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The Union 36's U-shaped galley to port features a deep double sink, three-burner stove/oven, and meticulous teak joinery throughout. (Photo courtesy of YachtWorld.com)

Union 36 Used Boat Review

While not the best boat for light-air sailing, the Union 36 is a good sailboat for the bluewater cruiser. It wont get you there fast, but it will get you there comfortably and in one piece. The boats teak decks and lavish use of interior wood is attractive but requires much upkeep and maintenance. A product of the Taiwan-U.S. boatbuilding industry, the Union 36 is a heavy-displacement, full-keel, cutter-rigged double-ender designed for ocean sailing. The Union 36 is nearly identical to several other boats built during the same period: the Hans Christian 36, Mariner Polaris 36, and the EO36. According to well-known naval architect Bob Perry, the Union 36 and its cousins are all based on the design of a 34-footer that Perry was commissioned to create back in the early 70s.

Top 10 Practical Sailor YouTube Videos of 2025

The world of media and content creation is changing, largely driven by consumer consumption demands but also by ever-rising printing and mailing costs. In...

Irwin Citation 38 Used Boat Review

As the largest of the Citations, the Irwin Citation 38 is probably the best looking, handling the high-sidedness better than her smaller sisters. The boat has three windows set in the sheer stripe on each side, so they are not very noticeable. Like the other Citations it is distinctly modern-looking not pretty, but not ugly either.
The palatial master cabin beckons with light oak joinery and hanging storage that makes you forget you're on the water.(Photo courtesy of YachtWorld.com)

Jeanneau 65 Used Boat Review

From the drawing board of Philippe Briand, a renowned marine architect over the past four decades, comes the Jeanneau Yachts 65. This boat is...

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...
Pilot berths flanking extension settees create four sleeping berths, though the layout pushes furniture toward centerline—a tradeoff for the wide sidedecks that enhance safety. Courtesy of YachtWorld.com

Hinckley Bermuda 40 Used Boat Review

The Bermuda 40 is a centerboarder, and this is a major reason for its continuing appeal. If shoal draft is a requirement, as it often is in some areas of the U.S., one is forced to consider a centerboard design or, when available, a wing keel.
Clean, bright interiors with quality finishes characterize this well-maintained 2005 example. The Morgan 440's U-shaped salon seating and practical storage reflect Catalina's cruiser-oriented design philosophy. Photo courtesy of YachtWorld.com

Catalina Morgan 440 Used Boat Review

The Catalina Morgan 440 is a massive ocean-capable design from the drafting board of Gerry Douglas, a prolific designer for Catalina Yachts for over...
Common age-related issues to watch for during a pre-purchase survey include delamination in the balsa-cored decks and crazing around stanchion bases. The cockpit is deep and secure for offshore work, but the wheel pedestal’s position tight against the bridge deck can make viewing engine instruments difficult and complicates the installation of a modern chartplotter. Photo courtesy of YachtWorld.com

Alberg 37 Used Boat Review

Do you remember the August 1979 Fastnet Race when a worse-than-expected European windstorm wreaked havoc on the 303 yachts that started the biennial race?...

C&C Landfall 38 Used Boat Review

Unlike other C&Cs, whose interior and deck layouts are designed for racing as well as cruising, the Landfalls are geared toward cruising, with more comfort, a slightly higher degree of finish detail, and deck layout concessions to the cruising couple.

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...

Small Boat, Big Keel Why This 27 Footer Works

What makes a small sailboat truly seaworthy? In this video, we take a deep dive into the Pacific Seacraft Orion 27, a rugged, long-keel...

Latest Sailboat Review

Island Packet Estero Used Boat Review

Florida-based Island Packet targets a relatively narrow niche, so the toughest competitors to its new boats are often older Island Packets. Introduced in 2010, the 36-foot, shoal-draft Estero is the company’s latest attempt to introduce a distinctive model that doesn’t stray too far from the company’s proven formula for success: moderate displacement, full-keel cruisers designed to be lived on, sailed far and in comfort, and endure the bumps, scrapes, and storms that cruising boats inevitably encounter. After sailing the Estero on Florida’s Sarasota Bay and inspecting its interior, construction, and systems, Practical Sailor testers noted that the shoal-water cruiser will appeal strongest to Island Packet fans who’ve been waiting for a shoal-draft, easy-to-sail boat that compares to the IP37 in terms of interior space. These strengths will be most apparent on intracoastal or riverine adventures like the Great Loop.