13 Best Cruising Sailboats in 2023 & Why They're Better

If you're interested in long-distance exploration at sea, cruising sailboats are a popular choice. The best cruising sailboats are designed to provide comfort, durability, and seaworthiness. From high-performance cruisers with heirloom-quality materials to versatile boats, there's something in this lineup for your skill level and preference. These boats have raised the bar and are set to provide memorable sailing experiences.

The best cruising sailboats are:

Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54

Jeanneau sun odyssey 490, x-yachts x49, dufour grand large 460, hallberg-rassy 340, tartan 4300, island packet 420, fountaine pajot saona 47, lagoon 450f, bavaria cruiser 46.

One aspect that sets these sailboats apart is their focus on innovation and performance. Let's take a closer look at the 13 best cruising sailboats of 2023 and explore what makes them stand out from the rest.

  • These cruising sailboats feature spacious interiors, sturdy hulls, and versatile sail configurations.
  • These sailboats are equipped with navigation and communication systems, as well as additional features such as watermakers, generators, and refrigeration systems.
  • You can buy these boats for anything between $250,000 and $1.4 million or more.
  • A cruiser is a type of sailboat that is generally larger and more comfortable than a racing sailboat.

best cruising yachts

On this page:

Best cruising sailboats, why these sailboats are better, the most popular cruising sailboat.

Size Accommodation Starting Price
50 feet 6 to 8 people $1.3 million
56.5 feet 6 to 8 people $1.4 million
54 feet 6 to 8 people $690,000
49 feet 6 to 8 people $425,000
49 feet 6 to 8 people $1.2 million
46 feet 6 to 8 people $370,000
45.8 feet 6 to 8 people $350,000
34 feet 4 to 5 people $300,000
43 feet 6 to 8 people $600,000
42 feet 6 to 8 people $550,000
47 feet 8 to 10 people $900,000
45 feet 8 to 10 people $700,000
46 feet 6 to 8 people $250,000

In this section, we'll explore the 13 best cruising sailboats of 2023, highlighting their unique features and reasons why they stand out in the market.

Living Space Seaworthiness Sailing Performance Safety Storage Space Energy Efficiency Durability
5 5 4 5 5 5 5
5 5 4 5 5 4 5
5 4 4 4 5 4 4
4 4 4 4 5 4 4
3 5 5 4 4 4 5
5 4 4 4 5 4 4
4 4 5 4 4 4 4
4 5 4 4 4 4 5
4 4 4 4 4 4 5
4 5 3 4 5 3 5
5 4 4 4 5 4 4
5 4 4 4 5 4 4
4 4 4 4 4 5 4

Comfortable living space : A cruising sailboat should have a comfortable living space that can accommodate the crew for an extended period of time. This includes a spacious cabin, galley, head, and berths.

Seaworthiness : A cruising sailboat should be able to handle rough seas and adverse weather conditions. It should have a sturdy hull, a well-designed keel, and a balanced rigging system.

Sailing performance : A cruising sailboat should have good sailing performance, which includes speed, stability, and ease of handling. It should be able to sail efficiently in different wind conditions.

Safety features : A cruising sailboat should have safety features such as a reliable navigation system, adequate safety equipment, and a strong anchoring system.

Storage space : A cruising sailboat should have enough storage space for provisions, equipment, and personal belongings. This includes storage lockers, shelves, and compartments.

Energy efficiency : A cruising sailboat should have an energy-efficient system that can provide power for lighting, electronics, and other equipment without relying on shore power.

Durability : A cruising sailboat should be built to last and withstand the wear and tear of extended cruising. This includes using high-quality materials and construction techniques.

best cruising yachts

The Amel 50 is known for its luxurious and comfortable accommodations, and excellent seaworthiness. Its unique features include a spacious interior with modern design, an innovative cockpit layout, and a powerful yet easy-to-handle sailing system.

The Amel 50 has a unique feature called the "Amel Easy Docking" system, which allows for easy and precise maneuvering in tight spaces. It also has a unique "Amel Silent Block" system, which reduces noise and vibration for a more comfortable ride.

The Oyster 565 is known for its high-quality construction, attention to detail, and luxurious accommodations, as well as its excellent safety features. It provides you with exceptional performance and comfort. Its sleek hull design offers fast, stable sailing, while the spacious, high-quality interior ensures you'll enjoy your time onboard.

The Oyster 565 has a unique feature called the "Oyster Deck Saloon," which provides 360-degree views and adequate natural light in the living space. It also has a unique "Oyster DNA" system, which allows for customization of the boat to suit the owner's preferences.

With its cutting-edge design and performance, the Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54 lets you sail in style. Its chined hull, twin rudders, and easy handling make it a pleasure to sail, while the spacious, modern interior ensures your comfort on longer voyages.

The Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54 has a unique feature called the "Dock & Go" system, which allows for easy and precise maneuvering in tight spaces. It also has a unique "Beneteau Smart Sailing" system, which includes a suite of electronic and navigational tools for easy and safe sailing.

The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 is known for its hard chine design, and excellent performance and stability. It offers innovative design and functionality. Its walk-around decks, unique cockpit layout, and high-quality interior make it ideal for cruising in comfort.

The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 has a unique feature called the "Walk-Around Deck," which allows for easy and safe movement around the boat. It also has a unique "Jeanneau Sun Loft" system, which provides a flexible and customizable living space.

The X-Yachts X49 combines performance, luxury, and comfort. It is known for its high-performance hull design, excellent speed and stability. With its fast hull, advanced sailing systems, and plush interior, the X49 is perfect for both racing and cruising.

The X-Yachts X49 has a unique feature called the "X-Yachts Pure X" system, which includes a suite of performance-enhancing features such as a carbon fiber mast and boom, a racing-inspired sail plan, and a deep lead keel.

The Dufour Grand Large 460 provides you with both comfort and performance. It is known for its innovative design, featuring a self-tacking jib and retractable bow thruster for easy handling. Its spacious interior, ergonomic deck layout, and powerful sailing capabilities make it an excellent choice for long-distance cruising.

The Dufour Grand Large 460 has a unique feature called the "Dufour Easy" system, which includes a suite of tools for easy and safe sailing, such as a self-tacking jib and retractable bow thruster. It also has a unique "Dufour Grand Large Lounge" system, which provides a flexible and customizable living space.

Experience easy handling and modern style with the Hanse 458. It is known for its sleek and modern design, self-tacking jib, large swim platform. Its innovative self-tacking jib, efficient deck layout, and comfortable accommodation make it perfect for family cruising.

The Hanse 458 has a unique feature called the "Hanse Easy Sailing" system, which includes a suite of tools for easy and safe sailing, such as a self-tacking jib and retractable bow thruster. It also has a unique "Hanse Individual Cabin Concept" system, which allows for customization of the living space to suit the owner's preferences.

Known for its quality and craftsmanship, the Hallberg-Rassy 340 offers you comfort and performance in a compact package. It is known for its classic design, long waterline, spacious cockpit, and comfortable and practical accommodations. With its stable hull, efficient sailplan, and well-designed interior, it's ideal for long-range cruising on a smaller scale.

The Hallberg-Rassy 340 has a unique feature called the "Hallberg-Rassy Hardtop," which provides protection from the elements and a spacious cockpit area. It also has a unique "Hallberg-Rassy Quality Concept" system, which includes high-quality construction materials and techniques for durability and longevity.

The Tartan 4300 delivers a perfect balance of performance and comfort. It is known for its high-quality construction, cored hull and deck for added strength and durability. Its epoxy-infused hull provides lightweight strength, while the spacious, beautifully crafted interior ensures a luxurious cruising experience.

The Tartan 4300 has a unique feature called the "Tartan Infusion Molding Process," which allows for precise and consistent construction of the hull and deck for added strength and durability. It also has a unique "Tartan Smart Sailing" system, which includes a suite of electronic and navigational tools for easy and safe sailing.

For those who value comfort and classic design, the Island Packet 420 won't disappoint. It is known for its full keel design, excellent stability and seaworthiness. Its spacious, well-appointed interior and solid construction make it a reliable choice for long voyages.

The Island Packet 420 has a unique feature called the "Island Packet Full Foil Keel," which provides excellent stability and seaworthiness. It also has a unique "Island Packet Anchoring System," which includes a powerful windlass and a custom-designed anchor roller for easy and safe anchoring.

The Fountaine Pajot Saona 47 catamaran offers you the perfect combination of speed, stability, and space. Its sleek hulls and spacious, well-designed living areas make it an excellent choice for cruising with friends and family.

The Fountaine Pajot Saona 47 has a unique feature called the "Fountaine Pajot Helmsman's Position," which provides excellent visibility and control of the boat. It also has a unique "Fountaine Pajot Lounge Deck" system, which provides a spacious and comfortable living space.

Cruise in style on the Lagoon 450F, known for its spacious accommodations and excellent performance under sail. With its distinctive flybridge, comfortable cabins, and efficient sailing system, it's ideal for multi-day getaways.

The Lagoon 450F has a unique feature called the "Lagoon Flybridge," which provides excellent visibility and control of the boat. It also has a unique "Lagoon Spacious Cockpit" system, which provides a comfortable and practical living space.

The Bavaria Cruiser 46 is a versatile and stylish cruiser that offers excellent performance and comfort. It is known for its innovative design, featuring a drop-down transom for easy access to the water. Its user-friendly sailing systems, attractive interior, and practical deck layout make it an ideal choice for a wide range of cruising adventures.

The Bavaria Cruiser 46 has a unique feature called the "Bavaria Hybrid Propulsion System," which allows for energy-efficient sailing and propulsion. It also has a unique "Bavaria Smart Storage" system, which provides enough storage space for gear and supplies. Additionally, the Bavaria Cruiser 46 has a unique "Bavaria Vision" design concept, which includes a spacious and comfortable living space with plenty of natural light and ventilation.

best cruising yachts

Cruising Gear Essentials

best cruising yachts

Key features to look for

Versatile hull design.

This allows your sailboat to navigate in various conditions, making it ideal for long-distance cruising.

Efficient sail plan

By having a well-designed sail layout, your boat provides better control, handling, and propulsion.

High-quality construction

Top-quality materials and craftsmanship not only increase the boat's durability, but also enhance its performance.

Comfortable accommodations

When you spend extended periods at sea, you want your sailboat to feel like home, with adequate living space and modern amenities. For an extended sailing trip, you are going to need these 41 sailboat cruising essentials .

best cruising yachts

How they improve sailing experience

Easier boat handling.

Advanced rigging systems, self-tacking jibs, and other innovative technologies make it easier for you to manage your boat, allowing for more time spent enjoying the sea.

Increased safety

State-of-the-art navigation equipment and weather forecasting systems help you anticipate environmental changes, ensuring a safe voyage.

Sustainable power options

Many sailboats in 2023 come with solar panels, hydro generators, or hybrid propulsion options, reducing your environmental impact and providing more sustainable choices while out at sea.

Integrated connectivity

These boats boast digital systems that allow you to stay connected, monitor your journey, and update your friends and family with your adventures.

best cruising yachts

Their advantages over others

Better performance.

These boats have been designed with speed, stability, and maneuverability in mind, ensuring top-notch sailing experiences.

Longevity and value

Since they're built with high-quality materials and expert craftsmanship, these boats are certain to last, making them a wise investment.

Customization options

Many of these sailboats offer customizable features, allowing you to tailor the boat to your specific needs and preferences.

Award-winning designs

Several of these boats have received prestigious awards for their innovative features and performance, making them the ultimate cruising sailboats for any passionate sailor.

The Island Packet 420 and Lagoon 450F are the two most popular cruising sailboats known for their comfort, seaworthiness, and versatility.

The Island Packet 420 is a well-regarded cruising sailboat that has a loyal following. It is known for its spacious interior, comfortable accommodations, and good sailing performance.

The Island Packet 420 features a full keel and a cutter rig, which makes it a stable and seaworthy vessel that can handle a variety of weather conditions. The sailboat has a large master cabin, a well-equipped galley, and a comfortable salon area, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy extended periods of time at sea.

The Lagoon 450F is a popular choice for those who want to explore the world by boat. It is known for its spacious interior, stable platform, and good sailing performance.

The Lagoon 450F features a catamaran hull design, which provides a stable and comfortable platform that is ideal for long-distance cruising. The sailboat has a spacious cockpit, multiple sleeping quarters, and a well-equipped galley, making it a popular choice for those who want to travel with family or friends.

The best size cruising sailboat

The best size cruising sailboat is in the range of 40 to 50 feet. Sailboats in this size range are large enough to provide comfortable accommodations for an extended period of time at sea, yet small enough to be easily handled by a small crew or even single-handed.

Sailboats that are too small may lack the necessary amenities and space for long-distance cruising, while sailboats that are too large may be difficult to handle and require a larger crew. Ultimately, the best size cruising sailboat will depend on individual preferences, needs, and intended use, and it's important to consider factors such as comfort, safety, and ease of handling when choosing a cruising sailboat.

The safest cruising sailboat

Hallberg-Rassy 340, and Island Packet 420 are considered among the safest cruising sailboats. These sailboats are known for their sturdy construction, well-designed hulls, and reliable systems. They are also known for their ability to handle a variety of weather conditions and their comfortable accommodations. However, safety can also depend on the boat maintenance, and the skill and experience of the crew.

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10 Best Sailboat Brands (And Why)

10 Best Sailboat Brands | Life of Sailing

‍ There's no denying that sailors are certainly a passionate bunch. We’re so passionate about our boats that we always try going for the best sailboats. To make it a lot easier for you, here are the best sailboat brands.

Owning a sailboat is an indulgence that many of us only dream about but very few ever have the privilege of sailing the seas in what they can actually call their own.

While there's nothing wrong with renting a sailboat, the honor of owning one is certain what many sailors dream of.

With a perfectly crafted sailboat as company, gliding through the water, waves, and wind brings some sort of unmatched comfort and peace.

Add this to the fact that sailing takes you far away from the daily hustles and bustles that we've become accustomed to in our daily lives and you'll see why the life of sailing is very appealing to the masses.

But without a proper sailboat, all this fun and the good life of sailing are thrown out of the window.

Contrary to the widespread opinion, owning a sailboat isn't beyond anyone's reach. It's something that we can all achieve. But before getting into that, it's important to know some of the best sailboat brands.

The best sailboat brands will make your life as a sailor a lot easier and more fun. The best sailboat brands have, for decades if not centuries, mastered the art of woodworking. They've dedicated their skills and immense amount of their time to designing and manufacturing nothing but the best quality of sailboats in the industry.

So if you've been looking for the best sailboat brands from all over the world, you've come to the right place. We'll discuss the best of the best, something that will give you a perfect getaway from your normal life.

