The Best Sailboats for the High Seas?

At the St. Petersburg Boat Show last month, I had the opportunity to attend a presentation by delivery skipper and author John Kretschmer about what he described as sailboats designed for serious ocean passages. While I have some hesitation about creating any definitive list of “ideal” boats, Kretschmer is particularly qualified to discuss this subject. He reviews boats for Sail Magazine, and his latest book, Sailing a Serious Ocean, reflects his extensive experience at sea.

Although no single boat list can perfectly match every sailor’s needs, a collection like this can be extremely valuable for those beginning their search for a capable offshore cruising vessel. Rather than treating the recommendations as absolute choices, sailors can study the advantages and limitations of each model and determine which design best fits their own goals.

John Kretschmer’s Recommended Offshore Cruisers

The boats included in Kretschmer’s selection are:

Contessa 32, Pacific Seacraft 34, Pretorien 35, Cape Dory/Robinhood 36, Valiant/Esprit 37, Prout Snowgoose 37, Alajuela 38, Privelege 39, Freya 39, Passport 40, Caliber 40, Baba 40, Hallberg Rassy 42, Taswell 43, Hylas 44, Norseman 447, Beneteau 456, Outbound 44, Hylas 46, Kaufman 47, Tayana 48, Hylas 49, Amel Maramu 53, and the Sundeer 60/64.

For a shorter overview of each model and its characteristics, Kretschmer provides additional information through his own resources.

Why the List Is Useful but Not Complete

This selection should not be considered the final word on offshore cruising boats. Many excellent vessels are not included, and some of the boats on the list may not be suitable for every sailor. Kretschmer himself emphasized this point during his presentation.

One of the strengths of the list is the variety it represents. It covers a broad range of boat sizes, layouts, and design philosophies. For example, it includes unusual choices such as the Prout Snowgoose and Steve Dashew’s Sundeer 60, both of which have proven themselves offshore but occupy more specialized areas of the cruising market.

Other Boats Worth Considering

If the list were expanded, adding some heavier-displacement microcruisers would make sense. Although even the strongest boats in this category may not be the first choice for every serious ocean passage, some have demonstrated impressive capabilities.

John Neale of Mahina Tiare Expeditions, for example, includes the Dana 24 among his recommended cruising boats. His much broader collection of suggested vessels is accompanied by valuable explanations of the design features sailors should evaluate when choosing an offshore boat.

The Importance of Construction for Ocean Cruising

The discussion of capable cruising boats also connects closely with the importance of sailboat construction. Previous reports on sailboat structures have examined details such as building methods and structural components, which become increasingly important when a vessel is expected to handle offshore conditions.

Many boats available today are excellent choices for coastal cruising. However, once a sailor begins considering long ocean passages, construction quality, structural dimensions, and the strength of individual components become much more critical factors.

Reader Suggestions for Tough Cruising Boats

Several years ago, readers were invited to suggest their own candidates for a list of what were described as “tough boats”—vessels known for durability, the ability to withstand difficult conditions, and relatively low maintenance requirements.

Some of the boats recommended by readers included:

Mariner 36, Cal 34, Morgan 43, Swan 43, Bermuda 40, Island Packet 26, Mariner 47, LeComte Northeast 38, Westsail 32, Dana 24, J/35, and CSY 44.

Additional suggestions from experienced sailors would be valuable, especially for those searching for reliable offshore boats or useful resources to guide their choices.

The Best Cruising Boat Is the One You Sail

For anyone disappointed that their personal dream boat does not appear on a recommended list, there is no reason to be discouraged. A perfect cruising boat does not exist for everyone because every sailor has different priorities, experience levels, and expectations.

One of the most memorable comments on this subject came from Steve Callahan, author of the survival classic Adrift. During a presentation at the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Show, Callahan was asked what type of boat he preferred after years of sailing both multihulls and monohulls.

His answer was simple and thoughtful: when everything is considered, the best cruising boat is the one you are actually aboard.