What are the Most Popular Blue Water Sailboats?
01-03-02
“The quality of any advice anybody has to offer has to be judged against the quality of life they actually lead”
MODIFIED BARRELS
Cruisers sail the oceans in all sorts of boats, from super yachts to modified barrels (I’m not kidding!). But presuming you’re not in the market for either of these extremes, I’ve identified fifteen mid-range cruising sailboats favoured by those participating in long-distance rallies and blue water cruising events such as the ARC (the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) due to their blend of performance, comfort, safety, and reputation
While the list obviously skews in favour of popular, high-volume, GRP production models, there are many independent boat builders around the world creating robust expedition yachts that are far superior to those listed. However these tend to be low volume, high value boats that are financially out of reach to the ‘average’ cruiser. The list is merely intended to give you a point at which you can start your search.
ALL PLASTIC FLOATS
There is no clear definition of a ‘blue water cruiser’ and there are those that will tell you they have seen models X and Y in obscure parts of the planet; a testament to their strength and reliability. But you will find plastic in every corner of the globe too. It all floats, just not necessarily in the way you want it to.
As I have mentioned in previous posts, we bought one of the models listed below, an Amel Super Maramu, but it was a fixer-upper. As such, we spent many years repairing things in exotic locations and many painful months in boatyards. Similarly, we have met other cruisers in a perpetual cycle of maintenance and repair on equally reputable models.
So, reputation alone is no guarantee of a safe and dependable blue water cruiser. Other factors such as a thorough service record, comprehensive survey and properly installed, reliable, modern equipment are equally as important.
Brands also change production facilities, locations, subcontractors and construction methods, so a model made in one particular production run may differ significantly from one made in another, which is why it’s important to know production dates too.
Please note that this list is by no means definitive and the boats mentioned below are in no particular order.
Hallberg-Rassy 42
The Swedish Hallberg-Rassy 42 is renowned for its robust construction and seaworthiness, making it ideal for long-distance blue-water cruising. Its comfortable interior and center cockpit design provide safety and comfort in harsh sea conditions.
Type: Monohull, sloop/cutter, center cockpit
Years Manufactured: 1980-1991
Price Range: £120,000 - £240,000, $150,000 - $300,000, €140,000 - €280,000
Oyster 56
The British-built Oyster 56 is a high-quality, luxury blue-water cruiser known for its durability, performance, and comfort. Its reputation for excellence and attention to detail makes it a popular choice among serious ocean voyagers with slightly deeper pockets.
Type: Monohull, sloop/cutter, luxury blue-water cruiser
Years Manufactured: 1998-2010
Price Range: £400,000 - £960,000, $500,000 - $1,200,000, €470,000 - €1,120,000
Beneteau Oceanis 46
The French-built Beneteau Oceanis 46 offers a perfect blend of performance and comfort, with a spacious interior and user-friendly design. Its reliability and ease of handling make it a favorite for both novice and experienced cruisers.
Type: Monohull, sloop, popular production cruiser
Years Manufactured: 2006-2015
Price Range: £120,000 - £280,000, $150,000 - $350,000, €140,000 - €330,000
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 49
The French-built Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 49 is known for its spacious layout and excellent sailing performance, making it a popular choice for blue-water cruising. Its solid construction and easy handling provide safety and comfort on long voyages.
Type: Monohull, sloop, popular production cruiser
Years Manufactured: 2003-2009
Price Range: £160,000 - £320,000, $200,000 - $400,000, €190,000 - €370,000
Amel Super Maramu 2000
The French Amel Super Maramu 2000 is a well-regarded blue-water cruiser with a distinctive ketch rig, center cockpit, large engine bay, and exceptional build quality, making it a cult classic amongst ocean-going cruisers.
Type: Monohull ketch, blue-water cruiser with distinctive ketch rig
Years Manufactured: 1997-2005
Price Range: £240,000 - £400,000, $300,000 - $500,000, €280,000 - €460,000
Lagoon 450
The French Lagoon 450 catamaran is highly regarded for its stability, spaciousness, and luxurious accommodations, making it perfect for extended blue-water cruising. Its twin-hull design offers excellent stability and comfort in various sea conditions.