Table of contents

‍ Must-Have Features for Your Sailboat

Before highlighting the best sailboat brands, it would be appropriate to jog your mind a little with some of the features that must be available in your sailboat.

Choosing a sailboat can sometimes be a matter of compromises. In other words, it's sometimes sensible to accept that a sailboat cannot have all the features that you desire.

As such, it's all about going with a sailboat that has the features that matter to you most.

For this reason, let's look at the most basic features that can make the difference in both safety and comfort while improving your sailing experience.

A Safe and Comfortable Sailing Cockpit

You'll most definitely be spending a huge amount of time in the cockpit. Whether you're keeping watch, trimming sails , helming, or just enjoying the scenery, there's no better place to do all these than from the cockpit. That being said, a good cockpit should have the following.

  • Have a good depth for safety reasons and adequate drainage
  • Should give you a quick and easy access to jammers, cleats, and other important parts of the winch system
  • Should have a seat or seats that are about 35 cm high, 50 to 55 cm wide to provide ideal support
  • The seats should be adjustable to offer maximum comfort and allow you to change your position

GPS Chartplotter

Use a GPS Chartplotter once and your sailing will never be the same without it. It not only allows you to map a course but is also a great way of ensuring that your sailboat exactly follows that course. It also gives you constant updates on ocean conditions, weather conditions , and potential hazards such as deadly currents and sandbars.

A GPS Chartplotter is also an important safety device that can help you in some very critical situations while out there on the water.

For instance, it has a man-overboard button that is essentially meant to allow you to receive coordinates of the exact location should someone fall off your boat.

Electric Winch System

This is an amazing addition to any sailboat. It allows you to sheet a jib even in high and strong winds with a simple press of a button. It also gives you the chance of trimming a mainsail easily while still carry out other essential tasks in the sailboat.

An electric winch system can be of great importance, especially if you're short on crew. This is because it can free up some crew members to carry other important tasks. In other words, it can make duties that would otherwise require more crew members a lot easier.

More importantly, an electric winch system can maintain safety even in the roughest of conditions, thereby preventing you and your crew from getting injured. In essence, an electric winch system will make your sailing a lot safer, less stressful, and more enjoyable.

Reverse Osmosis Watermaker

This is a very valuable accessory, especially if you're going on long sea voyages. You can spend days on end without drinking clean and safe water.

As the name suggests, you can use this accessory to turn seawater into purified drinking water. It uses the reverse osmosis method that's essential not only in removing bacteria and parasites from the water but also in turning the water into purified and safe drinking water.

Even though this device is pricey, it's a great way to mitigate the over-reliance on huge water tanks. All you have to do is to ensure that it's properly maintained and you'll have an endless streak of safe drinking water no matter where you are.

Wide and Clutter-free Deck

While the deck is often an overlooked feature of a sailboat, it can be the difference between a great sailing experience and a stressful one. In essence, the deck of a sailboat should be wide enough and clutter-free.

This is significant as it can enable you to quickly access different parts of your sailboat with hindrance or getting tangled. As you can see, this is particularly important in improving safety and reducing stress.

With that in mind, make sure that the deck is organized in such a way that you can have easy access to sails, masts, and winches.

You should, therefore, avoid sailboats with decks that are designed in such a way that you have to climb on top of the cabin just to access these features. Needless to say, this can be quite unstable and very dangerous especially when conditions are rough.

The Best Sailboat Brands and Why

1. hallberg-rassy.

Hallberg-Rassy is a Swedish yacht maker that's very well-known in the blue water cruising circles for making some of the highest quality and sturdiest sailboats. For many sailors, this is the number one sailboat brand as it offers absolute comfort, utmost safety, and good and easy handling.

This brand is not only synonymous with sturdy construction but you won't worry getting soaking wet while out there on the water. This is because it has a well-protected deck and cockpit, finished with nice woodwork, and has a powerful engine with a big tankage just to ensure that you can go on long voyages.

When designing its sailboats, this brand has made it a norm to add some features that stand out from the rest. For instance, the bowsprit is an integral feature that makes sailing a Hallberg-Rassy quite easy and much enjoyable. This is because it grants easy access to and from the deck. Its electric anchor winches facilitate smooth maneuvering. Even more, its large steering wheels makes it much easier to control the boat even in the roughest of conditions. In essence, this brand has features that provide good control and an extra sense of safety.

Although this brand has evolved over the years, you'll easily recognize it even from a distance. And why is this? A Hallberg-Rassy never goes out of style. This is a unique sailboat brand that has always stayed true to its principles and concept. No matter which part of the world you go, Hallberg-Rassy will remain the undisputed king of blue water cruising.

2. Nautor's Swan

For over 50 years, Nautor's Swan has endlessly raised the sailing levels by designing and manufacturing new sailboat models that not only push the boundaries but also meet that many requirements and demands of sailors across the world. Thanks to its wide range of seaworthy, timeless, elegant, and highly-performing sailboats, the Nautor's Swan remains one of the best if not the best sailboat makers in the world.

Based in Jakobstad, Finland, this brand has severally set the industry standard with its speedy and sleek models such as the Swan 48, Swan 65, Swan 98, Swan 78, and Swan 120. These models have one thing in common: they never compromise on safety. As a brand that puts safety first, it ensures that its models are made of foam-cored glass fiber and reinforced both with carbon-fiber and epoxy. In essence, Nautor's Swan is widely revered for its unmatched seafaring and safety records.

Additionally, Nautor's Swan models are incredibly responsive. You can easily tell this just by the feel of the wheel. This brand has models that will gracefully slice through the biggest of waves with ease. That's not all; the interior of these models that are very comfortable even when the going gets tough. This is, without a doubt, a brand that strives to create self-contained worlds with each model.

3. Beneteau

This is perhaps the most selling sailboat brand in the world. For over a century now, this brand has based its models in a combination of simplicity and performance. This is a brand that will serve you just right across all latitudes and in all circumstances. Whether you prefer the Oceanis Yacht 62 or the Figaro Beneteau 3, this brand will never let you down on all fronts.

This brand revolves around a simple concept of creating a link around the world. From the deck space to its design and light, this brand does everything possible not just to uniformly transform life at sea but also to open doors to new horizons in a very luxurious yet practical way. Its models are designed with clear deck plans, stable hulls, simplified maneuvering and interior materials and equipment that can be easily personalized.

Whether you're looking for a racing sailboat or something that's designed to explore and enjoy the world in the company of friends and family, Beneteau is a true combination of sensations and simplicity. This is a brand that brings to the seas fun, simplicity, smartness, toughness, safety, intuitiveness, as well as dazzling reinvention.

4. Amel Yachts

Based on the ethos of designing and manufacturing comfortable, robust, and easy-to-handle boats, this French brand has, for over five decades, offered sailors and other sailing enthusiasts the perfect opportunity to explore the seas with the utmost quality, comfort, and more importantly, safety.

Using 100% French know-how, this brand has brought to the sailing world some of the best boats such as the Santorini, the Mango, the Super Maramu, and the Maramu. We would be doing this brand total injustice if we said that they're distinctive. Truth be told, there's nothing comparable to an Amel model. Well Amel was and still is, the ultimate standard by which other sailboat models are measured.

From items such as electric winches and furling, to generators, Watermaker , and washing machine down to the simplest of items such as towels. Spare filters, bathrobes, deck brush, and a boat safe, the Amel is in reality with what the real life of a sailor is and should be.

Although some may say that Amel still has room for improvement in terms of specifications and personalization, it cannot be denied that the Amel is a serious brand that designs and manufactures complete boats. With this brand, you'll be guaranteed of a higher degree of reliability, safety, and an edge of fun while out there on the water.

5. Hinckley Yachts

Based in Maine, United States, Hinckley Yachts is a brand that has been building robust, luxury, and safe sailboats for more than 90 years now. In its sailboat class, you'll find several sailboats that have classic shapes, inner strength, dramatic lines, and features that are absolutely essential in dealing with the challenges of the North Atlantic.

This brand has been successful in integrating impeccable craftsmanship with new technologies to ensure that their models always stand out while articulating advanced sailing practices, timeless aesthetic, robust construction, and the utmost safety. Whether you choose the Bermuda 50, the Sou'wester 53 or any model for that matter, you'll never be short of advanced performance based on the best design and technology.

In terms of features, this brand provides sailboat models with modern performance hulls. These hulls are constructed with inner layers of carbon, outer layers of Kevlar, and are aligned with computer-designed load paths. Every feature is designed without compromising comfort.

To this end, this brand offers you a perfect combination of both fun and sail. This brand offers more than just sailing. Instead, it offers a unique sailing experience that's combined with the pure joys of sailing in the blue waters with an ease of ownership and maneuverability.

6. Oyster Yachts

If you've been looking for luxury more than anything else, Oyster Yachts provides you with numerous solutions. This British brand is widely known for manufacturing a wide range of luxury cruising sailing yachts. Its sailboats are among the finest in the world and are immensely capable of taking you to some of the far-flung places in the world without having to worry about high winds and hellish waves.

Whether you choose the iconic Oyster 565 or the immense Oyster 595 you never fall short of experiencing the new world like never before. These are models that will enable you to own your adventure, choose your destination, set your courses, pick your anchorage, and stay safe at all times. If you want to hold the wheel and pull the sail while feeling the tang of salt spray on your face, Oyster Yachts is the way to go.

This is, unquestionably, a brand that's meant for you if you want to explore the seas in comfort, luxury and utmost safety. From craftsmanship, sailboat design, to hull, deck, and keel configurations, everything is designed to allow you to circumnavigate the world in comfort, elegance, and style.

7. Tartan Yachts

Based in Fairport Harbor, Ohio, there's arguably no better to begin your sailing adventures than with a sailboat designed and manufactured by Tartan Yachts. With several award-winning designs and construction, this brand is widely known for providing easy handling, great performance, and an ultimately stable platform.

This brand always strives to deliver a unique and the best possible experience to every sailor. As a brand, Tartan fully understands that every sailor has his/her unique sailing needs. As such every component of their models is designed with engineering levels that guarantee optimum performance, excellent on-deck visibility, and luxurious interior.

From the Tartan 5300, the Tartan 4300, the Tartan 345 to the New 365 and the Fantail, this brand makes it a priority to ensure that its models are among the strongest, lightest, and more importantly, the safest in the sailing industry. In essence, this brand can be ideal if you appreciate performance. It has rewarding sailing features both in narrow water lines and wider passages. Add this to its easy handling and you'll have a top-notch performer in virtually every condition.

8. Catalina Yachts

As one of the most popular boat manufacturers in the world, this American brand is widely revered for building the sturdiest boats that can hold up perfectly well in real-world conditions. These are generally family-oriented boats that are intelligently designed to ensure that your entire family can have fun out there on the water.

Some of the models include the cruiser series such as the Catalina 315, the Catalina 385, the Catalina 425 while the sport series include the Catalina 12.5 Expo, the Catalina 16.5, and the Catalina 14.2 Expo. As the current winner of the "Boat of the Year" Cruising World, you'll rarely go wrong with a Catalina model.

It offers a wide range of sailboat sizes that suits your lifestyle. This brand makes it a priority to ensure that all their models are not only safe but offer the best ownership and sailing experience. If anything, this brand is widely known to have one of the most excellent resale values in the sailing industry.

9. Island Packet Yachts

From the IP 525, the IP 439 to the IP 379, the Island Packet Yachts is a brand that encourages its customers not to keep the world waiting. This brand is meant for sailors who want to explore the world in utmost comfort and safety.

The first thing you'll notice in an IP sailboat is its large aft deck. This is not only perfect for sunbathing but can also serve you well if you want an impromptu dinner with friends and family while out there on the water. The living space is also large enough to carry most of your belongings, which is an added advantage especially if you've been planning to spend longer periods in the seas.

With modern evolution and refinement, as well as proven features, this brand is known to offer sailors maximum comfort, luxury, and safety. You'll have better access to the cockpit, have enough space, and are excellently designed to provide superior seafaring and the best features to enable you to spend extended periods when cruising.

10. Sparkman & Stephens

For more than 90 years, Sparkman & Stephens has been at the forefront of the belief that sailboat excellence goes beyond hull lines and deck plans. Instead, this brand believes in excellent naval architecture, innovation, sophistication, and beauty. This is a brand that has laid the foundation of sailboat as a sport not just in America but all over the world.

These models have graced the world for decades and bring immense pleasure to their owners in terms of innovation, performance, and excellence. Though rooted in tradition, the brand has pushed sophistication, technology, and sailing experience to a whole new level. You'll be a proud owner of the Sparkman & Stephens model.

There you have it; these are the best sailboat brands in the world. Although there are several other sailboat brands to choose from, the-above described brands stand shoulder above others in terms of quality, safety, performances and luxury.

Hopefully, you're at a much better place when it comes to choosing a sailboat that suits your lifestyle, needs, and budget .

Happy sailing!

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Daniel Wade

I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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14 Great Pocket Cruisers in 2023

  • By Victor Tan
  • Updated: July 20, 2023

Pocket cruisers and mini yachts are generally vessels under 50 feet in length overall, and can include express cruiser designs, flybridge yachts as well as either monohull or catamaran hull forms. They are cruising boats easily handled by a small, or even shorthanded, crew. Pocket cruisers generally have wave-taming hull designs and have the ability to take on sporty seas, offer comfortable accommodations belowdecks with one or two staterooms for extended voyages, “homelike amenities,” and the ability to cruise as slowly or as quickly as an owner desires with inboard- and outboard-power options. These pocket-cruising boats have the range for longer voyages , can pull up in skinny water at the sandbar thanks to shallow drafts, and head over the horizon where cruising adventure awaits. Pocket cruisers are true multitasking yachts. When it comes to family and couples cruising, it’s hard to beat a well-built and well-equipped and pocket cruiser.

Best Cruising Boats Under 50-Feet

The following 14 pocket cruisers and mini yachts are all vessels we’ve seen, been aboard, and tested. They are listed in no particular order.

  • Hood 35 LM: high-tech, family-friendly pocket cruiser
  • Galeon Yachts 375 GTO: mid-size boat with plenty of below-deck space
  • Aquila 42: sleek power catamaran ready to entertain
  • Azimut Verve 42 : small, yet mighty yacht ready for open water
  • Hinckley Yachts 35: luxury picnic cruiser with range
  • Beneteau Gran Turismo 45: sleek cruising yacht with all the amenities
  • Solaris Power 48 Open: eye-catching power yacht with 360-degree views
  • Cruisers Yachts 42 GLS: luxury cruiser yacht with powerful outboard options
  • Back Cove 34O: modern outboard power combined with classic Downeast styling
  • Picnic Boat 40: speedy and fuel-efficient vessel with great looks
  • Aquila 36: comfortably seat up to 20 guests for fun on the salt
  • Boston Whaler 350 Realm: multitasker built for fishing and entertaining
  • MJM 35z: sporty, aesthetically pleasing, cruising-conscious features and elegant lines
  • Greenline 39: sturdy-looking lines and environmentally-friendly power

When Android co-founder, Rich Miner, wanted a new family-friendly pocket cruiser , he turned to a custom-penned C.W. Hood design and a Lyman-Morse-built 35-footer, which has a timeless Down East profile matched to seriously modern technology under the hood.

