A “Deck Salon” before the term was popularized, A functional, roomy cruiser with classic lines and elegance. Those in the know, can see Bob Perry’s trademark. Everything about this boat is big and roomy. Mr. Perry avoided the lure of “sleeps XX adults” and instead made use of the space as a couples cruiser with great entertaining and modest guest abilities. Underwater we find a modified full keel and a rudder on a full skeg suggesting an ability to manage a degree of rough water which is further corroborated by a favorable Capsize Screening Formula. two layouts were available; Layout A with a traditional V berth and a quarter berth or; Layout B with a Classy Pullman berth cabin and an absence of further permanent berths.

OK. it’s a foot longer than the rest of the category, but this list simply wouldn’t be complete without the Out Island. Almost 1500 were made between 1970 and 1990. Many went straight from the factory to charter providers. This may be the default that long range mono-hull cruisers and liveaboards get compared against. It has a fairly standard center cockpit layout with a large aft cabin behind the cockpit. There was a “Walk over” model with no interior passageway to the aft cabin, but rather utilizing the cockpit for said purpose. Dual heads were standard. Some were even ordered with a bathtub from the factory. No less than 14 opening port lights in addition to the hatches provide air circulation no matter which way the wind blows. There are too many versions to list all, but some include ketch, sloop or cutter rigs, multiple layout options, full or modified full keels and various diesel engine choices as well as optional inboard gensets.

Catalina never disappoint when it comes to cruising interiors. From the Catalina 22 and all the way up, interiors are always spacious, practical and accommodating. The Catalina 36 is no exception, taking the term “floating cottage” to a whole new level. With sleeping quarters for seven adults, two private cabins, a BIG galley and a salon with your choice of L-shaped Settee or a compact dinette/armchair combo the Catalina 36 is ready for a big family or a cocktail party. The available wing keel reduces draft to a modest 4.17 feet for access to shallow anchorages. In true Catalina sprit, she balances comfort with space and sailing performance. Earlier models had a reverse transom while later models came with a walk-thru transom.

With less emphasis on space and more on sea-worthiness and motion comfort, the Alberg 37 is still spacious enough for a family, and capable of riding them through even a storm with 40 knots of wind and 30′ waves. As stated in “Rabaska”‘s log in 1993. Available in decent numbers all over the world at quite reasonable prices. The fact that only 248 of them were made, is a true testament to the long-term durability of the Alberg 37. Serious seaworthiness comes at a price. In this case shallow water accessibility is hindered by the 5.5 ft draft and the v-shape of the hull, coupled with the comparatively speaking, modest beam adds up to quite a few square feet of living space.

Another well known US producer of boats, Irwin made among many other popular models, the Irwin 37. Interestingly enough, released a year after Morgan’s Out Island 41 (above) and oddly similar. More than similar actually. Like a slightly shrunken copy. Roughly 600 were made between 1971 and 1982. Marketed as a value priced, roomy family cruiser, of which quite a few examples ended up serving the charter industry. Irwin yachts seem to have a less than favourable reputation for quality. Although many many owners seem more than pleased with them even after many years of service. It’s quite possible that certain years and/or production runs were less well made than others. All models came with a modified long keel. The first generation with shoal draft only. The second generation was also available with a deeper keel of the same design and length. Another aspect where the Irwin 37 has a less than favourable “sea-cred” is performance. One might argue though that it wasn’t designed to perform. That one simply shouldn’t even expect it to.

Was everyone in Canada building boats at one time? The Corbin 39 might not be as numerous as some other boats but they do enjoy an image of safe, reliable, trustworthy ocean crossings in various conditions. 200 Corbin 39s were built in Quebec between 1979 and 1986, of which around 180 were shipped as Hull and Deck kits to be assembled and finished by the owner. As such there are a multitude of interior layouts and levels of visual refinement. They were all fin keel with rudders on a skeg. Most were sold as cutters but a few ketches left the assembly lines as well. Two cockpit sizes and a variation in cabin height, due to a fire that destroyed the original deck mold. A Pilothouse version was also introduced towards the end of production. A PHRF of 156 proves that a big, safe, roomy and comfortable cruiser doesn’t have to be slow.

