Every year, boatbuilders of all types submit their new models to be nominees in the SAIL Top 10 Best Boats contest. We start reviewing these as soon as they are available, sometimes traveling throughout the country or even overseas to examine the boats, talk to designers, builders, and dealers, and most important, to take these boats out sailing.
When it’s possible, we like to spend at least a day onboard—more if that’s feasible—to sail the boats as we believe potential owners would want to sail them. This year, one of our reviewers helped deliver a boat from Annapolis to Connecticut; another spent all day racing and then well into the night sailing on a racer-cruiser model. The more hours we can get onboard the better, because it gives us a truer sense of how a boat is meant to be sailed than a short trial could.
Along with sailing and handling characteristics, we look at systems innovation and installation, design, ingenuity, construction quality, deck and interior layouts, and ergonomics. We know that every potential owner has a unique wish list, so we try to include as many boats as possible, from 60-foot multihulls to trailerable daysailers.
We ask a lot of questions, but the most important of these are: Who is this boat’s target audience or owners, and how well does it fulfill its intended purpose and meet the needs of those owners? The answers to those basic questions, we think, underpin the best metric for helping determine whether a boat rises to the top.
This year’s SAIL Top 10 Best Boats represent a wide range of sailing styles and desires, from traditional heavy displacement bluewater monohulls to high-performance, carbon-ated cruising multihulls, from tweaky, techy racer/cruisers to designs that are deliberately calibrated for simpler sailing. In many, light air performance was notable and also highlighted by builders, which we see as a positive trend that encourages sailors to spend more of their time sailing rather than reaching for the iron genny. These boats also represent the industry’s continuing efforts to innovate and deliver something new and forward-reaching, whether that’s a design that successfully rethinks traditional spaces and accommodations, or a propulsion system that harnesses the newest tech to strive toward fossil-free sailing.
Beneteau Oceanis 37.1
Some people enjoy the mental game of squeezing out every bit of boatspeed by tweaking this and that; others just want to chill and still sail quickly and confidently. The new Beneteau Oceanis 37.1, which updates the popular 38.1, does a solid job of accommodating the latter. Easy sailing is the performance driver, with a self-tacking jib on the standard version, no backstays, and in-mast furling as an option. The mainsail is German-sheeted with no traveler or lines impeding the cockpit area. During a test sail off Annapolis in about 12 knots of breeze, the boat handled easily and sailed well (even though reviewers itched for a backstay to tweak sail shape, while still acknowledging that wasn’t the point). “The simplified sailing of the Oceanis 37.1 builds confidence, and now with an optional square-top main that adds 12% to the sail area, simple doesn’t mean slow,” says Zuzana. The interior layout is traditional but spacious. “One of the details I appreciated was the large access door in the shower leading to the starboard cockpit locker, which is practically deep enough to stand in,” Lydia says. “This access really expands the space’s functionality since you can easily get to the bottom corners—a smart option for sailors looking to maximize their storage this mid-LOA model.” (Read the full review in the upcoming April 2024 issue.)
Dufour 41
Last year’s Dufour 37 landed in the Top 10 in part because of its success as a small boat that felt big. Dufour has expanded on the concept with the next size up in the range, the 41, which “finds the cruising couple’s sweet spot by combining a massive bow stateroom and class-dominating cockpit with nimble handling and respectable light air performance,” Zuzana says. A big change for this boat was moving the mast aft, enabling a bigger foretriangle, hence bigger headsails and about 17 square feet more sail area overall, as well as a bigger master cabin forward belowdecks. The cockpit is as long as that on the 430, with which it also shares the same beam, attesting to the design emphasis on living space volume. But below the waterline, the stepped down hull shape supports lively sailing. We got two test sails on this boat, one in light air and one in 15-18 knots true, and in each case, reviewers were impressed with the 41’s ease of handling and fun performance. Despite the boat’s beam being carried well forward and a very full bow, she marshaled a chop quite well with little slamming, and upwind in breeze the boat reached about 18 degrees of heel and stayed there, making for a stable platform. (Read the full review here.)
Excess 14
When we first saw the new Excess 14 at the Miami boat show, we learned that it was drawing attention from monohull sailors who were looking to make the shift. That’s because it so successfully accomplishes its goal of being a quick, fun ride with a lot of sailing “feel” thanks to newly designed asymmetrical hulls with inverted bows, deeper rudders, thinner keels, and a higher bridgedeck. And, it delivers this performance easily enough that new multihull sailors will feel comfortable, not intimidated. Coupled with some clever use of spaces inside—like the flexible storage/spare berth area in the starboard bow—this boat impressed everyone on a lot of levels. “The Excess 14 exceeded my already high expectations,” Zuzana says. “Stiff, sleek, and fast, this boat also has the space to carry enough gear for a three-year cruise…she looks sporty, like she means business even sitting at the dock.” Lydia adds that while she’s “always skeptical of anyone who touts stellar visibility through a cabin, this boat delivers on that front. The outboard helm placement also means that they’re situated directly above the rudders, making for better helm feel.” And Adam: “This platform is made for enjoying some of the most beautiful places on the planet.” (Read the full review here.)
