Over the past 10 years, Sabre has introduced a line of medium-displacement performance-oriented cruising boats ranging in size from 36 to 45 feet, all designed by Jim Taylor, that have been exceptionally well executed. We were not at all surprised, therefore, to find that Sabre and Taylor have again done a superb job of balancing performance, liveaboard comfort, and quality construction in a
This Swedish-built Judel/Vrolijk design impressed our judges with the quality of its hull and deck construction and dazzled them with gorgeous interior joinery work in satin-finish African mahogany. We loved the feel of the helm (“soft and supple, with just the right amount of feedback”) in 15 knots of true wind. The boat tracked well and gave a decent turn of speed (8.5 knots hard on the breeze
The Malo 41 has many of the same features that impressed us on the other Swedish boats we sailed—strong no-nonsense construction combined with lush mahogany interior joinery work—as well as a few unique twists of its own. For example, the distinctive traveler arch over the cockpit, long a Malo trademark (they call it their TARGA system), works very well, and its height can be
Many boats with “contemporary” styling, particularly those from Europe, tend to look amorphous, so it’s refreshing to see a new design with truly clean and elegant lines. Jeanneau’s latest addition to its long-lived Sun Odyssey line, drawn by Marc Lombard and Eric Levet, is just such a boat. The Sun Odyssey 35 demonstrates clearly that Jeanneau has not lost its identity since being acquired by
The J/109 is more than a high-performance boat with cruiser-friendly add-ons; it’s a well-conceived, well-executed dual-purpose boat that comes close to being all things to all sailors. Fast, easy to handle, stable, and spacious, the J/109 can serve as a competitive racer, comfortable cruiser, shorthanded daysailer, and a family weekender.The accommodations plan includes a proper nav
The Island Spirit 40, designed and built in South Africa, has many of the characteristics people look for in an offshore boat: solid construction, simple, robust, and accessible systems, safe and efficient sailhandling gear, a roomy interior, a manageable price, and good sailing performance.On deck we liked the mainsheet/traveler system and the good visibility over the coachroof from the
The Hallberg-Rassy 43, designed by German Frers, is a comfortable offshore cruiser from a well-respected Swedish builder. Hull and deck construction meet the high standards we have come to expect from Hallberg-Rassy, as does the excellent mahogany joinery down below. The interior accommodation includes many features we like to find on long-distance cruising boats: a well-positioned wet locker,
High-volume boatbuilders strive to provide more boat, more conveniences, and more standard features for less money, and the Beneteau 423 made our list because it does just that. It’s a spacious 42-footer that sails well, has comfortable accommodations and sufficient systems, and is equipped with a long list of standard features (many of which are options on other boats) at a price that makes it
Bavaria Yachts builds over 1,000 boats each year, and the company’s fine-tuned mass-production techniques contribute to the Bavaria 32’s great price. But the 32 offers more than excellent value for money. We chose it because it has a sweet helm, clean lines, comfortable accommodations, and reasonable systems, all of which make it an enticing package.Good headroom and well-sized berths will
Though perhaps less well known to American audiences than the RORC’s races on this side of the Atlantic, The Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race
On perhaps one of the most dramatic nights in recent Vendée Globe history, Kevin Escoffier sat in a life raft with little to do but
It was early March and freezing cold in Michigan. Snow lay in patches on the barren fields, and dark clouds hung just above the treetops.
When nearly 20 Friendship sloops set out for the starting line off Rockland, Maine, this past summer, they didn’t just start milling about in preparation
For sailors of a certain age, the entire concept of a mulithull is cutting edge. However, even a cursory glance at a harbor full of
The 24th running of the Corinthian Classic Regatta, held August 13 and 14, is a testament to the beauty of traditional and modern classic racing
This summer has been a great one for sailors everywhere, but in particular for the 87 sailors participating in the Tiwal Cup on France’s Gulf
“I’ll admit, it’s still hard to watch the boat leave the dock sometimes,” says former Volvo Ocean Race sailor Mark Towill. Since meeting during a
Dufour, long one of France’s most well-respected builders, has been producing sailboats in La Rochelle since the dawn of fiberglass boatbuilding. Having recently merged with
The 2023 Ocean Race intends to be one of the world’s first climate positive sporting events, offsetting more greenhouse gasses than are produced. The two-fold
