one below our $100,000 mark, it is possible.

Passport 40

Built in Taiwan, the Passport 40 is another excellent design by Robert Perry. Sporting a fin-keel and a skeg-mounted rudder, the design is known for its well-balanced performance. 

Originally supplied with a sloop-rig, the majority have an inner stay, fitted to allow a double headsail. This cutter-style rig makes the Passport 40 even more suitable for ocean crossings.

The interiors are well designed – as you’d expect from a Robert Perry – and make for comfortable living during long passages.

Peterson 44

The Peterson 44 was designed and built as a performance cruiser, combining sufficient speed and sea-kindly handling. 

A low center-cockpit, 10,000 pounds of lead ballast, and a long fin keel allow this vessel to take turbulent conditions in stride without sacrificing the crew’s comfort. 

Internally, there is plenty of space in the well-designed cabin. For long passages, there’s a 132-gallon water tank and a 117-gallon fuel tank.

Finding a Peterson 44 may be your only problem. They manufactured about 200 boats, but owners rarely like to part with them – adding to their intrigue and value.

Prices for these yachts vary widely. Expect to pick up an older model between $50,000 and $75,000.

Prout Snowgoose 37

As the only catamaran on our list, the Prout Snowgoose 37 is a proven boat for circumnavigation on the bluewater trail. 

A standout feature of the early Snowgoose models is its narrow beam, which allows them to navigate canals easily. These boats are popular in Europe and are common on the journey between Spain and France on the Mediterranian. Additionally, the Prout Snowgoose 37 can fit into a single-hull marina, reducing berthing costs when compared to most other catamarans. 

If you have never considered a catamaran in the past, the Prout Snowgoose 37 may change your mind.

Prices start near $45,000, with later models reaching over $100,000.

The Shannon 38 comes in two styles, with either an aft cockpit or pilothouse. Shannon Yachts are known for their build quality and attention to detail, and the 38 is no exception. The boat is available as either a ketch or cutter rig, but it’s renowned for its performance at sea in both forms.

Only 100 were built, with the final boat launched in 1988. If you can find one on the used market, it will make a competent bluewater cruiser.

Prices start at $40,000 for older models, with newer models inching closer to our $100,000 mark.

Only 80 of the Tartan 41s were manufactured, although they produced a similar Tartan 43 with the same molds. It is a fin keel design, with a skeg-mounted rudder and sloop-rigging. In its day, it was considered a fast cruiser, but now they’re mostly made for comfort.

If you’re looking at a Tartan 41, check out the keel dimensions. The keel was undersized on earlier models, which caused heavy-weather steering issues. The boatyard redesigned the later models, and some retrofitting has been done on the originals.

Prices start around $45,000 and reach upwards of $70,000.

No list of bluewater sailboats would be complete without the Tayana 37. It’s a beautiful boat designed by Robert Perry that comes in three variants; cutter, ketch, and pilothouse. 

Built to compete against the popular Westsail 32, the 37 became a good seller – with almost 600 launched to date. Today, they are manufactured in limited numbers, as the traditional teak-heavy design is now less popular.

If you can find a good Tayana 37, cruising the oceans will be a pleasure in this sturdy and robust vessel.

Early models cost around $45,000, with newer or retrofitted models topping $75,000.

Another boat designed by Robert Perry, the Valiant 40 is one of the most sought-after bluewater cruisers on the used market. By the end of production, two manufacturers were able to put out around 200 boats, so it’s certainly possible to get your hands on one.

With a fin keel, reasonably heavy displacement, and solid build, open ocean cruising is made comfortable in the Valiant 40.

The Valiant’s trademark is the canoe stern, something Perry has carried over into many of his designs. The boat’s performance sets it apart from the more traditional heavy-cruisers, and it still has many admirers.

Expect to pay upwards of $45,000 for an early Valiant, but well-maintained vessels will command much higher prices.

Wauquiez Pretorien 35

When the weather gets rough, most people prefer bigger, heavier cruisers. Small boats generally don’t perform as well in harsh conditions, but the Pretorien 35 is an exception.

Built to IOR specifications, it’s a short, wide-beam design, with a ballast in the keel that makes up half of the displacement. It may be disappointing in light winds, but as the breeze picks up, the Pretorien comes alive.

