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...
Cabo Rico 38: Used Boat Survey
This woody, seaworthy Crealock design has proved a good investment over the years.
Saga 43
This Bob Perry design is a strong amalgam of shapes and functions, all serving real cruising needs.
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43
A company as powerful as Jeanneau can build a big production boat of a quality comparable to custom boats costing much more. The Sun Odyssey 43 fits this description.
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.
Columbia 9.6
This late '70s coastal cruiser is somewhat plain but structurally sturdy.
Catalina 36 MK II
This recent update of this extraordinarily popular 18-year-old Catalina 36 MK II design is a good all-around boat. Owners’ main complaint is with interior woodwork.
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.
Tanzer 22
We originally reviewed the Tanzer 22 in the December 1, 1981 issue, but a friend of ours did such a good job restoring the 25-year-old T-22 he inherited from his father that we decided to take a second look.
This Hidden Part Keeps Your Sailboat From Sinking
Your sailboat has a hidden hole below the waterline, and the stuffing box, shaft seal, or saildrive is what keeps that hole from becoming...
Latest Sailboat Reviews
Pearson Rhodes 41/Rhodes Bounty II Used Sailboat Review
Buyers looking for a good used sailboat should ask themselves, When is a bargain really a bargain? The time-tested Pearson Rhodes 41 is one of the most popular boats on the used-boat market. They have a strong following, and an aging Pearson 41 with a previous owners accumulated TLC is one of the smartest buys among used boats. The Pearson 41 is a modest draft sailboat with a lean, long overhang and real sea berths. It features a solid fiberglass hull with encapsulated lead ballast. The low-aspect sailplan, which relies on a big genoa to boost horsepower. The Pearson 41 has an easy motion and enough functional space to qualify as a good inshore or offshore cruiser. It makes an excellent DIY candidate. Most of the 50 Pearson Rhodes 41s, built from 1961 to 1968, are still around today and have a cult following, making it one of the most sought-after used boats.
