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Reputation

Roomy, cheap, well-supported coastal cruiser; not a bluewater boat despite owner zeal

Coastal cruising

respected · big interior, strong association, easy parts

Liveaboard

ordinary · spacious for the money, limited tankage

Offshore passages

mixed · some have done it; lighter build, flat bottom pounds

Club racing

ordinary · decent PHRF fleet, not a racer

Loved

huge interior for 34 ft · active owners association and tech notes · good value on used market · stiff and reasonably quick in breeze

Gripes

pounds in chop · small fuel and water tanks · mainsheet traveler on cabin top · basic finish and joinery

Survey for

keel bolt/smile at keel-stub joint · wet deck core around fittings · leaking ports and chainplates · original Universal M25 engine wear and wiring

Cross-shopped

Hunter 34 · Beneteau First 345 · O'Day 34 · Pearson 34

Owner opinion from c34.org, sailboatowners.com, sailboatdata.com, cruisersforum.com

Market

47 prices; none sold yet; prices drift 5.2% per model year. Asking prices run above sale prices.

Catalina 34 Mark I

Built

1985-1991

Designer

Frank Butler · built by Catalina Yachts (USA)

Rig

Masthead Sloop

Keel

Fin keel with spade rudder (lead ballast)

Hull

Monohull, fiberglass

LOA / LWL

34.5 ft · 29.8 ft

Beam / draft

11.8 ft · 5.6 ft

Displacement

11,950 lb

Ballast

5,000 lb

Sail area

523 sq ft

Accommodation

2 cabins · 1 head · 6.2 ft headroom

Engine (orig.)

Universal diesel, 21 HP

Design figures for the model, not this hull. Drawings and the full sheet on sailboatdata.com

Reputation

Slow, wet-decked icon that owners keep for decades; build quality varies by kit and builder

Offshore passages

loved · heavy, steady, forgiving in gales

Liveaboard

respected · roomy for 32 ft, huge stowage

Coastal cruising

mixed · slow in light air, needs engine

Club racing

disliked · hopeless to windward and in light air

Loved

Seakindly motion in heavy weather · Strong cult following, active owners association · Massive stowage and tankage · Cutter rig easy to reduce

Gripes

Slow, poor light-air performance · Weak pointing upwind · Wet decks, heavy helm in some conditions · Original Perkins/Volvo engines underpowered

Survey for

Teak deck screws leaking, core rot · Chainplate and bulkhead tabbing leaks · Iron tank corrosion (fuel and water) · Amateur-finished kit boats vary wildly

Cross-shopped

Cheoy Lee Offshore 33 · Valiant 32 · Pacific Seacraft Crealock 34 · Tashiba 31

Owner opinion from westsail.org, sailboatowners.com, cruisersforum.com

Market

17 prices of similar boats, scaled to its size; none sold yet; prices drift 2.3% per model year. Asking prices run above sale prices.

Westsail 32

Built

1971-1981

Designer

William Crealock/W. Atkin · built by Westsail Corp. (USA)

Rig

Cutter

Keel

Long keel w/trans. hung rudder

Hull

FG

LOA / LWL

32.0 ft · 27.5 ft

Beam / draft

11.0 ft · 5.0 ft

Displacement

19,500 lb

Ballast

7,000 lb

Sail area

705 sq ft

Accommodation

6.2 ft headroom

Tanks

42 gal fuel · 80 gal water

Engine (orig.)

Volvo or Perkins 36 hp diesel

Design figures for the model, not this hull. Drawings and the full sheet on sailboatdata.com

Perkins 4-108 (4.108)

Built

mid-1960s to 1980s

Power

55 hp · @ 4000 rpm

Block

4 cyl · 1.76 L · diesel · natural

Cooling

freshwater/heat exchanger

Weight

330 lb

Notes

Source figures: the workshop manual gives 55 bhp as maximum gross output and 330 lb as the bare-engine dry weight (450 lb with all accessories); other sources list the marine version at 51 hp/4,000 rpm and 562 lb. It replaced the 4.107 and 4.99, is indirect-injection with a 22:1 compression ratio, and is a common, well-supported auxiliary with wide aftermarket parts availability.