Wauquiez built boats are known for their quality finish, so you shouldn’t hold any doubts when buying a used Pretorien.

Prices start around $39,000.

Westsail 32

At just 32 feet, the Westsail might be a surprising inclusion on our list. However, the design has proven itself many times over and remains popular with many cruisers.

With a long keel, transom-mounted rudder, and heavy displacement, these are seaworthy yachts.

The flipside to this is that the performance can be underwhelming. The Westsails are known for being slow, safe boats that will get you wherever you need to go – making them perfect for leisurely cruising. 

Over 800 vessels entered the market between 1971 and 1981, so there should be plenty available if you look hard enough. The other point to remember is that they sold them as owner-completion kits, so the internal fitments, in particular, will vary in quality.

With so many available, the prices remain reasonable – with an early Westsail 32 fetching around $29,000 and well-maintained older models coming in closer to $50,000.

Remember: When buying a bluewater cruising yacht for less than $100,000, compromise is inevitable. 

If you’re looking for a seaworthy, heavy-displacement design, you’ll have to compromise on the boat’s age. Choosing a modern, light design will allow you more for your money.

The best advice for buying a boat is to be truly honest with yourself by defining your needs and separating them from your desires. 

Want to join the community at #BoatLife? Get a conversation started on our new forum by leaving a question or comment!

If you found this article helpful, please leave a comment below, share it on social media, and subscribe to our email list.

For direct questions and comments, shoot me an email at [email protected]

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November 15, 2021 at 6:30 pm

You guys didn’t mention Cape dory or pacific seacraft. How long have you been sailing?

February 18, 2022 at 1:37 pm

Very nicely done. There will always be people who disagree with your list but they reserve the right to comment without creating any value which is what you provided. Thanks for putting this together.

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Night in Venice Boat Parade Expected to Draw 100,000 Spectators

By MADDY VITALE

A “robust” safety plan is in place for the Night in Venice boat parade, which is expected to attract 100,000 spectators to the bayfront to enjoy house parties and watch Ocean City’s premier summer event.

The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

NIV Chairman Dave Winslow, who is also an Ocean City councilman, said the blockbuster annual tradition, now in its 69th year, is a spectacular time for families.

“This year, we have a robust safety plan that we will go through in detail with every boat captain. We set up a good communication system. If there are any changes, we will text them with the changes, if they have to pull over real quickly,” Winslow noted of any weather-related threats.

A lightning storm during last year’s Night in Venice forced boaters in for safety until it passed. Winslow said, like every year, officials consult with a meteorologist to give the current weather conditions.

“Every year, we try to make some improvements and do some things a little bit differently,” he said. “We had a safety plan last year. We had that thunderstorm that blew through.”

On Friday, Winslow will hold a meeting with the boat captains.

“Saturday night before the parade we will go through everything in detail,” he said.

Winslow said that the U.S. Coast Guard, the New Jersey State Police Marine Police, a number of surrounding police departments and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary are among the agencies who will help make sure “people respect the parade participants,” Winslow said.

“Logistically, we have a lot of law enforcement on the waterfront this year,” he said. “We are focusing on safety, especially water safety. You can’t have fun unless you feel safe.”

The theme for this year’s event is “Summertime Vibes: A Tribute to Jimmy Buffett,” to honor the memory of the legendary musician whose career spanned 50 years. Buffett passed away last September.

There will be around 100 boats in the parade and 175 homes will be decorated, officials said.

ESPN reporter and host Marty Smith will be grand marshal. Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham and his family will be special guests and will appear in the boat parade.

Winslow, who has been involved with the parade since 1983, except for some time away from organizing the event to devote to family and his career, said planning for the 2025 Night in Venice will start in August.

“In August, we will have a de-briefing meeting and say what went well and in January we will have a planning meeting where we go over themes. Then we will meet monthly and once Memorial Day weekend comes, the planning will really heat up.”

Free shuttle transportation will be available and free grandstands will be set up at street ends along the route.

The viewing area at Bayside Center will include a picnic spot and snack stand, face-painting, a DJ, and bleacher seating. Ticket prices will be $6 for children (12 and under) and $10 for adults (with service fees included). Fireworks are planned as the grand finale to the annual celebration.

