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The $100K Cruiser Showdown: How the Catalina 380 Stacks Up

Are you in the market for a 35 to 40 foot sailboat under $100,000? Are you considering a Catalina 380? Have you seen a...
Up-close view of the hatch of an all-GRP boat being made from molds in Bretagne, France. (Photo/ Angie Richard)

Rethinking Sailboat Structure

When it comes to describing a sailboats most valuable attribute, its surprising how varied opinions can be. Staying afloat should be our first priority, and although you seldom read or hear much about it at boat shows, the structural elements that hold a sailboat together are an all-important consideration.
The Sun Odyssey 32's tiller steering is a notable feature for a 32-ft. cruising boat. It allows for easy movement forward and aft in the cockpit and the ability to lift the tiller completely out of the way when the boat is at rest. This opens the cockpit entirely—a trade-off for the loss of a central pedestal that would otherwise house instruments and controls. Courtesy of Yachts.co

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32 Used Boat Review

The Sun Odyssey 32 and Sun Fast 32i are two versions of the same boat, designed by Philippe Briand. The attractive combination may well capture a good share of the market in this size slot.
The Bill Shaw-designed Pearson 30 is a masthead sloop that entered production in 1971. The design became popular as both a family cruiser and performance daysailer. Courtesy of YachtWorld.com

Pearson 30 Used Boat Review

The Pearson 30 was designed as a family cruiser and daysailer with a good turn of speed. The boat is actively raced throughout the country, however, with some holding IOR certificates, and many more racing in PHRF, MORC, and one-design fleets.
The companionway and main cabin entrance showcases classic teak joinery throughout, with abundant storage lockers, a spacious galley to starboard, and traditional teak-and-holly sole. The deep companionway sill provides a secure threshold for offshore passages. Courtesy of SailboatListings.com

Morgan 41 Used Boat Review

The Morgan 41 sloop is arguably one of the best looking of many lovely dual-purpose sailboats that the Cruising Club of America handicap rating system engendered. One owner described his boat as a Bermuda 40 for a regular Joe, only prettier. Designer Charley Morgan traces the cruiser-racers heritage, particularly below the waterline, back to Olin Stephens famous Finisterre, and Comanche, a 40-foot centerboarder built by Wirth Munroe, son of famed sharpie designer and South Florida pioneer Commodore Ralph Munroe.
The freestanding 62-ft. carbon fiber mast eliminates the rigging maintenance typical of stayed rigs, with the thicker aerodynamic profile engineered to flex under load like an aircraft wing—spilling wind in gusts and providing stability without shrouds or stays. Photo courtesy of YachtWorld.com

Freedom 45 CC Used Boat Review

When I received a message about surveying a 1989 Freedom 45CC, I knew there was something unique about this sailboat, but I couldn’t remember...
Bristol's mahogany interior provides a lighter, brighter alternative to traditional teak joinery. The built-up construction allowed multiple layout options during the 20-year production run. Courtesy of YachtWorld.com

Bristol 39/40 Used Boat Review

The Bristol 39 and Bristol 40 are basically the same boat, even though the specifications state that the Bristol 40 is nearly a foot longer than the Bristol 39. If you like traditional yachts, you'll find the Bristol 40 appealing. The boat has the long overhangs, lovely sheerline, low freeboard, narrow cabin trunk, undistorted hull shape, and narrow beam we associate with the beautiful yachts of the past. The trade-off for these traditional good looks is a boat with a small interior compared to today's 40-footers.
Inside Catalina Yachts’ factory in Largo, FL, in 2007. (Photo/ Catalina 36/375 International Association)

Is U.S. Sailboat Manufacturing Facing Extinction?

2025 has not been a good year for U.S. sailboat manufacturing. Com Pac Yachts closed its doors in May and, as explained in this...
Hinckley's distinctive hull-to-deck joint—bedded on wet mat and capped with a bolted toerail—has proven remarkably effective at preventing the leaks that plagued many fiberglass boats of the era. Courtesy of YachtWorld.com

Hinckley Pilot 35 Used Boat Review

This Sparkman & Stephens classic, built for a dozen years in fiberglass (and built to take it), has kept its value and a fervent following.
The main saloon offers 6-ft. 6-in. headroom with teak cabinetry, solid wood handrails, and settees that seat six around a 36-in. x 42-in. dining table. The low-maintenance Everwear laminate sole replaced traditional teak and holly. Courtesy of YachtWorld.com

Hunter 38 Used Boat Review

Hunter's newest midsize offering combines performance and the company's historic attention to comfort. It's faster on paper than comparable boats, and priced to sell.

Has Fountaine Pajot Broken the 44 Foot Catamaran Market

Is the Fountaine Pajot 44 really one of the cheapest ways to buy a brand-new 44-foot cruising catamaran… and if so, what’s the catch?...

Latest Sailboat Review

Moody 46 CC Used Boat Review

Comfort, robustness, performance—choose two. At least, that’s the usual tradeoff to keep in mind when buying a sailboat. A stout and solid boat with...