Published figures on manualslib.com

Reputation

Salty clipper-bow looks and cutter rig, but slow, short waterline and mostly lake-sailed

Coastal cruising

ordinary · comfortable, easy cutter for Great Lakes cruising

Offshore passages

mixed · looks bluewater, but light build and small waterline

Liveaboard

ordinary · cozy, but bowsprit and overhangs eat interior

Loved

traditional clipper bow and trailboards · easy to handle cutter rig · solid-feeling, simple systems · affordable salty look

Gripes

slow and poor pointing · short waterline for LOA · weather helm when pressed · dated, dark interior

Survey for

deck core rot at fittings and stanchions · bowsprit and bobstay fitting condition · leaking chainplates and portlights · keel bolt and hull-to-deck joint leaks

Cross-shopped

Bayfield 29 · Cape Dory 30 · Alberg 30 · Tanzer 31

Thin discussion; from sailboatdata.com, cruisersforum.com, sailnet.com

Market

274 prices of similar boats, scaled to its size; none sold yet; back to 2008, older ones weighted less; prices drift 5.2% per model year. Asking prices run above sale prices.

Bayfield 32 Bayfield 30/32

Built

1973-

Designer

Ted Gozzard · built by Bayfield Boat Yard Ltd. (CAN)

Rig

Cutter

Keel

Long keel

Hull

Monohull, fiberglass

LOA / LWL

32.0 ft · 23.3 ft

Beam / draft

10.5 ft · 3.8 ft

Displacement

9,600 lb

Ballast

4,000 lb

Sail area

433 sq ft

Accommodation

1 head · 6.2 ft headroom

Tanks

20 gal fuel

Engine (orig.)

Yanmar diesel, 21 hp

Design figures for the model, not this hull. Drawings and the full sheet on sailboatdata.com

Yanmar 3GM30F

Power

27 hp · @ 3400 rpm

Block

3 cyl · 0.954 L · diesel · natural

Cooling

freshwater/heat exchanger

Notes

Replaced by the 3YM30. Good parts support; check the exhaust elbow and heat exchanger for corrosion.

Reputation

Roomy, cheap, everywhere: a fine bay and lake cruiser, not an offshore boat.

Coastal cruising

respected · big interior for 30 ft, easy to handle

Club racing

ordinary · one-design fleets exist, modest PHRF speed

Offshore passages

disliked · light build, large ports, shallow cockpit drains

First boat

respected · cheap, forgiving, huge owner association support

Loved

spacious interior for the length · strong owners association and parts · forgiving, easy to sail · cheap to buy

Gripes

weather helm when overpowered · small sinks/tankage, dated layout · Atomic 4 in early boats · tight engine access

Survey for

smiling keel joint and loose keel bolts · rotten compression post and sagging cabin sole · deck core rot at stanchions and chainplates · rudder water intrusion and leaking ports

Cross-shopped

Hunter 30 · O'Day 30 · Pearson 30 · Islander 30

Owner opinion from catalina30.com, sailboatdata.com, practical-sailor.com, cruisersforum.com, forums.sailboatowners.com

Market

58 prices; none sold yet; prices drift 4.7% per model year. Asking prices run above sale prices.

Catalina 30 Standard rig, fin keel

Built

1976-2008

Designer

Frank Butler · built by Catalina Yachts (USA)

Rig

Masthead Sloop

Keel

Fin w/spade rudder

Hull

Monohull, fiberglass

LOA / LWL

29.9 ft · 25.0 ft

Beam / draft

10.8 ft · 5.3 ft

Displacement

10,200 lb

Ballast

4,200 lb

Sail area

437 sq ft

Accommodation

sleeps 7 · 1 cabin · 1 head · 6.3 ft headroom

Tanks

21 gal fuel · 43 gal water

Design figures for the model, not this hull. Drawings and the full sheet on sailboatdata.com

Reputation

Roomy, fairly quick Cherubini-era Hunter for cheap; fine coastal, not an offshore boat

Coastal cruising

ordinary · spacious interior, decent speed, easy to handle

Liveaboard

ordinary · big cabin for the money, but systems are dated

Offshore passages

mixed · light production build, owners doubt heavy-weather use

Loved

lots of interior volume for a 1980 36-footer · sails well in light to moderate air · low purchase price · Cherubini lines age well

Gripes

Hunter build-quality stigma hurts resale · tender, reef early as the wind builds · dated systems and wiring · small cockpit lockers and storage

Survey for

wet balsa deck core around fittings · keel bolts and keel-hull joint · chainplate leaks and bulkhead rot · original Yanmar or Westerbeke diesel condition

Cross-shopped

Catalina 36 · O'Day 35 · Pearson 365 · Hunter 37 Cherubini

Thin discussion; from sailboatdata.com, sailboatowners.com

Market

28 prices; none sold yet; prices drift 3.8% per model year. Asking prices run above sale prices.

