Sailboat Reviews

Photo courtesy of Yacht World.

Ranger 33 Used Boat Review

The Ranger Yacht division of Jensen Marine was created in 1969 to build performance-oriented boats designed by Gary Mull. Jensen's Cal division had been successful with both racer/cruisers and pure cruisers, but the Ranger line was racier, with consistent styling and appearance throughout the series. Ranger stopped building the 33 in 1978, after 464 boats had been turned out. Many minor changes were made over the years of production, and boats built after 1974 are generally more desirable, with restyled interiors and a diesel engine option.
Half of the Challenged Sailors San Diego Martin 16 fleet on the San Diego Bay. (Photo/ Steven Vitela)

Martin 16 Used Boat Review

The Martin 16 is designed for adaptive sailing so people with disabilities can easily control sails and steering. It is an excellent choice for...

MacGregor 26M Used Boat Review

MacGregor 26 has been a staple in the trailerable sailboat market for decades, and company literature claimed more than 7,000 of the original model...

Vancouver 27 Used Boat Review

I was single handed on our Islander Bahama 30 on a spectacular fall afternoon, white caps dancing on the blue waters of Plumper Sound...

Pearson Alberg 35 Used Boat Review

While the Alberg 35 had moderate success as a racer, the boat was--and still is--a cruising boat. By current standards, the Alberg 35 is a slow boat for her length overall, with a typical PHRF rating of 198. By way of comparison, her replacement, the Pearson 35, rates about 174, and the Ericson 35-2 about 150.

Catalina 42 Mk I and Mk II

One of the most successful large boats ever built, the Catalina 42 offers good looks, comfortable accommodations, and decent sailing ability at a low price.

Beneteau First 42s7 Used Boat Review

The 42s7 is a boat that will flee before a storm, claw off a lee shore, and provide crew comfort above and belowdecks.
If you're looking for a roomy coastal cruiser and tend on the taller side, the Pearson 303's offers a solid build and 6-ft. 3-in. headroom. Photo courtesy of Sailboatlistings.com.

Pearson 303 Used Boat Review

The Pearson 303 is a big 30-footer, intended for safe coastal cruising. She admirably succeeds in doing what she was designed to do. The only risk accrues to those who mistake her for something she is not -- an offshore, passage-making boat. While it’s easy to overlook the Pearson 303 as another member of a fleet that looks depressingly similar and lacking in pizzazz, the 303 is a wholesome family cruiser with a workable, traditional interior, acceptable performance and above average construction. Hey, what’s not to like?
With 6-ft. headspace in the cabin, this family cruiser is well-suited for lakes and coastal adventures. (Photo courtesy of PopSells.com)

Grampian 26 Used Boat Review

The first fiberglass auxiliary sailboats were built in the late 1950s. The burgeoning industry reached full bloom in the early 1970s, but the 1960s saw a rapid increase in the number of builders hoping to cash in on the new miracle material of fiberglass. No seams, no rot, no water absorption...or so we thought. Still, the claims were largely accurate, and even though the ad agencies were quick with hyperbole, the public bought it. By 1961, a handful of European builders were also working with woven glass fibers and polyester resin, laying up hulls in female molds. In Canada, one of the first was Grampian Marine Limited of Oakville, Ontario.

Beneteau First 375 Used Boat Review

A Mexican vacation with her husband had Debbie Bulk dreaming of a better way to see local village life, away from the regular tourist...

Lagoon 55 – The Perfect Charter Boat for Your Caribbean Vacation

Looking for the ultimate sailing vacation in the Caribbean? Step aboard the Lagoon 55, a modern catamaran that combines luxury, comfort, and performance—making it...

Latest Sailboat Review

Lagoon 380 Used Boat Review

With over 35 years of bareboat chartering experience, I can honestly say, without any reservations, that when you’re more than one couple, a catamaran...