compass 31 sailboat review

Review of Compass 31

Basic specs..

Both the hull and the deck is made of fibreglass. Generally, a hull made of fibreglass requires only a minimum of maintenance during the sailing season. And outside the sailing season, just bottom cleaning and perhaps anti-fouling painting once a year - a few hours of work, that's all.

Both the hull and the deck is a sandwich construction which improves the indoor climate. Especially when the water is colder than the air in the cabin, then the double hull insulates against cold water and reduce the condense water in the cabin.

The boat is equipped with 7-8 berths, a galley, 200.0 liter fresh water capacity and toilet facility.

The Compass 31 is built with a ketch rig. A ketch rig is generally considered easier to handle, because the sails are smaller, and because it can sail on most points to the wind with one sail completely taken down for repair or while reefing. The sail configuration of a ketch allows for better comfort and stability when sailing downwind or on a broad reach.

The Compass 31 is built with a fin keel. A boat with a fin keel is more manoeuvrable but has less directional stability than a similar boat with a full keel.

The keel is made of lead. Compared with iron, lead has the advantage of being 44% heavier, which allows a smaller keel and hence less water resistance and higher speed.

The boat can enter even shallow marinas as the draft is just about 1.40 - 1.50 meter (4.59 - 4.89 ft) dependent on the load. See immersion rate below.

Compass 31 may be equipped with an inboard Volvo Penta engine at 36 hp (26 kW). The speed is 8.0 knots.

The transmission is a shaft drive. A shaft drive will in the long run require less maintenance than other types of drive e.g. a sail drive.

The fuel tank, which is made of fibreglass, has a capacity of 155.0 liters (40 US gallons, 34 imperial gallons).

Sailing characteristics

This section covers widely used rules of thumb to describe the sailing characteristics. Please note that even though the calculations are correct, the interpretation of the results might not be valid for extreme boats.

What is Capsize Screening Formula (CSF)?

The capsize screening value for Compass 31 is 1.77, indicating that this boat could - if evaluated by this formula alone - be accepted to participate in ocean races.

What is Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed?

The theoretical maximal speed of a displacement boat of this length is 7.1 knots. The term "Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed" is widely used even though a boat can sail faster. The term shall be interpreted as above the theoretical speed a great additional power is necessary for a small gain in speed.

The immersion rate is defined as the weight required to sink the boat a certain level. The immersion rate for Compass 31 is about 176 kg/cm, alternatively 988 lbs/inch. Meaning: if you load 176 kg cargo on the boat then it will sink 1 cm. Alternatively, if you load 988 lbs cargo on the boat it will sink 1 inch.

Sailing statistics

This section is statistical comparison with similar boats of the same category. The basis of the following statistical computations is our unique database with more than 26,000 different boat types and 350,000 data points.

What is Motion Comfort Ratio (MCR)?

What is L/B (Length Beam Ratio)?

What is Displacement Length Ratio?

Maintenance

When buying anti-fouling bottom paint, it's nice to know how much to buy. The surface of the wet bottom is about 29m 2 (312 ft 2 ). Based on this, your favourite maritime shop can tell you the quantity you need.

If you need to renew parts of your running rig and is not quite sure of the dimensions, you may find the estimates computed below useful.

This section is reserved boat owner's modifications, improvements, etc. Here you might find (or contribute with) inspiration for your boat.

Do you have changes/improvements you would like to share? Upload a photo and describe what you have done.

We are always looking for new photos. If you can contribute with photos for Compass 31 it would be a great help.

If you have any comments to the review, improvement suggestions, or the like, feel free to contact us . Criticism helps us to improve.

Steckbrief für Compass 31

Abmessungen

Compass 31 - ready to sail and continuously maintained both outside and inside. The boat is an older lady from 1978, but everything works and is usable. Compass 31 is a classic long-cooled motor sailer with mahogany wheelhouse and center cockpit. The model was built in approx. 150 copies and is i.a. during its production period was cast on the well-known LM Glasfiber. The boat is steered with a steering wheel in the fixed cockpit housing, but it is also possible to add tiller steering aft if desired.   In the boat is a 36 HP freshwater-cooled Nanni diesel engine, which alone, or in combination with the sails, ensures propulsion. The boat's long keel together with the rudder provides good directional stability, and the boat is easily sailed by a single person. With its draft of only 1.35 metres, the boat is also made to visit cozy fjords and small harbours, where boats with a larger draft cannot enter.   Under deck, there is a spacious U-shaped sofa with a table and a pantry with a sink, gas burner and a refrigerator with a compressor. The forward cabin accommodates two berths, and it is also at the front of the boat that you will find a bathroom with sink and toilet. From the cockpit there is a descent to the boat's aft cabin, where there are two or three berths.   The following can be mentioned about this Compass 31: Nanni 36 hp engine with new starter, new gears, new electricity on and off the engine, new stainless mitts, furlex roller, auto steering autohelm 3000, VHF and new cushions.   The boat can be seen on land inside a hall. Boat trailer can be included.   Please contact Yachtbasen to arrange a viewing.  

