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2020 March 6

Dufour 530

With customizable options galore, this cruiser will be comfortable for a crowd

By Robert H. Perry
The newest boat in the Dufour line is the 530 designed by Felci Yacht Design. When I review a new boat I look for some defining feature that sets it apart from the competition. In this case we have a
2020 March 1

Beneteau First 53

Beneteau brings back its First line of racer-cruisers with the launch of the powerful and beautiful flagship

By Greta Schanen
In the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s, Beneteau First cruiser-racers were winning regattas across the world. The popularity of multipurpose boats waned over the decades, with racing and cruising
2020 March 1

Acrona 345

This handsome design packs all you need for family cruising

By Robert H. Perry
This is the newest boat from the Arcona yard in Gustavsberg, Sweden. I think it is the perfect size for family cruising. Nothing is overwhelming. Space is tight but you can get everything you need in
2020 February 1

Catalina 545

This large family cruiser has all the bells and whistles for Catalina fans

By Robert H. Perry
I received a very nice design package from Gerry Douglas, head designer at Catalina Yachts. I think I may have reviewed more Catalina models than any other manufacturer in the many years I have b
2020 February 1

Wylie 60

Blending out-of-the-box thinking with custom elements, this daysailer is a super speedster

By Robert H. Perry
I’ve known Tom Wylie for a long time. I once owned a boat he designed, a Wylie Wabbit—24 feet of thrills and spills. Tom has always been an original thinker. When just about every designer was doi
2020 January 1

Hylas 60

The beautifully designed cruiser can go the distance for a couple or a crowd

By Robert H. Perry
Now let’s look at what German Frers does with a very similar design challenge. Sitting side by side at the dock the two boats would be nearly identical except for some subtle styling differences. LO
2020 January 1

Oyster 565

This passagemaker is packed with style and comfort for cruising

By Robert H. Perry
This month we are going to look at two large cruising boats: the Hylas 60 and the Oyster 565. They share a target market and a general  approach to styling and hull shape. The numbers are so clos
2020 January 1

Dufour 390 Grand Large

This latest midsize cruiser from France packs big boat features in an easy-to-handle and stylish package

By Greta Schanen
The drop-down transom reveals a large swim platform with an integral telescoping swim ladder, a dedicated life raft locker, grill and sink. The capricious winds of Chesapeake Bay got the best of
2019 November 1

Tartan 245

This daysailer fills the niche for simple sailing and offers a stable platform for learning to sail

By Robert H. Perry
Ilike this quote from the promotional material that came with this Tim Jackett-designed Tartan 245. “Although there may be no such thing as the perfect daysailer, that’s not our decision to make,
2019 November 1

Eagle Class 53

With America’s Cup trickledown technology, this daysailing-buoy racing catamaran can fly

By Robert H. Perry
There are lots of ways we can enjoy sailing. I think there is a boat for just about everybody. My neighbor bought a John Welsford Scamp this summer. It’s a 12-foot pram with a lug rig. This is his f
2019 November 1

Annie 29

This classic Chuck Paine design is a capable offshore cruiser

By David Liscio
When Morris Yachts launched the Chuck Paine-designed Annie 29 in 1980, it attracted plenty of attention in the sailing community. Its look was in sharp contrast to Paine’s double-ended designs, the
2019 October 1

Pegasus 50

A cleverly designed offshore cruiser that has an interior layout for all kinds of sailing

By Robert H. Perry
The Pegasus 50 is built in Slovenia and designed by Marine Designs. This is not a new yard. It has produced many yachts and has recently started to build in carbon fiber. I can’t find any mention in
2019 October 1

X4 0

A sleek design that marries the best of both cruising and racing

By Robert H. Perry
Here’s a new 40-footer from our friends at X-Yachts in Denmark. The design is from the in-house X-Yachts Design Team. Given the X-Yachts tradition of fast boats, I think it’s safe to assume this w
2019 September 1

Beneteau First 53

Combining performance with a luxe interior, this performance cruiser is ready for the open sea

By Robert H. Perry
Here’s a new boat for Beneteau’s First series. The hull design is by Biscontini Yacht Design and the layout and deck design is by Lorenzo Argento.  Like the Mark Mills 68, the design target i
2019 September 1

Vismara 68

This powerful racer has an interior that is comfy enough for cruising

By Robert H. Perry
For my money, some of the most exciting designs being produced today come from the office of my old friend Mark Mills working in County Wicklow, Ireland.  Mark produces high-performance racing y
2019 August 1

Voyager DS 440

This offshore cruising design is a kit for the home builder

By Robert H. Perry
We can talk about this boat later. First I want to talk about Bruce Roberts. There are several ways you can be a yacht designer, Bruce chose his own way. Born in Victoria, Australia, Bruce opened his
2019 August 1

Hallberg-Rassy 40C

This modern offshore cruiser has serious sea legs

By Robert H. Perry
The new Hallberg-Rassy models designed by German Frers are always fun to review. I get a wry smile when I look at the new designs considering what HRs looked like 45 years ago when my Valiant 40 was i
2019 August 1

Pacific Seacraft Orion 27

This roomy, capable and well-built cruiser is ocean crossing ready

By David Liscio
The Pacific Seacraft Orion 27 has been called many things, from an overbuilt floating apartment to the sort of boat an adventurous sailor might choose to sail around the world. During production in th
2019 June 1

Gunfleet 43

his sexy-looking center-cockpit cruiser is built to last

By Robert H. Perry
When you first look at the profiles of the new Gunfleet 43 and the Allures 40.9 you might peg them as very similar boats. The profiles look very similar and LODs are within a foot. But they are really
2019 June 1

Allures 40.9

Built in aluminum, this centerboarder is ready for thin-water cruising

By Robert H. Perry
This month we have two very similarly sized and styled European production boats and one very unusual training dinghy to review. The Allures 40.9 is a Berret-Racoupeau design. It’s a handsome boat i
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Perry on Design

  • Catalina 545

    This large family cruiser has all the bells and whistles for Catalina fans

  • Acrona 345

    This handsome design packs all you need for family cruising

  • Wylie 60

    Blending out-of-the-box thinking with custom elements, this daysailer is a super speedster

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