By far the most produced Sailboat cruiser to come out of Sweden, with close to 3500 boats built between 1965 until 1979. While it’s obviously easiest to find in the Scandinavian countries and along the western European coasts, they have been sighted all over the world and are quite frequently found for sale in the Americas as well. A few are known to have circumnavigated the globe. It was equipped with an inboard Volvo Penta diesel, tiller steering and a modified full keel and sleeps four adults. The rather unusual profile with a raised cabin top at the stern end, is slightly reminiscent of a couple of Alberg models. While not particularly roomy below deck, she instead impresses with a combination of surprising performance and rough weather seaworthiness. The best part; It is often found at very affordable asking prices.

Possibly the most common 30 footer in the world. Definitely the most common in USA and Canada. No article about sailboats in this range is complete without the Catalina 30. There are many of these available in the used market with prices varying depending on condition and equipment. Like so many other American made boats a large percentage of the 70s made models have the Universal Atomic 4 gas engine. (Lovingly dubbed the Atomic Bomb) A very reliable, strong and quiet alternative to diesel, but not nearly as popular as a diesel engine, making these models more affordable, if you can live with a gas engine. Almost all Catalina 30s came with a wheel helm on a binnacle, but some are available with tiller steering, making the already roomy cockpit even larger. The interior looks massive for a 30 footer with a large open queen quarter berth, a very functional galley, convertible settee seating and a slightly offset path to the V-berth. A Catalina 30 Easily and comfortably sleeps six adults.

A 27 foot sailboat with a Comfort Ratio of 32.41 and a Capsize Screening Formula of 1.60 is a rare design feat. But crossing oceans in safety and comfort isn’t the only ace in her sleave. She has a draft of just 3.5 feet or about a meter, providing access to the shallower areas of anchorages. To some though, her attraction lies in that (with an 8 foot beam and 8000 Lb displacement), she can be transported by trailer without any additional license. The mast can be raised and lowered on deck by one person, but it’s a three hour job each direction so while not a “Trailer-Sailor”, she can be an R/V on the road AND Ocean Yacht in the water. The Center Cockpit version pictured has a double aft cabin and a salon that converts to a queen berth.

C&Cs entire lineup of MarkI models with the signature up-side-down shark fin keel, and smooth, sleek cabin top lines that suggest great upwind performance and reduced drift, has a loyal following. These models combine a modest draft with directional stability and upwind capability, while slicing through the water in a way that defies the generous beam and spacious interiors. (More in this review of the C&C 25 MKI) The C&C 30 MKI lasted more or less unchanged for 12 years. A testament to the all around benefits of this design. 800 boats were made, which by some measures isn’t much, but with all the other boatbuilders in Ontario at the time it’s no small feat considering it’s just one of three or perhaps four generations in total. Although they tend to fetch better prices than many other early 70’s 30 footers, with Atomic 4 gas engines, the cost of ownership over time may just outweigh the difference in initial asking price.

This first-generation, Cherubini-designed Hunter 27 was manufactured from 1974 until 1984 and in that time 2000 Hunter 27s were made. At the time it was quite possibly the cheapest sailboat available with an inboard diesel. The earlier version being equipped with an Renault diesel providing a modest 8 HP. This was later replaced with a Single cylinder Yanmar. Hunter 27s were marketed as a low-cost, no-frills option for budget conscious cruisers. Very few options were available and most of the boat has a distinct function over form “feel” which appeals more to some than others. Many dealers of the time saw an opportunity to offer options installed from the dealership. While the low cost approach means this boat doesn’t excel at any particular task, and increasing performance may be cost-prohibitive, but the Hunter 27 could make for an excellent platform for a DIY cruising interior.

The very first of the “First” Series from Beneteau, and a big commercial success with almost 1000 boats sold in just a few years from 1977 to 1981. While flaunting an obvious bias towards performance over space and comfort, corroborated by a fairly deep draft of 5.6 feet. Never the less, she offers basic, yet comfortable interior accommodations for four adults. Perhaps better suited to be viewed as a middle ground starting point as she could be DIY-customized towards a fast cruiser, or a comfortable racer depending on preference. Tiller steering helps to visually open up a narrow but functional cockpit.

Another example of a popular racer that cruises in comfort and crosses oceans in style. Much like the Beneteau First 30 (Above), the Albin Ballad 30 sacrifices a shallow draft and a wide transom for performance and sea kindliness. At 7300 Lbs she’s quite light for an ocean worthy cruiser, however, with half of that weight in the keel she is still able to carry a large sail area of 20.20 to displacement. As the freeboards aren’t as high as ocean designed vessels, I’d avoid really big seas as it might be a very wet experience. The same company in Sweden that cranked out 3500 Albin Vegas also manufactured 1500 Albin Ballads which share a similar non-cored or plastic-cored construction. Known for high build quality there are many available still today, although a large percentage will have been raced a fair amount.