Spectators can watch the boat parade along the bayfront from Bayside Center and street ends. Many families enjoy the parade from private house parties. The route runs from the Ocean City-Longport Bridge to Tennessee Avenue.

A fireworks display will light up the bay and cap off the festivities after the parade is complete.

For more information  www.ocnj.us/niv  or call 609-399-6111.

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Kewalo basin boaters blame major Kakaako developer for rust damage to vessels

H ONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Boaters at Kewalo Basin are suing a major developer, claiming its nearby construction projects are damaging their vessels.

Captain Ken Middleton owns Tradewind Charters and believes the little rust specks on his vessels are from construction activities happening across the street from the harbor.

“It’s very frustrating. You know, they’re damaging personal property,” said Middleton. “They’re impacting personal health, and they’re impacting our marine environment.”

Middleton said repairs could cost about $100,000.

“The vessels will have to be hauled out, so we’ll be out of commission and running our charters for a few weeks to a month, stripped down and then resurfaced, repainted,” said Middleton.

Attorney Andrew Porter is representing at least 15 boaters.

He said similar rust marks were found on a private vessel named La Costa, which is owned by Jeromiah and Sophia Johnson.

Porter said the issue first arose in 2016.

To prevent further damage to their vessels, boaters have been asking Howard Hughes Corporation to put up dust screens at their construction sites.

“They had a failure to put up dust screens, which caused when they used ceiling grinders, and other grinders,” said Porter. “This caused dust to blow across in the prevailing trade winds and it covered the boats and dust in rust stains.”

Jerry Kaehu is a boat captain with Trident Adventures.

“In the morning, I like to shoot down a boat and make sure the boat is all properly set and usually when I shoot down, I see brown water coming off and that’s all from the dust up there,” said Kaehu. “When get strong trade winds it all blows over.”

Kaehu is not part of the lawsuit but is hoping for the problem to be addressed.

“I hope everybody can just look at what the problem is environmentally, all these construction developments,” said Kaehu.

Howard Hughes Corporation not only builds the high-rises, but also operate and manage the harbor.

A Ward Village spokesperson released the following statement:

“Ward Village is dedicated to being a good neighbor, requiring its contractors have best practices and prevention measures to minimize the amount of dust and debris surrounding construction projects. Despite these efforts, owners of certain vessels allege dust and debris caused damage during the COVID-19 pandemic, when most of these vessels remained moored in the harbor. Ward Village and its affiliates maintain insurance for such situations and, with assistance from the carrier, have already resolved a number of disputes although some remain outstanding in the legal and insurance process.”

“ While we cannot comment in detail given the ongoing litigation, it should be made clear that Ward Village does not agree with the boaters’ attorney’s characterization.”

If a resolution is not reached, the trial begins Sept. 30.

• Best Personal Loans of 2024
• Best for Excellent Credit
• Best for Customer Support
• Best for Small Loan Amounts
• Best for Fair Credit
• Best for Low Credit
• Best for Limited Credit History
• Best for Flexible Terms
• Find the Best Personal Loans for Your Unique Needs
• Why You Should Trust Us
• What Determines the 'Best' Personal Loan?

Best Personal Loan Companies of July 2024

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate personal loans to write unbiased product reviews.

Personal loans are excellent options for people in need of cash to cover a wide range expenses like medical bills, home improvement projects, weddings, startup costs for a business, moving costs, and more.

One of the most common reasons people take out personal loans is for debt consolidation. There are personal loans for borrowers who want a sizeable chunk of money and for those who just need a small amount to tide them over.

Best Personal Loans of 2024 Summary

• Best for excellent credit:  LightStream Personal Loan
• Best for customer support:  Service Credit Union Personal Loan
• Best for fair credit:  SoFi Personal Loan
• Best for small loan amounts:  PenFed Credit Union Personal Loan
• Best for low credit:  Avant Personal Loan
• Best for borrowers with limited credit history:  Upstart Personal Loan
• Best for flexible terms:  Wells Fargo Personal Loan

Compare Personal Loan Rates

Top Personal Loans Comparison

The best personal loans will offer fast money when you need it, without astronomical fees and interest rates. We looked at loan providers that cater to a variety of credit scores and offer a range of loan term lengths. The best personal loans aren't necessarily from big-name banks; credit unions generally offer lower interest rates, and you can find strong options through online banks, too.

