It seems crazy that we’re already previewing the first of the 2026 issues, but believe it or not, it’s that time of year again. As you get ready to turn the page on your calendar, enjoy an action-packed issue of SAIL.
Top 10 Best Boats of 2026
The results are in. After months of on the water testing, walkthroughs, and talking with manufacturers, SAIL’s team of expert reviewers announce their picks for the year’s best designs.
When Sailors Ruled the Seas
By Cynthia Elder
A rediscovered trove of lost family letters and logs reveals an untold story from the Age of Sail. Cynthia Elder shares the heartbreak, humor, and adventure of an era gone by in her new books The Journey Begins and The Drumbeats of War.
Passage Panacea?
By Christopher Birch
Route planning is a tricky game, and what the router (either human or computer) expects isn’t always what works best when it’s time to hoist the sails. Here’s how to make the best of the conditions you’re actually seeing.
USVI and Chill
By Andy Cross
A cruising family revels in two seasons of exploration, adventure, and education in the U.S. Virgin Islands, finding far more than the tourist’s paradise described in the brochure.
Plus, a milestone maritime folk festival, a new documentary, night sailing, MOB preparedness, and more!