This yacht looks like a traditional, cold-molded Down East dayboat, but actually, it has everything, from Hamilton HJX Series water-jet drives to a planned Sea Machines autonomous command-and-control system . Top speed: 40-plus knots.

Hood 35 LM

Quick Specifications

34’10”
11’6″
350 Gal.
60 Gal.
19,000 lbs.

Galeon Yachts 375 GTO

Even the remnants of Hurricane Ian, couldn’t dissuade the Galeon Yacht 375 GTO from its cruising mission. The small yacht’s wave-splitting hull form is paired to torque-filled 600 hp Mercury Verado outboards , giving this fun-in-the-sun boat a 47-knot top hop.

The 375 GTO is a speedster, to be sure, but it’s also so much more. Just about every aspect of the main deck seating is transformable and multifunction, from the aft seating to the alfresco dining abaft the helm, and beyond. It also has a family-size and eminently cruise-worthy belowdecks space for four guests, all while providing a foredeck entertaining lounge too.

The Galeon Yachts 375 GTO ticks all the boxes for an easy-to-handle and sporty cruiser.

Galeon Yachts 375 GTO

37’9″
12′
396.25 Gal.
53 Gal.
27,270 lbs.

Aquila 42 Yacht Power Catamaran

Following the success of its 44-, 54- and 70-foot power catamaran models, Aquila has launched the stable-as-a-table, owner-operator-ready Aquila 42 Yacht Power Catamaran .

The Aquila 42 is the entry point into the builder’s yacht line and is noteworthy for its ability to accommodate anywhere from a two- to four-stateroom layout, depending on the owner’s cruising requirements. There are alfresco spaces to manage the sunset cruise with friends and family, including a foredeck lounge area that can be accessed via centerline steps from the flybridge. The Aquila 42 is available with several Volvo Penta diesel-engine options .

Aquila 42

41’6″
21′
290 Gal.
132 Gal.
41,895 lbs.

Azimut Verve 42

Want to cruise from Florida to Bimini in about an hour? The Azimut Yachts Verve 42 can do that thanks, in part, to triple 450 hp Mercury Racing outboards and a hull designed to dice-and-slice a seaway. Top hop: 45 knots. The Verve 42 also has style for miles with a fine entry, raked hardtop, and a razorlike sheerline accented by sweeping hull glass from bow to stern. It’s striking.

With accommodation for a family of four, the Verve 42 is also solid under the hull tokeep everyone safe on those passages. The Verve 42’s hull is built of fiberglass and uses vinylester resins for blister protection. The yacht’s deck and hardtop are comprised of carbon fiber for strength without added weight. This all means that the Azimut Verve 42 is built to CE Classification Type A , making it suitable for sea voyages where winds can exceed 45 mph and seas to 13 feet.

Azimut Verve 42

42’4″
12’11”
462 Gal.
66 Gal.
30,865 lbs.

Hinckley Yachts 35

The Hinckley Yachts 35 takes everything that yachtsmen like about this pedigreed-brand’s classic profile and infuses today’s modern outboard power to create 40 knots of sheer fun wrapped in sheer luxury.

This 35-foot Hinckley is built on a Michael-Peters-penned hull form with a fine entry, wider-than-average chines and a moderate deadrise. While the boat is built to sprint when desired, it’s also a relatively economical cruiser. For instance, a comfortable 24-knot cruise the Hinckley Yachts 35 has a 276-nautical-mile range.

It also has a tech-build thanks to vacuum-infused carbon-fiber composites and epoxy resin. An integrated interior structure is infused with the hull adding rigidity. The hull is then post-cured in an 80-foot oven, further strengthening the structure.

Hinckley 35

38’8″
11′
250 Gal.
35 Gal.
13,174 lbs.

Beneteau Gran Turismo 45

The Beneteau Gran Turismo is the flagship of the builder’s four-model GT series, which also includes 32-, 36- and 41-foot models.

The Gran Turismo 45 ’s cruise-centric layout includes two staterooms and two heads belowdecks, as well as a galley down. There is also a dinette for meals and a settee for rainy-day lounging. Entertaining guests and enjoying the sun is the primary mission of the main deck.

Beneteau Gran Turismo 45

48’6″
13’9″
238 Gal.
106 Gal.
24,782 lbs.

Solaris Power 48 Open

The Solaris Power 48 Open was the first powerboat from this longtime builder known for its sailing yachts, ranging from 40 to 110 feet length overall. The Solaris Power 48 Open is notable for its wave-slicing plumb-bow design, high freeboard forward and 32-knot-plus speed. Power is twin 480 hp Volvo Penta IPS650 diesels.

The high freeboard keeps the deck dry and help creates sizable volume belowdecks with an average 6-foot-6-inch headroom. This enables real estate for either one or two staterooms. With the single-stateroom setup, there is a forepeak master stateroom while an L-shaped settee converts to sleeping accommodations for family or occasional guests. Interior wood options are oak or walnut.

Solaris 48 Open

48’8″
15’10”
396 Gal.
114 Gal.
37,037 lbs.

Cruisers Yachts 42 GLS

Outboard-power cruising aficionados will appreciate the triple-engine options for the Cruisers Yachts 42 GLS . The 42 GLS we got aboard had the triple 400 hp Mercury Verados , which produced a top hop of 45 knots, but triple 450 hp Verados are available. Triple 350 hp Mercury Verados are the standard engine option. No matter the power arrangement, this express cruiser can easily be used for wakeboarding and tube towing. The 42 GLS is designed to handle the rough stuff too, with a fine entry and 21-degree transom deadrise.

For cruising enthusiasts, the 42 GLS has a master stateroom with an athwartships and a nearly queen-size berth, and the lower salon’s U-shaped dinette converts to a queen-size berth for the kids.

Cruisers Yachts 42 GLS

42′
13′
403 Gal.
50 Gal.
27,000 lbs.

Back Cove 34O

Combining modern outboard power with classic Downeast styling, the Back Cove 34O touts award-winning standards with cruising in mind. The 34O is equipped with twin 300 hp Yamaha outboards, engines that allow the Newport International Boat Show’s 2018 Best Powerboat Under 35 Feet winner to travel up to 214 nautical miles at 24 knots on a 250-gallon fuel tank.

Belowdecks, the 34O has an island double berth and a split-head arrangement with the toilet to port and a separate shower stall to starboard. On the main deck, a U-shape dinette to port accommodates four or more guests on the Back Cove Yachts vessel. The 34O’s galley is equipped with a Cuisinart microwave, a two-burner Kenyon electric cooktop and a Vitrifrigo fridge and freezer.

back cove 340

38’11”
11’10”
242 Gal.
60 Gal.
17,000 lbs.

Picnic Boat 40

Hinckley Yachts unveiled its first Picnic Boat more than two decades ago. Now, after two previous, sub-40-foot models, the Maine-based boatbuilder has developed its largest and most advanced model to date: the Picnic Boat 40.

Twin 480 hp Cummins diesel engines paired to twin Hamilton 322 jet drives propel the yacht to a 30-knot cruising speed and 34 knots on the pins. With optional twin 550 hp Cummins diesels, cruise and top-end speeds jump to 35 and 38 knots, respectively.

There is an L-shaped settee with a table and a wet bar on the main deck to port. The helm station is forward and to starboard with a benchseat for two. There is also a companion seat across from the helm. Belowdecks, there is 6-foot-2-inch headroom, and the dinette table drops to form a California-king berth for overnights and weekending.

hinckley picnic boat 40

42′
12’10”
375 Gal.
80 Gal.
25,000 lbs.

Aquila Power Catamarans started its line with 44- and 48-footers, and now the builder’s Aquila 36 takes the line into the midsize market.

The 36 features a single, main-living area from bow to stern, helped in part by the vessel’s 14-foot, 7-inch beam. The boat can comfortably seat up to 20 guests for fun on the salt. Several Mercury Verado engine options are available for the Aquila 36, including twin 250-, 300- and 350-hp four-strokes. With the 350s, the Aquila has a top-end speed of 37 knots.

Other notable features include a fiberglass hardtop, a dinette, a cooktop, a fridge, a sink and a smokeless grill. Belowdecks, there are two staterooms with nearly queen-size berths, en suite heads and 6-foot-6-inch headroom in each.

aquila 36

36′
14’7″
330 Gal.
52 Gal.
21,572 lbs.

Boston Whaler 350 Realm

From fishing and entertaining guests to diving and overnight cruising, Boston Whaler ‘s 350 Realm is a multitasker. And it’s fast, too. It’s powered with either triple 300 hp or triple 350 hp Mercury Verados. The 350 Realm can reach a top speed of 46 knots.

At the helm, two Raymarine displays provide vital navigation data. The captain can take in the displays’ view from a doublewide helm seat. There’s a flip-down platform for standing when needed and a footrest when desired.

There is a V-shaped berth that converts into a double berth with a filler cushion. The separated head has a VacuFlush MSD and a hot-and-cold shower. Owners also have the option to add a microwave and a flat-screen TV.

Boston Whaler 350 Realm

35’6″
10’10”
385 Gal.
45 Gal.
18,830 lbs.

The MJM 35z can reach a top speed of 44 knots and a cruising speed of 33 knots on its optional 350 hp Mercury Verado outboards; twin 300 hp outboards are standard on this MJM Yachts vessel. Additionally, the 35z can travel up to 304 nautical miles on its 250-gallon fuel tank.

The 35z has a flush-deck layout and to port is space for an electric grill, a baitwell, a sink, an ice maker and a fridge. There are two Stidd helm seats—one for the helmsman and the other for a copilot—that rotate to face the rest of the seating aft. In the cabin is V-shaped seating forward that can be converted to a berth.

Owners also have the option of adding a Seakeeper 3 gyrostabilizer and a full-length Bimini top to shade the cockpit.

MJM 35z

38’3″
11′
250 Gal.
58 Gal.
13,279 lbs.

Greenline 39

Greenline Yachts ‘ vessels are aptly named for their environmentally friendly means of moving about; the Greenline 39 is no different. The Slovenian yacht manufacturer produces two types of this model: hybrid and solar.

If owners opt for the latter, the 39’s four solar panels atop the salon power all of the vessel’s systems for three hours. With the power of the sun, the 39 can achieve a max speed of 6.5 knots and a cruising speed of 4 knots. The hybrid type uses those same panels to help power a 220 hp Volvo Penta D3 with a Mahle electric-drive system. Owners have the option of replacing the standard engine with a 370 hp Yanmar 8LV diesel.

Belowdecks, scissor berths provide accommodations for long weekends.

Greenline 39

39’5″
12’4″
185 Gal.
105 Gal.
15,432 lbs.
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  • Cabin Cruiser Boats

The Best Cabin Cruiser Boats in 2024

Best Cabin Cruiser Boats

We gave our Boating Team one job: To find the best and most popular cabin cruisers and review them.

Our writers and editorial team conducted interviews, researched specs and drew upon our collective expertise to write unbiased reviews.

best cruising yachts

A cabin cruiser is a great choice for families and those who want to cruise a little further . For those of us who love being on the water and by the water, this type of vessel is great for entertaining and getting away.

It hits the mark between an RV and a floating luxury hotel room. Although they give you many comforts of larger yachts, they cost much less and are easier to operate.

In this guide, we’ve rounded up the best cabin cruisers money can buy in 2024.

Notice the different sizes and pay attention to some of the really smart features. Check out some videos in the guide at the bottom.

See our quick top 15, or go further down and read our in-depth reviews.

The Top 5 Cabin Cruiser Boats in 2024

All the cabin cruiser boats we've tested, sea ray slx 400 ob.

Sea Ray Slx 400 Ob

Where to buy:

Where to buy sea ray slx 400 ob:.

Sea Ray’s flagship is the SLX 400 OB, a 42-foot platform with outstanding use of space and basic accommodations, that embodies bowrider performance and social options with cabin cruiser comfort.

All told, this boat has seating for up to 22 people and can reach 60 mph.

The SLX 400 is “The Entertainer,” dubbed for the copious space for lounging and hanging out on deck. The starboard side features a fold-down swim terrace extending the boat’s beam by three feet and adding room to the swim platform. A well-appointed wet bar galley with electric grills stands opposite a huge L-shaped settee and table.

If you’re worried that driving this 20,000-pound boat might feel sluggish, think again. The Mercury V-8s get the boat to plane in just under five seconds. The ride is solid and comfortable, with automatic trim tabs and an optional Seakeeper gyro stabilizer. When it comes time to head home, the Mercury joystick steering makes even the trickiest docking scenarios easy as cake.

  • Length: 42 feet, 2 inches
  • Beam: 12 feet, 1 inch
  • Draft: 45 inches max, 32 inches engines up
  • Weight: 20,678 pounds dry
  • Capacity: Yacht Certified
  • Fuel Tank: 375 gallons
  • Water Tank: 50 gallons
  • Engine: 3x Mercury 300 Verado V-8 outboards with joystick (upgradable to twin 600-hp V-12s )
  • Top Speed: 45 knots (51.8 mph)

Things we like:

Things we don't like:, axopar 45 xc.

Axopar 45 Xc Featured

Where to buy Axopar 45 XC:

The latest boat from Finnish builder Axopar is nothing short of a bigger, better adventure machine. The Axopar 45 XC Cross Cabin features a glorious upper pilothouse and salon, terrace seating, a customizable aft deck, and the option for two cabins and two heads.

A wave-cutting V-hull shape puts the performance of this adventure boat in focus, but the surprising amenities crammed into this platform impress equally as much.

Dive into the in-depth to investigate the details surrounding the Axopar 45 XC, and see why these boats are becoming so popular worldwide.

  • Length: 45 feet, 7 inches/13.9 meters
  • Beam: 13 feet, 6 inches/4.11 meters
  • Draft: 3 feet, 3 inches/1.0 meters
  • Weight (without engines): 15,433 pounds/7,000 kg
  • Power: 3x Mercury Verado V-8 300 outboards
  • Passengers/CE: Certification B:12/C:16

Tiara Yachts

Tiara 43 LE

tiara-43le-exterior profile2

Where to buy Tiara 43 LE:

The Tiara 43 LE is the first in the company’s new series of performance cabin cruisers. If it looks fast, it’s because it is fast. This boat, powered by twin Mercury V12 outboards churning out a combined 1,200 horsepower, gets up to 30 in about 11 seconds and tops out around 54 miles per hour.