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She looks somewhat reminiscent of the oft-recommended Alberg 30. Looks to be a sea-kindly boat, the cockpit is smaller than the A30 so theoretically you'll have a bit more space below. She'll probably have all the typical issues of a full keel cruiser, notably the difficulty of controlling the boat in close quarters, esp in reverse.... A very different beast from dear old Hartley....  

Faster said: She looks somewhat reminiscent of the oft-recommended Alberg 30. Looks to be a sea-kindly boat, the cockpit is smaller than the A30 so theoretically you'll have a bit more space below. She'll probably have all the typical issues of a full keel cruiser, notably the difficulty of controlling the boat in close quarters, esp in reverse.... A very different beast from dear old Hartley.... Click to expand...

Why do you want a wooden boat...Have you decided to give up sailing and go into boat maintenance as a hobby???  

I think you may find that it is actually a Herreshoff H28. I think it is actually 29'.5. Compass Yachts built hundreds up till 1984. I have had a Compass boat and they were strongly built. They the H28 have a reputation as sea kindly capable of offshore, a bit slow and tend to make more leeway with the less draft. I know of someone who did a round the world solo in one. I very much doubt that Compass were building to 28' in the 80s so this is probably it. You will find useful general info on Compass Yachts  

Ok thats odd maybe there were two compass yachts or maybe they tarted it up towards the end changing the rudder as it is still full keeled. I am sure the H28 association would be able to assist you. They have a loyal following and it is a respected boat for it's style. That is it won't win around the buoys but will take you anywhere safely.  

Hartley18, below are the main details from The Observers Book of Sailing Craft (1979 edition) on the Compass 28: LOA 8.58m (28ft 2") Beam 2.48m (8ft 2") Draft 1.29m (4ft 3") The Compass 28 is a proven, all purpose design - large enough for comfortable ocean cruising and small enough for family day sailing, easy to handle.... Nearly 400 of these yachts can be found throughout Australia and the South Pacific....Produced by Compass yachts. Reading the H28 writeup it sounds like a totally different yacht LOA 8.8m (29ft) Beam 2.79m (9ft 2") Draft 1.2m (4ft) Just to confuse the issue there is also a Compass 29 which is a stretched version of the Compass 28. LOA 8.77m (28ft 10") Beam 2.77m (9ft 2") Draft 1.29m (4ft 3") From memory the (Australian) Cruising Helmsmen had a few articles of a couple that sailed from SA to WA then to South Africa in either a Compass 28 or 29. I'll have a dig around & see if I can find the article. Ilenart  

Ilenart said: Hartley18, below are the main details from The Observers Book of Sailing Craft (1979 edition) on the Compass 28: Click to expand...

Evidently there were two Compass yacht companies, one in Australia and one in NZ which worked in collaboration. Of the two boats the 29 sounds closer to the H28 given that there were thousands built by many companies most with tweaks to the design. The foot difference in beam of the Compass 28 seems a major difference though.  