Here are the best personal loans as picked by Business Insider editors in 2024.

Best Personal Loan for Excellent Credit

LightStream Personal Loan

LightStream stands out with some of the lowest personal loan rates available for borrowers with excellent credit scores. Truist created LightStream for online loans, and the bank offers personal loans for things like home remodels, medical debt, and debt consolidation. 

Look out for: High credit score requirements. LightStream's minimum credit requirement for a personal loan is 660, so this lender might not be right for all credit types.  

LightStream Personal Loan Review

Best Personal Loan for Customer Support

Service credit union personal loan.

Service Credit Union has some of the best customer support among personal loan lenders and can get you your money fast. Customer support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The approval process takes about 24 hours, and after your loan application is accepted, you may be able to have the funds in your account the same day. 

Look out for: Membership requirements. Much like with most credit unions, you'll need to meet certain requirements to be eligible. If you've served in the military or Department of Defense or work at qualifying associations or organizations, you'll qualify. If that doesn't apply to you, you can join the American Consumer Council for free with a promo code. 

Service Credit Union Personal Loan Review

Best Personal Loan for Small Loan Amounts

Penfed credit union personal loan.

PenFed Credit Union offers personal loans for smaller amounts than many other lenders, making it a good choice for those who just need to borrow a little bit of money for a short time. PenFed will lend you as little as $600. This could make the credit union an attractive alternative to a payday loan. 

Look out for: Membership requirements. You don't need to be a member of the credit union to apply for a personal loan, but you'll have to be a member to get your loan. If you've served in the military or work at qualifying associations or organizations, you'll qualify.

However, you have a pretty easy workaround if that doesn't apply. You can join by opening a savings account  with a $5 minimum deposit.

PenFed Personal Loan Review

Best Personal Loan for Fair Credit

Sofi personal loan.

SoFi personal loans have a minimum credit score requirement of 680, at the lower end of what's considered a good credit score. People with a good credit score will likely be able to get a good rate with SoFi, but borrowers with an excellent credit score may be able to get a lower rate with LightStream. 

Interest rates on these loans range by about 13 percentage points, making for a smaller range than offered by other companies. This means interest rates for borrowers with relatively lower credit scores can only go so high.

Look out for:  A relatively high minimum income for approval. According to loan comparison site Credible, less than 1% of borrowers approved for personal loans through SoFi have an income of less than $50,000 per year, and a majority make more than $100,000. 

SoFi Personal Loan Review

Best Personal Loan for Bad Credit

Avant personal loan.

Avant stands out as a lender that applicants with low credit scores can turn to for personal loans. Personal loans are generally offered to those with better credit scores. Avant offers personal loan options for borrowers with credit scores as low as 600. It has a lower limit than other lenders, with $35,000 as the maximum loan amount.

Look out for:  Administrative fees. Avant's personal loans carry up to 4.75% in administration fees with an undisclosed late fee and returned payment fee. Considering that many of the other loans on this list don't carry administrative fees, prepayment fees, or origination fees , Avant's fee is high. 

It's also worth noting that interest rates are high from this lender. While this is a good option for anyone with credit scores in the lower 600s, those with better credit could find better rates elsewhere. 

Avant Personal Loans Review

Best Personal Loan for Borrowers with Limited Credit History

Upstart personal loan.

Upstart differentiates itself from other personal loan lenders with its underwriting process, which is how it decides who gets a loan and how much to charge in interest. Like any lender, Upstart considers credit scores as part of the process. But it also considers employment history and education history, such as where you went to school and your area of study.

Look out for: Potentially high origination fees. Upstart's personal loans can have late fee of 5% or $15, whichever is greater. This can take a significant portion out of your overall loan proceeds. 

Upstart Personal Loan Review  

Best Personal Loan for Flexible Terms

Wells fargo personal loan.

Wells Fargo personal loans offer low interest rates, smaller minimum borrowing amounts, and shorter terms than many others. Wells Fargo offers loans between $3,000 to $100,000, for payoff terms as short as 12 months. Borrowers who want to get their debt under control quickly might find that Wells Fargo's personal loans are flexible enough to tackle debt consolidation. 