Hunter 36

Built

1980-1983

Designer

John Cherubini · built by Hunter Marine (USA)

Rig

Masthead Sloop

Keel

Fin keel with spade rudder

Hull

Monohull, fiberglass

LOA / LWL

35.9 ft · 29.5 ft

Beam / draft

11.1 ft · 4.9 ft

Displacement

13,500 lb

Ballast

6,000 lb

Sail area

604 sq ft

Accommodation

2 cabins · 1 head · 6.4 ft headroom

Design figures for the model, not this hull. Drawings and the full sheet on sailboatdata.com

Reputation

Pretty, seakindly classic that sails well for its size; cramped inside, wet decks and old-boat upkeep

Coastal cruising

respected · seakindly, forgiving, easy to handle

First boat

respected · cheap, simple, many available

Singlehanding

respected · manageable rig, steady helm

Liveaboard

mixed · tight interior, limited headroom

Loved

Classic Alberg sheer and looks · Seakindly motion in a blow · Balanced, forgiving helm · Affordable for a full-keel cruiser

Gripes

Cramped cabin, low headroom · Slow in light air · Wet foredeck, heavy to windward in chop · Weak auxiliary, tight engine access

Survey for

Deck core rot at chainplates and cabin top · Wet balsa or plywood core around hardware · Leaking portlights and hatches · Cracks at keel-hull joint or encapsulated ballast

Cross-shopped

Pearson Triton · Cape Dory 28 · Pearson Ariel · Catalina 30

Owner opinion from sailboatdata.com, sailnet.com

Market

45 prices of similar boats, scaled to its size; none sold yet; back to 2019, older ones weighted less; prices drift 1.9% per model year. Asking prices run above sale prices.

Whitby Boat Works Alberg 30

Built

1962-1987

Designer

Carl Alberg · built by Whitby Boat Works Ltd. (CAN)

Rig

Masthead Sloop

Keel

Long Keel

Hull

FG

LOA / LWL

30.3 ft · 21.7 ft

Beam / draft

8.8 ft · 4.3 ft

Displacement

9,000 lb

Ballast

3,300 lb

Sail area

410 sq ft

Accommodation

sleeps 4 · 1 head · 6.3 ft headroom

Tanks

15 gal fuel · 30 gal water

Engine (orig.)

Universal Atomic 4 gas, 30 hp

Design figures for the model, not this hull. Drawings and the full sheet on sailboatdata.com

Beta Marine Beta 20

Power

20 hp · @ 3600 rpm

Block

3 cyl · 0.719 L · Diesel · Natural

Cooling

Freshwater/heat exchanger

Weight

229 lb

Notes

Built on a Kubota 3-cylinder IDI block, so parts are easy to get; TMC40 2:1 gearbox is standard; common Atomic 4 repower for 26–32 ft boats.

Published figures on betamarineusa.com

Reputation

Quick, well-mannered racer-cruiser that's easy to sail; interior and build are production-grade.

Club racing

respected · competitive off the box, good PHRF/ORC rating

Coastal cruising

ordinary · comfortable layout but spartan finish

Daysailing

respected · responsive, balanced helm

Loved

Fast and fun to steer · Balanced helm, tracks well · Good value used racer-cruiser · Deep keel option gives good upwind speed

Gripes

Plain, utilitarian interior · Limited storage · Wet in a chop · Tight headroom aft

Survey for

Keel bolt and grounding damage at keel joint · Rudder bearing play · Deck hardware leaks · Chainplate leaks

Cross-shopped

J Boats J/109 · Dufour 36 Performance · Archambault 35 · Sun Fast 3600

Market

90 prices of similar boats, scaled to its size; none sold yet; prices drift 5.5% per model year. Asking prices run above sale prices.

