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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...
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.

This “Bulletproof” Cruiser Has a Serious Weak Spot Caliber 40 LRC...

If you’re shopping for a serious cruising sailboat, the Caliber 40 LRC is often described as “bulletproof.” Heavy displacement, huge tankage, conservative construction, and...

Latest Sailboat Review

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.