2021 March 1

Dehler 38SQ

This racer-cruiser puts the focus on speed with a slick deck layout

This month we have two new European builds to review, the Dehler 38 SQ and the Dufour 430 Grand Large. It would be nice to compare the differences in the two designs, but most of the differences are i

2021 January 1

Lyman-Morse 46

The modern cold-molded cruiser has speed and style for fast passages

By Robert H. Perry

Here’s a handsome new design by my friend Kevin Dibley. Kevin is a very good designer and a nice guy. The builder is Lyman-Morse and the company’s pedigree goes back many years. I have been to tha

2021 January 1

Jeanneau Yacht 60

By Robert H. Perry

This month we have two very nice cruising boats to review. It’s hard these days to clearly define “cruising boat.” My definition is any boat that you can cruise. That leaves a lot of latitude.&n

2020 November 1

Leopard 42

With clever interior design, this new cruising cat feels bigger than 42 feet

By Robert H. Perry

Leopard Catamarans has 25 years of cruising catamaran experience. The result is this new 42-foot model that builds off the success of the Leopard 40 model along with advances in styling made with the

2020 November 1

Catana OC

This elegant cruising catamaran has speed and sailability

By Robert H. Perry

The French catamaran builder Catana started building cruising cats 20 years ago, and at that time, cruising cats were far from mainstream. If you went to the Annapolis boat show back then you might se

2020 October 1

Sea Hawk FC 37

When a designer takes on a crowd as a client, the result is an offshore cruiser that pleases the masses

By Robert H. Perry

I was cruising through Facebook one morning and I saw a post that referenced a “Robert Perry Yacht Design Fan Club.” I thought it must be a joke, so I did a search. I found a very well-compos

2020 September 1

Beneteau Oceanis 40.1

This new cruiser has a large array of options sure to please every sailor

By Robert H. Perry

Here’s a new Beneteau Oceanis model that ticks all the boxes. About the only thing I can see that’s not offered is a hard dodger and that would be hard to work in with this deck plan. The thing th

2020 September 1

Excess 11

The fresh thinking behind this cruising cat results in a good looking speedster

By Robert H. Perry

This new catamaran was designed by VPLP with an interior design from Patrick Le Quement. Like almost all cruising cats the profile is a bit brutal and this is a function of pulling all the beam—21 f

2020 August 1

Melges 15

This new daysailer has performance for all ages

By Robert H. Perry

If my buddy calls and invited me for a sail aboard his new daysailer I think I have a pretty good idea what to expect and how to prepare for the day. I’d bring some bottled water, sunscreen, a sandw

2020 August 1

Café Racer

With elan and speed, this luxury daysailer will turn heads

By Robert H. Perry

We have two high-performance daysailers to review this month. Both boats are promoted as daysailers, which begs the question: “Exactly what is a daysailer?” Is it a boat you sail during the day? A

2020 June 1

Pelagic 77

This expedition schooner has the right stuff for high-latitude sailing

By Robert H. Perry

Every month I pester my editor Greta, “Find me something interesting. Find me something I can sink my teeth into.” Well, this month she has outdone herself. Thanks Greta. I think the most fun for

2020 May 1

Isla Aid 95

This stylish ketch is designed for work and play

By Robert H. Perry

I get some unusual design commissions but this is the first time another yacht designer has asked me to design a boat for him. Rob Leighton—I call him Capt. Rob—is an accomplished yacht des

2020 May 1

DH 550

With speed and comfort, this catamaran can be build built by a home builder

By Robert H. Perry

Here’s an unusual catamaran project from my old friend Dudley Dix. It’s unusual because the client was Phil Harvey, builder of the Gunboat cats in South Africa, Dudley’s previous home. Dudley an

2020 April 1

Paine 15

A designer found the perfect client in creating a comfortable, powerful daysailer

By Robert H. Perry

Ithink it was about eight years ago when I heard that Chuck Paine had retired. I was incredulous. How do you walk away from your life? I called Chuck and found him a bit bitter due to the complication

2020 April 1

Tilikum

This junk-rigged barge-styled cruiser oozes classic charm

By Robert H. Perry

If you were walking the docks last weekend you probably didn’t notice the three old codgers sitting on the bench at the end of the pier. No reason you should except for the fact that the three of th

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

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

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 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 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

This racer-cruiser puts the focus on speed with a slick deck layout

The modern cold-molded cruiser has speed and style for fast passages

With clever interior design, this new cruising cat feels bigger than 42 feet

This elegant cruising catamaran has speed and sailability

When a designer takes on a crowd as a client, the result is an offshore cruiser that pleases the masses

This new cruiser has a large array of options sure to please every sailor

The fresh thinking behind this cruising cat results in a good looking speedster

This new daysailer has performance for all ages

With elan and speed, this luxury daysailer will turn heads

This expedition schooner has the right stuff for high-latitude sailing

This stylish ketch is designed for work and play

With speed and comfort, this catamaran can be build built by a home builder

A designer found the perfect client in creating a comfortable, powerful daysailer

This junk-rigged barge-styled cruiser oozes classic charm

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

This handsome design packs all you need for family cruising

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

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

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

Perry on Design

This rugged pilothouse cutter can handle the rough stuff in comfort

This small oceangoing cruiser can be built by DIY builders

This cruiser has plenty of options for comfortable family cruising

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