Look out for: It's worth noting Wells Fargo's history with data security and compliance. The bank has faced several federal penalties for improper customer referrals to lending and insurance products, and security issues associated with creating fake accounts several years ago. 

Wells Fargo Personal Loans Review

How to Find the Best Personal Loans for Your Needs

What is a personal loan.

A personal loans is an installment loan . That means you borrow money and pay it back through monthly payments over a set period of time. Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning they don't require you to put down collateral.

Personal loans also usually come with fixed interest rates. Interest rates for unsecured personal loans are determined largely by your credit score. The higher your credit score, the better your chances of getting the lowest available personal loan interest rates .

Where to Secure the Best Personal Loan Offers

You can get a personal loan through three types of lenders:

Online Lenders 

Online lenders can provide convenience and offer competitive rates. They typically offer a streamlined qualification and application process, allowing borrowers to apply and receive funds entirely online. Online lenders frequently cater to borrowers with a wide range of credit scores.

Banks are the traditional sources of personal loans with established reputations and familiarity. You can visit a local branch to discuss loan options and receive personalized assistance. Some banks offer perks including discounts for existing customers.

Credit Unions

Credit unions are member-owned financial institutions. They often offer better rates and fees compared to banks, for members in good standing. Credit unions can also be more flexible in their lending criteria for borrowers with lower credit scores. Interest rates for credit union personal loans are capped at 18% by the National Credit Union Administration. 

Personal Loan Lender Trustworthiness

Whether you're interested in taking out a  $5,000 loan  or a  $40,000 loan , finding the right provider can help with your loan approval experience. The Better Business Bureau, a non-profit organization focused on consumer protection and trust, evaluates businesses using factors like their responsiveness to consumer complaints, honesty in advertising, and clarity about business practices. Here is each company's score:

All of our top picks, minus Wells Fargo, are rated A or higher by the BBB. Keep in mind that a high BBB score does not ensure a positive relationship with a lender, and that you should keep doing research and talking to others who have used the company to get the most comprehensive information possible. 

The BBB gives Wells Fargo an F rating because of the business' failure to respond to 24 complaints and government actions against the business. Most recently, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in December 2022 ordered Wells Fargo to return $2 billion to customers and pay a $1.7 billion penalty for legal violations involving auto loans, mortgages, and deposit accounts. The bank illegally charged fees and interest penalties on auto and mortgage loans. Additionally, it misapplied payments to those loans for many customers. 

If this history makes you uncomfortable, you may consider using one of the other personal loan lenders on our list.

How to Choose the Best Personal Loan

To pick the best lender for you, take stock of the factors that are most important to you. Many borrowers zero in the lowest interest rate. But be sure to also look at any fees, the minimum credit score needed, and the accessibility of the lender's customer service before you apply for personal loans.

Also look at the different types of lenders you may borrow with. Some people may feel comfortable with an online lender, while others may prefer a credit union or bank. You'll also want to make sure you're able to select a term length that works for you and that your loan's purpose is allowed by the lender you choose.

Guides like this one will help you compare multiple lenders in the same place to weigh their pros and cons. Keep in mind that you should also read individual reviews of any lenders you're considering. 

Best Personal Loan FAQs

Can i have more than one personal loan.

In theory, you can have an unlimited number of personal loans. But the total number you'll actually be able to get will depend on how many you can qualify for. Your chances of qualifying for a loan will decrease with each loan you take out as your debt-to-income ratio increases.

You can usually get access to personal loan funds relatively quickly. Online lenders may offer same-day or next-day funding. Some banks might take a few days.

You generally do not need collateral for a personal loan. Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning you don't risk losing an asset if you default.

Most lenders have a broad range of allowable usages for the money but might have exclusions, such as not using it for investing or paying tuition.

Smaller lenders like local credit unions can often offer much lower interest rates than bigger banks and tend to be more flexible about credit requirements. It might be worth checking on their rates and terms as part of your research when you're looking for personal loans near you.

The average personal loan rate is about 12%, so a good rate would be anything below that. You'll have the best chance of getting a lower rate if you have a high credit score.

