Boat comparison notes and spec sheets on a dockside table

Building a Shortlist and Choosing the Right Boat

By this point you may have a dozen candidate models and a few live listings. The next step is to narrow without getting dazzled. Good boat buying is a sequence of filters: mission, market, condition, survey, sea trial, insurance, paperwork, and only then emotion.

The Shortlist Funnel

Use a funnel rather than a hunt.

Start with 6-12 models that fit your mission.
Remove models that do not fit your local draft, berth, insurance, or crew limits.
Watch the market for 30-60 days before making offers if time allows.
Inspect the best examples, not the cheapest examples.
Pay for survey only when the boat, seller, and paperwork pass first screening.
Use survey findings to buy, renegotiate, or walk away.

This process keeps you from turning every listing into a personal referendum. Most boats are not your boat. That is fine.

Good First-Boat Shortlists

These are starting points, not commandments.

If You Want to Learn Cheaply

Catalina 22
Catalina 25
O'Day 22/25
Hunter 23/25
Precision 23
Com-Pac 23

Prioritize trailer condition, sails, deck core, outboard reliability, and whether the boat is simple enough to rig and launch without dread.

::boat-collectionbest-small-sailboats-for-beginners22 models

ImperialMetric

Model ↕	Listings ↓	Year Built ↕	LOA (ft) ↕	Beam (ft) ↕	Draft (ft) ↕	Disp. (lbs) ↕	Hull ↕	Designer ↕	Rig ↕	Keel ↕

Catalina 250	32 for sale	1995	25 ft	8.5 ft	5 ft	4,200 lbs	Monohull	—	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Hunter 29.5	29 for sale	1994	29.5 ft	10.5 ft	4 ft	7,500 lbs	Monohull	Rob Mazza/Hunter Design Team	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Catalina 30 Mk II	29 for sale	1986	29.92 ft	10.83 ft	5.25 ft	10,200 lbs	Monohull	Gerry Douglass	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Catalina 270	26 for sale	1992	28.33 ft	9.83 ft	5 ft	6,240 lbs	Monohull	Gerry Douglas	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Catalina 28	26 for sale	1991	28.5 ft	10.17 ft	5.25 ft	8,300 lbs	Monohull	Gerry Douglas	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Hunter 28.5	20 for sale	1985	28.42 ft	10.5 ft	5.18 ft	7,000 lbs	Monohull	Hunter Design	Fractional Sloop	Fin
Hunter 306	20 for sale	2001	29.92 ft	10.75 ft	5.33 ft	7,150 lbs	Monohull	—	Fractional Sloop	Wing
Catalina Capri 26	14 for sale	1990	26.17 ft	9.83 ft	4.83 ft	5,250 lbs	Monohull	Frank Butler/Gerry Douglas	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Hunter 26	11 for sale	1994	25.75 ft	9 ft	6 ft	4,600 lbs	Monohull	Rob Mazza	Fractional Sloop	Centerboard
Hunter 28	10 for sale	1989	28.01 ft	10.5 ft	3.75 ft	7,400 lbs	Monohull	—	Fractional Sloop	Wing
Pearson 28 (1980-82)	9 for sale	1980	28 ft	9.33 ft	5 ft	7,850 lbs	Monohull	William Shaw	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Hunter Horizon 26	8 for sale	1984	26.34 ft	9 ft	5 ft	4,564 lbs	Monohull	David Thomas	Fractional Sloop	Fin
Hunter 27-2	8 for sale	1989	26.58 ft	9 ft	3.5 ft	5,000 lbs	Monohull	Hunter Design Team	Fractional Sloop	Wing
Catalina 275 Sport	8 for sale	2013	27.5 ft	8.5 ft	5 ft	5,000 lbs	Monohull	Gerry Douglas	Fractional Sloop	Fin
Pearson 27	7 for sale	1986	26.92 ft	9.17 ft	3.33 ft	5,800 lbs	Monohull	William Shaw	Masthead Sloop	Wing
Hunter 25.5	5 for sale	1984	25.58 ft	9.08 ft	4.5 ft	4,500 lbs	Monohull	Cortland Steck	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Hunter 260	5 for sale	1997	26.25 ft	8.96 ft	6 ft	5,000 lbs	Monohull	Rob Mazza/Hunter Design Team	Fractional Sloop	Centerboard
Hunter 26.5	4 for sale	1985	26.58 ft	9 ft	3.5 ft	4,400 lbs	Monohull	Hunter Design Team	Fractional Sloop	Wing
Hunter 27 X	2 for sale	2006	27.33 ft	9.91 ft	5.52 ft	8,000 lbs	Monohull	Glenn Henderson	Fractional Sloop	Fin
Pearson 28-2	2 for sale	1985	28.46 ft	9.83 ft	4.83 ft	7,000 lbs	Monohull	William Shaw	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Catalina Capri 30	2 for sale	1982	29.5 ft	11.17 ft	5.33 ft	4,985 lbs	Monohull	F. Butler	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Catalina 276 Sport	1 for sale	2024	27.5 ft	8.42 ft	5 ft	6,000 lbs	Monohull	Gerry Douglas	Fractional Sloop	Fin

Research linkBrowse small beginner sailboats under 26 feet

If You Want a First Coastal Cruiser

Catalina 27
Catalina 30
Catalina 34
Pearson 30
Hunter 30/34
O'Day 28/30
Tartan 30

Prioritize dry decks, standing rigging age, diesel condition, sail inventory, and owner support. These boats are old enough that maintenance history matters more than model year.

