If any drama serial embodied the ethos of the 80s, it was Howards' Way. Watched by 14 million viewers, it ran for six years. In this nostalgia-fest, stars Jan Harvey and Stephen Yardley discuss its success - and why, sensibly, it was decided not to call it The Boat Builders.

Tom Howard, along with son Leo and daughter Lyn, celebrate their success in the prestigious Commadore Cup but when Tom reveals he has been made redundant from Southern Aviation, none of his family is too happy. Jack Rolf is concerned that his business, The Mermaid Boat Yard, is about to go bankrupt. Tom discusses his problems with Avril Rolf and considers investing his redundancy in the Boat Yard.

Ken Masters is interested in taking over the Mermaid Yard. He employs Leo Howard at the local pertol station and is eager to employ Jan. Meanwhile, Jan and Tom argue incessantly about how he should spend his redundancy money. Polly Urquhart's daughter Abby returns from finishing school but she has not turned out how the Urquhart's expected. Avril tries to prevent Tom from making a foolish investment. In order to raise more capital, Tom asks Avril to find a buyer for the Flying Fish.

Tom confesses to his family that he has invested in the Mermaid Boat Yard and his family is livid about the sale of the Flying Fish. Abby finds settling into the Tarrant social scene rather a challenge. Tom begins work at the Boat Yard where Avril remains coy about the buyer of his boat. Jan’s mother, Kate, encourages her to accept Ken’s offer of work. A distressed Abby takes some drastic action.

Leo acts like a hero. Jack has reservations about Tom’s approach to the Mermaid Yard and Avril is caught in the crossfire. Abby’s relationship with her mother continues to be a difficult one. Tom and Jan have a frank discussion about the state of their marriage when Jan finds herself preoccupied with her job at Ken Master’s company. Lynne expresses an interest in participating in the impending Fast-Net boat race and Philip Morton is looking for some crewmembers.

Avril and Jack continue to disagree over the future of the Yard and Tom's role in the decision making. Jan offers Ken some business advice over dinner, much to Tom's annoyance. Leo takes a shine to Avril but Abby feels left out in the cold. Kate rescues Jack from a ditch and they have a heart to heart about business and family matters. Lyn and Tom sail the Flying Fish for one last time.

Abby secretly leaves for Southamptom leaving all in Tarrant mystified. Lyn is perturbed by Phil Norton's agenda and blows her chance of crewing for him. Charles Frere shows an interest in developing the marina. Ken uses his knowledge of who really bought the Flying Fish to drive Tom and Jan further apart.

Over dinner with Tom, Avril confesses to buying the Flying Fish. Polly encounters Charles at a gallery opening but does not get the reception she desires. She later admits to Jan that Gerald is not Abby's father. Ken continues to cause friction between Tom and Jan. Charles expresses an interest in purchasing the Mermaid Yard and saving it from financial ruin. When he pays Avril a visit, the true nature of their past relationship emerges. Tom comforts Avril following her unexpected encounter with Charles.

Charles and Ken come to gentleman's agreement about the planned marina. Jack turns to drink when the yard loses the German business contract and the bank threatens to foreclose on on the loan. Charles talks with Avril about purchasing the yard. When Tom wants to re-mortgage their home, Jan turns him down flat. Meanwhile, Ken offers Jan a helping hand and Leo finds Abby. Jack is outraged, yet again, by Tom and Avril's decisions about how to run the yard.

Charles enlists Gerald's help in his plans to develop the marina. Tom and Jan come to a financial agreement even though their marriage is over. Leo is determined to help Abby and her unborn baby. A mysterious man, Richard Shellet, claims to have a genuine claim over the Mermaid Yard. Jan travels to London where she meets fashion photographer Claude Dupont. Lyn has great success in the Fast Net race and Ken naively agrees to go into partnership with Charles.

Tom and Avril's first night together is interrupted by a boating accident. When it emerges that the boat was recently serviced by the Mermaid Yard, there are criminal charges to answer. Leo becomes suspicious of his father's relationship with Avril. Jan is angered when Ken tells her what has been going on. Richard Skellet pursues his claim on the Mermaid Yard and it emerges he has a backer with a vested interest in gaining ownership of the yard.

The legal battle between Jack and Skellet over the Mermaid Yard hots up. Tom adapts his boat designs to appease Jack while Charles and Ken's plans for the marina development forge ahead. Charles seduces Lyn and learns of Tom and Avril's affair. Jan receives a business offer from Claude Dupont and a personal offer from Ken. Kate invests in a racehorse. Polly interferes in her absent daughter's life.

There is descent at the Boat Yard because Tom, Avril and Jack are all too preoccupied elsewhere. Jan and Ken celebrate the opening of their new business venture, the Periplus Boutiquie. Shellet is happy to receive payment from Charles as they await the outcome of the legal action. Tom and Avril get support over his latest design from Relton. Charles and Lyn spend time together but she has doubts about his sincerity. Polly and Abby come to blows with potentially fatal consequences.

Relton Marine is apprehensive about investing in the Boat Yard's latest project. Lyn's altered behaviour causes Tom and Jan some concern. As Charles waits for his American wife to arrive, news of his past relationship with Polly becomes public knowldge. Abby gives birth but her relationship with her own mother continues to be problematic. Tom and Jan agree to a divorce and Relton makes Avril a lucrative offer. When Lyn finds Charles in a compromising position, disaster strikes.

Whilst the mermaid celebrated another successful launch, its future hangs in the balance at a London court. The mysterious disappearance of lovelorn Lynne causes panic.

Brittle Polly Urquhart is delighted by the arrival of American stud Orin. Lynne's amnesia leaves her living in a world of strangers and news from France threatens Tarrant's bourgeoning fashion scene.

Environmentalist Leo comes to blows with creepy Ken Masters over the development of a local beauty spot. Patriarch Tom resorts to desperate measures to hep Lynne.

As leather-clad Leo mourns for the birds, Mr Shellet plots a dangerous revenge. Ken's ambivalence towards Claude's designs enrages dazzling Jan and silver fox Charles puts a scheme in motion.

Lynne’s transatlantic venture drives a wedge between Tom and Jan. Resistance to the marina development gathers momentum and Jack delivers Shellet an ultimatum. 

There’s concern across Tarrant as Lynne disappears from radar. Abby’s mothering abilities are called into question and the press get wind of swanky Charles’s plans… 

Ken’s cloak-and-dagger attempts to frighten Leo don’t have the required results. An opinionated visitor forces an impossible decision on Abby and an affectionate gesture from Tom emphasises Jack’s increasing distance from the yard. 

Polly’s revelation leaves fertile Charles in a quandary. Jack’s behaviour causes concern at home and the boatyard, forcing wily Avril into a boardroom decision. 

The old firm is back in business, Bill!” Gerald forces a reconciliation with Charles. Abby’s involvement in the local environmental group causes concern for Leo and Jack agrees to a controversial commission. 

Oh, happy day! France and Britain are joined in matrimony. Charles’ interests in the Mermaid ruffle feathers in the boardrooms of London and Abby confuses politics with desire. 

Abby is seduced by the icy blue eyes of sexy but dangerous fanatic Curtis Jaeger. Leo and Jan come to blows and Tom is left reeling by Avril’s cold and concrete business heart. 

Darling Jan proves she’s as wonderful a daughter as she is a mother and lover. Charles finally gains control of the boatyard, but is it just business he’s after? What future is there for the Mermaid when tragedy strikes the Lynnette? 

Charles and Abby come to a resolution. Claude’s designs dazzle the London Fashion Show, but hearts break and blood is spilt on the beaches and blouses of Tarrant.