Najad 380
A well-built center-cockpit model from Scandinavia offers offshore potential and some nice frills— at a hefty price.
Southerly 110
Beachable yet able to navigate open-ocean waters, this swing-keel vessel offers versatility, if not a lot of horsepower.
Columbia 30
The new Sport Sailer from Columbia Yachts is an avowed attempt to bridge the gap between performance cruisers and purpose-built racers.
Norseboat 17.5
This versatile daysailer combines traditional aesthetics with contemporary construction. The downside? A proper jib would make for better tacking.
Beneteau’s New 343
A revamp of the 331, this midsize Beneteau's New 343 cruiser has a plain-Jane mien coupled with adequate comfort and surprising performance.
Seaward 26 RK
By no means just a stretch version of Hake Yachts' 25-footer, this new craft features a retractable keel and sensible pricing options.
X-40
An established European builder offers a strong offshore performer with good looks, a few interesting twists, and only one or two minor flaws.
Centurion 40S
Known for strong construction and fast sailboats, Wauquiez presents a well-conceived cruiser-racer with comfort enough to match its performance.
Etap 37s
This Belgian-built sloop offers style and comfort—as well as a nice turn of speed—in an 'unsinkable' package, but its high freeboard and low lifelines give us pause.
Hunter 216
Trailerable and sporty, Hunter's new 21-footer is looking to garner market share.
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.