::boat-collectionbest-sailboats-under-30-feet29 models

ImperialMetric

Model ↕	Listings ↓	Year Built ↕	LOA (ft) ↕	Beam (ft) ↕	Draft (ft) ↕	Disp. (lbs) ↕	Hull ↕	Designer ↕	Rig ↕	Keel ↕

Dragonfly 28	21 for sale	2009	28.71 ft	21.33 ft	5.58 ft	4,189 lbs	Trimaran	Jens Quorning	Fractional Sloop	Centerboard
Corsair 880	20 for sale	2019	28.87 ft	22.31 ft	5.25 ft	3,660 lbs	Trimaran	—	Fractional Sloop	Daggerboard
Saffier SE 24	15 for sale	2023	26.25 ft	7.87 ft	4.27 ft	2,646 lbs	Monohull	Dean Hennevanger	Fractional Sloop	Bulb
Corsair 27	15 for sale	1986	27 ft	19.08 ft	4.92 ft	2,690 lbs	Trimaran	Ian Farrier	Fractional Sloop	Daggerboard
Corsair F-24 Mk II	11 for sale	1994	24.17 ft	17.92 ft	4.67 ft	1,800 lbs	Trimaran	Ian Farrier	Fractional Sloop	Daggerboard
Hobie Mirage Tandem Island	9 for sale	2007	18.5 ft	10 ft	2.42 ft	240 lbs	Trimaran	Greg Ketterman	Cat Rig	Centerboard
Corsair 760	9 for sale	2018	24.25 ft	17.91 ft	5.25 ft	2,094 lbs	Trimaran	François Perus	Fractional Sloop	Daggerboard
Saffier SE 27	9 for sale	2020	29.69 ft	8.53 ft	4.59 ft	4,189 lbs	Monohull	Dean Hennevanger	Fractional Sloop	Bulb
Dragonfly 800	8 for sale	1986	26.25 ft	19.85 ft	4.1 ft	2,425 lbs	Trimaran	Børge Quorning	Fractional Sloop	Daggerboard
Corsair Dash 750	7 for sale	2006	24.25 ft	18.14 ft	5.25 ft	1,870 lbs	Trimaran	Farrier/Corsair	Fractional Sloop	Daggerboard
Corsair Sprint 750	7 for sale	2005	24.25 ft	18.16 ft	5.25 ft	1,700 lbs	Trimaran	Ian Farrier	Fractional Sloop	Daggerboard
J-Boats J/7	6 for sale	2024	23.11 ft	8.11 ft	3.8 ft	2,300 lbs	Monohull	Alan Johnstone	Fractional Sloop	Bulb
Telstar 28	5 for sale	2003	27.49 ft	18.01 ft	4.27 ft	3,000 lbs	Trimaran	Tony Smith	Fractional Sloop	Centerboard
Windrider 17	4 for sale	2002	17.33 ft	11 ft	1.5 ft	320 lbs	Trimaran	Jim Brown/Windrider	Fractional Sloop	Multihull
Astus 20.2	4 for sale	2010	19.52 ft	13.94 ft	3.61 ft	772 lbs	Trimaran	Perspective Yacht Design	Fractional Sloop	Centerboard
Corsair 28	4 for sale	2001	28.52 ft	19.75 ft	4.92 ft	2,690 lbs	Trimaran	Ian Farrier	Fractional Sloop	Daggerboard
Astus 16.5	3 for sale	2016	16.21 ft	12.47 ft	3.61 ft	463 lbs	Trimaran	VPLP Design	Fractional Sloop	Centerboard
Pulse 600	3 for sale	2015	19.68 ft	14.76 ft	3.94 ft	1,010 lbs	Trimaran	Corsair Marine	Fractional Sloop	Daggerboard
Dragonfly 25-2	3 for sale	2015	25.1 ft	19.03 ft	4.92 ft	2,315 lbs	Trimaran	Jens Quorning and Steen Olsen	Fractional Sloop	Daggerboard
J-Boats J/9	3 for sale	2021	27.95 ft	8.6 ft	4.9 ft	4,250 lbs	Monohull	Alan Johnstone	Fractional Sloop	Fin
Windrider 16	2 for sale	1995	16.58 ft	12 ft	1.33 ft	250 lbs	Trimaran	Jim Brown/Windrider	Cat Rig	Multihull
Astus 20.5	2 for sale	2018	19.52 ft	14.76 ft	4.1 ft	1,036 lbs	Trimaran	VPLP Design	Fractional Sloop	Centerboard
Tri Sea Pearl 21	2 for sale	1993	21 ft	14 ft	2.67 ft	950 lbs	Trimaran	Marine Concepts	Cat Ketch	Centerboard
Corsair F-24	2 for sale	1992	24.17 ft	17.92 ft	4.67 ft	1,800 lbs	Trimaran	Ian Farrier	Fractional Sloop	Daggerboard
Dragonfly 25	2 for sale	1981	25.25 ft	19.67 ft	4.58 ft	1,500 lbs	Trimaran	Børge Quorning	Fractional Sloop	Daggerboard
Bandit 870	2 for sale	2010	28.54 ft	22.64 ft	5.91 ft	4,189 lbs	Trimaran	Pierre Rolland	Fractional Sloop	Centerboard
Cape Cod 767	1 for sale	2023	25.16 ft	8.33 ft	5.91 ft	2,756 lbs	Monohull	Hervé Nollet	Solent	Centerboard
Catalina 276 Sport	1 for sale	2024	27.5 ft	8.42 ft	5 ft	6,000 lbs	Monohull	Gerry Douglas	Fractional Sloop	Fin
Bente 28	1 for sale	2022	28.38 ft	9.81 ft	5.25 ft	7,055 lbs	Monohull	Judel/Vrolijk & Co.	Fractional Sloop	Bulb