As is expected from a brand like Tiara, this small motor yacht is beautifully appointed and well-equipped. The entire port gunwale opens into a large swim platform, opening up the cockpit space for water-fun or entertaining.

Down below, the boat has a large island berth forward and a separate double stateroom to midship. The pilothouse is enclosed with tempered glass all around and provides awesome visibility and all-season comfort.

All in all, the Tiara 43LE is a cabin cruiser that drives with power and elegance. Unlike other vessels in the class, however, this boat lacks a common area to work and eat, like a large cockpit table or a dinette in the pilothouse. The seating arrangements work great for socializing on the water, but you might want to look at the 48LE for overnights or longer-distance voyaging.

  • Length Overall (LOA): 43'6"
  • Dry Weight: 23,300 lbs.
  • Draft: 3'5"
  • Fuel Tank: 400 gal.
  • Water Tank: 60 gal.
  • Holding Tank: 40 gal.
  • Power: 2x Mercury 600 Verado V12 Outboards
  • Top Speed: 47.4 knots (54.6 mph)
  • Cruising Speed: 37.4 knots (43.1 mph)
  • Fuel Burn at Cruise: 61.6 gph
  • Range at Cruise: 219 nm (252 mi)
  • Grand Banks

Eastbay Yachts

The Grand Banks Eastbay 44

Grand Banks East Bay 44 Boat

Where to buy The Grand Banks Eastbay 44:

The Eastbay 44 from Grand Banks is the company’s smallest Downeast cabin cruiser. It’s one of the first boats released by the brand under the leadership of CEO Mark Richards.

In a world filled with production boats, here is a moving work of art—a boat built as good as it looks that can carry you and your family to distant shores with comfort and ease.

A joystick control and widely-spaced engines make docking in tight spaces easy. Responsive throttles and the deep-vee hull make shooting even the roughest inlet a non-event.

But the resounding virtue of the Eastbay 44 is its build quality. This brand prides itself on pursuing perfection, and the Eastbay 44 might be the closest thing to it in the small motor yacht or cabin cruiser categories.

The Eastbay draws on the heritage of the Maine lobster boat. She’s beamy for a spacious interior and a stable ride. Her attractive, low-profile design contrasts the angular and tall flybridge offerings of her competition. And her beautifully appointed pilothouse is perfectly sheltered from the elements when you want to be. But, with the push of the button, the windows open, and the space has as much fresh air as you’d ever want.

  • Length Overall: 48'10"
  • Length On Deck: 43'7"
  • Beam: 14'7"
  • Displacement: 36,883 lbs.
  • Engine: 2x Volvo Penta D6-IPS 650S (480 hp, six-cylinder, pod-drive diesels)
  • Top Speed: 33 knots (38 mph)
  • Cruise Speed: 28 knots (32 mph) at 27 gallons per hour
  • Cruise Range: 492 nautical miles
  • Fuel Tank: 581 gal.
  • Water Tank: 194 gal.
  • Holding Tank: 41 gal.

Jeanneau US

Jeanneau Worldwide

Jeanneau Merry Fisher 1295

jeanneau nc weekender

Where to Book:

Where to book jeanneau merry fisher 1295:.

All new for 2023, Jeanneau has introduced the Merry Fisher 1295 Fly, also called the NC Weekender 1295 Fly. At just over 40 feet, this true three-level yacht boasts three staterooms, two heads, tons of comfortable seating and lounge space, and enough storage to bring all your stuff with you.

Beyond helm features for easier docking, this cabin cruiser is designed to carry you and your family comfortably. There’s not really another 40-foot flybridge that offers as much as the 1295 for the same price point.

The spacious salon level features sliding glass doors that open onto the aft cockpit. The aft galley is fully appointed and allows for the perfect flow for socialization during meals and hanging out. The cockpit features a walkthrough boarding door to port and a large fold-down swim terrace to starboard.

Finally, the staterooms and heads are large and comfortable, with plenty of storage and headroom below.

  • Length: (Overall/Hull) 41 feet, 2 inches/12.56 meters; 39 feet, 1 inch/11.92 meters
  • Beam: 12 feet, 6 inches/3.80 meters
  • Draft: 2 feet, 6 inches/0.76 meters
  • Hull Weight: 18,031 pounds/8,181 kilograms
  • Bridge Clearance: 16 feet, 5 inches/5.0 meters
  • Fuel Capacity: 310 gallons/1,174 liters
  • Engines: 3x 300 horsepower Yamaha outboards
  • CE Category: B10/C12

Rinker Boats

Rinker 270 Express Cruiser

Rinker 270 Express Cruiser

Where to buy Rinker 270 Express Cruiser:

The Rinker boat company may have gone the way of the dinosaurs, but the 270 Express Cruiser will be around for a while. Polaris has assumed ownership and support for these agile cruisers.

Enjoy 6’5” cabin headroom, a fully equipped galley, a head with wet shower, and sleeping quarters that can stretch 4 people if it has to.

Rinker has designed a smaller boat that has designs that make it seem bigger. Step inside and see how functionality isn’t compromised by a more streamlined setup.

An older, discontinued model, but a good one.

And the Express Cruiser certainly loves to move, meaning you got the amenities in something that motors like a speed boat.

Wakeboarding and tubing is quite a reasonable thing to do with the 270.

Choose either the MerCruiser SeaCore Drive or the workhorse Volvo Penta OceanX Drive for gasoline or diesel motors respectively.

As an update, this model seems to be discontinued, but as a used boat for sale with low running hours, it could be an affordable way to satisfaction.

  • Length: 28’10”
  • Dry weight: 7,085lbs
  • Capacity: sleeps 4
  • Motor : Inboard MerC (gasoline) or Volvo Penta (Diesel)

Regal Boats

Regal 42 Fly

Regal 42 Fly

Where to buy Regal 42 Fly:

This spacious flybridge yacht is one of Regal’s flagships. It’s a cabin cruiser that flirts with the lifestyle aboard a larger motor yacht.

She’s already spacious, but the large windows add an incredibly open and light-filled feeling to all the spaces below.

The flybridge has a welcoming open layout for hanging out in the sun with 4-6 friends, and the upper salon, with its fully appointed galley, makes meal prep easy. Below decks, you’ll find two large staterooms, one with a queen-sized island berth and the other with an even larger king that can convert to two twins.

There’s a choice of adding an extra head instead of the lower galley and adding privacy walls. Performance-wise, driving this boat with Regal’s high-quality gauges and consoles will be a pleasure.

  • Length: 41 feet, 11 inches
  • Beam: 13 feet
  • Draft: 44 inches
  • Dry Weight: 27,400 lbs.
  • Fuel Tank: 258 gal.
  • Water Tank: 73 gal.
  • Power Options: 2x Volvo D6 diesel with IPS drive (870 hp)

Back Cove Yachts

Back Cove 34O

Back Cove 34O

Where to buy Back Cove 34O:

The perfectly balanced combination of performance, comfort, and downeast seaworthiness make the Back Cove 34O a cruising couple’s dream.

Her entirely new hull features Trailing Edge Lifting Surface (TRELIS) *D* design technology and is fitted with a standard bow thruster. The 34O delivers cruise and top-end speeds approximately 10 knots faster than the traditional single diesel Back Cove.

Built with entertaining in mind, the cockpit boasts an elegant salon with a versatile and comfortable settee along with a fully equipped galley. The aft-facing seat converts into a helm deck U-shaped dinette or second berth.

We’ve been seeing the double outboard motor solution on bigger boats in the last few years, and the Back Cove 340 does it pretty well. With twin 300hp Yamahas (or upgrade to 350hp with optional Suzuki), the performance of this cabin cruiser seems like a ski boat when it gets the chance to stretch its legs.

A couple of highlights of this cabin cruiser is the inventive helm step that provides excellent visibility as well as loads of storage space below the helm deck—large enough to fit all your water toys and fishing gear.

When dusk turns to dark, head over to the spacious master cabin where you’ll find a large and comfortable bed as well as a separate head and shower.

  • Length: 38’11”
  • Beam: 11’10”
  • Dry weight: 17,000lbs
  • Motor: 2 outboards

Azimut Yachts

Azimut Magellano 43

Azimut Magellano 43

Where to buy Azimut Magellano 43:

The Azimut Magellano 43 deserves a place in our list for her unparalleled mix of solid-performance with uber-luxurious surroundings. It’s a cabin cruiser built for long-range yachting. You’ll want to just keep sailing on.

It features three decks of pure sophistication and attention to detail. It comes with three cabins, two full heads, a fully equipped galley, and loads of room to walk around, entertain, and relax.

Designed for luxury cruising, this trawler-inspired vessel comes with the unique Dual Mode hull, which ensures comfortable navigation and excellent seafaring even in choppy, deep-sea conditions.

This cabin cruiser, like the Grand Banks in this list, challenges the category and will likely be referred to by their owners and spectators as a beautiful yacht . That’s where this model fits on this list: a cabin cruiser boat that’s bigger in every way, including style and price.

It’s designed for extended voyages on bigger seas, but it’ll generate attention in the marina. The Magellano’s size will, however, make finding a slip difficult, so bear this in mind.

  • Length: 43’10”
  • Beam: 14’5”
  • Dry weight: 38,800lbs
  • Capacity: sleeps 5+
  • Motor: 2 Inboard

Intrepid Powerboats

Intrepid 41 Valor

Intrepid 41 Valor

Where to buy Intrepid 41 Valor:

One of the most recent additions to the Intrepid Powerboats line-up is the 41 Valor, a cabin cruiser designed for performance.

Despite the temptation of doing the next Key West Poker Run, it features a clean and crisp design and offers you and your guests loads of comfort and space for a memorable day of cruising or a pleasant overnight stay.

The large wraparound cockpit lounge is great for entertaining. Add the optional wet bar and the party is complete.

The private retreat below the cockpit includes a large queen-size berth in the aft, a galley on the starboard side, a private head with shower stall on the port side along with a V-shaped settee that can also be converted into a berth with the optional Hi-Lo table and filler cushion.

As with all Intrepids, it also features the company’s signature stepped hull, which delivers a smooth, dry ride with unmatched performance. With 2 or 3 outboard motors to choose from–including Evinrude 200 up to Mercury 450R–the Poker Run is calling!

  • Length: 41'85'’
  • Beam: 11’9”
  • Motor: 2 or 3 outboards

Regal 33 Express

Regal 33 Express

Where to buy Regal 33 Express:

One of the best cabin cruisers we know of, the Regal 33 Express has everything you need to spend as much time on the water as you like. No small feat considering its diminutive size.

This boat has a spacious cockpit with well-thought-out seating options making it maneuverable and more  manageable than bigger cruisers.

Everyone will fight over their spot on the “UltraLounge,” an electrically activated four-position seat on the stern that is comfortable no matter how you use it. A cockpit bar-style galley has space for a fridge and electric grill.

Down below, the 33 Express has an enormous king-sized midship berth that can convert to two large twins. There’s a dinette built around a small galley and a convertible bunk forward that folds up and out of the settee. The head is large and features an electric toilet and a separate shower.

  • Length: 34 feet, 3 inches
  • Beam: 10 feet, 4 inches
  • Draft (min/max): 21/37 inches
  • Dry Weight: 13,200 lbs.
  • Fuel Tank: 150 gal.
  • Water Tank: 36 gal.
  • Power Options: 2x Volvo V6 (560 hp) or 2x Volvo V8 (600 or 700 hp); or outboard power on the Regal 33XO

Sabre Yachts

Sabre Salon Express 38

Sabre Salon Express 38

Where to buy Sabre Salon Express 38:

Classic Downeast lines paired with all the right features make the Sabre Salon Express 38 “a boat that boaters recognize.”

This pocket cruising yacht —ideal for a couple or a small family—boasts an open, elegant, and inviting salon which opens up to an equally spacious and comfortable cockpit, great for entertaining and al fresco dining.

The cabin below comes with a fully equipped galley, a lounge, a master berth, as well as a full head. Add plenty of stowage to this cruiser and summer voyage is both realistic and uncompromising.

The classic profile, thrilling performance, and low sound levels make the Sabre SE 38 an icon of nautically sensible design.

  • Length: 41’9”
  • Beam: 13’4”
  • Dry weight: 21,000lbs
  • Capacity: Yacht certified
  • Motor: 2 inboards

Jeanneau America

Jeanneau NC1095 Fly

Jeanneau NC1095 Fly

Where to buy Jeanneau NC1095 Fly:

The NC1095 Fly is the culmination of a practical approach to a cabin cruiser with intelligent design spawned by a modern interpretation of what cruising is all about. This is an amazing 3 stateroom, 35-foot boat that can so easily be called a home away from home.

This is a plus model option to Juneau’s 35 foot flagship NC1095 that adds the flybridge for those lovely sunny days when you can lavish in getting closer to the sun. It has ample space in the aft section of the cockpit with a movable sofa seat when tilting the two outboard motors.

The salon itself is full of storage cubbies, a long galley table with sink and stove and a modular table that doubles as an additional berth. With the cockpit enclosure around the aft seating area, the living space becomes that much more impressive in a 35 footer.

The Fly is easily big enough for a family or a small party to while away a weekend or a summer playing cards, reading, while cruising to another horizon.

As a performance vessel, the NC1095 Fly handles like a bowrider . It’s twin Yamaha outboards are quiet but insistent and the controls–including bow thruster–make turning, docking, navigating intuitive and responsive. Powered by Garmin instruments with optional auto-pilot solutions, even less-experienced mariners will feel more at ease behind the wheel.

Speaking of space again, the recessed starboard side deck makes for quick access for laying out fenders and moorings, while access to the boat’s mechanical, power and fuel systems makes visual inspection and maintenance that much easier.

The V-berth stateroom has a lot of natural light and smart storage. The second berth has plenty of space with standing room too, while the third stateroom–a little smaller–still has a double bunk and an optional second fridge.

Built in the Cadillac, Michigan factory the venerable Juneau Yacht company has joined its artisan past with its desire to adapt and improve. The flydeck variant of their motor boat flagship is testament to Juneau’s history of understanding what works and doing it even better.

  • Length: 34’3”
  • Dry weight: 11,685lbs
  • Capacity: Sleeps up to 8

Sea Ray Sundancer 320

Sea Ray Sundancer 320

Where to buy Sea Ray Sundancer 320:

In many ways, it was the Sundancer that made Sea Ray famous. With their classy blend of speed and overnight accommodations, these express cruisers are the perfect size for most boaters looking to get out on the water and enjoy a second home away from home.

