Alerion Express 38
A gentleman’s cruiser that’s easy to single-hand, great to look at, well-built, but a bit small for long-term voyaging.
Sabre 362
The smallest Sabre is a performance cruiser with an all-wood interior. It’s done well in some ocean races, though it’s too heavy to be flat-out fast.
Buccaneer 295 and 305
From powerboat builder Bayliner, these two boats are very different in design and very similar in construction. The 295 is an outdated IOR design and the 305 a high-sided, shoal draft cruiser that makes too much leeway.
Pearson 26
A 1970's racer/cruiser that makes a fine, economical boat despite a few problems.
Corsair F-24 MK II
This little sister to the F-27 folding trimaran is flat out fast and well built, but compared to a monohull (and you’ve heard this before), expensive and cramped down below.
Freedom 32
An easy-to-sail sloop, this Freedom 32 with a fair turn of speed, beamy accommodations and surprising offshore capability.
Maine Cat 30
This cruising catamaran features open living on the bridge deck, above average performance and low maintenance.
Ranger 26
This late 60’s/early 70’s IOR and MORC racer/cruiser was a hot boat in its day, and it still acquits itself reasonably well. But lightweight construction limits the 26’s suitability for offshore.
C&C Express 110
The first new C&C since the acquisition of the C&C name by Tartan, the 110 is available with a surprising number of keel and rigging choices. She’s fast and fun to sail, but as a cruiser her stowage comes up short.
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37
This French cruiser has a nice all-wood interior, but a small sail plan for coastal US waters.
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.