Type: Catamaran, popular production cruiser
Years Manufactured: 2010-present
Price Range: £360,000 - £640,000, $450,000 - $800,000, €420,000 - €750,000
Bavaria Cruiser 50
The German Bavaria Cruiser 50 provides a great combination of space, performance, and affordability, ideal for blue-water cruising. Its solid construction and practical layout ensure a safe and comfortable experience on long voyages.
Type: Monohull, sloop, production cruiser
Years Manufactured: 2005-2013
Price Range: £160,000 - £280,000, $200,000 - $350,000, €190,000 - €330,000
Nautor Swan 48
The Finnish-built Nautor Swan 48 is known for its elegant design, high-performance sailing capabilities, and superb build quality. Its reputation as a cruiser-racer makes it a preferred choice for cruisers seeking both speed and comfort on long passages.
Type: Sloop, high-performance cruiser-racer
Years Manufactured: 1995-2003 (Note: A new model started in 2019)
Price Range: £240,000 - £640,000, $300,000 - $800,000, €280,000 - €750,000]
Dufour 520 Grand Large
The French Dufour 520 Grand Large offers a blend of performance, luxury, and innovative design features, making it ideal for blue-water cruising. Its spacious and well-appointed interior provides comfort for extended periods at sea.
Type: Sloop, cruiser with a blend of performance and comfort, designed for long passages
Years Manufactured: 2017-present
Price Range: £320,000 - £480,000, $400,000 - $600,000, €370,000 - €560,000
Catalina 42
The Catalina 42 is a popular cruising yacht, built in the USA and known for its practicality, ease of handling, and comfortable accommodations. Its reliable construction and well-thought-out design make it suitable for long-distance blue-water voyages.
Type: Sloop, popular cruising yacht, known for its practicality and ease of handling
Years Manufactured: 1988-2011
Price Range: £80,000 - £160,000, $100,000 - $200,000, €90,000 - €180,000
Hylas 54
The Hylas 54 is built in Taiwan and celebrated for its exceptional build quality, luxurious accommodations, and impressive sailing performance. Designed for serious blue-water cruising, it offers both safety and comfort on long ocean passages.
Type: Sloop/Cutter
Years Manufactured: 1998-2015
Price Range: £400,000 - £720,000, $500,000 - $900,000, €470,000 - €850,000
Valiant 40
The US-built Valiant 40 is a classic blue-water cruiser with a strong reputation for seaworthiness and rugged construction. Its proven design and excellent track record make it a reliable choice for long-distance cruising.
Type: Cutter
Years Manufactured: 1973-1992
Price Range: £80,000 - £160,000, $100,000 - $200,000, €90,000 - €180,000
Outremer 45
The Outremer 45 is another French-built catamaran and is known for its performance-oriented design, stability, and spacious living areas, ideal for blue-water cruising. Its lightweight construction and efficient hull shape ensure fast and comfortable ocean crossings for those with a bigger budget.
Type: Catamaran
Years Manufactured: 2014-present
Price Range: £480,000 - £720,000, $600,000 - $900,000, €560,000 - €850,000
Island Packet 420
The US-built Island Packet 420 is renowned for its durability, comfort, and thoughtful design features, making it perfect for extended blue-water cruising. Its robust build and spacious interior provide safety and comfort on long passages.
Type: Cutter
Years Manufactured: 1999-2008
Price Range: £200,000 - £320,000, $250,000 - $400,000, €230,000 - €370,000
Tayana 48
The Taiwanese Tayana 48 is a versatile blue-water cruiser known for its solid construction, elegant design, and comfortable accommodations. Its reputation for reliability and seaworthiness makes it a popular choice among serious offshore cruisers.
Type: Cutter
Years Manufactured: 1994-present
Price Range: £240,000 - £480,000, $300,000 - $600,000, €280,000 - €560,000
While I had to end the list somewhere, there are other noteworthy manufacturers of robust, seaworthy designs suitable for long-distance / open-ocean sailing that are also worth considering. Namely:
Contest Yachts
Discovery Yachts
Garcia Yachts
X-Yachts
Rustler Yachts
That’s a wrap for this week!
“The quality of any advice..”
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