
The Best Small Boats of 2026: Maverick
A marine transformer with fun at its core.


A spritely little cat that holds its own in a blow.

A fleet-footed foiler that everyone will want to take for a spin.

A newbie sailboat owner reflects on four years of boat love and his top 10 things learned so far.

It would be easy, observing the sea change in fiberglass production boatbuilding in the U.S. over the last several decades, to feel a little blue

You might say I learned to sail on my family’s 32-foot Pearson Vanguard. But my most memorable lessons came after we dropped anchor, when my

Sometimes you add value to the boat, other times the boat adds value to you. Own a sailboat? Pete Van Hamersveld didn’t even know how

Steve Earley doesn’t sail like you and me. Example: One night, he and his 17-foot open boat, Spartina, were anchored in a cove near Crab

Growing up, sailing was always part of my life. This did not happen by chance but rather was the result of generations before me having

Though they don’t reel off the miles like a performance-cruiser, I would argue that some of the purest, best sailing can be found aboard small

Photos provided courtesy of the manufacturers It’s been a long time coming, but 2027 is truly the year of the cat. For the first time

Aspiring distance voyagers will find this newest cat a perfect fit.

While checking in on my parent’s boat at the yard, I saw this unusual keel. What’s the purpose of it? — Maddie Doherty, via sailmail@sailmagazine.com

The 2026 Newport International Boatshow is underway now. Here’s what to look forward to.

A new documentary relives the 1995 America’s Cup, as told by the American teams vying to defend the Auld Mug.

My parents, who have been collecting SAIL since I started working here like they did with my childhood artwork, are running out of storage space.

Team United by the Ocean took first place in the inaugural transatlantic race, with American-flagged 11th Hour Racing in a close second.

The temperatures are starting to cool off, the days are getting shorter, and your October issue is on its way. Here’s what’s coming up.

Offshore and offline go hand in hand.

Small electric outboards are becoming increasingly popular for everything
from dinghies to small race boats. We put three new models to the test.