Hallberg-Rassy 40C
This boat’s sibling, the aft-cockpit H-R 400, earned a Top 10 win last year, so we were excited to see how the venerable Swedish builder would incorporate a center cockpit into this Germán Frers design. The answer is masterfully. “Even at a glance from the dock,” says Lydia, “you can tell that this is an adventurer’s boat.” While it shares the same handsome, powerful-looking hull as the 400—with twin rudders, plumb bow, and integral bowsprit for setting A-sails—the boat’s center cockpit has the same dimensions as the 44 for more space. Still, safe and sensible bluewater sailing remain the emphasis here, and we love that a mainsail traveler and adjustable backstay are par for the course and fall easily to hand. Below, the arrangement provides for a spacious aft master cabin and salon with two terrific galley layout options and beautiful joinery throughout. H-Rs are known for offshore chops, but this boat impressed us with its nimble performance during a light air sail off Annapolis. “The 40C carries the renowned Hallberg-Rassy DNA for build quality, infused with faster sailing capability,” Adam says. “It exceeded expectations in light air, and details stand out throughout the build that suggest great offshore and long-range cruising capability.” (Read the full review in the January/February SAIL. Watch the walkthrough video here.)
Hanse 510
The 510 is the big sister to Hanse’s 460—a Top 10 winner last year—and it builds on many of the same characteristics of its sibling, with designer Berret-Racoupeau focusing on fast, comfortable cruising and easy sailing. Just sitting at the dock, the wave-piercing reverse bow gives the boat a pleasantly sharkish look, and chines carried aft from the bow provide interior volume with less wetted surface below. “The cockpit is spacious and versatile, making this boat as good for entertaining as it is for sailing,” Lydia says. During a test sail in flat seas, the boat ably handled on all points of sail, turning out boatspeeds of 7 knots in 10 knots true wind at 65 AWA, and 4.5 knots in 7.5 knots of wind at 44 AWA. “The boat accelerates really well,” Wendy says. “It’s nimble, balanced, and you can really feel the boat through the helm.” Below, a defining feature is the central island, which provides a sturdy handhold and houses the boat’s control center of distribution panels, stereo, VHF, and other items typically found in a traditional nav station. “I love to see builders thinking outside the box about how owners will actually use their boats and what inventive new layouts and features will best serve them,” Lydia says of the control station. With myriad layouts offered, Hanse provides buyers enviable flexibility in choosing what suits them best, “making it a ‘production boat’ in name only,” Zuzana says. (Read the full review in the January/February SAIL. Watch the walkthrough video here.)
HH44
Of all the boats presented this year, none put sustainable sailing as far in the forefront as HH with its new 44. CEO Paul Hakes says he wanted to “really revolutionize our boat, make it different, a special part of the future,” and according to HH execs, the buyers for this sleek bluewater cat are at least as interested in this mission as in its cruising capabilities. This effort centers around the boat’s EcoDrive, a hybrid diesel electric system whose backbone is a 43.2 KwH 48V lithium battery bank fed in part by a whopping 4,232-watt solar array on the cabintop. Commitment to that array meant the twin helms had to be in the cockpit rather than up top, and HH put a lot of thought into maintaining good sailhandling and visibility from here, including carbon fiber wheels on easily manipulated swing helms that let you steer from multiple positions. During a test sail off Annapolis, even under less-than-optimum delivery sails, this boat was a lively ride, turning out 10 knots of boatspeed in true wind of about 17 knots and an AWA of 47; but its real strength, we’re told, is light air performance, frequently sailing at windspeed in 6-10 knots of breeze. “Performance-oriented cruising on the 44 holds the promise of sailing quickly through even the lightest of winds, but just in case, HH includes a hybrid powering package that adds value not only on the sustainability front, but in its ability to silently maneuver under power,” Adam says. Adds Zuzana, ” The 44 remains true to its HH family aesthetics and performance cruising and brings both down to the mid-40-foot market where it’s sure to find an eager audience.” That it looks screaming fast standing still is a bonus. (Watch the walkthrough video here.)