Sundancers in the 31 to 32-foot range have long been the best sellers. It’s the Goldilocks boat that is neither too large nor too small. The current Sundancer 320 is available with either Mercruiser sterndrive or Mercury outboard power.

The Sundancer features some of the great technology you’ll find in other Sea Rays, including the submersible swim platform and plush seating. The bow now features a clever sun lounge with a walkway and removable table, making a much more functional space compared to similar cabin cruisers of the past.

  • Length: 32 feet, 10 inches
  • Beam: 10 feet, 7 inches
  • Draft (max/min): 41 inches/30 inches
  • Weight: 14,000 pounds
  • Power: 2x Mercruiser 6.2L MPI ECT Bravo Three X (300 hp each)
  • Number of people: Yacht Certified
  • Fuel: 158 gallons

Jeanneau Leader 33

Jeanneau Leader 33

Where to buy Jeanneau Leader 33:

Cruise in functional style aboard the Leader 33. A moderately sized cabin cruiser with surprising space and plush interiors, the Leader 33 is a good entry boat into touring.

Available in two versions: an Open version with an arch and a Sport Top version with an electrically opening hard top, the Leader 33 boasts a spacious and functional layout which makes relaxing and entertaining a breeze.

Long windows in the hull offer beautiful sea views along with plenty of natural light in the cabin below. Also, two galleys, two sleeping berths, and an expansive head with a separate shower stall make the Leader 33 the ideal boat for a weekend getaway.

Junneau is a well-established name and there are plenty of solid used options for this model. When you find one for sale at a dealer or marina, take it for a spin.

  • Length: 34’8”
  • Dry weight: 10,829lbs

Regal 38 SAV

Regal 38 SAV

Where to buy Regal 38 SAV:

The Regal 38 SAV defies being put in a category. It looks like a simple center console, but it has the amenities of a fully-furbished cabin cruiser. It will thrive in the warm Gulf waters and the Caribbean.

The SAV stands for Sports Activity Vessel. In other words, it’s an SUV on the water with the functionality to match its name. Adjustable seating and the ability to go to the beach and go on a blue water cruise will keep the whole family happy, whether fishing, cruising, tanning, or playing in the water.

If you’re in the market for a boat that can comfortably entertain a crowd or take the family on a comfortable cruise, the 38 SAV is worth a look. While not as performance-oriented as other options, it offers features and a layout comparable to the Tiara 43 LE or Sea Ray SLX 400 but at a friendlier price point than either. If you want something with a fully enclosed cockpit, check out the Regal LS36 .  

  • Length: 39 feet, 3 inches
  • Beam: 11 feet, 11 inches
  • Draft (min/max): 23/31 inches
  • Dry Weight: 18,800 lbs.
  • Fuel Tank: 340 gal.
  • Power Options: 3x Yamaha 300 hp outboard

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A Quick Guide to Cabin Cruisers 

They need a little more than just a cabin under the deck to be called a cabin cruiser. Think  bowrider or runabout  and expand outwards with a mind toward extending your daytrip so it potentially never ends. That entails more space and comfort like you get with your typical luxury yacht combined with performance associated with the bowriders.

The cabin cruisers we have on the list are designed with a maritime intelligence that incorporates deep and fundamental logic required to make recreational sailing as a lifestyle both safe and enjoyable. A model like the NC1095 Fly is a great example of a modern interpretation of a cabin cruiser that really embodies the maritime equivalent of a newer RV.

When deciding what vessel is right for you, figure out how much space you need, how long you’re going to be cruising and pay particular attention to how comfortable you feel navigating tighter waterways and docking. Smaller craft like the Chris-Craft 34 are easier to wrap your head around and if your needs and horizons are closer to home than this is a good vessel for cruising shorter overnight excursions and even navigating smaller waterways like river systems.

The bigger boats, like the Grand Banks 44, will appeal to longer voyages further out at sea. These are vessels that could even traverse the Atlantic–for the intrepid mariner–and have a great go of the Mediterranean.

While size will increase the challenges when navigating and docking (make sure to use boat fenders when docking), these modern cabin cruisers have been designed so well in order to make the pilot seem a steady, old hand at the helm.

Consider the need for bow thrusters, whether you want inboard motors or outboard motors (the latter tend to be cheaper and easier to maintain), air conditioning/heating, where you can get a boat slip and how readily available guest slips are for boats with the different beams (width).

These boats are still relatively easy to operate but they can go quite fast on the water. Remember to observe the customs and rules on the waves. Most importantly: enjoy.

Take a look at these videos that demonstrate some of the models on our list:

Continue reading our Boat Reviews:

  • 7 Best Regal Boats 
  • 8 Best StarCraft Boats
  • 7 Best Center Console Boats

Frequently asked questions

A cabin cruiser is a type of powerboat that typically ranges from 25 to 45 feet in length. Because they come with sleeping, cooking, and bathroom facilities they are a top choice for weekend trips but also manageable enough for quick day trips.

These are some of the best cabin cruiser brands on the market today:

  • Cruiser Yachts

Prices will vary depending on the size as well as the included amenities.

A cabin cruiser usually costs between U$100,000 to U$700,000. However, more sophisticated models, like the  East Bay 44  can go for as much as U$1 million.

Cabin cruisers are very similar to larger yachts. They can cruise long distances and they offer many facilities that help keep passengers comfortable during long haul trips, but unlike a large yacht, a cabin cruiser boat does not require a professional crew aboard.

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  • / Cabin Cruiser Boats

guest

Love it! It would be fun to test drive each!

Bradley Axmith

It’s possible to test a lot of them at a boat show. Board and check out the interior and, if you’re lucky, join along for a sea trial.

Torben Lonne

This is great feedback, and we’ll take it into account when updating our guides.

Jin

This is a great list. I keep coming back to them to discover more manufacturers and models. Is it possible, however, to add cost ranges to these models or generic $$$ cost brackets. The boat companies all like to hide the cost and not knowing the brands I am spending most of my time trying to figure out which one is the best value. You mentioned a range of $100k to $700k but I have yet to find the $100k model

Thomas H Welch

What are the best “hardtop Express Cruisers in the 36′ LOA range with OB engines and a fully enclosed weatherproof helm/salon area? I would like a boat that can sleep six adults.

Hey Keith. Thank you for your service. Some of the boat makers have military discounts like Crestliner (for fishing boats mainly: https://www.crestliner.com/specials/military-discount/ ), but talk to the guys at your local marina. I’ve found that they do reward service with a price cut sometimes. Check out these guys too: https://www.harborsidemarinesales.com/

keith thomas

Hello Is there a disabled veteran discount?

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Gallery of cabin cruiser boats review.

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A variety of Cabin Cruiser boats on water

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Photo courtesy Tiara Yachts.

best cruising yachts

The Axopar cross cabin is an adventure boat with overnighting options.

best cruising yachts

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best cruising yachts

New Yachts on the Market: Latest Racing & Cruising Designs

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350 - yacht

In the market for a racing or cruising yacht? It’s been another bumper year for the boatbuilding industry… Sam Jefferson casts his eye over the latest launches.

New yachts: cruising, wauquiez 55.

Wauquiez is a marque that has been much revered in cruising circles since they first started building elegant cruisers back in the 1960s. Their new 55 boat is definitely intriguing and one of the striking features is the centre cockpit with the helm offset to port under a well protected solid plexiglass sprayhood.  Another interesting feature is the option of a swing keel which gives you an almighty 4.2m of draft when lowered and 1.6m when raised. Aside from that, the boat dares to be different by supplying two Volvo D2 engines as standard.  The interior looks extremely spacious and Lombard has capitalised on full forward sections and plenty of beam to ensure that there is a huge interior space. In addition, the centre cockpit allows for a huge aft owner’s cabin.

wauquiez.com

Moody 48 DS

Moody has been under German ownership as part of the Hanse group for many years now and offers a different sort of cruiser in quality deck saloon cruisers which are designed by Judel/Vrolijk. The new 48 is the first new launch they have made since their 41 2017 and fits between the Moody 45 and 54 in their range. As you’d expect, this is a boat that is big on space and comfort, featuring a big, beamy hull with twin rudders. Performance has not been neglected, however, because she sports a generous rig to push her 21,000kg displacement through the water. 

Inspirationmarine.co.uk

Moody - cruising yacht

Hanse Yachts broke with go to designer of many years Judel/Vrolijk a couple of years back and this was the catalyst behind the launch of a new generation of Hanses designed by the French team of Berret/Racoupeau. In addition to a marked change in styling, with inverted ‘dreadnought bow and hard chines aft giving the boats a more angular look, the main drive seemed to be to up the quality of the boats down below – which was certainly achieved. The new 590 is their biggest boat yet of this new generation and offers easy sailing on a big scale. The new boat features an optional hard top bimini, a tender garage and acres of space down below. The boat will be officially unveiled at Cannes Boat show and promises to be a head turner.

Hanse 590 - cruising yacht

New Cruising Yacht: Maxus 35

Maxus Yachts is a Polish company that made its name. building small trailerable yachts to sail on the Masurian lakes not far from the Russian border. Now the company has moved up a size bracket and their new 35 is bigger and aimed more at offshore sailing than previous designs. The result is a spacious yacht with striking styling and a semi deck saloon arrangement that bathes the saloon with natural light. It all points to promises decent performance and accommodation at a highly competitive price. 

northman.pl

French manufacturer Dufour has really pumped up the volume with its latest generation of yachts. The new Umberto Felci designed 44 follows on from the 37 and 41 which have already drawn plaudits thanks to their remarkable ability to create internal volume without looking overly dumpy. The 44 continues in this vein boasting plentiful beam aft and full sections at the bow above the waterline. The interior is positively palatial and there is a choice of three or four cabin layouts.

dufour-yachts.com

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350

The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350 is the successor to the 349 which was actually launched way back in 2013. At 34’1” excluding the bowsprit she is the starter boat in the range and viewed by the French manufacturer as offering a gateway into sailing for young families.

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350  - cruising yacht

The boat is designed by Marc Lombard and Piaton Yacht design and, as you’d expect the lines are bang up to date, offering plenty of internal volume via fuller forward sections. Like its predecessor the 349, the new boat is available with a swing keel – a real boon in UK waters. The interior is really quite large and there is the option of twin doubles aft plus a double forward. 

jeanneau.com

Elan GT6 Explorer

The Elan GT6 was a very stylish fast cruiser from drawing board of rob Humphreys that has been very well received since its launch. The GT6 Explorer is, as you can imagine a variation on this theme but the manufacturers have identified rthe potential of the boat as a fast blue water cruiser and built on that. As such, the boat fuel and water tankage has been boosted as has battery power. There is also the option of an all electric version utilising Oceanvolt’s pioneering technology. 

elan-yachts.com

Elan GT6 Explorer

It has been some years since Danish manufacturers X Yachts realised that if they offered a de tuned Xc cruising range alongside its out and out performance yachts, it would massively enlarge its customer base. The project was a huge success and the Xc range is now into its second generation with the launch of the Xc47. The new launch is one of the first since X Yachts divorce from founder and chief designer Niels Jeppesen and the result is a yacht that leans heavily towards the cruising market, featuring something not far from a deck saloon. The hull lines feature plenty of beam aft and there has obviously been a very conscious effort to up the cruising ante. That said, the boat retains a powerful rig and weight has been kept reasonably modest.

x-yachts.com

New Yachts: Racing

Cf 580 ran 8.

Ran 8 is one of the latest launches from the drawing board of Shaun Carkeek and is a boat that has already cut a dash by taking overall and line honours in the RORC Channel Race. This is a boat that comes from the same mould as Oystercatcher XXXV, launched to much fanfare in 2021. The new boat boasts an uprated water ballast system which is designed to reduce the number of crew required from eight to seven. In addition to this, electric propulsion has been introduced. 

Ran, SWE 520 - needles racing

The boat is not designed to one particular set of rules and the main aim is simply to design a boat that will go as fast as possible in a range of conditions. The result is a boat optimised for offshore conditions, in which she will be somewhat quicker than a TP52. 

carkeekdesignpartners.com

Jeanneau Sun Fast 30

The Sun Fast 30 is a VPLP project who have teamed up with Multiplast to produce a strict one design yacht at what Jeanneau feels is a competitive price. The new boat features full forward sections married to light (2,700kg) displacement, twin rudders and flat aft sections to provide a boat that planes easily and early. The boat is available in two versions: One Design and Club. The one design version features a carbon mast mainsheet track and uprated electronics pack. The Club version has an aluminium mast and a bridle for the mainsheet. The aim is to make it more affordable to club racers.

Clubswan 28: Racing

The Clubswan 28 is a something of a break from tradition for Nautor Swan who have never produced a yacht this small. She rounds off their ClubSwan range and is a pure one design racer set up for four crew. At 1000kg, this Juan Kouyoumdijan design is going to be fast but she appears to be much less technical than boats higher up the range, eschewing foils and keeping things as simple as possible. There is no accommodation.

nautorswan.com

Clubswan 28

Reichel/Pugh 56 Vasara

The design house of Reichel/Pugh has produced some memorable yachts over the years and  the design brief here was for a fast, competitive yacht that was also comfortable and luxuriously appointed down below. There are a number of interesting touches. Most notably, a split backstay and square topped mainsail can be switched out for a single backstay and standard main when cruising. The keel has a substantial 4.1m depth but this can be raised to 2.4m for entering port. The interior is constructed almost exclusively out of carbon but a thin veneer of wood is placed over this to soften things up. The result is a sleek and versatile racer/cruiser.

reichel-pugh.com

New Yachts: Bluewater Cruisers

Bestavaer 36.