Cameron, H28 and C28 totally different boats albeit based on the same design. To make it even more confusing there was both an Australian and a New Zealand Compass Yachts. C28 began life as the Northerner 28 designed by (I think) a fellow by the name of Rob Lees and they were built apparently by John Duncanson of Duncanson Yachts fame. Fabulous little boats, I know, I owned one for donkey's years and spent many a weekend plus the occasional longer cruise on her. Wee bit cramped but I rebuilt the interior to suit myself and was as happy as I could be given that she was not the Tardis. Duncanson and the designer apparently fell out and Compass Yachts came into being to build the C28 while Duncanson went on to built a slightly longer version known as the Duncanson 29. H28 is in the same class but heavier and more expensive, there is also the Clansman 30 which is very similar. Positives were ease of handling under sail, a reasonably comfortable interior and nice cockpit big enough for lounging, indeed I often slept out there under the stars. Poor stowage space made up for to some extent by under cockpit quarter berth that I never slept in and the Volvo donk ran on the smell of an oily rag. Negatives were limited space, lack of tankage (both fuel and water), not a whole lot of storage space and absolutely appalling behaviour in reverse under power. Overloaded for a cruise they have a tendency to squat down at the stern but that's no big deal really. Mine had two setter berths rather than the dinette and I found this to be a far preferable arrangement. She also had an enclosed head with shower stall formed by closing off the space between the forward cabin and the saloon. Good sea boats, mine won it's class in the Sydney - Montague Island race in the early seventies although I never raced her myself. Mine has since cruised the NSW and QLD coasts , is now up in Moreton Bay and still going strong although that is more to the credit of the folk I sold her to than me. Depending on what you want to use the thing for they, and their cousins are highly recommended but if you want something for longish term cruising my feeling is they are a bit cramped inside. Any questions, let me know. Happy to answer any and all. ps - the C29 was a slightly larger version that Compass hoped would extend the life of the design but the word is that they were nowhere near the same build quality and suffered badly from the dreaded pox. That is what I have been told, it is not gospel however.  

Hartley18 said: Thanks, TD. Duncanson... That makes sense. All his boats were pretty much the same - good looking sea boats with no storage space! I'm glad to hear you had a good time on one and that they're not particualrly slow. Anything practical for sailing around Melbourne needs to be able to handle short chop and lousy weather, so if it'll do the Montague Island race, that's the kind of thing I'm after. Lack of reverse can be dealt with, but the lack of storage might annoy the First Mate. We're hiring a Catalina 28 over the Queen's Birthday long weekend (a lot more space and in a higher $$$ bracket) so I'll see how she copes on that before deciding on the next move. Click to expand...

One Van de Stadt design listed is the MB 24 (p68). I know this boat design fairly well as I used to race offshore in one in the 1980's. Good seaworthy design. Similar to the Spacesailer 24, but points a bit better in a seaway. Lots of them over here in WA as they used to be built here.  

tdw said: ..... Having owned a C28 I know what you mean about reversing a full keeler. Raven is fin and you can park her like a car. When we move on to fin and skeg I am going to miss that attribute although I'm hopeful the fin and skeg will track a little better and that should make up for the reversing woes. Click to expand...

fancy that, post number 100  

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Compass Yachts a buyers guide

Introducing a new series on australia's most popular second-hand production boats. experienced yacht broker david bray profiles the history and enduring success of the compass yachts range.

A press clipping captures the scene when the 300th Compass 28 rolled out of the shed. Toasting the new yacht are Don Lees and Gunther Heuchmer, the two founders of Compass Yachts, and the proud new owners. All are resplendent in the fashion of the day, which has come and gone (and come and gone again). But Compass Yachts' popularity endures to the year 2000 in the second-hand market, almost two decades since it stopped production.

Asked to write a regular piece about popular production yachts, I thought that Compass was a logical place to commence. So I rang Don Lees, now in Brisbane, who I occasionally catch up with on the phone when a client needs a surveyor up north. True to form as always, Don was happy, interested and obliging, despite the ups and downs dealt out by the boating industry to those who have been part of it.

What was going to be a quick 15-minute exploratory chat, turned out to be an hour of lively banter about the history of Compass Yachts, punctuated by happy reminiscences of just about every person involved in production-yacht building back in the '60s and '70s.

True to his word, an express post envelope arrived the next day bearing 'The Don Lees Library' full of photos, brochures and memorabilia that Don has collected over the years.

I was impressed by a black-and-white photo of a 'young slip of a kid', complete with thongs (jandles if you're a Kiwi), standing next to the strip plank plug of the Westerly 26 (later to be revamped and known as the Pacific 27). That photo was taken in 1969, when Don was 31. Oh how we age... or do black-and-white photos make us look young?

Like most fibreglass production-yacht builders of the day, Don started out his working life as a shipwright. Born in New Zealand, he had always messed around in sailing dinghies, from the P-Class up, and then yachts. The natural progression was to become a shipwright and Don also picked up naval architecture experience working with top New Zealand yacht designer Bob Stewart, famous for the Stewart 34s.

Don then moved to Australia and to gather more experience, he worked at the well-known Halvorsen's yard in Sydney, before moving out and starting work on his own.