Why You Should Trust Us: Our Experts for the Best Personal Loans

We consulted personal loan and financial experts to give their insights into finding the best loan companies for your needs.

• Markia Brown, certified financial education instructor and registered financial associate at Money Plug, LLC
• Ryan Wangman, former loans reporter at Personal Finance Insider

Our Experts' Advice for Choosing the Best Personal Loan

How does the interest rate on a personal loan affect how much i pay.

Markia Brown:

"The interest rate on a personal loan is the price you pay for borrowing the loan. This rate can make a massive difference in the total amount paid over time, so ensuring you have the lowest interest rate available saves you money!"

Ryan Wangman:

"Depending on the interest rate you're charged, you could end up paying hundreds or thousands of dollars more than a borrower with better credit who takes out a similar amount of money."

If someone wants to get a lower interest rate but doesn't currently qualify for one, what should they do?

Markia Brown: 

"The first step is to pull a copy of your credit report from TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. All you have to do is go to www.annualcreditreport.com .

After you pull your credit reports, go through them to identify what could be holding you back from qualifying for a better rate. Some of the information on your credit report is used to generate your credit score, which is used when determining if you qualify for a loan and what your interest rate should be. The five sections used to calculate your credit score are your payment history, credit utilization, length of payment history, mix of accounts, and new accounts or inquiries."

"The best way to get a lower rate is to improve your credit history. You can do so by making on time, reliable payments and managing the amount of debt you take out compared to your overall limit."

What Determines the 'Best' Personal Loan?

There's no one-size-fits all best personal loan for all borrowers. However, there are key features to focus on when making a decision. The most important are:

Competitive Interest Rates

APRs on personal loans can vary widely from one lender to another. The interest rate on your determines how much you'll ultimately repay. Even a relatively small difference in the interest rate can add thousands of dollars over the life of your loan.

Flexible Terms

The term of a personal loan, or the period of time you have to repay it, determines how high or low your monthly payment will be. A longer the term will mean a lower the payment, but you'll pay in total interest. A shorter the term will come with a higher payment and ultimately less overall interest. The best personal loan lenders offer a wide range of terms to choose from.

How We Rate Personal Loans

We rate all personal loan products in our reviews and guides on a 1-5 scale. The overall rating is a weighted average that takes into account seven different categories, some of which are judged more heavily than others. They are:

• Interest rate (20% of rating)
• Fees (20% of rating)
• Term lengths and loan amounts (15% of rating)
• Funding speed (15% of rating)
• Borrower accessibility (15% of rating)
• Customer support (7.5% of rating)
• Ethics (7.5% of rating)

Each category's weighting is based on its importance to your borrowing experience. Rates and fees have the most direct impact on the overall cost of your loan, so we weigh those the most heavily. Customer support and ethics are still very important parts of the borrowing experience, but do not directly tie to a personal loan's terms, so they have less of an impact on the overall rating. 

See our full ratings methodology for personal loans »

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Night in Venice Boat Parade Expected to Draw 100,000 Spectators

By MADDY VITALE

A “robust” safety plan is in place for the Night in Venice boat parade, which is expected to attract 100,000 spectators to the bayfront to enjoy house parties and watch Ocean City’s premier summer event.

The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

NIV Chairman Dave Winslow, who is also an Ocean City councilman, said the blockbuster annual tradition, now in its 69th year, is a spectacular time for families.

“This year, we have a robust safety plan that we will go through in detail with every boat captain. We set up a good communication system. If there are any changes, we will text them with the changes, if they have to pull over real quickly,” Winslow noted of any weather-related threats.

A lightning storm during last year’s Night in Venice forced boaters in for safety until it passed. Winslow said, like every year, officials consult with a meteorologist to give the current weather conditions.

“Every year, we try to make some improvements and do some things a little bit differently,” he said. “We had a safety plan last year. We had that thunderstorm that blew through.”

On Friday, Winslow will hold a meeting with the boat captains.

“Saturday night before the parade we will go through everything in detail,” he said.

Winslow said the U.S. Coast Guard, the New Jersey State Police Marine Police, a number of surrounding police departments and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary are among the agencies that will help make sure “people respect the parade participants.”