Research linkBrowse coastal cruisers from 27 to 35 feet

If You Want Comfort for a Couple or Family

Catalina 34/36
Hunter 34/356/36
Beneteau Oceanis 34-38
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35-39
Island Packet 31/35
Pearson 365

Prioritize cockpit safety, headroom, ventilation, refrigeration, tankage, berth comfort, and docking manageability. The best family boat is not the biggest one; it is the one your crew wants to return to.

::boat-collectionbest-sailboats-for-families49 models

ImperialMetric

Model ↕	Listings ↓	Year Built ↕	LOA (ft) ↕	Beam (ft) ↕	Draft (ft) ↕	Disp. (lbs) ↕	Hull ↕	Designer ↕	Rig ↕	Keel ↕

Lagoon 40	196 for sale	2017	38.52 ft	22.18 ft	4.43 ft	23,997 lbs	Catamaran	VPLP Design	Fractional Sloop	Twin
Lagoon 50	187 for sale	2018	48.39 ft	26.57 ft	4.59 ft	43,995 lbs	Catamaran	VPLP Design	Fractional Sloop	Twin
Fountaine Pajot Saona 47	155 for sale	2016	46 ft	25.3 ft	4.2 ft	30,424 lbs	Catamaran	Berret-Racoupeau	Fractional Sloop	Twin
Fountaine Pajot Astréa 42	139 for sale	2018	41.27 ft	23.62 ft	4.1 ft	25,353 lbs	Catamaran	Berret-Racoupeau	Fractional Sloop	Twin
Fountaine Pajot Lucia 40	125 for sale	2015	38.48 ft	21.69 ft	3.94 ft	19,621 lbs	Catamaran	Berret-Raccoupeau Yacht Design	Fractional Sloop	Twin
Bali 4.2	116 for sale	2021	42.13 ft	23.2 ft	4 ft	25,133 lbs	Catamaran	Xavier Faÿ; Olivier Poncin	Fractional Sloop	Twin
Fountaine Pajot Saba 50	101 for sale	2015	49.15 ft	26.21 ft	4.1 ft	34,114 lbs	Catamaran	Berret-Racoupeau	Fractional Sloop	Twin
Leopard 42 / Moorings 4200 (2001-2004)	84 for sale	2001	41.4 ft	22.74 ft	4.27 ft	19,030 lbs	Catamaran	Simonis Voogd	Fractional Sloop	Twin
Beneteau 343	75 for sale	2005	35.5 ft	11.42 ft	6.23 ft	13,448 lbs	Monohull	Berret-Racoupeau	Fractional Sloop	Bulb
Bali 4.4	71 for sale	2022	44.23 ft	24.28 ft	4.13 ft	29,983 lbs	Catamaran	Xavier Faÿ; Olivier Poncin	Fractional Sloop	Twin
Lagoon 39	63 for sale	2013	38.4 ft	22.28 ft	4.17 ft	25,732 lbs	Catamaran	Van Peteghem/Lauriot-Prevost	Fractional Sloop	Twin
Fountaine Pajot Tanna 47	62 for sale	2021	45.73 ft	25.26 ft	3.94 ft	32,408 lbs	Catamaran	Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design	Fractional Sloop	Twin
Bali 4.3	58 for sale	2015	42.98 ft	23.36 ft	3.11 ft	24,912 lbs	Catamaran	Xavier Fay/Poncin/Couedel	Fractional Sloop	Twin
Bali 4.5	47 for sale	2015	44.62 ft	24.34 ft	4 ft	25,574 lbs	Catamaran	Xavier Faÿ; Lasta design Studios (interior)	Fractional Sloop	Twin
Leopard 43	45 for sale	2004	42.49 ft	22.74 ft	4.25 ft	19,026 lbs	Catamaran	Simonis & Voogd	Fractional Sloop	Twin
Bali Catspace	43 for sale	2019	39.53 ft	21.52 ft	3.61 ft	20,283 lbs	Catamaran	Lasta Design STUDIO	Fractional Sloop	Twin
Lagoon 38	39 for sale	2025	43.04 ft	21.82 ft	4.13 ft	22,575 lbs	Catamaran	VPLP Design	Fractional Sloop	Twin
Elan Impression 50	38 for sale	2017	49.87 ft	15.35 ft	7.32 ft	28,367 lbs	Monohull	Humphreys Yacht Design	Fractional Sloop	Bulb
Catalina 400	36 for sale	1994	40.5 ft	13.5 ft	6.75 ft	18,000 lbs	Monohull	Frank Douglas/Gerry Douglas	Masthead Sloop	Bulb
Lagoon 43	35 for sale	2025	45.44 ft	25.23 ft	4.3 ft	30,644 lbs	Catamaran	Van Peteghem/Lauriot Prévost	Fractional Sloop	Twin
Leopard 38	34 for sale	2009	37.5 ft	19.75 ft	3.67 ft	19,790 lbs	Catamaran	Morelli & Melvin	Fractional Sloop	Twin
