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2019 March 1

Oceanis 30.1

This entry-level family cruiser has packed in everything for fun sailing

By Robert H. Perry
Here is a very interesting 30-footer—its actually 29 feet 6 inches—from Beneteau for its Oceanis series. The design is by Finot-Conq with an interior design from the Nauta Design studio. This
2019 March 1

Amel 60

This French cruiser sets a unique course for offshore sailing

By Robert H. Perry
Here is a beautiful new 60-footer from Amel that comes just two years after it introduced the Amel 50. It’s a handsome design in the contemporary Euro style from the office of Berret-Racoupeau Yacht
2019 March 1

Cal 25-2

A roomy pocket-cruiser that’s a breeze to sail

By David Liscio
It’s not hard to understand why the original Cal 25 appealed to so many sailors. It was relatively inexpensive, easy to maintain, comfortable below deck and fun to sail. Jensen Marine built 1,848 of
2019 March 1

Packing a big punch

The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 319 is a new entry-level cruiser that packs all the best of a big cruiser in an affordable package

By Greta Schanen
The test boat came with the standard stainless steel bow roller, but the 319 is available with an optional sprit to fly an asymmetrical spinnaker or code zero. The new Sun Odyssey 319 sails into
2019 February 1

Swan 54

Straight from Finland, the latest elegant family cruiser is teeming with comfort and high style

By Robert H. Perry
I think anything that comes out of the Nautor’s yard in Finland is interesting. But this new Frers designed Swan 54 is truly beautiful. If you go back to the early 1970s you’ll find what I co
2019 February 1

Expedition Yacht Qilak 2

If cruising to the ends of the Earth is your goal, this is your boat

By Robert H. Perry
Here is an interesting design from Owen Clarke specifically designed for high-altitude cruising. I think that means you will need a very durable boat that will keep you safe, warm and protected. It’
2019 January 1

Xp 55

A big fast cruiser that has everything you need to sail in comfort and style

By Robert H. Perry
The new Xp 55 from X-Yachts has far more features than I can describe given my word limit. I guess it would be a cliché to say “they have thought of everything” but it seems that is the case. Wit
2019 January 1

Tartan 395

This family cruiser has classic American styling and plenty of creature comforts

By Robert H. Perry
In a bold and rare move, Tartan designer Tim Jackett broke with the accepted Euro-styling movement and designed a new boat with classic American yacht proportions. Good on  ya, Tim.  I rea
2019 January 1

Made for the sea

The Hylas 48 is a robust offshore passagemaker tricked out with creature comforts, sophisticated systems and a seakindly nature

By Greta Schanen
It’s not every day that you sail with a Boston terrier as a bo’sun, which made it a nice surprise when Bikini peeked her head out of the cockpit as I boarded the brand-new Hylas 48 at Mears Marina
2019 January 1

Tanzer 26

This pocket cruiser and popular club racer is built for speed and comfort

By David Liscio
Opinions vary widely when talk turns to the Tanzer 26, the Canadian-built masthead sloop that was popular in 1970s and 1980s. Some sailors contend the recreational sailboat offers just about everythin
2018 November 1

Sou'wester 53

With a Down East bloodline, this cruiser can also make the most of sunny Caribbean sailing

By Robert H. Perry
The Hinckley Sou’wester series goes back many years to when I was a kid. It would be difficult to draw a line from the old Sou’westers of the 1970s to this modern Bill Tripp-designed Sou’wester
2018 November 1

Hylas 48

This rugged, comfortable cruiser has plenty of performance to make quick passages

By Robert H. Perry
I think it’s safe to say that Hylas is the longest running, that is to say continuous production sailboat builder in Taiwan today. I first visited that yard, Queen Long, in the late 1970s. It w
2018 October 1

Southern Cross 28

A diminutive sturdy cruiser that is capable of mighty bluewater passages

By David Liscio
If there was ever a question about whether the Southern Cross 28 is bluewater capable, Donna Lange’s two solo circumnavigations aboard the compact cutter surely answered it. Lange sailed her 1982 In
2018 October 1

Hanse 458

A handsome cruiser that will shine in the charter market or favorite cruising grounds

By Robert H. Perry
This new Hanse model comes from the design office of Judel/Vrolijjk and Co. That’s a pretty good pedigree to start with. The design appears to be a big, comfy cruiser in the Euro style that would be
2018 October 1

Sun Odyssey 319

This small, attractive cruiser has plenty of options to suit every need

By Robert H. Perry
This new Sun Odyssey model from Jeanneau was designed by the company’s in-house design team. It has a wide variety of options including a swing keel so there should be one overall configuration that would suit your sailing needs.
2018 September 1

Arcona 435

This Swedish design is a practical family cruiser and formidable racer

By Robert H. Perry
I walked out of the grocery store with my cart and headed for my usual parking area and my white SUV. I opened the tailgate and immediately noticed Ruby, my dog and constant companion, was missin
2018 September 1

Eagle 37

This new daysailer checks all the boxes in the traditional spirit category

By Robert H. Perry
Overhangs are in vogue these days. One of my neighbors inherited his mother’s car. The car is for sale. It’s a 1970 Cadillac Coup deVille, vomit green with a black vinyl top. It has to be the long
2018 September 1

Clubswan 36

Foil-assisted racing is coming to a yacht club near you

By Robert H. Perry
My cronies are beginning to whine. “What happened to the boats you could race or cruise with your family?  But to me as a designer I like to see just how far design elements can be pushed befo
2018 September 1

A sailor’s cat

With indoor-outdoor living spaces, the new Seawind 1260 is a cruising cat that offers speed and seaworthiness

By Greta Schanen
Afresh trade breeze was gusting across Florida’s Biscayne Bay and we unfurled the screecher to make the most of it. The sail filled and the Seawind 1260 picked up the pace as we headed toward Miami.
2018 July 1

Pelegrin

A seaworthy pocket-cruiser that is a perfect project for the home builder

By Robert H. Perry
I  have been following the design work of John Welsford for some time now. His SCAMP design caught my attention and it has become quite a popular class in the Pacific Northwest. It’s hard not to like pocket-cruisers but so many of them appear to me to be “toy boats” and not the kind of boat I would want to sail. John’s designs escape this type and are capable little vessels that perform well and are aesthetically very satisfying. I pestered John for one of his designs to review and he finally broke down and sent me the drawings for his Pelegrin 17-footer. John’s designs are aimed at the home builder so design details are simple but effective.
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Perry on Design

  • Oceanis 30.1

    This entry-level family cruiser has packed in everything for fun sailing

  • Amel 60

    This French cruiser sets a unique course for offshore sailing

  • Sun Odyssey 319

    This small, attractive cruiser has plenty of options to suit every need

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