“Logistically, we have a lot of law enforcement on the waterfront this year,” he said. “We are focusing on safety, especially water safety. You can’t have fun unless you feel safe.”

The theme for this year’s event is “Summertime Vibes: A Tribute to Jimmy Buffett,” to honor the memory of the legendary musician whose career spanned 50 years. Buffett passed away last September.

There will be around 100 boats in the parade and 175 homes will be decorated, officials said.

ESPN reporter and host Marty Smith will be grand marshal. Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham and his family will be special guests and will appear in the boat parade.

Winslow, who has been involved with the parade since 1983, except for some time away from organizing the event to devote to family and his career, said planning for the 2025 Night in Venice will start almost immediately.

“In August, we will have a de-briefing meeting and say what went well and in January we will have a planning meeting where we go over themes. Then we will meet monthly and once Memorial Day weekend comes, the planning will really heat up.”

Free shuttle transportation will be available and free grandstands will be set up at street ends along the route.

The viewing area at Bayside Center will include a picnic spot and snack stand, face-painting, a DJ, and bleacher seating. Ticket prices will be $6 for children (12 and under) and $10 for adults (with service fees included). Fireworks are planned as the grand finale to the annual celebration.

Spectators can watch the boat parade along the bayfront from Bayside Center and street ends. Many families enjoy the parade from private house parties. The route runs from the Ocean City-Longport Bridge to Tennessee Avenue.

A fireworks display will light up the bay and cap off the festivities after the parade is complete.

For more information, go to  www.ocnj.us/niv or call 609-399-6111.

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Politics latest: COBRA meetings held over widespread IT outages; Zelenskyy makes historic visit to No 10

Urgent COBRA meetings have been held over IT outages, Sky News understands. Ukraine's president has made an historic visit to No 10.

Friday 19 July 2024 15:11, UK

• General Election 2024

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• COBRA meetings held over IT outage
• Zelenskyy leaves Downing Street after meeting with Starmer
• What are the 'dark fleets' that are set to be banned?
• Death in the Channel two nights in a row
• Beth Rigby : Starmer's reset with Europe is on
• Jon Craig : Tory MPs win 1922 tug of war on timeline to replace Sunak
• Live reporting by Tim Baker

That's it for today.

We're wrapping up our live coverage in the Politics Hub for today. 

Be sure to join us for Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips for big hitting interviews this weekend.

Several arrests have been made following the rioting in Leeds which saw a double-decker bus set on fire, a police car overturned, rocks thrown and residents told to stay indoors.

In a statement on Friday, West Yorkshire Police said "several arrests were made in relation to the disorder and further arrests will be made over the next few days".

The force added: "There has understandably been a great deal of speculation, commentary and concern following the disorder in Harehills, Leeds, overnight.

"Our officers responded to a call from Children's Social Care at around 5pm yesterday (Thursday 18 July) after social workers reported being met with hostility when dealing with a child protection matter.

"Responding officers were attacked and helped Children's Social Care staff withdraw to a place of safety.

"As the disorder escalated, damage was caused to vehicles and several fires set.

"We continually assessed the situation and took the decision to deploy specialist public order officers who then came under a barrage of bricks and missiles from a large group." 

Sir Keir Starmer has condemned the "shocking and disgraceful" rioting in Leeds as he gave his full support to police in "taking the strongest possible action" against the troublemakers.

You can read more here:

We've now had a statement from Wes Streeting, the health secretary. 

There has been widespread reports of difficulties with GP services across the country.

Mr Streeting said: "This is having a particular impact on GP appointments and electronic prescribing.

"Please bear with your local GPs if they're grappling with this on top of normal pressures.

"My department is working closely with colleagues across government."

Earlier today, we reported on the news the UK had restarted funding for UNRWA, the UN body which provides aid to Palestinians.

Aid was suspended in January following claims members of the body had participated in the 7 October attacks.

Speaking to Sky News, Israel government spokesperson David Mencer said: "UNRWA we know has just been funnelling money. That's the long and the short of it. 

"They've been funnelling money and supporting Hamas. 

"We've provided all this evidence, internationally, to the government of the UK as well. 

"It's a big mistake."

A UN investigation into UNRWA is yet to report, and the UK is not the first country to restore funding with the body.