Catalina 400 Mk II	30 for sale	2000	41.5 ft	13.5 ft	6.92 ft	19,700 lbs	Monohull	Frank Douglas/Gerry Douglas	Masthead Sloop	Bulb
Knysna 500	30 for sale	2014	50 ft	26.12 ft	3.97 ft	29,762 lbs	Catamaran	Angelo Lavranos	Fractional Sloop	Twin
Antares 44	26 for sale	2003	44 ft	21.75 ft	4 ft	22,500 lbs	Catamaran	Ted Clements	Fractional Sloop	Twin
Fountaine Pajot Mahe 36	20 for sale	2004	36.19 ft	19.41 ft	3.62 ft	11,023 lbs	Catamaran	O. Flahault Design /Joubert - Nivelt	Fractional Sloop	Twin
Seawind 1260	20 for sale	2018	40.85 ft	22.31 ft	3.81 ft	18,078 lbs	Catamaran	Richard Ward	Fractional Sloop	Twin
Catalina 387	17 for sale	2003	39.83 ft	12.34 ft	7.15 ft	19,000 lbs	Monohull	Gerry Douglas	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Catalina 375	15 for sale	2008	38.5 ft	13 ft	6.83 ft	15,500 lbs	Monohull	Gerry Douglas	Fractional Sloop	Fin
Lagoon 47	15 for sale	1992	46.25 ft	24.92 ft	3.58 ft	19,842 lbs	Catamaran	Van Peteghem & Lauriot Prévost	Fractional Sloop	Twin
Voyage 480	15 for sale	2015	49.54 ft	25.1 ft	3.61 ft	23,038 lbs	Catamaran	Simonis Voogd	Fractional Sloop	Twin
Manta 40	13 for sale	1994	39.67 ft	21 ft	3.67 ft	13,000 lbs	Catamaran	Erik Lerouge	Fractional Sloop	Twin
Fountaine Pajot FP 41	12 for sale	2025	39.7 ft	22.7 ft	4.43 ft	27,999 lbs	Catamaran	Berret-Racoupeau	Fractional Sloop	Twin
Moody 41 DS	12 for sale	2019	41.08 ft	13.78 ft	7.02 ft	24,692 lbs	Monohull	Dixon Yacht Design	Fractional Sloop	Bulb
Privilège 435	12 for sale	1999	43 ft	23.33 ft	4.42 ft	18,300 lbs	Catamaran	Marc Lombard	Fractional Sloop	Twin
Aventura 45	10 for sale	2025	44.29 ft	24.61 ft	4.59 ft	26,455 lbs	Catamaran	Samer LASTA	Fractional Sloop	Twin
Catana 42	8 for sale	2008	41.27 ft	22.64 ft	8.86 ft	19,621 lbs	Catamaran	Christophe Barreau	Fractional Sloop	Daggerboard
Leopard 42 / Moorings 4200	8 for sale	2020	41.57 ft	23.1 ft	4.59 ft	27,485 lbs	Catamaran	Simonis Voogd	Fractional Sloop	Twin
Beneteau Sense 46	8 for sale	2013	46.32 ft	14.53 ft	6.73 ft	26,014 lbs	Monohull	Berret Racoupeau/Nauta	Fractional Sloop	Bulb
Seawind 1000 XL	7 for sale	1996	35.5 ft	19.42 ft	3.25 ft	10,000 lbs	Catamaran	Richard Ward	Fractional Sloop	Twin
Broadblue 385	7 for sale	2005	38.68 ft	19.59 ft	3.41 ft	15,875 lbs	Catamaran	Simon Davidson and Robert Underwood	Fractional Sloop	Twin
Leopard 40 (2015-2020)	6 for sale	2015	39.34 ft	22.05 ft	4.1 ft	20,591 lbs	Catamaran	Morrelli & Melvin	Fractional Sloop	Twin
Maine Cat 38 Ls-E	5 for sale	2013	38 ft	21 ft	6.5 ft	12,400 lbs	Catamaran	Dick Vermuelen	Fractional Sloop	Daggerboard
Lagoon 42	5 for sale	1990	42.5 ft	22.67 ft	4.42 ft	16,550 lbs	Catamaran	Van Peteghem/Lauriot-Prevost	Fractional Sloop	Twin
Dufour Atoll 43	4 for sale	1998	43 ft	15.16 ft	5.25 ft	20,950 lbs	Monohull	Philippe Briand	Fractional Sloop	Fin
Beneteau Sense 43	4 for sale	2011	43.16 ft	14 ft	6.58 ft	22,200 lbs	Monohull	Berret-Racoupeau	Fractional Sloop	Bulb
Island Packet Packet Cat 35	3 for sale	1992	35 ft	15 ft	2.5 ft	12,500 lbs	Catamaran	Bob Johnson	Masthead Sloop	Twin
Easy 37	2 for sale	2000	36.09 ft	19.03 ft	2.46 ft	8,818 lbs	Catamaran	Peter Snell	Cutter	Twin
Catana 43	2 for sale	2004	42.98 ft	23.95 ft	8.2 ft	24,251 lbs	Catamaran	Christophe Barreau	Fractional Sloop	Daggerboard
Catana 44	1 for sale	1992	44 ft	23 ft	7.18 ft	16,720 lbs	Catamaran	Lock Crowther / Christophe Barreau	Fractional Sloop	Daggerboard

