Boats

The Hanse 445

by Adam Cort, Posted November 10, 2011

This is a boat that violates nearly every traditional aesthetic value you can imagine. Yet somehow, the Judel/Vrolijk design office has managed to blend these elements into a yacht that is powerful looking and uniquely elegant.

Best Boats 2013 Beneteau Sense 55

by Adam Cort, Posted May 22, 2012

With their compact cockpits, full keels and narrow hulls, the cruising boats of old are like a lone watch-stander, bundled up in foul weather gear, head bowed, arms folded, tucked in under a dodger for shelter.

Best Boats 2012 Winner: The Bavaria Cruiser 45 (Cruising Monohull Under 50ft)

by Charles J. Doane, Posted November 17, 2011

The twin rudders on this beamy cruiser ensure excellent helm control even when hard on the wind at an aggressive angle of heel. The wide transom incorporates an enormous flip-down swim platform that is raised and lowered with an electric motor and will undoubtedly make you the envy of the anchorage.

Impression 434

by Bill Springer, Posted February 28, 2005

Slovenia-based Elan Marine has established a presence with its line of Rob Humphreys–designed performance cruisers over the past several years, but the new Impression 434 by Elan is an entirely different animal. Unlike Elan's low-slung racer/cruisers, the 434 is aimed directly at the cruiser looking to reel off quick passage times while enjoying spacious

Com-Pac Eclipse 20

by Bill Springer, Posted August 10, 2005

The 20-foot Eclipse by Com-Pac Yachts makes a strong case for the idea that you don’t need to spend an arm and a leg to be able to sail to your favorite anchorage, eat a hot meal, and sleep in a comfortable bunk. This trailerable coastal cruiser has all the right features—an easy-to-rig mast, simple sailing systems, a centerboard that reduces draft to 1 foot, 6 inches, and a

MacGregor 26M

by Sail Staff, Posted September 23, 2004

The MacGregor 26M is the latest version of Roger MacGregor's successful MacGregor 26X. This remarkable 26-footer can reportedly log speeds of over 21 knots under power, float in 12 inches of water, and sleep six. It has a galley and an enclosed head. Stability under sail comes from 300 pounds of permanent ballast, 1,150 pounds of easily removable water ballast in the hull, and a narrow

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 49

by Charles J. Doane, Posted May 3, 2005

Jeanneau has made a splash breaking into the market for deck-saloon cruisers over the past few years, but it has also done a very good job of updating its bread-and-butter boats, as seen in the new Sun Odyssey 49. The SO 49 replaces the SO 45, a staple boat in charter fleets around the world, and, like its predecessor, it is very focused on the needs of this market.

Elan 384

by Tom Dove, Posted September 5, 2006

Sometimes a boat catches your imagination immediately. Sometimes you have to sail the boat to appreciate it. I didn’t find anything revolutionary during my dockside inspection of the new Elan 384. The open transom made it easy to board. The deck was user-friendly, with good walkways and cabintop access. The optional teak decks made a secure nonskid surface, and grabrails fell to hand easily when

J/65

by Kimball Livingston, Posted September 28, 2006

In the business world, planners often wonder whether a given model will “scale.” In the sailing world that’s not critical, but it’s interesting when it happens, and rarely has a design concept been carried as far as J Boats has gone with its new J/65. Two are in the water now, in the hands of experienced owners. While the interior spaces and systems were customized for each owner, the

Hoek 180

by Sail Staff, Posted October 5, 2006

This 180-foot aluminum ketch by Andre Hoek set sail last May after being launched from the Vitters shipyard in The Netherlands. The yacht, which took five years to design and build, has long overhangs, relatively low freeboard, and a narrow beam (only 31 feet) for its length. After sea trials, and commissioning Adele left for an extended summer cruise to the Lofoten Islands, which lie well beyond