We've been hearing a bit more about President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's historic meeting with the UK cabinet.

He used it to ask the UK government and Sir Keir Starmer to "show your leadership" and allow Ukraine to target sites in Russia using UK weapons.

"We are still missing the main answer to this question," Mr Zelenskyy told the meeting.

"I ask you to show your leadership in this and please convince other partners to remove the limits."

Ukraine has said lifting restrictions on Western weapons – including British Storm Shadow missiles – to strike deep into Russian territory is key to its efforts in the war.

The UK has avoided backing such a move, saying it is a matter for Kyiv how it chooses to deploy its resources, as long as international law is upheld.

Speaking after the visit, Downing Street said there was "no change to our position" on weapons.

Former foreign secretary Lord David Cameron previously said it was Ukraine's decision on how to use the supplied equipment , and Kyiv "absolutely has the right" to strike back.

By Deborah Haynes , security and defence editor

A multibillion-pound programme to build the UK's future flagship fighter jet in partnership with Japan and Italy could be at risk in a sweeping review of defence.

Luke Pollard, the armed forces minister, called the project "really important" but said it would not be right for him to prejudice the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) by setting out in a speech which pieces of military kit are required to fight future wars.

It left open the possibility that the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) - a vital piece of work for British defence industry giant BAE Systems - could be vulnerable should the review decide that committing limited funds to a project that will only deliver new aircraft in the next decade is not the best way to deter a more immediate threat of war with Russia.

At the same time, though, the architects of the review will need to balance countering current threats against the importance of investing in sovereign aircraft manufacturing skills as well as the economic benefits of the GCAP programme, which already supports thousands of jobs.

The lack of a guarantee by the minister that the future of the UK-Japan-Italy warplane venture is secure came despite the project being strongly endorsed in the previous government's "refreshed" defence review, which was published only last year.

The UK's planned GCAP fast jet - known as Tempest - is set to be a sixth-generation stealth aircraft, equipped with advanced weapons and radars, with the ability to fly at supersonic speeds in a step up from the F-35 warplane.

As we reported earlier, there was an emergency COBRA meeting this morning about the tech outages around the world.

We now know the meeting included civil servants, but not ministers.

And a Downing Street spokesperson said they were not aware of any plans for democratically elected representatives to have a meeting at COBRA on the subject.

Asked why the prime minister did not attend the meeting, they said: "The prime minister had bilaterals with President Zelenskyy and cabinet this morning, but all ministers including the prime minister are being kept informed with the latest."

By Jennifer Scott , political reporter

The number of people arriving in the UK via small boat Channel crossings this year has now passed 15,000, the government has confirmed.

A total of 317 people made the dangerous journey across six boats on Thursday, bringing 2024's total so far to 15,076.

The number is higher than the figure for the same date in 2023, where the total had reached 14,071.

But it is still lower than the record-breaking year of 2022, where it had reached 15,314 by this date.

It comes after another person died overnight when their boat, crowded with 86 people, got into trouble in the Channel.

And it also follows fresh commitments from the new government on how it plans to tackle illegal migration.

Read the full story here: 

Earlier, the Liberal Democrats were calling for a COBRA meeting.

This stands for Cabinet Office Briefing Room A - a set of rooms where government meets during emergencies.

Sky News understands such meetings have taken place - but only insofar as them being in one of the COBRA rooms.

Meetings were at an official level - it is not clear if ministers were present.

Following the huge amount of disruption due to the ongoing global IT outages, the UK government has issued a statement through X.

Sky News has contacted government departments to ask whether systems like the NHS and Universal Credit are working, but has not received a response outside posts on social media.

Pat McFadden, the chief secretary to the Treasury, said: "Many people are being affected by today's IT outages impacting services across the country and globally.

"Ministers are working with their sectors and respective industries on the issue.

"I am in close contact with teams coordinating our response through the COBRA response system."

COBRA refers to Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms - and refers to the meeting rooms used to manage crises.

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said on social media: "We are aware of IT failures impacting several transport operators and terminals today, and we're working at pace with industry and across government on the issue.

"There are no known security issues at present.

"If you're planning to travel today, please follow operator advice and check ahead before leaving.

"Manual check-in may be required at airports and there may be train cancellations and delays."

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