By contrast, Don's co-director/co-designer, Gunther Heuchmer, came to Australia from Germany as a fibreglass technician, expert in both the marine and aeronautical fields with this relatively new material - 'fibreglass'. The story goes that the pair met up when Gunther was subcontracting the fibreglass mouldings and Don the timber fitout for the Endeavour 24s.

And so G.H. Fibreglass was formed somewhere in 1965/66, with Don and Gunther's first design being the Northerner 28. "A bloody big production yacht at the time," Don says. In fact, the only bigger fibreglass yachts on the local scene then were the Clansman 30 and Nicholson 32.

The first Northerner 28 hit the water in 1966 (a year after the Beatles' hit, Yesterday), to be followed by the Southerly 23, Westerly 26, and Easterly 30, filling out the four points of the compass, hence the company's name change in the '70s.

A feature in the Northerner 28 which was to follow through into the Compass 28 and Compass 29 was the high-set dinette and large cabin windows, to allow light in and a view out. In Don Lees' words, "On most yachts, going below was like going down a mine shaft!"

Interestingly, even though it was a large yacht by the day's standards, a Northerner 28 could be launched fully complete for under $10,000 in the late '60s.

Around 1970, Don and Gunther made what was to be a fairly short-lived arrangement with the yacht designer/builder John Duncanson in South Australia. Duncanson was going to produce the fibreglass mouldings, to be fitted out by Don and Gunther.

Duncanson did produce a more modern deck moulding which was then used in what became the Compass 28 and in South Australia the Duncanson 29.

Another offshoot was that the Duncanson 18 briefly became the Compass 18, before moving on to David Rose and becoming the Compass Careel 18, Australia's most popular production trailer yacht.

By the time all production moved back to Sydney, the Compass 28 was replete with full fibreglass internal mouldings for the furniture, neatly trimmed with Don Lees' high standard of timber finish. It was therefore one of the first production yachts to be fully finished, commissioned and launched by the factory. Alternatively, the yacht could be ordered at various stages for owner fitout, using factory kits or their own resources.

The Compass 29 was born in 1974 out of Don and Gunther's desire to upgrade what had become Australia's most successful production yacht, to keep up with what customers desired and take advantage of some new production techniques to improve efficiency of construction.

Comparing the two, the Compass 29 has more freeboard, allowing two metres of headroom plus extra beam, which, together with the revised deck, allows for a beamier cabin including a dinette suitable for four adults - still with the fantastic view (the Compass 28 dinette is really only comfortable for two adults and two children, as the sidedeck encroaches too much).

The shrouds were moved inboard, allowing easier access forward, plus changes were made to the underwater shape. There is still argument as to which is the best sailing yacht... but as Don Lees says, "It depends who's on the tiller!" The Compass 29 definitely wins hands-down on internal room and comfort.

Initial thoughts (and hopes for factory efficiency) were that the Compass 28 would 'die off', to be taken over by the new Compass 29. This proved wrong, as the Compass 28s continued into the '80s. In fact, I remember selling two 28s into a charter fleet at The Spit in Sydney in the early '80s, at which stage I was Sydney Sailboat Centre with Geoff 'Grandad' Pearson.

Back in those days, people still bought new boats, as second-hand boats were still priced relatively close to the new boat price, and for some customers the Compass 28 was within reach while the Compass 29 was just that bit too expensive.

I asked Don Lees if he still had any old boat tests, as they were always a good source of information. His response was, "We were too busy selling them to do boat tests!"

It's probably sufficient to say that some people would describe the sailing ability of the Compass 29 as boring, while others would say sedate and 'un-scary'. The latter point of view explains why so many Compass 29s have been sold, and continue to sell quickly when they come on the second-hand market, as they satisfy the need for a safe, family yacht.

Checking through my sales folders proves that there is no such person as a typical Compass 29 owner. They can be first-time yacht buyers all the way through to those looking for "My last yacht... and I'll be taking the grandkids out on her".

Recently I sold a 1980 Compass 29, Karamanda, which apart from being in very good condition for its age, had the three magic ingredients that buyers want - wheel steering, headsail furler and the bigger Yanmar 15hp diesel. As the photos show, Karamanda is a stock-standard production yacht showing excellent utilisation of space. As mentioned before, the dinette 'with views' seats four adults comfortably and makes a good double bed when converted.

