References›Curated Lists

Book-Sourced Boat Lists

4 books · 67 boats listed · 29 reviewed in PassageBoats

Several classic sailing books contain curated lists of offshore-capable sailboats, each reflecting the author's direct experience evaluating boats for bluewater passage. These lists are among the most cited references in the used bluewater boat research community. The boats below were extracted from user notes on each book and cross-referenced against the PassageBoats database.

Legend: Reviewed in PassageBoats Pending / draft stub exists Not yet in database

The Best Used Boat Notebook

Editors of Practical Sailor

26 boats7 reviewed (27%)

A curated roundup of offshore-capable used sailboats compiled by the Practical Sailor editorial staff. Entries evaluated for construction quality, offshore performance, known weak points, and value on the used market. Source: user's own notes from the book.

PassageBoats coverage7 of 26

Boat	LOA ft	Status
Alberg 30	30	View review →
Dufour Arpege 30	30	Pending research
Contessa 32	32	View review →
Freedom 32	32	Not yet in database
Jeanneau Attalia 32	32	Not yet in database
Islander 32 Mk2	32	Not yet in database
Caliber 33	33	View review →
Pacific Seacraft 34	34	View review →
Sabre 34	34	Not yet in database
Hallberg-Rassy 34	34	Pending research
Tartan 34	34	Not yet in database
C&C 35Note: Exclusion flag from source spreadsheet removed 2026-07-05: it was a personal choice, not a judgment of bluewater suitability	35	Not yet in database
CS36 Traditional	36	Not yet in database
Morris Justine 36Note: Exclusion flag from source spreadsheet removed 2026-07-05: it was a personal choice, not a judgment of bluewater suitability	36	Not yet in database
PDQ 36Note: Catamaran	36	Not yet in database
Express 37	37	Not yet in database
Lagoon 37Note: Catamaran	37	Not yet in database
Pacific Seacraft 37	37	View review →
O'Day 37	37	Not yet in database
Prout Snowgoose 37Note: Catamaran	37	Not yet in database
Cabo Rico 38	38	View review →
Privilege 39Note: Catamaran	39	Not yet in database
Cal 39	39	Not yet in database
Passport 40	40	View review →
Pearson 40	40	Not yet in database
Tartan 3400	34	Pending research

Twenty Small Sailboats to Take You Anywhere

John Vigor · 1999

20 boats16 reviewed (80%)

John Vigor's selection of twenty small sailboats under 32 feet proven capable of offshore and ocean passages. Emphasis on simplicity, seakindliness, and affordability. Published by International Marine.

PassageBoats coverage16 of 20

Boat	LOA ft	Status
Cal 20	20	Not yet in database
Flicka 20	20	View review →
Falmouth Cutter 22	22	View review →
Dana 24	24	View review →
Folkboat 25	25	Not yet in database
Pacific Seacraft 25	25	View review →
Cape Dory 25D	25	Pending research
Contessa 26	26	View review →
Frances 26	26	View review →
Albin Vega 27	27	View review →
Bristol 27	27	View review →
Catalina 27	27	View review →
Pearson Triton 28	28	View review →
Bristol Channel Cutter 28	28	View review →
Alberg 30	30	View review →
Allied Seawind II 32	32	View review →
Nicholson 31	31	Pending research
Contessa 32	32	View review →
Southern Cross 31	31	View review →
Westsail 32	32	View review →

Twenty Affordable Sailboats to Take You Anywhere

Gregg Nestor · 2006

20 boats6 reviewed (30%)

Gregg Nestor's reviews of twenty used cruising boats from 30 to 38 feet. Each chapter covers design, construction, accommodations, performance, and items to inspect. Published by Paradise Cay Publications.

PassageBoats coverage6 of 20

Boat	LOA ft	Status
Alberg 35	35	View review →
Allied Princess 36	36	Pending research
Baba 30	30	View review →
Bayfield 32	32	Not yet in database
Bristol 35.5	35.5	View review →
C&C Landfall 35	35	Not yet in database
Cape Dory 33	33	Pending research
Cheoy Lee Clipper 36	36	Not yet in database
CSY 37	37	Not yet in database
Endeavour 37	37	Pending research
Island Packet 31	31	View review →
Islander 32 Mk2	32	Not yet in database
Allied Luders 33	33	Not yet in database
Morgan 382Note: The chapter also covers the related 383 and 384 variants.	38	Pending research
Niagara 35	35	Not yet in database
Pacific Seacraft 31	31	View review →
Pearson 35	35	View review →
Tartan 34	34	Not yet in database
Valiant 32	32	Pending research
S2 11.0	36	Not yet in database

The World's Best Sailboats

Ferenc Maté · 1986

1 boats0 reviewed (0%)

Ferenc Maté's opinionated survey of the world's finest ocean-going sailboats, covering design philosophy, construction quality, and offshore capability. Published by W.W. Norton. A classic reference with strong editorial voice.

PassageBoats coverage0 of 1

	Boat	LOA ft	Status
	Trintella	—	Not yet in database

Sources

[1]BookThe Best Used Boat NotebookEditors of Practical Sailor. Used-boat reviews covering construction, performance, and value.
[2]BookTwenty Small Sailboats to Take You AnywhereJohn Vigor. Paradise Cay Publications, 1999. Twenty small sailboats with documented ocean crossings.
[3]BookTwenty Affordable Sailboats to Take You AnywhereGregg Nestor. Paradise Cay Publications, 2006. Twenty used cruising boats from 30 to 38 feet.
[4]BookThe World's Best SailboatsFerenc Maté. Albatross Publishing House, 1986. A survey of nineteen boatyards, their designs, and construction methods.
[5]Raw datadata/book-lists.jsonParsed JSON saved in this repository and checked against available contents pages.