Bestavaer Yachts is a Dutch boatbuilder specialising in steel construction. They are reputed for building handsome steel ‘go anywhere’ yachts, generally in the 50-70’ bracket. The announcement of an all new 36 footer is therefore something of a surprise and not an unwelcome one. The new boat marries a big rig with a decent displacement ot provide a boat that is both seaworthy but none too slow. As with her bigger sisters, the 36 is designed to be a very practical ctuiser and is therefore equipped with a swing keel which will allow her to take the ground when required and the draft is a mere 0.7m with the board up and a substantial 2.4m with the board down.

bestavaer.com

Boreal Yachts sit in that very French cadre of utilitarian aluminium ‘go anywhere’ yachts much loved by soul sailors who idolise Moitessier and dream of communing with the albatross. Yet these soul sailors seem to have developed a taste for a spot of luxury too and the Boreal 70 is typical of the latest iteration of these hardy swing keel boats in that she is huge and surprisingly well appointed, boating such luxuries as a dishwasher should you so wish to choose that option. Sacre bleu! Nevertheless, this is a tough go anywhere cruiser which is at home in the tropics or the high latitudes. 

boreal-yachts.com

Hallberg Rassy 69

Swedish manufacturer Hallberg Rassy is an institution in the world of blue water cruising. Yet it’s an institution that isn’t afraid to evolve and many were shocked when the boatbuilder started to introduce twin rudders and broader aft sections to its designs. The 69 is another step forward, being the largest boat ever built by the Swedes and nudging towards the cadre of pocket superyacht. The boat is designed by German Frers and features a big rig and contemporary lines familiar to those who are familiar with the most recent launches from the yard. The difference with the 69 is she is just a lot bigger and more luxurious. Far not though, the trademark Hallberg Rassy armchairs are still an option.

hallberg-rassy.com

best cruising yachts

Contest 63CS

Dutch boatbuilder Contest is famed for building high quality blue water cruisers and their all new 63CS looks straight out of that playbook. Designed by their go to nabal architects Judel/Vrolijk, this is a big, luxurious cruising yacht that will boat good performance particularly for those who love a spot of tradewind sailing. This is a centre cockpit yacht with a relatively modest 31,900kg displacement and a decent sail area pointing to a very versatile long distance cruiser.

contestyachts.com

Contest 63CS

New Yachts: Performance Cruisers

Grand soleil blue.

Italian manufacturer Grand Soleil seems to have been producing ever larger cruiser/racers so news of the launch of the Grand soleil Blue, a 30’ weekender is welcome. The boat is very interesting as it is the first fully recyclable production yacht built in Italy and features biodegradable resins in construction meaning that the boat ban be separated out and re used at the end of the boats life. The boat also features and electric motor and sails made of recycled materiels. The design is clearly performance oriented but there is pleasant and stylish weekend accommodation.

grandsoleil.net

Grand Soleil Blue - bluewater cruiser

Saffier SL 46

Dutch manufacturer Saffier Yachts has specialised in turning out fast, stylish weekend sailers with an emphasis on performance and ease of use. That is, until now. By launching the new SL 46 the boatbuilders has moved into an altogether new realm as this boat is unquestionably a cruiser/racer capable of offshore passages. This is an intriguing move, as it pitches Saffier against a plethora of established operators such as Grand Soleil, Italia Yachts, even Beneteau and Jeanneau. Anyway, the SL 46 looks the part, featuring modern aggressive styling couple to a big rig, light displacement and a deep, T-shaped keel. The interior looks stylish and luxurious and the boat is available with the option of a tender garage – something of an oddity in a 46 footer. 

saffieryachts.com

Saffier SL 46

Tofinou 7.9

The new Tofinou 7.9 follows in the vein of other yachts in their range in that she is a performance oriented modern classic day sailer. As the name suggests, the boat is 7.9m making her the smallest boat in the range and she is available with a swing keel or fixed T shaped keel. The boat is available with an electric outboard or a diesel inboard and offers a blend of lustrous woods and light carbon laminates which gives the boat a classy air while also promising exhilarating sailing. There is also a small double berth forward if you do want to spend a night afloat.

tofinou.com

La Rochelle based RM Yachts has made a name for itself by being the last company standing when it comes to the mass production of epoxy/ply yachts. This is partly because it’s hideously complicated to put together an epoxy/ply yacht. The result, however, is a lightweight yacht that is stiff and strong. RM has made a name for building sporty cruiser/racers with the option of lift, fixed or bilge keels. The 1080 is a welcome mid sized addition to their range. Designed by Marc Lombard, the 1080 features plenty of beam aft, fullish forward sections and generous sail area. The looks are distinctive and the cockpit layout is innovative plus interior space is impressive.

rm-yachts.com

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Screen Rant

Below deck sailing yacht season 5 trailer leaves fans disappointed with gary king’s involvement.

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Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5’s trailer has finally arrived, and with Captain Glenn Shephard’s crew including First Officer Gary King, fans are disappointed in the show’s return . While Below Deck viewers have been impatiently awaiting news about Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5 for over a year, the trailer has finally been released, and has many concerned about what the season is going to look like. While the trailer reveals the return of some familiar faces, the storylines that appear to be part of the season left viewers feeling uneasy. After Gary’s sexual misconduct allegations, his involvement seems overwhelming.

In the Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5 trailer, the crew’s chartering guests around Ibiza in a new sailing adventure. With Gary showing up early in the trailer after Daisy Kelliher makes her grand entrance, things get dicey quickly. “That’s right, we have a f****** job and I’m not carrying this f****** season on my own you f****** prick,” Daisy shouts at Gary in one moment of the trailer as he lays in his bed, looking dismayed. The rest of the trailer shows the genuine chaos of the season, featuring Gary heavily much to the surprise of Below Deck viewers .

What Gary’s Involvement In Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 5 Means

He’s part of the show more than ever.

Throughout the Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5 trailer, it was clear that Gary will be a focal point of the exterior team’s story. Being shown on the deck with some of the exterior team, pushing Deckhands to their limits and critiquing their work, Gary’s presence on the sailing yacht may be odd during Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5 . While he appears to be getting along with Daisy , he may not even have her in his corner by the end of the charter season. His heavy involvement in the trailer may not indicate the same throughout the whole season.

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Although Gary has been a part of Below Deck Sailing Yacht since the early days of the series, seeing him as a member of the crew after his sexual misconduct allegations came to light is tough. While Bravo filmed Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5 before the allegations were revealed, they came to light during the filming of the season and it appears that the network didn’t choose to remove Gary from later episodes or take action at all. Though it remains to be seen if production did anything about Gary , it’s disappointing to some to see him on screen.

Our Take On The Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 5 Trailer

It could be chaotic fun, but gary leaves a stain on the show.

Although the trailer for Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5 makes it seem like one of the most exciting, dramatic seasons of the series we’ve ever seen, the mess may not be worth it if Gary’s involved. By ignoring the sexual misconduct allegations lodged against Gary and leaving him on the series, seemingly without explanation, Bravo is allowing it to seem like what he may have done is okay. Though nothing has been proven, taking no action on Below Deck Sailing Yacht could be a misstep that may taint the entire season of the sailing spin-off for once excited viewers.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht premieres Monday, October 7 at 9 p.m. EDT on Bravo.

Source: Below Deck /Instagram

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

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Below Deck Sailing Yacht is a spin-off of the Below Deck reality television series. Premiering on Bravo, the show follows the life of a Yacht crew as they attempt to navigate a busy Charter season in which many customers make use of a 177-foot sailing yacht. Over the first three seasons, the yacht has been to Greece, Croatia, and Spain.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

Finally, Bravo Drops Below Deck Sailing Yacht's Season 5 Trailer

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Bravo fans have been waiting a very long time for news about Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 5, and the network has finally delivered.

Not only did Bravo just drop a brand-new trailer for the fifth season of the hotly-anticipated reality TV show, the network also confirmed precisely when Below Deck Sailing Yacht will return.

Until today, fans of Below Deck Sailing Yacht weren't quite sure the spin-off of Below Deck would return for a fifth season, as the last episode of Season 4 aired way back in July 2023.

Editor's note: This article contains brief mentions of sexual assault, abuse, or other related topics that could be triggering for some readers and survivors. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please visit RAINN.org. The National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-4673) is available 24/7.

In late June, one viewer asked Reddit users if Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 5 was ever going to happen, and even as recently as this summer, fans weren't sure the show was returning.

In that thread, BDSY fans speculated that Season 5 was delayed due to allegations involving First Officer Gary King.

As we previously reported, Season 4 of Below Deck Sailing Yacht featured a wild "love triangle" between Gary, Chief Stewardess Daisy Kelliher , and Chief Engineer Colin MacRae:

"Many things influenced the relationship between Daisy and Colin, but one name was the most prominent: Gary King. "Daisy, Colin, and Gary's entanglement reached a boiling point that got the three in public arguments and name-calling, and at the end, estranged."

A month after Season 4 concluded with a two-part reunion in July 2023, Rolling Stone published an in-depth article , "'Below Deck' Accused of Covering Up Gary King’s Sexual Misconduct," rocking the show's audience.

It reported in part:

"Bravo’s Below Deck was recently lauded for its handling of sexual misconduct when a producer on Below Deck Down Under broke the 'fourth wall' and intervened when one cast member, Luke Jones, tried to get into bed naked with another cast member, Margot Sisson, without her consent while she was inebriated and passed out. Not only was Luke fired from the show, but their fellow cast member and stewardess, Laura Bileskalne, was also let go because of victim-blaming comments she made to Margot about the incident and her own line-crossing pursuit of deckhand Adam Kodra. [...] "Samantha Suarez, who first joined Below Deck in the makeup department on Season 10 of the show, tells Rolling Stone that cast member Gary King tried to force himself on her during production of Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season Four, which filmed in Sardinia, Italy, in the summer of 2022."

Fans speculated that Season 5 was delayed due to extensive retooling, but Bravo eventually confirmed the return of Below Deck Sailing Yacht, with a trailer that centers Daisy.

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Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 5's Release Date And Trailer

Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 5 Trailer

On September 16, Bravo finally released the Below Deck Sailing Yacht trailer.

Bravo shared the clip on Instagram and Twitter/X, to the surprise of fans:

Posts teased the crew's visit to the notoriously riotous destination of Ibiza, and the trailer kicked off with some remarks from Daisy.

Daisy is the first crew member to speak in the trailer, and she addresses the unwieldy love triangle of Season 4:

"Going into this season, I got rid of some dead weight. The breakup did a number on me last year. I felt very broken. "But now, I'm coming back in more focused, full of energy, and I'm f*****g good at my job. And I'm taking back the reins."

Immediately thereafter, the clip cuts to a cabin, where Daisy tells an in-bed Gary that she refuses to "carry this season," before cutting back to newer footage of Daisy laughing and predicting:

This is gonna be a s*** show.

Then the video shifts to Ibiza, where a voiceover describes it as the world's "party capital," and scenes are interspersed with a lot of breaking glass.

Gary (who has not been let go from the franchise) makes an appearance, and the soundbite chosen for the trailer is bizarre given the allegations levied at him last year:

If the guests don't have a good time, we're clearly doing something very wrong.

As the trailer winds down, one of the crew members (likely Deckhand Keith Allen) muses that "Daisy would make a very good wife."

The trailer wraps with an apparent firing, as well as what appears to be a scene during which the crew veers uncomfortable close to another vessel at sea, at night.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 5 debuts on Bravo on October 7 at 9PM Eastern, and streams on Peacock the following day.

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Sailboat Review: Dufour 41

  • By Herb McCormick
  • September 17, 2024

Dufour 41

When it comes to a discussion of the great European naval architects of contemporary times—and it’s a long list, indeed—certain names immediately pop to mind. Many are French. Philippe Briand made his mark creating boats for a roster of production builders (Baltic, Jeanneau, CNB) before pivoting to the superyacht set (Perini Navi, Royal Huisman). Jean-Marie Finot was more or less the father of an era of the best Vendée Globe solo round-the-world racers ever to compete in that grueling contest. Marc Van Peteghem and Vincent Lauriot Prévost (VPLP Design) are the current masters of offshore multihulls. The talented tandem of Jean Berret and Olivier Racoupeau are ubiquitous as the creators of many French brands, and sit at the forefront of their profession. 

To me, however, one of the more underrated European ­design mavens, and one who definitely belongs in that rarefied grouping, is Umberto Felci. While Felci was born in Milan and still operates from his base in Italy, I’ve always considered him a huge influence in French ­boatbuilding­—largely because of his longtime association with Dufour Yachts, where he’s been the principal designer for some 15 years. 

During that time, I’ve sailed many a Felci boat, as he’s been a consistent presence in Cruising World ’s annual Boat of the Year contest . He has won multiple times with his Dufour entries, including the 560 Grand Large (2014), the 382 Grand Large (2015), and the 520 Grand Large (2018). All of these Grand Large boats shared a similar DNA, and the Dufour booths at the major boat shows were easily ­recognizable for their similar lines and matching beige canvas dodgers and sail covers. The only huge difference across the fleet was their respective sizes.

All that changed in a big way in 2019, after the Fountaine Pajot group acquired Dufour and decided to make each new offering a singular model in form and styling. Which brings us to Felci’s newest design, the Dufour 41. 

Dufour 41

Aesthetically, it’s safe to say that the bright-blue Dufour 41 at this past year’s Annapolis Sailboat Show in Maryland was one of the more distinctive-looking yachts on display. It has a rounded bow, ample beam, and not one but two chines, both carried almost the entire length of the boat—one just above the waterline, another just below the reverse sheer line, which is accentuated by prominent molded bulwarks. This boat looks and feels much larger than its 41 feet length overall. Forward, an integrated bowsprit for the ground tackle and the tack point for the asymmetric kite heightens the futuristic vibe. As does the series of three sleek windows in the hull (along with the additional pair of windows overhead in the coachroof). There is not a stick of timber to be found anywhere. 

Topsides, the ­combination of wide side decks and outboard shrouds makes for easy egress when moving forward or aft. The emphasis on “outdoor living” is underscored by a generous cockpit with twin wheels (but, as with all Dufours, a single rudder, which makes backing down easier and with more control). There’s also wraparound seating, including a cushioned daybed, as well as a drop-down transom, which doubles as the porch/platform for the barbecue well aft. All this is revolved around a table—a pretty sweet, comfortable layout that lends the impression of lounging aboard a much bigger boat. 

All the related equipment is first-rate. There’s B&G instrumentation, including the chart plotter and autopilot; a Quick vertical windlass with helm controls for the Delta anchor; and a Side-Power (Sleipner) bow thruster, which I reckon is a luxurious touch on a 41-footer. Our test boat was set up with a nice set of Elvstrøm sails, including a traditional mainsail (an in-mast furling mainsail is available) with a cool stack-pack arrangement that tucks into itself and is secured with shock cords. For our Boat of the Year trials, we test all the emergency rudders, and the one on the 41 was exceptional. 

Construction is straightforward and robust. The hull is vacuum-infused with solid glass below the waterline and a foam core above. There are a pair of molded-in channels for the plumbing and electrical wiring. The plywood bulkheads are laminated to the hull. The keel is cast iron. And, as with every Dufour going back to the company’s origins, a wine rack is stashed under the floorboards. 

Ardizio Design is ­responsible for the belowdecks accoutrements, accommodations and floor plan. Its team used those aforementioned chines and, more specifically, the voluminous interior that the chines created, to wide advantage. As with Dufour’s other models, there are three packages of features, trim and equipment—on the 41, these are labeled Adventure, Ocean and Performance—depending on how the boat will be used (basic sailing, dedicated cruising or racing). With the 41, there are also two interior options: either three or four staterooms. Both have a straight-line galley to starboard, with the dining table and wraparound settee to port.

