Catalina 350
The 350 follows the lead of the successful 310, with well-designed space in the saloon, and more comfort for fewer crew. Our test sail was slow, partly due to a battenless main.
Gemini 105Mc
This is the third version of an already thoughtful design that Tony Smith has been tweaking for years. It's a spacious, stable platform for a fast-cruising couple.
Soverel 33
With a jumbo sailplan and racing pedigree, this boat owns the light air. And it can be cruised a bit.
Three Big-Three 30s
The Beneteau 311, Catalina 310, and Hunter 326 represent what could be called 'entry-level' cruising boats from the major makers, and here's how they could be compared...
Com-Pac 35
Com-Pac Yachts is a Florida builder with a particularly interesting history. The company was formed back in 1957 by W. L. "Hutch" Hutchins, Sr., an entrepreneurial tool-and-die maker who operated a metal-stamping and fabrication shop in St. Louis.
Express 34, Hobie 33, Olson 34
Three of the ‘best from the west,’ these performance sloops have been out of production for 15 years but are still hot because they’re fast and built well enough for blue-water sailing.
Freedom 35
Production of this Dave Pedrick design started in 1993 and continues today. An optional package for traditional headsails is a departure from Freedom’s self-tending legacy.
Wauquiez Pretorien 35
This well-made French cruiser has a fairly contemporary underbody and is strong enough to venture offshore. Finding one is the problem.
Hunter 320
A good looking mid-size cruiser that beginners will find comfortable and forgiving.
Hunter 310
This innovative family boat typifies Hunter’s design philosophy with its B&R rig, radar arch, circular cockpit and good value, but owners cite numerous niggling problems.
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.