Research linkBrowse family-friendly cruisers from 32 to 40 feet

If You Want Offshore Capability

Pacific Seacraft 34/37
Cape Dory 33/36
Valiant 40
Tayana 37
Island Packet 35/38
Westsail 32
Hans Christian 33/38

Prioritize rig, chainplates, tankage, cockpit drainage, seacocks, steering, storm-sail setup, storage, and motion comfort. Offshore reputation does not excuse old systems.

::boat-collectionbest-bluewater-sailboats-under-40ft50 models

ImperialMetric

Model ↕	Listings ↓	Year Built ↕	LOA (ft) ↕	Beam (ft) ↕	Draft (ft) ↕	Disp. (lbs) ↕	Hull ↕	Designer ↕	Rig ↕	Keel ↕

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490	126 for sale	2018	48.5 ft	14.67 ft	7.33 ft	24,890 lbs	Monohull	Philippe Briand	Fractional Sloop	Bulb
Beneteau 50	55 for sale	1995	50.75 ft	14.67 ft	7.55 ft	28,660 lbs	Monohull	Farr Yacht Design/Armel Briand	Masthead Sloop	Bulb
Jeanneau Yachts 60	52 for sale	2021	59.97 ft	17.06 ft	8.37 ft	44,467 lbs	Monohull	Philippe Briand/Andrew Winch	Fractional Sloop	Bulb
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 439	40 for sale	2011	43.77 ft	13.91 ft	7.22 ft	21,781 lbs	Monohull	Philippe Briand	Fractional Sloop	Bulb
Gozzard 36	27 for sale	1985	36 ft	12.5 ft	4.75 ft	18,150 lbs	Monohull	Ted Gozzard	Cutter	Fin
Jeanneau Yachts 64	26 for sale	2015	65.94 ft	17.72 ft	9.68 ft	68,343 lbs	Monohull	Philippe Briand	Fractional Sloop	Bulb
Grand Soleil 46 (Frers)	17 for sale	—	45.9 ft	14.03 ft	0	28,700 lbs	—	—	—	Fin
Beneteau Sense 51	17 for sale	2016	51.05 ft	15.94 ft	7.38 ft	34,204 lbs	Monohull	Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design	Masthead Sloop	Bulb
Dehler 41 CR	15 for sale	1999	40.85 ft	12.8 ft	6.56 ft	19,621 lbs	Monohull	Judel/Vrolijk	Fractional Sloop	Bulb
Islander 40	14 for sale	1979	39.54 ft	11.83 ft	7.17 ft	17,000 lbs	Monohull	Doug Peterson	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Hallberg-Rassy 38	13 for sale	1977	37.96 ft	11.42 ft	5.75 ft	18,739 lbs	Monohull	Olle Enderlein	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Contest 33	12 for sale	1970	32.25 ft	10.33 ft	5.25 ft	11,574 lbs	Monohull	U. Van Essen/Dick Zaal	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Dufour Gib'Sea 37	11 for sale	—	0	12.17 ft	0	0	—	—	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Shannon 38	10 for sale	1975	37.75 ft	11.5 ft	5 ft	18,500 lbs	Monohull	G, H. Stadel & Son/Schultz & Assoc.	Cutter	Long
Cornish Crabbers 24 Mk V	9 for sale	2017	24.02 ft	8.73 ft	4.59 ft	4,960 lbs	Monohull	Andrew Wolstenholme	Cutter	Centerboard
Com-Pac 23	7 for sale	1978	22.75 ft	7.83 ft	2.25 ft	2,900 lbs	Monohull	Clark Mills	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Hanse 590	7 for sale	2024	57.74 ft	17.39 ft	8.3 ft	50,486 lbs	Monohull	Berret-Racoupeau	Fractional Sloop	Bulb
Compromis 999	6 for sale	1987	32.48 ft	11.15 ft	4.92 ft	10,362 lbs	Monohull	Frans Maas	Masthead Sloop	Fin
X-Yachts X-40	6 for sale	2004	40 ft	12.47 ft	6.89 ft	16,424 lbs	Monohull	Niels Jeppesen	Fractional Sloop	Bulb
Bristol 45.5	5 for sale	1979	45.25 ft	13.16 ft	11 ft	34,660 lbs	Monohull	Ted Hood	Masthead Sloop	Centerboard
Hunter Horizon 21	4 for sale	1992	20.93 ft	7.38 ft	3.74 ft	2,403 lbs	Monohull	David Thomas	Fractional Sloop	Fin
Cal 2-46	4 for sale	1971	45.5 ft	12.5 ft	5 ft	30,000 lbs	Monohull	C. William Lapworth	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Oyster 47	4 for sale	—	47 ft	14.01 ft	6.5 ft	0	—	—	—	Fin
Moody 28 Twin Keel	3 for sale	1985	27.5 ft	10 ft	3.5 ft	6,850 lbs	Monohull	Bill Dixon/Angus Primrose	Masthead Sloop	Twin