Dufour 41 galley

Our test boat had the three-stateroom layout, with a spacious master forward and a pair of double-berth staterooms aft. It also had three heads, which, to be honest, seems like a bit of overkill on a 41-foot boat. The second head, in the center of the boat, can be replaced with stowage, which is the setup I’d prefer. 

The 41 sports a double-­spreader rig with swept-back spreaders and a self-­tacking jib. The double-ended German-style mainsheet, anchored at midboom, is easily trimmed with a pair of electric winches (an optional electric winch for the mainsail is ­available). There’s no traveler; after all, this is a cruising boat. 

Under power, the 50 hp Volvo Penta with a saildrive configuration had us zipping along at better than 6 knots. This was one of the quieter boats, decibel-wise, in the 2024 fleet. But we were all itching to hoist the sails, and we were not disappointed. At first, in a fitful breeze that was just filling in, we still made over 5 knots in 6 to 8 knots of wind. Soon enough, the pressure built into the 10- to 12-knot range, just in time to hoist the boat’s big asymmetric kite. On a tight reach, we made an effortless 7.5 knots, and the helm was just delightful, with only a light three-finger touch required for full control. 

The new Dufour 41 from Dufour Yachts shipyard, in Palma

Those Grand Large prizewinners from years past were, of course, all Felci designs. While this new Dufour looks absolutely nothing like its older siblings, it sails just as well, if not better. Felci may have changed the recipe under the company’s new regime, but he hasn’t forgotten that what we really want is pretty simple: We want to go for a fine sail.

Dufour 41 Specifications

LOA41’1″
Beam14′
Draft 6’1″
Sail Area792 sq. ft.
Displacement21,647 lb.
D/L155
SA/D18.1
Water66 gal.
Fuel66 gal.
EngineVolvo Penta 50 hp with saildrive
DesignFelci Yacht Design

Did You Know?

French boatbuilders were pioneers in fiberglass-sailboat manufacturing. Naval architect/engineer Michel Dufour joined their ranks in 1964 with the launching of the Sylphe, a radical (for its time) 21-foot pocket cruiser with a masthead rig and fin keel with attached ballast bulb. More than 400 were built in a 10-year production run.

Dufour has ramped up its introduction of new models in the past five years, and now has nine in production ranging from 37 to 61 feet, with a 44-footer on tap to be introduced in the United States this fall. Of that collection, the company’s 41, 470 and 530 are all available with electric auxiliary-propulsion options.

Dufour has laid out an aggressive growth strategy, planning to introduce two models each year for the next several years, and replacing its entire fleet within four years. As for the 41, a company representative said that about a third of the run will go to private owners, a third will be purchased by charter operators, and a third will go into charter-management programs.

Herb McCormick is a CW editor-at-large and was a 2024 Boat of the Year judge.

  • More: Boat of the Year , dufour yachts , Print September 2024 , Sailboat Reviews , Sailboats
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Best Duffel Bag – 17 luggage options for sailors

Fox Morgan

  • August 22, 2024

We sailors know a thing or two about soft luggage. The best duffel bag though is really a matter of functional practicality fused with personal taste. I've picked out a range of the best duffel bags for sailors from 5L to 130L in this sailing luggage buyers guide.

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Packing our bags to go sailing requires a bit of creative space saving and calls into action our best duffel bag for the occasion.

Are we going for a long time offshore or around the cans? Are we carrying a full set of foul weather gear a lifejacket, sailing boots and safety gear? Or are we packing light and carrying some smart clothes for drinks and prize giving at the club after bashing around a regatta course all day? All of these require a different duffel choice.

best duffel bag for sailors

I carry a 90L Helly Hansen bag with my foul weather gear and lifejacket and then in a smaller 30L Helly Hansen bag I carry my smaller daily essentials.

There’s luggage for every eventuality. Researching it can take hours to trawl through to find the right size and features you want. This buyers guide has a range of duffels starting at 30l and increasing in size to a whopping 130l.

I’ve collated this line-up of top duffels to help you find the best duffel bag for you. Some are classed as waterproof; most are classed as water resistant. There’s always a trade-off. If you want waterproof, it will have fewer pockets and a simpler style to facilitate welded seams. If you go for water resistant, you get plenty more features and facilities because the additional sewn seams allow for more pockets. Most likely a combination of the two will work best.

best duffel bag for sailors

In this 90l Helly Hansen bag I can fit my asymmetric spinnaker (folded very neatly) plus lifejacket and basic foul weather gear.

At a glance – editors 3 top choices for best duffel bag

Best duffel bag for sailors – 30l – 40l.

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1 / Helly Hansen Duffel Bag

Specifications:

– Capacity: 30L

– Dimensions: L 50  H 27  W 27 cm

Reasons to buy:

– Good amount of storage for essentials

– Hardwearing and long lasting

Reasons to avoid:

– Seams aren’t waterproofed so they can’t be exposed to water for a length of time

– Handles are stiff and it can get in the way of straps.

The Helly Hansen 30L duffel is made from a sturdy plastic canvas. so it is water resistant to a degree. Though the seams aren’t waterproofed, so it isn’t advisable to dunk this bag for any length of time. The rucksack straps neatly stow away into the zip flap on top, though this makes it a bit stiff to handle, it does get those straps out of the way, especially when you’re onboard and you want them flailing around. Under the top flap there’s a mesh pocket too. I find this useful to stow my sailing gloves, buff and hat. In the cold the material on this bag can get quite stiff. But, mine has stood the test of time so far, as can be seen in the pics at the top of this buyer’s guide. The purple bag is the earlier model to this one. They’ve improved the bag by adding webbing straps and handles on each end which is handy for strapping it down to stop it flying off a bunk.

Buy Helly Hansen 30l Duffel from Amazon

Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

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2/ Lomo 30L White Holdall Duffel Waterproof Rolltop Dry Bag

– Dimensions: ‎L 52cm H 28cm W 31cm

– It’s a budget-friendly buy

– The duffel bag has good waterproofing

– Would benefit from additional storage compartments

– As the material is thick, the bag can be stiff during the winter months

This 30L dry bag duffel from Lomo is incredibly good value for money. You get fully welded seams and a roll top closure. This gives all the advantages of the wide mouthed duffel with waterproof submergibility.

I personally love a white bag when I’m heading into dark spaces, such as yacht cabins. It means you can see the contents inside your bag more easily. Whilst this duffel doesn’t have the practical additional pockets of the other non-waterproof duffels, the trade-off is worth it if you are planning on going for a wet ride or need to put your luggage where it will get wet. Those of you sailing smaller J boats, I’m looking at you…

The other trade-off with this type of waterproof bag is that by its very nature, to enable toughness and strong welded seams, the material must be a certain thickness. This can make the bag feel quite stiff. Particularly in colder weather. This duffel doesn’t have rucksack style shoulder straps but does have a removable single shoulder strap and plenty of webbing to cinch it tighter and places you can tether it to your bunk to keep it in place. Some folks have used this as a pillow by trapping air inside.

Buy Lomo 30L from Amazon

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3 / Gill 30L Team Bag

– Dimensions: H 31cm W 52cm D 27cm

– It’s the perfect bag for small voyages

– You can attach parts of your kit to the webbing loops

– It doesn’t have rucksack straps making it harder to spread the weight from the contents of your bag

– The waterproofing isn’t as effective if the roll top isn’t secured correctly

– It’s a small bag – avoid it if travelling on a longer trip

This small holdall from Gill is made from PVC with welded seams and roll top to give a waterproof duffel. It has a removable shoulder strap, but as with the other waterproof bag in this size, it doesn’t have rucksack straps. The roll top keeps a watertight seal and can be used to trap air inside the bag making it buoyant or useful as a pillow.

It features some handy webbing loop handles on each end plus additional webbing loops to attach other bits of kit to. On one side it also had a label window so that you can put your name on it to identify its owner.

The welded PVC is a little stiffer in the cold and can be tougher to handle, but when warm it’s handles very nicely.

Buy Gill 30l race holdall from Amazon

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4 / Victorinox Touring 2.0 Travel 2in1 Duffel

– Capacity 38L

– Dimensions: H 28 cm L 32 cm W 57 cm

– Price: £240

– The side pockets are a bonus as they help you to keep your bag organised

– The rucksack straps will distribute the weight, which is good news for anyone carrying a lot of gear 

– It makes a great gift due to the personalisation

–  It’s expensive

Victorinox don’t shout very loudly about their luggage. Indeed, if you go to their website, they don’t smother you with sales guff. They let their products talk for themselves.

This premium priced duffel from this Swiss knife maker is every bit as innovative and full of hidden handy bits. You can read what I think about their Skippers knife here

There’s a shoe pocket, lots of organised side pockets, pull out hidden rucksack straps, or a detachable shoulder strap. There’s a waterproof internal document pocket. And, if you’re into personalisation, there’s a little plastic thingyme-jig that can be customised with your own name or message on it that is attached to the bag.

Buy Victorinox 38l Duffel from Victorinox

best cruising yachts

5 / Overboard 100% Waterproof Classic Duffel Bag

– Capacity: 40L

– Dimensions: ‎L 52.07cm  H 32cm  W 23.11cm

– Price: £55.99

– It’s a durable duffel which will stand up against all types of weather

– Good for kayak or paddle boarders due to its excellent waterproof functionality

– With its smaller capacity, we wouldn’t recommend it for longer trips

A 100% waterproof welded seam duffel bag with roll top closure. Overboard have this rated to IP66 so you can be confident that if you’re luggage is sitting a pool of water in the wet locker of a boat, your kit will still be dry inside. Equally if it gets repeatedly dripped on by a leaking hatch, as long as the top is rolled over correctly and fastened, then your kit will remain dry.

It’s been designed for a bit of rough handling and should stand up well to the rigours of frequent use in wet conditions. Ideal for carrying wet gear back with you too, so if you go open water swimming, surfing, or kayaking and find yourself needing to pack a wetsuit and wet gear, then shove them in this for the journey home and your car will remain dry.

The attachment points on this bag also enable you to strap it down, so it either won’t fly out of a bunk or it will remain strapped to your touring kayak or paddleboard.

Buy Overboard 40l drybag duffel from Amazon

Best Duffel Bag for Sailors 40L – 65L

best cruising yachts

1 / Helly Hansen Offshore Waterproof Duffel bag, 50L

– Capacity: 50L

– Dimensions: length:28.0cm x width:64.0cm x depth:28.0cm

– Price: £120

– Lots of room to put your gear in

– You can load and unload the bag effortlessly

– The duffel doesn’t guarantee complete protection if submerged in water

– Some compartments would be beneficial for storing smaller tools and essentials

Helly Hansen do a fair range of waterproof kit bags. This middle of the size range duffel is a waterproof version with welded seams and a roll top.

It can sit in pools of water all day and your kit will stay dry.

They suggest it can be strapped to a car top and it remain waterproof too, though I haven’t tried this so can’t verify whether kit will stray dry with rain pelting it at 70mph on a motorway.

As per other welded waterproof bags, this one isn’t designed to be fully submersible but it is as waterproof as you can get without full dunking.

It has end handles which are useful for strapping the bag down, but very few other bells or whistles.

There’s no rucksack straps with this, but there is a removable shoulder strap.

Buy 50l Helly Hansen offshore Duffel from Helly Hansen

best cruising yachts

2 / Red Original Kit Bag

Specifications: 

– Capacity: 60L

– Dimensions:  L76.5cm  W33cm  H29.5cm

– Price: £149.95

– If you’re looking for a lighter option, this is the duffel bag for you

– Made from recycled TPU

– Plenty of storage for a first aid kit, towel and more

– It’s easy to forget to pack the waterproof padded mat

– The duffel has a waterproof zip closure rather than roll top

If you watch the Red marketing hype you’d think this bag will make you a paddleboard, camping and hiking expert and all round wilderness guru.

In this bag we are given a waterproof zip closure rather than the roll top of other 100% waterproof bags. It has welded seams as the others do, but it is made from a slightly lighter weight material.

It has a waterproof padded mat inside it which can be removed and used as a changing mat to stand on.

The Red Equipment bag has a range of strap options, including rucksack straps and shoulder strap.

There’s some mild eco credentials on this as it is made from recycled TPU. Though I guess those credentials need thoroughly scrutinising as who knows where this bag was made and how many air miles it took to get to you.

The bag does pack some seriously good organisation and innovation though, with high quality components used and sturdy long lasting fasteners.

Buy Red Equipment waterproof bag from Red Original

best cruising yachts

3/Typhoon Osea Dry Duffel Pack 60L

– Capacity: 40L or 60L

– Dimension: TBC

– Price: £73

– Good value for money

– Excellent waterproofing thanks to the 500D tarp and roll top functionality

– Along with the rucksack straps, the waist straps transfer the weight from your back to your hips

– Not the most stylish duffel on this list

The Typhoon Osea Dry Duffel is made from 500D tarp which is 100% waterproof.

This roll top bag is 100% waterproof and comes with removable rucksack straps as well as waist straps, which is very handy in any rucksack with a larger capacity.

This duffel also comes with an unusual buckle attached to a chest strap that has a built-in whistle. This is a nod towards Typhoons origins as a commercial safety gear manufacturer.

A feature I really like on this duffel is a compression valve, which means you can sit on this bag and squash the air out of it, close off the valve and you’ve saved a ton of space in the cabin.

I like the understated functionality of this bag and whilst it doesn’t shout style appeal, it really is a great duffel for keeping your kit dry, or for keeping your wet kit from leaking all over the place.

Buy Typhoon Osea 60l duffel from Amazon

best cruising yachts

3 / Lomo Blaze Expedition

– Dimensions: ‎L 64 x H 34 x  W 34 cm

– Price: £46

– This duffel is good option if you’re on a budget

– It has bungee loops to help you secure your bag

– You can fit plenty of essentials in it thanks to its large capacity 

– Not fully submersible with its waterproofing

This Lomo orange duffel is made from waterproof material with welded seams on the sides. This means the bag can sit in a pool of water without letting any in.

It isn’t submersible though as this has a zipped closure on a large top flap. There’s a mesh pocket inside and some useful webbing loops externally mounted for clipping on gear.

The duffel is fitted with a strong D shaped dual zip closure and bungee loops for strapping the bag down. Excellent value for money this bag has decent capacity and there’s a huge range of complimentary other dry bags and pouches available from this Scottish based manufacturer. They keep their prices lower by cutting out the middle-seller and they sell direct to customer using popular platforms such as Amazon and Ebay and their own website.