Italia Yachts 14.98
Racer/cruisers were few and far between in this year’s fleet of new boats, yet even so, this new model from Italia Yachts stood out. While other builders have emphasized beamier hulls along their length to increase interior volume, designer Maurizio Cossutti has chosen a different path, and the result is a whippet-lean profile with a fine entry, a nearly flat sheer that helps create the impression of relatively low freeboard, and a smooth run aft that ends in a lovely lift to the saucer-shaped, vertical transom. During an extended test sail on the Chesapeake, under full main and jib she steadily made between 6 and 7.5 knots in 7 to 9 knots of true wind at apparent wind angles (AWA) of 25 to 27 degrees. Off the wind, sailing with an A1 chute in 10 to 12 knots of breeze the boat produced a steady 8 knots with fingertip sailing. “She felt like a big dinghy, adjustments were instantaneous and fine, even in light air,” Wendy says. “The pure fun of sailing this boat could easily be addictive.” Below, the Mirko Abore-designed interior is all Euro-elegance, but practical offshore thinking is evident in spaces like the two nice-sized aft cabins whose double berths easily convert into four deep, comfy sea berths in the quietest part of the boat. “This is a café cruiser with a sleek European edge,” Adam says, “combined with knowing you wouldn’t be the last one to the anchorage, all while having no shortage of comfort below deck.” (Read the full review here. Watch the walkthrough video here.)
Jeanneau Yachts 55
“Isn’t it more fun to break the rules?” asks Adam about this model from Jeanneau. “This innovative design brings the deck space and cabin layout of a multihull and mashes it with the sailing capability of a monohull. A wide beam helps to ensure level sailing even as the wind picks up. Various above deck options create a yacht comfortable in a wide range of weather.” Designed by Philippe Briand and Andrew Winch, this boat puts dual helms forward in the cockpit, dedicating the vast aft area to lounging and entertaining. Forward of the helms, two gull-wing doors on either side lead down to separate guest cabins with heads. Fully forward in the cockpit, an inspired nav station is protected under an enormous hard dodger with excellent visibility to the mainsail above as well as forward to the bow and headsails. Below and forward, the first two-thirds of the boat are a luxurious owner’s suite with galley, salon, cabin, and head. In a brisk breeze off Annapolis, we romped easily on all points of sail and quickly ate up some miles with very little fuss and frankly a lot of fun. “Once again, Jeanneau goes all out with their out-of-the-box problem solving and absolutely nails livability and ease of handling on an undeniably comfortable platform,” Zuzana says. Adds Lydia:”New ideas don’t always land, but Jeanneau took a risk here and pulled it off spectacularly.” (Read the full review in the upcoming May 2024 SAIL. Watch the walkthrough video here.)
Seawind 1170
There were a lot of people onboard for our test sail of this new 39-foot catamaran from Seawind, translating into thousands of pounds of extra ballast that you might think would diminish a relatively small multihull’s performance in light-ish air. So, we all were impressed when this boat tossed that assumption right into the drink. “Cats aren’t known for their upwind performance, but we all took notice when the Seawind 1170 pointed up to 33 degrees AWA and carried on unfazed,” says Zuzana. According to Seawind execs, the target market for this boat is a couple or young family new to multihull sailing who possibly want to sail across oceans, but who want something that is financially and practically manageable. They’ve nailed it with this model, which includes proven brand characteristics such as twin helms protected in the cockpit, galley down, sturdy opening forward windows, and collision bulkheads. New features are the hulls themselves with reverse bows for better upwind capability, a step in the topsides to allow more interior volume, and more headroom throughout. “Pivot between indoor and outdoor living with the flexibility offered by Seawind’s trademark lifting tri-fold door,” says Adam. “The visibility from the helms is excellent—a rare accolade for a catamaran. This boat has comfortable cruising capability in a package manageable for short-handed crews.” (Read the full review in the April 2024 SAIL. Watch the walkthrough video here.)
Tartan 455
Boatbuilders put a lot of thought and time into their designs, but occasionally they fall into gimmicky language to describe their creations. Not so Tartan Yachts, whose midwestern sensibility is perfectly summed up in this gratifying assessment in the brochure for the Tartan 455: “It does not cater to the fad of the day.” At first blush a traditional bluewater cruiser, this well-thought-out, beautifully executed design manages to successfully combine powerful sailing ability with interior layout and cockpit cues taken from sedan powerboats. The result is that rare fusion that actually accomplishes both things exceedingly well. “This is an intriguing hybrid that sails like a witch, presents a sleek, handsome profile while still carrying the large deckhouse, and provides some seriously plush powerboat comforts,” says Wendy. “In a gusty 25 knots of true wind on Lake Erie, the boat’s CCR rig, carried on a standard carbon spar, launched us easily through 4- to 5-foot choppy seas.” Adds Adam: “With extended interior spaces, this continuation of the Tartan legacy opens the door for more comfortable cruising through a range of conditions.” (Read the full review here.)
Honorable Mentions: In Praise of Simplicity
Astus 20.5
Minicat Guppy
In recent years, general design ideas have trended towards “bigger is better,” and with new technologies, it’s easier than ever to make a good-sized cruising boat manageable for smaller crews and less experienced owners. However, we’d argue there’s still immeasurable value in the opposite end of the design ecosystem as well. After all, most people still start in small boats and trickle up to bigger and bigger boats over the course of their sailing careers.