The dinette table includes a chart drawer, so that the space normally used for a dedicated chart table allows for a larger, longitudinal galley and two full-size adult quarter berths.

Forward of the galley and dinette is the private toilet area and the forward double bunk, which completes the roomy six-berth layout.

The Compass 29 was a cleverly packaged, old-fashioned yacht that imparted a feeling of safety to the buyer, together with a bright, airy interior taking full advantage of fibreglass furniture and linings.

Resale of the Compass 29s (and Compass 28s) is excellent, with most flying through marine survey. Structurally, the Compass 29s are 'over-built'; when they became popular as charter yachts both on Pittwater and in the Whitsundays, Don Lees could have built the boats lighter and still complied with the charter requirements. Many other production yachts had to be beefed up to comply.

The Compasses do suffer the usual crop of osmosis, which today is nowhere near the mystery it was 10-20 years ago. One well-known surveyor has gone to the trouble of backtracking through his surveys of all types of yachts and found that 95% of the fibreglass yachts have had osmosis during their life.

Don says: "Like many manufacturers worldwide, Compass Yachts suffered the period of transformation to the newer formulated resins, inheriting larger overseas and local resin manufacturers' initial problems. In retrospect, the material was critically unstable and required a post-curing and workshop temperature control not found in production yards even today."

As the largest producer of fibreglass yachts at that time in Australia, Compass was used as something of a 'guinea pig' for the new materials, causing some heartache in the company's warranty hip-pocket.

On the positive side, most Compasses on the market are 20-25 years old and have generally been surveyed at least five times or more during their life, giving the intended buyer solid reassurance.

In the mid '70s to early '80s, the yacht marketplace started to change and 'go modern'. Compass Yachts built the 1975 Sydney-Hobart winner, the groundbreaking Farr 1104, Piccolo. But as Don Lees says, "At Compass we had a very loyal customer base who wanted the more traditional cruising yacht, and as it turned out, a lot of them went to the Ron Swanson-designed Arends 33, while boats like John Buck's Northshore 27 and 33 and the Peter Cole-designed Traditional 30 picked up the modern end of the market."

At the end of 1979, Gunther decided to leave Compass Yachts and go to the performance end with his Farr 40s and 37s and later the Spider trailer yachts. One of his Farr 40s, Indian Pacific, sailed to victory in the notorious 1984 Sydney to Hobart Race.

Don Lees stuck with Compass Yachts and put his efforts into the centre cockpit Compass 33 Innovator, which was based on the Farr 1104 hull. The concept was ahead of its time and also totally foreign to the loyal band of Compass followers, who still wanted something traditional.

Don recalls that at the 1981 Sydney Boat Show, "The lights went out - it was recession time and no-one wanted to buy boats". It was certainly a sad time, since Compass yachts had put out close to 1000 yachts and had an excellent rapport with their customers.

I can recall picking up the last Compass 29 to come out of the factory - despite the obvious difficulties of a voluntary liquidation, Don had the boat ready on time, as promised. Just as we learnt to depend on Don, you can certainly depend on Compass Yachts.

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Go Small, Go Far, Go Now

Published as BWS’s annual guide to great monohulls for coastal cruising, weekending and daysailing in June/July 2016.

BWS has always been published for sailors who sail over the ocean’s horizon as they head to new landfalls whether that is down the coast or to some foreign land. But, BWS is also for sailors who may have already been there and done that or who are still ramping up their skills and their cruising kitties and are coastal cruising in the meantime.

So, with our fondness for good quality and innovative small cruisers in mind, we offer our annual guide to boats under 35 feet in three separate categories.

Beneteau Oceanis 31

BENETEAU Group Beneteau, based in France, but with boat building facilities in the U.S., Brazil and southern Europe is the world’s largest producer of recreational boats. The Beneteau brand grew out of the sailboat market and that market is still vital to the company’s profile and image. They have always built entry level cruisers, racers and daysailers. Today, the Beneteau Oceanis 31 and 35 (new last year), are offshore capable cruisers that can be easily managed by a couple or cruised by a family. The 35, like the 38 that was launched a couple of years ago, is a modular boat with a variety of interior plans from daysailer to full on liveaboard cruiser. Both boats evoke the Euro-modern styling that Beneteau has adopted in its latest range of Oceanis cruisers. The First 30 is a racer cruiser with the emphasis on racing. While it will make a fine weekender it is really best suited to longer point to point races of several days or more. A truly fun boat to sail, the First 30 is a Porsche among the fleet of family cars. www.beneteauamerica.com