Buy Lomo 60l duffel from Amazon

best cruising yachts

4 / Lomo Dry Bag Duffel

– Dimensions: L 78cm  H 37cm  W 30xm

– Price: £38.90

– Bright design makes the bag easier to locate

– Good waterproofing for a budget duffel

– It doesn’t feature any additional compartments for essentials

This 60L dry bag duffel from Lomo is incredibly good value for money. You get fully welded seams and a roll top closure. This gives all the advantages of the wide mouthed duffel with waterproof submergibility. It’s the larger version of the one I featured at the top of this buyer’s guide.

I love a brightly coloured bag, as they cheer up dark spaces, such as windless yacht cabins. they also allow you to see the contents within your bag more easily. Whilst this duffel doesn’t have the practical additional pockets of the other non-waterproof duffels, the trade-off is worth it if you are planning on going for a wet ride or need to put your luggage where it will get wet.

The other trade-off with this type of waterproof bag is that by its very nature, to enable toughness and strong welded seams, the material must be a certain thickness. his can make the bag feel quite stiff. Particularly in colder weather. This duffel doesn’t have rucksack style shoulder straps but does have a removable single shoulder strap and plenty of webbing to cinch it tighter and places you can tether it to your bunk to keep it in place.

Buy Lomo 60l drybag duffel from Amazon

best cruising yachts

5 / Zhik Holdall

– Capacity: 65L

– Dimensions: L 59cm H 31cm W 31cm

– Easier to carry than other options on this list as it has a lighter denier fabric material

– The pockets and zipped areas are great for storing belongings you’ll need

– It’s not waterproof, meaning the contents will get wet if it falls into the water

You can trust Zhik to make something that looks sporty even when it’s designed to hold your sweaty salt encrusted clothes.

Made from 600 denier fabric, this bag has a softer handle or feel than the PVC welded waterproof bags I’ve featured elsewhere in this buyer’s guide. If ever I have the choice, if I am sailing on a less sporty, less dunking wet boat, I will always choose the softer feeling bag as it’s nicer to deal with in my cabin.

This duffel from Zhik has those stowable rucksack straps as many others have in this best duffel bag buyers guide making it easy to schlepp your gear from shore to ship and back again.

Due to its construction this bag can be described as water resistant but not waterproof. It can deal with a bit of spray and a bit of errant water, but you won’t want to leave it in a pool of water festering away.

The base has anti slip, which is great if you have this resting on a bunk or other dry surface and want it to stay put.

There’s also organisational pockets and zipped areas to help keep smaller things where you can find them easily.

Buy Zhik holdall 65l from Amazon

Best Duffel Bag for sailors 90L -130L

best cruising yachts

1 / HH Duffel Bag 2

– Capacity: 90L

– Dimensions: length:40.0cm x width:64.0cm x depth:28.0cm

– Price: £110

– Large storage capability

– Good design and is very versatile

– It’s not 100% waterproof

– Heavy to carry and doesn’t have additional straps to distribute weight

This Helly Hansen 90 Litre duffel offers versatility and conversion between bag and backpack as per the smaller model I introduced at the top of this buyer’s guide. The material is hardwearing and waterproof, though as per the others in this range, it isn’t 100% waterproof as the seams aren’t welded.

This allows for an internal and external pocket and this model also comes with a pack away bag that can be used for other things when the bag is out. I use this bag for flying with a lot of kit, as seen in the image at the top, in the white version. I’m not sure if they sell white ones anymore. I’ve manged to get most of my foul weather gear plus a very neatly folded asymmetrical spinnaker for a 36 foot yacht in this bag. My back did not approve of the weight though. Beware of overloading large bags and doing your back in.

Buy 90l Helly Hansen duffel from Helly Hansen

best cruising yachts

2 / Gill Rolling Cargo Bag

  • Capacity: 90L
  • Dimensions: TBC
  • Price: £135

– Instead of carrying the duffel, you can wheel it on your boat 

– Excellent features such as a large zip opening and sturdy handles

– Not fully waterproof. It will only protect against a small amount of spray

I had to include on wheeled duffel in this buyer’s guide, but I have to confess to you, that if someone turns up to my boat with a duffel on wheels, I will make them sleep with it in their bunk. I have a personal apoplexy every time I head wheeled bags being pulled along a pontoon and the noise they make is particularly unsociable when flying in or out during the small hours. Having got that off my chest, I will contradict myself entirely by saying this is an excellent bag!

It has a padded shoulder strap, some sturdy handles and a huge zip opening to access kit through. There are webbing loops on the sides and all manner of organisational pockets internally and at one end externally.

Whilst the material is waterproof, the construction is not, so it will withstand a bit of rain and spray, but it shouldn’t be left sitting in pools of water.

It has good handles on each end too, so passing this bag up and over a rail to a fellow crew mate or skipper is easy.

Buy Gill rolling 90l cargo from Amazon

best cruising yachts

3 / Musto ESSENTIAL DUFFEL BAG

– Dimensions: TBC

– It’s a large bag that a lot of tools and essentials will fit in

– Easy to store away in a cabin when the duffel is empty 

– Although water resistant, the contents will get wet if submerged

Made from water resistant and durable nylon diamond ripstop shell with 600D TPU base, this extra-large bag will fit a fair amount of bulky kit and still squash down quite small when it’s empty.

It has stowable backpack straps to help you haul this beast around too.

The end pocket is a zipped section where you can shove some wet shoes or kit.

There’s an additional zipped exterior pocket to the side. The structured ends help the bag to maintain its shape as with some of the larger bags they can go wildly misshapen when half filled, making them hard to zip and unzip.

Buy Musto 90l holdall from Musto

best cruising yachts

4 / Crewsaver Crew Holdall

– Capacity and dimensions: 55 Ltr – L61  H30  W30cm, 75 Ltr – L61.5  H35  W35cm or 100 Ltr L62  H40  W40cm

– Price £42.99 – 53.99

– Bight design with lots of functional features

– The bag comes in a variety of sizes

– The bag will keep your kit dry from rain, but not if it gets submerged

The Crewsaver holdall or duffel is made from an abrasion resistant nylon type of material. Unlike so many of the others in this best duffel bag buyers guide, this one doesn’t have the cold plastic outer feel.

It isn’t 100% waterproof but it is water resistant so you can get rained on or place it on a wet deck while you transfer it from shore to ship or ship to shore.

This holdall is a simple but functional design that packs down very small when empty.

The end pocket is semi translucent so you can see the outline of stuff in there. It comes a range of sizes too.

Buy Crewsaver 55L holdall from Amazon

Buy Crewsaver 75L Holdall from Pacer Marine

Buy Crewsaver 100l holdall from Pacer Marina

best cruising yachts

5/ Thule Chasm Sport Duffel Bag

– Capacity: 130L

– Dimensions: L 86cm W47cm

– Price: £140

– The largest capacity of all duffel bags listed

– It converts into a rucksack

– Lots of pockets to help keep you organised

– It may be too large for your needs and is heavy to carry

– Although made from waterproof material, you won’t want this option to fall in the water

Seriously huge, they named this bag Chasm. I can’t help but snigger at that name, but I’m a puerile eejit. So, Thule, they do luggage for the top of cars and roof racks right? Yes, and they do some great duffels too.

The top flap on this is huge. It not only opens the top, but down the side too. This makes fitting and finding bulky sailing gear a doddle.

As with most of the duffels I’ve chosen to show you, this one also converts to a rucksack. Though given the size of it, if you really do stuff this thing full to capacity, your spine might need a bit of a decompression after hauling this load around.

Internally it has mesh pockets to help with organisation and externally it has compression straps to help keep the bag snuggly fastened and not flopping around if it is only half filled.

The bag has a carry case pouch which it folds down to fit into for storage, but the pouch can be used too, such as for your dirty undies or other kit.

The bottom of the bag is padded and there’s a lockable zip which means this bag is a good candidate for flying with your gear and will withstand being handled and thrown into and out of plane holds.

The mag isn’t 100% waterproof, but it is made from waterproof material. You might not want to go laying this around in pools of water all day long, but it will slide into a bunk space easily and compress down once you’ve removed all of your bulky sailing gear to hang up.

Buy Thule Chasm 130l from Amazon

Best duffel bag under 30L

best cruising yachts

1/ Itiwit Duffle Bag 5 Litre

– Material: polyester – Capacity: 5 litres – Colour: orange, yellow – Lash Loops: 1 – Weight: 290g

– Bright orange colour is great for safety

– It’s a great value duffel bag

– The bag has limited capacity

– It’s splashproof only

You’ll be easy to spot if you’re sporting Itiwit’s bright duffle bag. This vividly-coloured dry bag is available in sunshine yellow or neon orange, both ideal for being seen by other water users when you’re on or near the ocean or a river. Itiwit is one of sporting goods retailer Decathlon’s stable of in-house brands, and we reckon it offers great value for money all round – this handy little bag is a steal at under £10.

This design is dinky enough to work as a sort of outdoor handbag – sling it over your shoulder to keep valuables such as your phone and your wallet within reach but protected from splashes when you’re paddleboarding, kayaking or just out walking the dog in horrible weather.

The Itiwit bag has good solid clips and a simple but adequate strap (it isn’t padded, but then again this bag is too small to be too heavy when slung on one shoulder). There’s a top clip that works like a lash loop, so you can add a carabiner and attach this to another bag or a bit of equipment.

Our favourite feature was the numbered stencilling on the outside of the polyester material so that you can see if you’ve folded this bag far enough before you secure it – we’d love it if all dry bags had this feature. This bag is only ‘waterproof to splashes’ and should not be immersed according to Decathlon – on test we found it let in water after a minute when submerged. Ideal for popping your phone in for more relaxed activities near water.

Buy it now  

Top 20 Places to See in Ufa, Russia

  •  National Museum of Bashkortostan
  •  Salavat Yulaev Monument
  •  Ufa Botanical Garden
  •  Ufa Cable Car
  •  Ufa Catacombs
  •  Ufa Circus
  •  Ufa History Museum
  •  Ufa Kremlin
  •  Ufa Planetarium
  •  Ufa State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre
  •  Ufa State Art Museum
  •  Ufa State Aviation Technical University
  •  Ufa State Medical University
  •  Ufa State Petroleum Technological University
  •  Ufa State Philharmonic
  •  Ufa State Puppet Theatre
  •  Ufa State University
  •  Ufa TV Tower
  •  Ufa Zoo

  •  Bolshoy Thach
  •  Kamchatka Krai National Park and Nature Reserve
  •  Kamchatka Krai National Park and Wilderness Area
  •  Kamchatka Krai National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary
  •  Kamchatka Krai National Park
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  •  Kamchatka Krai Nature Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary
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  •  Kamchatka National Park and Nature Reserve
  •  Kamchatka National Park and Wilderness Area
  •  Kamchatka National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary
  •  Kamchatka National Park
  •  Kamchatka Nature Reserve and Wilderness Area
  •  Kamchatka Nature Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary
  •  Kamchatka Nature Reserve
  •  Kamchatka Peninsula National Park and Nature Reserve
  •  Kamchatka Peninsula National Park and Wilderness Area
  •  Kamchatka Peninsula National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary
  •  Kamchatka Peninsula National Park
  •  Kamchatka Peninsula Nature Reserve and Wilderness Area
  •  Kamchatka Peninsula Nature Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary
  •  Kamchatka Peninsula Nature Reserve
  •  Kamchatka Peninsula Wilderness Area
  •  Kamchatka Peninsula Wildlife Sanctuary and Wilderness Area
  •  Kamchatka Peninsula Wildlife Sanctuary
  •  Kamchatka Peninsula
  •  Kamchatka River National Park and Nature Reserve
  •  Kamchatka River National Park and Wilderness Area
  •  Kamchatka River National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary
  •  Kamchatka River National Park
  •  Kamchatka River Nature Reserve and Wilderness Area
  •  Kamchatka River Nature Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary
  •  Kamchatka River Nature Reserve
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  •  Kamchatka Volcanoes National Park and Nature Reserve
  •  Kamchatka Volcanoes National Park and Wilderness Area
  •  Kamchatka Volcanoes National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary
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  •  Kamchatka Volcanoes Nature Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary
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  •  Paanayarvi
  •  Ubsunur Hollow
  •  Wrangel Island
  •  Zapovednik
  •  Chelyabinsk
  •  Izhevsk
  •  Kazan
  •  Krasnodar
  •  Krasnoyarsk
  •  Moscow
  •  Nizhny Novgorod
  •  Novosibirsk
  •  Rostov-on-Don
  •  Saint Petersburg
  •  Samara
  •  Saratov
  •  Tolyatti
  •  Tyumen
  •  Volgograd
  •  Voronezh
  •  Yekaterinburg
  •  Bolshoi Kamen
  •  Bolshoi Theatre
  •  Church of the Savior on Blood
  •  Hermitage Museum
  •  Lake Baikal
  •  Lenin's Mausoleum
  •  Moscow Kremlin
  •  Novodevichy Convent
  •  Peter and Paul Fortress
  •  Peterhof Palace
  •  Saint Basil's Cathedral
  •  Sochi National Park
  •  St. Isaac's Cathedral
  •  Trans-Siberian Railway
  •  Valley of Geysers

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    New Yachts: Cruising Wauquiez 55. Wauquiez is a marque that has been much revered in cruising circles since they first started building elegant cruisers back in the 1960s. Their new 55 boat is definitely intriguing and one of the striking features is the centre cockpit with the helm offset to port under a well protected solid plexiglass sprayhood.

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  20. Bashkirs

    The Bashkirs, according to Ibn Fadlan, were a warlike and powerful people, which he and his companions (a total of five thousand people, including military protection) "bewared... with the greatest threat". They were described as engaged in cattle breeding.

  21. THE 10 BEST Ufa Tours & Excursions

    Top Ufa Tours: See reviews and photos of tours in Ufa, Russia on Tripadvisor.

  22. Sailboat Review: Dufour 41

    Courtesy Dufour Yachts. Our test boat had the three-stateroom layout, with a spacious master forward and a pair of double-berth staterooms aft. It also had three heads, which, to be honest, seems like a bit of overkill on a 41-foot boat. The second head, in the center of the boat, can be replaced with stowage, which is the setup I'd prefer.

  23. 19 Best Things To Do In Ufa, Russia

    Check out the best things to do in Ufa, Russia while exploring the interesting town.

  24. Best Duffel Bag

    The best duffel bag though is really a matter of functional practicality fused with personal taste. I've picked out a range of the best duffel bags for sailors from 5L to 130L in this sailing ...

  25. Top 20 Places to See in Ufa, Russia

    Ufa, the capital of the Republic of Bashkortostan, is a vibrant and modern city located in the heart of Russia. It is the 11th largest city in the country and is known for its rich culture and history. Ufa has much to offer visitors, from its many museums and galleries to its stunning architecture and natural beauty. Here are the top 20 places to see in Ufa, Russia.