Nauticat 321	3 for sale	1999	32.81 ft	10.63 ft	5.41 ft	13,228 lbs	Monohull	—	Masthead Sloop	Fin
S2 10.3	3 for sale	1982	33.75 ft	11.33 ft	6.16 ft	10,500 lbs	Monohull	Graham & Schlageter	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Grand Soleil 34	3 for sale	2018	35.1 ft	11.81 ft	7.15 ft	10,803 lbs	Monohull	Skyron srl	Fractional Sloop	Fin
Pogo 36	3 for sale	2016	35.63 ft	13.12 ft	9.68 ft	8,377 lbs	Monohull	Finot-Conq	Fractional Sloop	Wing
C&C 37/40 XL	3 for sale	1989	39.5 ft	12.58 ft	8.16 ft	15,700 lbs	Monohull	Rob Ball	Masthead Sloop	Fin
X-Yachts X-402	3 for sale	1984	39.67 ft	12.92 ft	7.33 ft	13,200 lbs	Monohull	Niels Jeppesen	Fractional Sloop	Fin
Farr Bavaria Cruiser 40	3 for sale	2011	40.5 ft	12.92 ft	6.67 ft	19,135 lbs	Monohull	Bruce Farr	Fractional Sloop	Bulb
Gulfstar 54 Sailcruiser	3 for sale	1985	54.5 ft	15.75 ft	4.92 ft	50,000 lbs	Monohull	R. C. Lazzarra	Ketch	Fin
Hoek Pilot Cutter 77	3 for sale	—	85.79 ft	18.37 ft	10.5 ft	0	—	—	Fractional Sloop	—
Elliott 5.9	2 for sale	1983	19.36 ft	8.04 ft	4.27 ft	1,323 lbs	Monohull	Greg Elliott	Fractional Sloop	Lifting
Sunbeam 20	2 for sale	2000	21.13 ft	8.2 ft	4.27 ft	2,161 lbs	Monohull	Georg Nissen	Fractional Sloop	Wing
Tartan Fantail 26	2 for sale	2011	26 ft	8.42 ft	4.5 ft	3,425 lbs	Monohull	Tim Jackett	Fractional Sloop	Bulb
Kelt 8	2 for sale	1977	26.25 ft	9.78 ft	4.59 ft	5,291 lbs	Monohull	Gilles Ollier	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Imexus 28	2 for sale	2001	27.89 ft	8.37 ft	4.76 ft	4,597 lbs	Monohull	—	Fractional Sloop	Wing
Scampi 30-4	2 for sale	1973	29.75 ft	9.84 ft	5.41 ft	7,275 lbs	Monohull	Peter Norlin	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Vindö 30	2 for sale	1963	29.85 ft	8.04 ft	4.3 ft	7,720 lbs	Monohull	Carl Andersson	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Ranger 30	2 for sale	1977	30 ft	10.75 ft	5.5 ft	10,500 lbs	Monohull	C. Raymond Hunt Assoc.	Masthead Sloop	Fin
F-32 SR	2 for sale	2012	32.91 ft	23.2 ft	7.09 ft	2,712 lbs	Trimaran	Ian Farrier	Fractional Sloop	Daggerboard
Adams 10.6	2 for sale	1980	34.78 ft	9.12 ft	6 ft	6,717 lbs	Monohull	Joe Adams	Fractional Sloop	Fin
Shoal Draft Columbia 41	2 for sale	1972	40.5 ft	11.25 ft	4.92 ft	21,700 lbs	Monohull	William Tripp Jr./ B. Seeley	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Dufour 450 Grand Large	2 for sale	2014	44.29 ft	14.27 ft	7.22 ft	22,652 lbs	Monohull	Umberto Felci	Fractional Sloop	Bulb
Elan Impression 514	2 for sale	2009	52.82 ft	15.35 ft	7.22 ft	39,683 lbs	Monohull	Rob Humphreys	Fractional Sloop	Bulb
X-Yachts X5⁶	2 for sale	2020	56.59 ft	16.08 ft	9.51 ft	39,904 lbs	Monohull	X-Yachts design team	Fractional Sloop	Bulb
VX Evo	1 for sale	2016	15.75 ft	5.77 ft	0	181 lbs	Monohull	Brian Bennett	Cat Rig	Daggerboard
King's Cruiser 29	1 for sale	1968	28.5 ft	8.25 ft	4.92 ft	6,815 lbs	Monohull	Tord Sunden	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Ericson 37	1 for sale	1973	37.42 ft	11.33 ft	5.75 ft	16,000 lbs	Monohull	Bruce King	Masthead Sloop	Fin

Research linkBrowse offshore-leaning monohulls with comfort ratio 30+

If You Want Racing, Performance, or Trailerable Fun

J/24
J/70
J/80
J/92
J/105
Olson 30
Express 27
Melges 24
Corsair F-24
Catalina 22 Sport

Prioritize sail inventory, rig tune, deck hardware, class rules, wet core around high-load fittings, keel fairing, trailer condition, and whether the local fleet exists. A racing boat without a local fleet may be just an uncomfortable cruiser; a trailerable boat that takes three stressful hours to rig may not get launched often.