Today, St. Patrick’s Day of 2025, there is one listed on Yachtworld.com for US$19500 in Massachusetts. Described as VGC with some TLC required and “Should pass a survey”. Even if the “TLC required” is slightly more than minor, (which could mean more room to negotiate,) -it qualifies, on the surface at least, if not else as a “pricerange example”, for a Bargain Big Yacht. -We’re not making any guarantees though. Starting as a Sparkman & Stephens design, by way of Yankee Boat Company, before ending up at Catalina. Between 350 and 400 yachts were made from 1978 to 1990-ish. A respectable amount in this size range. Noteworthy is the 6.80 ft. draft with the standard fin keel, but with a more practical, optional shoal draft keel, that number is reduced to 4.90 ft. There is a newer, post 1990 version which is more Catalina-like. This earlier Sparkman & Stephens design though has proven a popular racer and should be somewhat ocean worthy as well

Another fine example of livable accommodations for a family at prices spotted under US$20000! Apparently quite a capable sailor at any point of sail except a close haul. The Whitby 42 has a modest draft of under 5 ft, with a full keel and is ketch rigged, with the mizzen mast supposedly “borrowed” from the Alberg 30. (Also a product of Whitby Boatworks in Ontario). With over 300 boats completed, Whitby 42 might be one of Ted Brewers most commercially successful creations. It’s Center-Cockpit design follows the same main layout as the Morgan Out Island and Irwin 37 mentioned above. It’s actually shared with just about any Center-Cockpit sailboat layout starting with the “little” Colvic Countess at a mere 33 feet. In the case of the Whitby 32, the design incorporates a generous engine room, a massive salon which in no way hides the 13′ beam, and dual heads, one of which is configured as the private ensuite for the aft “Master Stateroom”.

The original Pearson 36, was followed by a handful of newer 36 footers from Pearson, all nice crafts, but in this case we’ll be focusing on the first generation built from 1972 to 1976. Already a known quality cruiser that could successfully race as well. The Pearson 36’s fame was boosted in recent years by “Sailing Uma“. Dan and Kika, a seemingly unstoppable young couple convert their Pearson 36 to a downtown condo with an electric motor, that they remove again, only to replace with another electric motor featuring a saildrive positioned off-center. If you have any interest in re-fitting, I highly recommend their channel. They documented the entire process in quite detail. Cruising, performance and ocean worthiness are all present in this IOR conforming vessel. About 100 were built, which is not a huge number. Yet, many are available on the market to this day.

Manufactured from 1972 to 1982 in a small, sleepy suburb in the Stockholm Archipelago, called Åkersberga. (With the exception of a few of the same design built by a different company in Finland.) The Sveakryssare, “Swecruiser” has some deceptions up it’s sleeve. The classic sleek lines and narrow beam of only eight feet, bring the thoughts more towards “Racing” than “Cruising”. However, the shallow draft and lush, comfortable interior suggest the opposite. Furthermore; Comfort Ratio, Capsize Screening Formula and overall hull shape, all seem geared towards ocean crossings.

A rather well appointed cruiser with lines suggesting a degree of ability in the performance department as well. With almost 800 made from 1971 to 1986 it was Islander’s most successful model and many are available for sale to this day at some remarkably competitive asking prices for a 36 footer. While most abundant on the west coast of the Americas, they are often spotted in all corners of the world. Although an IOR qualifier, she is not competitive as she was designed prior to the major loopholes were identified. On the other hand she can be sailed well beyond her PHRF rating, making her a fun club racer between long cruises.

A Sail Area to Displacement ratio of 10.96 seems a bit low on a hull shape that looks like it can sail, and a ballast that could counterweigh a heavier load. A large genoa would be a great addition in light winds. The Finnsailer 38, as the name suggests is from Finland. Manufactured by Fiskars, a huge Finish company involved in manufacturing of just about everything. She shares the general three cabin layout with the Out Island 41, Colvic Countess and numerous other center cockpit sailboats. Most came with a hardtop dodger as pictured while some did not, giving them a more “sailboat”, less “motor-sailer” look. In typical Scandinavian style, the Finnsailer 38 is full of little engineering and design features, like a sink that pulls out from a footstep. Quality and build are said to be solid and on the heavy side, which seems a fair assumption considering the 19,840 Lb displacement.

More than a larger sister to the venerable Freeport 36, Islander’s Freeport 41 is the result of Robert perry re-designing the Islander 40 motor sailer and providing it with a 16.71 sail area to displacement along with other “Perry” touches that give a sailing vessel a classy and traditional look. The disparate price range indicates that there are “fixer uppers” out there. What a marvelous platform for a DIY Dream Cruiser. Even with the generous sail area, it takes a bit of wind to get the 22000 Lb.’s of displacement moving. Other than leaky window frames and keel hull joints owners seem generally happy with the quality and over joyed with both living space and abundant room for storage.