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References›Curated Lists

Book-Sourced Boat Lists

4 books · 67 boats listed · 37 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 boats9 reviewed (35%)

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 coverage9 of 26
BoatLOA ftStatus
Alberg 3030View review →
Dufour Arpege 3030Pending research
Contessa 3232View review →
Freedom 3232Pending research
Jeanneau Attalia 3232Pending research
Islander 32 Mk232Pending research
Caliber 3333View review →
Pacific Seacraft 3434View review →
Sabre 3434Pending research
Hallberg-Rassy 3434Pending research
Tartan 3434Pending research
C&C 35Note: Exclusion flag from source spreadsheet removed 2026-07-05: it was a personal choice, not a judgment of bluewater suitability35Pending research
CS36 Traditional36View review →
Morris Justine 36Note: Exclusion flag from source spreadsheet removed 2026-07-05: it was a personal choice, not a judgment of bluewater suitability36Pending research
PDQ 36Note: Catamaran36Pending research
Express 3737View review →
Lagoon 37Note: Catamaran37Pending research
Pacific Seacraft 3737View review →
O'Day 3737Pending research
Prout Snowgoose 37Note: Catamaran37Pending research
Cabo Rico 3838View review →
Privilege 39Note: Catamaran39Pending research
Cal 3939Pending research
Passport 4040View review →
Pearson 4040Pending research
Tartan 340034Pending research

Twenty Small Sailboats to Take You Anywhere

John Vigor · 1999

20 boats19 reviewed (95%)

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 coverage19 of 20
BoatLOA ftStatus
Cal 2020Pending research
Flicka 2020View review →
Falmouth Cutter 2222View review →
Dana 2424View review →
Folkboat 2525View review →
Pacific Seacraft 2525View review →
Cape Dory 25D25View review →
Contessa 2626View review →
Frances 2626View review →
Albin Vega 2727View review →
Bristol 2727View review →
Catalina 2727View review →
Pearson Triton 2828View review →
Bristol Channel Cutter 2828View review →
Alberg 3030View review →
Allied Seawind II 3232View review →
Nicholson 3131View review →
Contessa 3232View review →
Southern Cross 3131View review →
Westsail 3232View review →

Twenty Affordable Sailboats to Take You Anywhere

Gregg Nestor · 2006

20 boats8 reviewed (40%)

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 coverage8 of 20
BoatLOA ftStatus
Alberg 3535View review →
Allied Princess 3636Pending research
Baba 3030View review →
Bayfield 3232Pending research
Bristol 35.535.5View review →
C&C Landfall 3535Pending research
Cape Dory 3333Pending research
Cheoy Lee Clipper 3636View review →
CSY 3737Pending research
Endeavour 3737Pending research
Island Packet 3131View review →
Islander 32 Mk232Pending research
Allied Luders 3333View review →
Morgan 382Note: The chapter also covers the related 383 and 384 variants.38Pending research
Niagara 3535Pending research
Pacific Seacraft 3131View review →
Pearson 3535View review →
Tartan 3434Pending research
Valiant 3232Pending research
S2 11.036Pending research

The World's Best Sailboats

Ferenc Maté · 1986

1 boats1 reviewed (100%)

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 coverage1 of 1
BoatLOA ftStatus
Trintella—View review →

Sources

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