::boat-collectionbest-trailerable-sailboats50 models

ImperialMetric

Model ↕	Listings ↓	Year Built ↕	LOA (ft) ↕	Beam (ft) ↕	Draft (ft) ↕	Disp. (lbs) ↕	Hull ↕	Designer ↕	Rig ↕	Keel ↕

Catalina 22	43 for sale	1969	23.83 ft	7.67 ft	5 ft	2,250 lbs	Monohull	Frank V. Butler	Masthead Sloop	Wing
Catalina 25	38 for sale	1976	25 ft	8 ft	4 ft	4,550 lbs	Monohull	Frank Butler	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Catalina 22 Mk II	13 for sale	1995	23.83 ft	7.66 ft	3.5 ft	2,490 lbs	Monohull	Frank V. Butler	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Jeanneau Tonic 23	9 for sale	1985	23.94 ft	8.2 ft	2.3 ft	2,866 lbs	Monohull	Philippe Harle	Fractional Sloop	Fin
Leisure 23 SL	7 for sale	1979	22.64 ft	7.84 ft	2.66 ft	4,050 lbs	Monohull	Frank Pryor	Masthead Sloop	Twin
Rustler 24	6 for sale	2010	24 ft	6.25 ft	3.42 ft	3,615 lbs	Monohull	David Boyd/Rustler	Fractional Sloop	Long
Compromis 777	5 for sale	1977	25.82 ft	9.12 ft	4.1 ft	5,071 lbs	Monohull	Frans Maas	Masthead Sloop	Fin
LM 22	4 for sale	1975	21.98 ft	8.66 ft	4.27 ft	3,527 lbs	Monohull	Bent Juul Andersen	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Virgo Voyager	4 for sale	1971	23 ft	8.33 ft	4 ft	4,410 lbs	Monohull	Roy Lunney	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Independence 20	3 for sale	1999	20.5 ft	8 ft	4 ft	2,080 lbs	Monohull	Gary Mull	Fractional Sloop	Fin
Sailart 19	3 for sale	2016	20.67 ft	8.2 ft	4.27 ft	1,742 lbs	Monohull	—	Fractional Sloop	Wing
Leisure 22	3 for sale	1971	22 ft	7.83 ft	2.67 ft	3,300 lbs	Monohull	Graham Craddick/Frank Pryor	Masthead Sloop	Twin
Endeavour 24	3 for sale	1966	24 ft	7.83 ft	3.5 ft	3,307 lbs	Monohull	R. Gardner/L. Hedges/J. Bott	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Chrysler 26	3 for sale	1977	25.98 ft	8 ft	6.17 ft	5,000 lbs	Monohull	Halsey Hereshoff	Masthead Sloop	Wing
C&C 26 Encounter	3 for sale	1978	26 ft	10 ft	3.92 ft	6,120 lbs	Monohull	C&C	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Tanzer 22	2 for sale	1970	22.5 ft	7.83 ft	3.42 ft	2,900 lbs	Monohull	Johann Tanzer	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Samphire 23	2 for sale	1977	22.75 ft	7.75 ft	2.92 ft	5,376 lbs	Monohull	David M. Cannell	Masthead Sloop	Long
Baycruiser 23	2 for sale	2010	22.9 ft	7.74 ft	4.92 ft	1,874 lbs	Monohull	—	Fractional Sloop	Centerboard
Sunbeam 24	2 for sale	2002	22.97 ft	8.2 ft	0	3,527 lbs	Monohull	Georg Nissen	Fractional Sloop	Centerboard
Colvic Springtide 24	2 for sale	1973	24.25 ft	8 ft	2.92 ft	6,300 lbs	Monohull	Kenneth Evans	Masthead Sloop	Triple
Dehler Delanta 76	2 for sale	1974	24.93 ft	8.14 ft	4.1 ft	3,307 lbs	Monohull	E. G. van de Stadt	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Newbridge Pioneer 26	2 for sale	1986	25.83 ft	9 ft	3 ft	5,875 lbs	Monohull	Bill Dixon	Masthead Sloop	Twin
Endeavour 26	2 for sale	1969	26 ft	7.5 ft	4.33 ft	5,040 lbs	Monohull	Reg Gardner	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Waarschip 21 CR	1 for sale	2014	20.34 ft	8.2 ft	3.28 ft	1,653 lbs	Monohull	Arthur Peltzer	Fractional Sloop	Fin
Waarschip 660	1 for sale	1979	21.65 ft	8.2 ft	3.28 ft	2,646 lbs	Monohull	K.T. Kremer	Fractional Sloop	Fin
Jeanneau Love Love	1 for sale	1971	21.7 ft	8 ft	3.4 ft	2,650 lbs	Monohull	Philippe Harlé	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Tylercraft 22	1 for sale	1960	22 ft	7.16 ft	2 ft	3,200 lbs	Monohull	Ted Tyler	Masthead Sloop	Twin
Marshall 22 Sloop	1 for sale	1965	22.18 ft	10.18 ft	5.18 ft	5,660 lbs	Monohull	Breckenridge Marshall	Gaffhead Sloop	Centerboard
Sunbeam 23	1 for sale	1979	22.8 ft	8.2 ft	3.94 ft	2,976 lbs	Monohull	Manfred Schöchl	Fractional Sloop	Bulb
Mantra 7000	1 for sale	1998	22.97 ft	8.2 ft	4.92 ft	2,646 lbs	Monohull	Andrzej Arminski	Fractional Sloop	Fin
Pearson 23	1 for sale	1978	23 ft	7.98 ft	5.17 ft	3,500 lbs	Monohull	William Shaw	Masthead Sloop	Centerboard
Grampian 23	1 for sale	1971	23.25 ft	8 ft	5.33 ft	3,200 lbs	Monohull	Alex McGruer	Masthead Sloop	Wing
Vivacity 24	1 for sale	1969	23.5 ft	8 ft	3.67 ft	4,200 lbs	Monohull	Alan Hill	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Balboa 24	1 for sale	1981	23.58 ft	8.33 ft	2.92 ft	2,600 lbs	Monohull	Shad Turner/William Downing	Fractional Sloop	Fin
Buccaneer 240	1 for sale	1975	23.67 ft	8 ft	2.5 ft	4,000 lbs	Monohull	Alan Payne/Bayliner	Masthead Sloop	Long
Seahorse 24	1 for sale	1972	23.75 ft	7.9 ft	4.67 ft	2,900 lbs	Monohull	Robert Finch	Masthead Sloop	Centerboard
Marauder 24	1 for sale	1975	23.83 ft	7.5 ft	4.16 ft	3,600 lbs	Monohull	Kevin Shepherd	Fractional Sloop	Fin
Waarschip 730	1 for sale	1977	23.95 ft	9.51 ft	4.1 ft	3,307 lbs	Monohull	—	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Seaforth 24	1 for sale	1977	24 ft	7.33 ft	2.5 ft	4,200 lbs	Monohull	Stephen Seaton	Masthead Sloop	Long
Seaward 24	1 for sale	1984	24 ft	8 ft	3.5 ft	3,100 lbs	Monohull	Nick Hake	Fractional Sloop	Centerboard
Nimble Kodiak 24	1 for sale	1998	24 ft	8.5 ft	4.33 ft	4,100 lbs	Monohull	Ted Brewer	Masthead Sloop	Centerboard
Eventide 24	1 for sale	1957	24 ft	8 ft	2.75 ft	4,000 lbs	Monohull	Maurice Griffiths	Cutter	Twin
Sailart 24	1 for sale	2003	24.28 ft	8.2 ft	3.12 ft	2,866 lbs	Monohull	—	Fractional Sloop	Wing
Balaton 24	1 for sale	1966	24.44 ft	7.55 ft	3.94 ft	4,189 lbs	Monohull	Gunnar Cardell	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Tanzer 7.5	1 for sale	1977	24.58 ft	8 ft	4 ft	3,800 lbs	Monohull	Johann Tanzer	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Watkins 25	1 for sale	1985	24.92 ft	8.5 ft	2.5 ft	4,800 lbs	Monohull	—	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Victoire 25	1 for sale	1967	25.16 ft	8.2 ft	3.75 ft	4,180 lbs	Monohull	D. Koopmans Sr.	Masthead Sloop	Fin
Tanzer 25	1 for sale	1986	25.25 ft	9.58 ft	4.7 ft	4,200 lbs	Monohull	Joubert-Nivelt	Fractional Sloop	Fin
Sunbeam 25	1 for sale	1993	25.26 ft	8.14 ft	4.1 ft	3,638 lbs	Monohull	Manfred Schöchl	Fractional Sloop	Fin
Morgan 26	1 for sale	1969	26 ft	8.75 ft	0	5,000 lbs	Monohull	Charles Morgan	Masthead Sloop	Centerboard