“We’re not expecting this boat to be your last boat,” Alex Caslow of Red Beard Sailing says of the Astus 20.5, a pocket-sized trimaran that’s sporty, trailerable, and available with sparse but functional cruising features like an optional chemical head. It’s a true beginner-friendly design without dumbing it down so much that it can’t offer a proper introduction to all the necessary sail controls. Not to mention that the amas make for more stability than a monohull, and the trailerability helps keep maintenance and storage fees reasonable—both realities that scare off a good number of would-be boat owners. And despite the small size, the trampolines between the amas greatly increase the boat’s living space, making for a safety net around the cockpit to keep little ones onboard—or maybe just an idyllic nap spot. The concept of an accessible, sporty, mini trimaran is sure to attract sailors who want to start exploring beyond daysailing but don’t see themselves in the large-scale cruiser market yet.
To go one step further with the concept of an ultra-simple, unbeatably affordable way to get out on the water, look to the Minicat Guppy. This inflatable cat packs down to a single 1-by-1-by-6-foot bag and can be assembled by one person in minutes. Is it going to be an Olympic class someday? No. But, says Lydia, “I did get on it and immediately transform back into an intrepid 12-year-old getting her first taste of that freedom and adventure that sailors fall in love with and spend the rest of their lives chasing. This is the boat you teach your kids on, that you buy when you move to an apartment and have no place to store that old Laser, that you take with you when cruising so that your restless teens have a chance to find some alone time. This is a boat that you make memories on.” Sure, it doesn’t have fine sail adjustments (or even a boom), but that’s not what it’s built for. “I’d be remiss not to mention that after I finished my test sail, someone from the boatyard stopped to chat with us,” Lydia says, “and after asking a few questions and seeing an entire boat disappear into a bag, he asked to buy one on the spot.”
Adds Zuzana, “Small and savvy, boats like the Guppy and Astus pave a solid path to a life of sailing for so many.”
Meet the Boat Review Team
SAIL’s current boat review team represents a diversity in knowledge, sailing experience, age, and gender to bring as many perspectives as possible to the process. They are:
Wendy Mitman Clarke, SAIL Editor-in-Chief, logged some 30,000 bluewater miles during four and a half years of full-time cruising on an Adams 45 with her husband and two kids. Growing up on the Chesapeake Bay, she has raced and cruised all manner of sailboats over a lifetime, from Snipes and E-Scows to performance keelboats and bluewater passagemakers. Complementing her cruising experience, she’s competed in the Newport-Bermuda Race, Key West Race Week, Block Island Race Week, and hundreds of round-the-buoys races out of Annapolis. She and her husband regularly sail a Peterson 34 that they have continued to upgrade as a fast cruising boat.
SAIL Managing Editor Lydia Mullan has been involved with SAIL’s Best Boats competition for six years, sea trialing all manner of boats. Having grown up racing in the New England area, her first loves will always be dinghies and performance boats, but she’s broadening her experience to offshore sailing as well, last year racing a J/122 in the Annapolis-Newport Race, Marblehead-Halifax Race, and Ida Lewis Distance Race, among others. She was recently accepted into the highly regarded Magenta Project mentorship program, which aims to improve diversity and in particular support women at the highest levels of the sport of sailing by pairing aspiring athletes with industry leaders who can help them reach their potential.
SAIL Charter Editor Zuzana Prochazka is a USCG 100-ton master who logs countless miles on all kinds of boats around the world and never misses an opportunity to raise a sail or crawl into the engine room of a new design. She started sailing in California during grad school when she capsized her Lido 14 on the first day—an inauspicious start to a lifelong love of sailing and her career in the industry. She serves as an international presenter on charter, safety, and technical topics, and is the executive director for the board of Boating Writers International.
SAIL Technical Editor Adam Cove is a naval architect and marine engineer (University of Michigan) and trained under David Pedrick. He previously gathered experience as a boatbuilder, rigger, and sailmaker before adding an MBA to become CEO of Edson Marine. He currently operates as director of Cove Marine Consulting. Adam grew up sailing on the south coast of Cape Cod, captained his high school and college racing teams, and can regularly be found racing around the buoys in New England, heading offshore to cruise or race short-handed, or cruising long distance in his Luders 33.
Emeritus Team Members
We call on them to test the occasional boat, delve into a design or builder’s history, and answer questions when we are stumped.
SAIL Cruising Editor Charles Doane has been testing boats for the magazine for more than 20 years. He is an avid coastal and bluewater cruiser, has crossed the Atlantic seven times, and has crewed in several distance races.
Tom Dove became hooked on sailing by a Penguin class dinghy in 1954. He has been reviewing boats of all sizes for SAIL magazine since 1988.
January/February 2024