Marketed as a “Wide body super cruiser”, the Hughes Columbia 8.7 was beamy for the time, quite well equipped and with many design innovations. For example; while the wide beam is carried aft to the transom, at the waterline it tapers quite drastically to only a few inches, terminating in a classic upside-down-teardrop transom. Deck space is generous, while still maintaining adequate width of high headroom below. High, sloping cockpit combings add to the classic flair while increasing total freeboard for a dryer, safer sailing experience. A modified full keel successfully blends a modest draft with motion comfort and impressive performance. Sail area is on the upper end for a cruiser indicating light weather ability and some degree of potential velocity in a blow.

The most successful of LM’s line of “Motor Sailors” with over 1500 built between 1972 and 1986. While marketed as Motor Sailors, most models are clearly sailboats under the waterline, but with huge motor yacht-like cockpits and large windows in the Pilot house which also houses the galley. ‘Yachting World’ writes: “…. she sails surprisingly fast”, and ‘Yachting Monthly’ stated: “…. Can she sail? Undoubtedly this one can, in a very satisfactory way”. The LM 27 was later replaced with the LM 28 with small changes apart from the sliding doors between the cockpit and the pilot house. In addition to the wheel she can also be maneuvered by tiller, but there are no engine controls in the cockpit.

With a 27 year production run Heavenly Twins may be the most prolific cruising catamaran available. In addition, she’s one of the few with a beam under 16 feet so that she fits in a standard size North American slip. While the Heavenly Twins Cat might not win any beauty contests, she packs a lot of amenities in under 27 feet. The two spacious aft cabins each have their own entrance from the cockpit and lots of portlights. The main cabin has the salon in the center with the galley in the port hull and the head to starboard. Two small 9 horsepower inboards were standard. Many owners report them as inadequate and instead opt for dual outboards. Supposedly they sail surprisingly well except to windward.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Even so, there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of beholders that find the Tanzer 8.5 beautiful. That’s a good thing because it results in less attention from buyers, reducing prices on a very capable and affordable Canadian-built cruiser. The layout makes good use of the available space with a sizable galley and sleeping accommodations for five adults. A modest draft of 4.4 feet increases chances of finding adequate room in an anchorage. Auxiliary propulsion is provided by an inboard diesel. Tiller steering keeps the cockpit roomy and un cluttered. A nicely balanced combination of comfort, ease of single-handed operation and spry sailing characteristics rounds out this Frugal Compact Cruiser.

Another example of a solid and well built cruiser from the 80s. Wheel steering on a binnacle and a two cylinder Yanmar diesel were standard equipment. Vandestadt and McGruer have always produced well designed boats and the Sirius 28 is no exception. Interior space rivals most 30 footers and the cockpit although compact, is still very maneuverable despite the wheel helm. Interior space and headroom is accomplished in part by a high cabin top, but the overall design and slightly high freeboards, maintains a pleasing and proportionate profile. Owners tend to keep them for a long time which means the grass doesn’t seem to be that much greener on the other side of the fence. Sirius 28s also tend to fetch slightly higher prices than comparable models, just like its little sister the Sirius 26.

Almost 500 CS 27s were built in Brampton, Ontario between 1975 and 1973. While not an impressive number on it’s own, the number of them still sailing all across the Americas is quite surprising. CS Yachts have a reputation for solid build quality and if the number of CS 27s still sailing are a valid indication, I’d say the reputation is well deserved. It came with a transom hung rudder, tiller steering, two different Yanmar one-cylinder diesel engines, depending on the year, and a fin keel, with the exception of about 100 specimens equipped with a shoal draft full keel. Below deck the CS 27 is as roomy as a 27 foot sailboat can get, and seems far beamier than the actual 9.33 feet would suggest. Likely in part to the bulbous and rounded hull shape that continues up the cabin top sides.

A manufacturer of sailboats in Ontario with a distinct style that carries throughout their vessel lineup. There is no doubt that this particular style is a trademark of Ted Gozzard, the designer of this model. Other boats designed by Ted Gozzard, particularly those that carry his name, are very easily identified by their similarities. A cutter rig, pronounced bowsprit with impressive brightwork, a full keel and tiller steering, gives these crafts a traditional blue-water-boat image. Owing to the design they are likely capable of offshore passages and as such also provide improved motion comfort even in coastal or inland waters, compared to a typical racer/cruiser. Characteristically, one would expect this boat to be a bit hard to get started in light breezes, but this is of course offset by her ability to keep you feeling safe and comfortable wind the wind really picks up.

Available as the Cal 29 simultaneously with the Cal 2-29. In this case the “2” isn’t a generation but a designation for the special cruising model with Wheel helm, Pressurized water, Diesel engine, shore power and a few other features as standard. The “regular” Cal 29 came with either the infamous Atomic 4 inboard gas, or a cutout for an out board. (A great opportunity to convert the cutout to a walkout transom, and relocate the outboard to a bracket.) Interior space and headroom feel grander than the modest dimensions would suggest, although the v-berth is a bit claustrophobic, especially with the “door” closed. I can say from first hand experience that she “sails like a dinghy” -In a GOOD way. Quick to dip the rail, but stiff in that position once heeled over. Not the driest boat I ever owned, but a LOT of boat for the typical prices. Well built other than a few reported cases of the “dreaded beam rot”, most of the 600 + boats produced are still around and available at great prices.