Beneteau First 30

Catalina 315

CATALINA Once America’s largest sailboat builder, Catalina has retrenched after the recession and is back building wholesome, good quality cruisers for families and couples. The little 315 is not so little when you climb aboard and has a sensibly proportioned cockpit that will seat six and an interior that a family of four will enjoy for summer cruises. The boat sails as well as any in this size range and is simple and easy to handle. The 355 is a significantly larger boat than the 315 and feels like a 40 footer of old. The fit and finish in the new Catalinas is among the very best in the production boat market, with solid wood doors and cabinet front, many useful drawers and the best stainless steel fittings. www.catalinayachts.com

COM-PAC This family owned company in Florida has been quietly and steadily building small, high quality cruising boats and daysailers for two generations. The Com-Pac 27 is their coastal cruiser and has all of the accommodation and sailing qualities you need to truly explore the coast far and wide. Built to a high standard and fitted out with top of the line hardware and equipment, the 27 is a little yacht. For a couple or a young family, the 27 will be either a great last cruiser or a perfect entry level boat at the start of a sailing career. The boat looks traditional and definitely evokes the best in American yacht style over the decades. www.com-pacyachts.com

DEHLER Although not yet a well known brand in the US, Dehler yachts are very popular in Europe and the Dehler 29 is a highly respected racer cruiser with large one-design fleets. A true dual purpose boat, the 29 not only is a lot of fun to sail it is also a fast family cruiser with two private cabins, a roomy saloon, a full head and a useful galley. Between regattas, the 29 is a fine little cruiser. Dehler builds modern boats that uphold the older European traditions of fine woodwork, varnished interiors and well thought-out storage lockers. www.dehler.com

HANSE The German invasion of North America—Bavaria, Dehler and Hanse—now accounts for a healthy percentage of new sailboat sales.  Hanse has seen steady growth in America in no small part because it builds and delivers roomy, modern cruisers at a very fair price. In the under 35 foot category of smaller cruisers, Hanse offers the roomy 345 and the brand new 315. The 345 is a well-appointed and designed family cruiser with a simple rig—self tacking jib—a large cockpit and room below  for two couples or a family of four.  The new 315 is just as well appointed and fitted out and delivers a huge amount of cruising comfort in a small and affordable package. The 315 was named European Sailboat of the Year last winter by a panel of expert sailing journalists.  www.hanseyachts.com

J/BOATS Last year, the letter E started appearing at the end of the usual numerical designations that J/Boats gives some of it boats.  The E stands for Elegance and Evolution in performance cruising design. The 97E is a good example of where the E is taking the company. The new 31-footer has all of the sailing qualities you expect from J Boats and has won its class in major regattas in the US and Europe.  So it is no couch potato. But it does have couches as well as standing headroom, two full cabins, an enclosed head, a seagoing galley and a large table with folding leaves. The interior is bright and open to the point that you feel like you are in a much larger boat. J Boats has been catering to dyed in the wool racers for years—900 J/70s have been delivered!—but with the E series they are offering up a line of boats that will appeal to dyed in the wool cruisers, too. Can you image teak decks on a J Boat under 50 feet? Well, now you can have them. www.jboats.com

Jeanneau 349

JEANNEAU Jeanneau—a part of the Beneteau Group—is now one of the largest sailboat builders delivering boats in North America and giving their sister company, Beneteau, a run for the money. They have the big boat part of the market well covered but they are not neglecting the entry level, either. The 349 that was introduced two years ago is a cracking little cruiser that sails circles around some larger boats and has the living and cruising accommodations of a 38 footer. The 33i is a smaller version but offers a lot of cruising capability in a very attractive and affordable package. These two Jeanneaus make great all around entry level boats. And they are built to a very high standard of quality. www.jeanneau.com

Marlow Hunter 31

MARLOW HUNTER After failing during the recession and being acquired by David Marlow who builds luxury motor yachts, Hunter Yachts—now known as Marlow Hunter—has been steadily reinventing itself and its line of cruising boats. The all new MH 31 is a fully fitted out coastal cruiser that has a unique hull design—similar to the 37 and 40—and a simple rig that is easy for a lone sailor or couple to handle. With a lot of beam aft, the 31 has a good-sized cockpit with a stainless steel arch over it to carry the mainsheet. Down below there is a large cabin aft, a guest cabin forward and an enclosed head aft.  The team at MH have steadily upgraded the finish work on the boats so the new 31 has a more yacht-like feel than Hunters of old. www.marlow-hunter.com