Research linkBrowse performance sailboats with SA/D 20+

How to Compare Two Live Listings

When two boats are both plausible, stop asking which model is better in the abstract. Compare the actual examples.

Category	Boat A	Boat B
Asking price
Location and transport
Title/documentation clarity
Survey available?
Standing rigging age
Sail age and condition
Engine hours and records
Deck moisture or leaks
Bottom and keel condition
Electronics and autopilot
Safety gear
Immediate known work
Insurance quote
Resale confidence

Then assign rough repair costs. The goal is not perfect accounting. It is to expose when the cheaper boat is only cheaper because the seller has moved the refit onto you.

What to Pay More For

Pay more for:

Dry core
Recent standing rigging from a reputable shop
Good sails
Reliable engine with records
Clean wiring
Operable seacocks
Recent bottom work
Clear title
Model-specific owner support
A seller who answers directly

Be cautious about paying more for:

Old electronics
Cosmetic varnish over structural uncertainty
A giant inventory of tired gear
Fresh paint hiding unknown prep
"Bluewater upgrades" that are really clutter
New cushions on a leaking boat

The Final Choice

The final choice should feel like a convergence, not a surrender. The right first boat will not be perfect, but its compromises will make sense. You should be able to say:

I know what this boat is for.
I know what it is not for.
I know the major model-specific risks.
I know the actual condition after survey.
I know the first-year work list.
I can insure, berth, and maintain it.
I still want to go sailing.

That last point matters. Sailboats are not appliances. The numbers keep you honest, but desire gets you to the dock.