Beneteau First 36.7

Built

2000-2021

Designer

Farr Yacht Design · built by Beneteau (USA)

Rig

Fractional sloop

Keel

Fin with bulb, spade rudder

Hull

Monohull, fiberglass

LOA / LWL

35.8 ft · 30.3 ft

Beam / draft

11.3 ft · 7.2 ft

Displacement

12,941 lb

Ballast

3,847 lb

Sail area

657 sq ft

Accommodation

sleeps 6 · 2 cabins · 1 head

Design figures for the model, not this hull. Drawings and the full sheet on sailboatdata.com

Reputation

Tough little Swedish pocket cruiser; frugal and well built, but cramped and slow.

Coastal cruising

respected · economical, seakindly full-displacement hull

First boat

ordinary · simple diesel, but old boats need work

Liveaboard

mixed · very small interior and limited storage

Loved

sips fuel at displacement speeds · solid glass hull, sound build · simple, easily serviced diesel · compact and easy to handle

Gripes

slow hull-speed cruising · tight cabin headroom and space · wet or dated deck hardware · limited tankage and storage

Survey for

original Volvo or Albin gas/diesel engine condition · deck core moisture around hardware · window and hatch leaks · tired wiring and plumbing

Cross-shopped

Albin Vega · Bayliner Buccaneer · Marine Trader 25 · Mariner 25

Market

35 prices of similar boats, scaled to its size; none sold yet; prices drift 3.2% per model year. Asking prices run above sale prices.

Albin 25

Built

1969-1977

Designer

built by Albin Marine

Hull

full displacement

LOA / LWL

25.0 ft · 22.2 ft

Beam / draft

8.5 ft · 2.3 ft

Displacement

3,527 lb

Propulsion

single inboard diesel

Speed

6 kt cruise · 8 kt top

Engine (orig.)

Volvo Penta MD2B diesel (MD3B/MD17C optional)

Design figures for the model, not this hull. Drawings and the full sheet on albin25.eu

Reputation

Charming, cozy pocket cruiser; slow, tender and heavy with a wet, cramped feel

Coastal cruising

respected · comfortable, traditional look, easy to live aboard short term

Club racing

disliked · slow, heavy, high-wetted-area hull

First boat

ordinary · cheap entry, but needs age-related upkeep

Offshore passages

mixed · seakindly but slow, small for the job

Loved

classic pilothouse-like looks · Cozy, warm interior with lots of wood · Stable, forgiving and easy to handle · Cutter rig flexible in breeze

Gripes

Slow in light air · Underpowered without genoa · Wet, tender in chop · Limited headroom and cramped berths

Survey for

Deck core rot around chainplates · Teak deck leaks · Tired original Atomic 4 or diesel · Keel bolt and rudder issues

Cross-shopped

Pearson 30 · Cape Dory 28 · Tartan 27 · Bayfield 25

Market

175 prices of similar boats, scaled to its size; none sold yet; back to 2008, older ones weighted less; prices drift 5.5% per model year. Asking prices run above sale prices.

Bayfield 29

Built

1978-1983

Designer

Ted Gozzard · built by Bayfield Boatyard

Rig

Cutter

Keel

Long Keel

Hull

FG

LOA / LWL

29.0 ft · 21.8 ft

Beam / draft

10.2 ft · 3.5 ft

Displacement

8,500 lb

Ballast

3,000 lb

Sail area

420 sq ft

Accommodation

sleeps 5 · 0 cabins · 1 head

Tanks

19 gal fuel · 20 gal water

Engine (orig.)

Yanmar 2GM 15 hp diesel

Design figures for the model, not this hull. Drawings and the full sheet on sailboatdata.com

Reputation

Pretty, seakindly little classic that punches above its size; owners keep them for decades.

Coastal cruising

loved · seakindly, stiff, handles weather well

Offshore passages

respected · small but proven; some have crossed oceans

Club racing

respected · competitive under IOR-era rules, active class

Liveaboard

disliked · too small, tight cabin

Loved

Seakindly motion in a blow · Classic good looks · Strong solid GRP hull · Sails well, balanced helm

Gripes

Cramped headroom and cabin · Small, dated interior · Wet in short steep chop · Tiller and cockpit tight

Survey for

Keel bolt and keel joint corrosion · Rudder and skeg condition · Deck core wetness at fittings · Original Atomic 4/old engine mounts

Cross-shopped

Westerly Centaur · Vega 27 · Folkboat · Sadler 25

Contessa Contessa 26

Accommodation

sleeps 4 · 0 cabins · 1 head · 5.7 ft headroom