SCHOCK Two years ago Matt Rutherford sailed a Schock Harbor 29 from California to Japan as he documented the pollution collecting in what is known as the North Pacific gyre. So, he proved along the way that the new 29 is an ocean-quality mini-cruiser. The boat has everything you need to move aboard and sail away. As part of the Harbor series, Shcock also builds the Harbor 25 which is a solid little pocket rocket for weekending and summer cruises.  The boats are built in California and have developed wide followings around the country.  All of the boats are built with Hoyt Jib-booms that make the headsails self tacking. www.wdschock.com

Seaward 26R & 32R

SEAWARD The Seaward brand, built by Hake Yachts, is owned and managed by Ted Gelov who is a successful businessman from the Midwest.  His company recently completed taking over Island Packet Yachts and Blue Jacket Yachts in Florida where the Seaward line is being built. The Seaward 26R and 32 R are lifting keel designs that have proven very popular among those who sail the shallow waters of the Bahamas, Florida, the Chesapeake and elsewhere. The 26 has a roomy cockpit for four adults and can accommodate four people in the V-berth and settees below. The 26 is really a great couple’s boat. The 32 is more of a long range cruiser and can easily take you across the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas and be your floating home for a winter of island cruising.  The craftsmen at Island Packet are doing a fine job building high quality Seawards that compare in quality to any boat in the under 35-foot range. www.seawardyachts.com

TARTAN Long one of America’s premier boat builders, Tartan was hit hard by the recession and has downsized and regouped under new ownership.  Today Tartan is the only production builder in the country to build all epoxy yachts with all carbon fiber spars.  The boats are very high quality—heirloom quality—and thus cost a bit more than competition coming from Europe or elsewhere.  In the under 35 foot range, Tartan offers the 101, 115 and 3400. The 101 and 115 are pure racer cruisers that have proven to be successful around the race course and capable coastal cruisers. The 3400 is a fine example of Tartan’s best work reduced to 34 feet. The boat sails sweetly, it has a large cockpit and the interior has the warm comfort you expect from a Tartan yacht.  www.tartanyachts.com

Beneteau First 25

BENETEAU The Beneteau First 25 is a sweet sailing weekender that will be a lot of fun to race in PHRF events or club regattas. With a tall rig and plenty of sail area, the little speedster will scoot when the breeze is fresh.  The boat can be rigged with a Code Zero and an asymmetrical spinnaker. The cockpit is set up for competitive sailing and a crew of up to four. Powered by an outboard, the motor hangs on a stern bracket where it can be tilted up and out of the water. Down below there is a small galley with a portable burner and a sink. The two bench settees can double as single berths and there is a V-berth forward of the enclosed head. A young couple or a group of friends could have a whale of a time sailing, cruising and racing the First 25. www.beneteauamerica.com

Catalina 275

CATALINA The relatively new Catalina 275 is a real design departure for head designer Gerry Douglas. The 275 is a sport boat that doubles as a fun family weekender. It has a large sailing rig with a self-tacking jib and a bow sprit can be added to make flying the downwind sails more fun. It has an almost plumb bow and a wide open transom. The beam has been kept within the limits of trailering the boat behind a family car. The accommodation layout is basic but comfortable and four adults can sit in the saloon and enjoy a meal after a day of sailing. The enclosed head will be appreciated by all. The new look of the 275 is going to spark new larger sport cruiser boats from Catalina but this handy 27-footer may be all the boat you need. www.catalinayachts.com

COM-PAC The Com-Pac 23 has been around for a while and should be included in any list of enduring small cruiser designs. Hundreds have been bought and sailed all over America. Trailerable, seaworthy and attractive, the 23 is a true little yacht. When Com-Pac came out with the 23 Pilothouse, they offered some of their older patrons a design that would allow them to sail under cover and enjoy a great waterfront view whether under sail or swinging at anchor.  The cockpit is still big enough for sitting out in the sun. But when the rain comes, you can slip into the pilothouse and continue on your way. These are great little boats. www.com-pacyachts.com

