Boat Reviews

Feeling 44

by Sail Staff, Posted September 23, 2004

The Feeling 44 is another offshore cruiser with gunkholing capability; its optional lifting keel reduces draft from 8 feet, 6 inches to 2 feet. Considerable fixed ballast is built into the bottom of the hull to enhance stability and provide a solid grounding plate. This cruiser is thin-water friendly—its shallow rudder provides positive control with the keel fully retracted. It's also

Elan 40

by Tom Dove, Posted July 15, 2004

If Americans think of Slovenia at all, it probably isn't as a boat-building center. Elan Marine is trying to change that. The swift, pretty Elan 40 is a mid-priced racer/cruiser designed by Rob Humphreys that is being pitched as a strong player in the highly competitive 40-foot market. I jumped aboard for a test sail on the Chesapeake last fall to see if the reality matches the

Regina 38

by Sail Staff, Posted July 11, 2005

How can a 38-foot cruising boat feel more like a 45-foot cruising boat? The Regina 38 is a Swedish import that answers that question, making this pilothouse cruiser an attractive new addition to the sailboat market’s growing segment of mid-size cruising boats. While many sailboats with a too-big pilothouse feel cramped on deck, the Regina 38’s pilothouse is the right size.

Sabre 426

by Sail Staff, Posted February 4, 2003

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

West Wight Potter 15/19

by Sail Staff, Posted September 23, 2004

There is a reason why West Wight Potters have been in production for over 42 years. They may appear tiny compared to modern thin-water pocket cruisers, but their hard-chined hulls, simple sailplans, and economical accommodations are just as fun, safe, and effective as they were 40 years ago. Price: West Wight Potter 15, $7,395 (including sails, engine, and trailer, FOB Inglewood, CA);

Onora

by David Woodley, Posted January 23, 2006

Sailing to the edge of the earthAlthough the palm trees and sandy beaches of the Pacific and Caribbean islands are always alluring—and the Mediterranean is a romantic place to visit—what do you do when you’ve already experienced all that? Jim and Jean Foley asked themselves the question after finishing a seven-year circumnavigation aboard their Mason 44, Mara.

Bavaria 32

by Sail Staff, Posted February 4, 2003

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

Sakonnet 23

by Sail Staff, Posted November 9, 2005

With the Sakonnet 23, designer Joel White sought to design a simple daysailer that offers “good speed, comfortable seating for four, and good looks,” because “a properly designed daysailer gives the maximum in boating pleasure for the dollars spent.” I think it’s safe to say that this double-ended daysailer built by Edey & Duff accomplishes White’s simple goal. Its lines are

Sabre 386

by Charles J. Doane, Posted February 28, 2005

Since its founding by Roger Hewson more than 20 years ago, Sabre Yachts has excelled at building boats under 40 feet. The old Sabre 28 is certainly one of the best pocket cruisers ever marketed, and Hewson himself often asserted that the company's core boats were its 36-footers. I personally have always favored the Sabre 38, both the Mark I and Mark II models, built

Dufour 34

by Sail Staff, Posted August 25, 2004

All my days on the water should be as perfect as the day we took a Dufour 34 out for a spin after the Miami Boat Show. We caught the back end of a February cold front that produced steady 12-to-15-knot northerly winds, sunny skies, and comfortable temperatures. As we motored out of the marina, it was obvious that I couldn’t have scheduled this test any better. The smallest boat in the revamped,