J/BOATS The J/88 and 95 are two special little cruisers that are designed to sail fast and win around the buoys while also offering their owners something more, enough space below to stay aboard for the weekend. The 88 is really a daysailer and regatta racer that at 29 feet will provide a lot of fun and silver. If you are inclined to stay aboard, of course you can but you will be camping.  The 95 is a step up in accommodations and offer the unique quality of being a shoal draft cruiser. The boat is fitted with a shoal draft fin keel with a bulb that has a deep centerboard inside it. When sailing hard, you have all the performance of a deep keel, yet when slipping into a shallow anchorage, you can go where few other boats of this size could go. The twin rudders offer great steering and add to the shoal draft performance. Both the 88 and the 95 are sweet boats that sail particularly well. www.jboats.com

Precision 23

PRECISION For the last 38 years, Precision Yachts has been quietly building great little daysailers and pocket cruisers in Florida. The Precision 23 is a trailerable family cruiser that harkens back to the days when you didn’t have to spend a fortune to have a perfectly good cruising trailer-sailer.  The cockpit will be comfortable for four adults and the accommodations are designed to have two sleeping forward in the V berth and two on the bench settees in the main cabin.  Since it only displaces 2,500 pounds and a trailer will weigh around 1,000 pounds you will be able to haul your little cruiser to the best sailing grounds in America. The basic boat is under $40,000. With a trailer, outboard and upgraded sails, you will still be under $50,000.  www.precisionboatworks.com

Seascape 27

SEASCAPE Conceived by Slovenian mini-transat sailors and designed and built in Slovenia, the Seascape 27 brings all of the exciting performance of the Open class boats –Mini 6.5s, Class 40s and IMOCA 60s—to the recreational sailing public. The 27 is a boat that can break away and start planing in a good breeze and will regularly sail at double digit speeds off the wind. It has a folding keel, a tall fractional rig, a bowsprit and twin high performance rudders. The boat can be singlehanded or you can really make her fly with a crew of three. Oh, and there are pretty nice accommodations below for taking your partner and mates on a fun cruising weekend. Speed leads and the Seascape is definitely a leader.  www.thinkseascape.com

Sparkman & Stephens 30

SPARKMAN & STEPHENS The Sparkman & Stevens 30, conceived by Bluenose Yacht’s principal Glenn Walters, is a classic looking weekender or daysailer. The design is based upon a 30-foot yacht named Babe that was designed by the legendary Olin Stephens in 1935 and used as a coastal racer and weekend cruiser. In those days, coastal racing included events like the 150-mile Florida to Nassau Race. The new 30 has a powerful rig and a thoroughly modern underbody; it sails amazingly well. The accommodations are sufficient for a couple weekending or perhaps a family with young children for a few days. This year, Walters has launched the all new S&S Open 30 which has a much bigger cockpit and a small cuddy cabin. The Open 30 is a daysailer that does everything well. The boats are very pretty and evoke the whole history of yachting in the American style. www.bluenoseyachts.com

Beneteau First 22

BENETEAU The First 22 came on the scene three years ago in a big announcement between Beneteau America and the American Sailing Association (ASA). The two companies were partnering in the design and marketing of a one-design that would become the new training boat for ASA sailing schools. The 22 was based on the First 20 and the original designers, Finot-Conq, stretched the hull and created a new simpler rig that would be good for beginners and more experienced sailors alike. The First 22 is gaining in popularity and the boat offers a great value for those looking for a well built, safe daysailer. www.beneteauamerica.com

Marlow Hunter 22

MARLOW HUNTER The Marlow Hunter 22 has been around for years but remains one of those basic daysailers that is hard to beat for functionality, sailing qualities and price. The boat is rated for five adults so you can take the whole family out for an afternoon. It is set up like a simple dinghy and is easy to handle. With a mini outboard on the stern you will always be able to get home when the wind dies. And with a little cuddy cabin, you have a place that offers a little privacy and a V-berth for naps. www.marlow-hunter.com

Schock Harbor 20

SCHOCK The Harbor 20 is one of those boats that has been building a cult following for years. Without a lot of fanfare and promotion, the little 20 footer, with its ample rig and self-tacking Hoyt jib boom, has seen one design fleets sprouting up all over the place. Why? Because the boat is good for older sailors who want to sit in a deeper cockpit, want to be able to race as a couple or two buddies, and want the performance of a sweet modern hull and a fin keel. It’s hard to find the best of both worlds—but Schock has achieved this in the Harbor 20. www.wdschock.com

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