jeanneau bluewater sailboats

• Yachting World
• Digital Edition

43 of the best bluewater sailboat designs of all time

• January 5, 2022

How do you choose the right yacht for you? We highlight the very best bluewater sailboat designs for every type of cruising

Which yacht is the best for bluewater boating? This question generates even more debate among sailors than questions about what’s the coolest yacht , or the best for racing. Whereas racing designs are measured against each other, cruising sailors get very limited opportunities to experience different yachts in real oceangoing conditions, so what is the best bluewater sailboat?

Here, we bring you our top choices from decades of designs and launches. Over the years, the Yachting World team has sailed these boats, tested them or judged them for European Yacht of the Year awards, and we have sifted through the many to curate a selection that we believe should be on your wishlist.

Making the right choice may come down to how you foresee your yacht being used after it has crossed an ocean or completed a passage: will you be living at anchor or cruising along the coast? If so, your guiding requirements will be space, cabin size, ease of launching a tender and anchoring closer to shore, and whether it can comfortably accommodate non-expert-sailor guests.

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All of these considerations have generated the inexorable rise of the bluewater catamaran – monohulls can’t easily compete on these points. We have a full separate feature on the best bluewater multihulls of all time and here we mostly focus on monohulls. The only exceptions to that rule are two multihulls which made it into our best bluewater sailboats of 2022 list.

As so much of making the right choice is selecting the right boat for the venture in mind, we have separated out our edit into categories: best for comfort; for families; for performance; and for expedition or high latitudes sailing .

Best bluewater sailboats of 2022

The new flagship Allures 51.9, for example, is a no-nonsense adventure cruising design built and finished to a high standard. It retains Allures’ niche of using aluminium hulls with glassfibre decks and superstructures, which, the yard maintains, gives the optimum combination of least maintenance and less weight higher up. Priorities for this design were a full beam aft cabin and a spacious, long cockpit. Both are excellent, with the latter, at 6m long, offering formidable social, sailing and aft deck zones.

It likes some breeze to come to life on the wheel, but I appreciate that it’s designed to take up to five tonnes payload. And I like the ease with which you can change gears using the furling headsails and the positioning of the powerful Andersen winches inboard. The arch is standard and comes with a textile sprayhood or hard bimini.

Below decks you’ll find abundant headroom and natural light, a deep U-shape galley and cavernous stowage. For those who like the layout of the Amel 50 but would prefer aluminium or shoal draught, look no further.

Allures 51.9 price: €766,000

The Ovni 370 is another cunning new aluminum centreboard offering, a true deck saloon cruiser for two. The designers say the biggest challenge was to create a Category A ocean going yacht at this size with a lifting keel, hence the hull had to be very stable.

Enjoyable to helm, it has a practical, deep cockpit behind a large sprayhood, which can link to the bimini on the arch. Many of its most appealing features lie in the bright, light, contemporary, clever, voluminous interior, which has good stowage and tankage allocation. There’s also a practical navstation, a large workroom and a vast separate shower. I particularly like the convertible saloom, which can double as a large secure daybed or pilot berth.

Potentially the least expensive Category A lift keel boat available, the Ovni will get you dreaming of remote places again.

Ovni 370 price: €282,080

There’s no shortage of spirit in the Windelo 50. We gave this a sustainability award after it’s founders spent two years researching environmentally-friendly composite materials, developing an eco-composite of basalt fibre and recycled PET foam so it could build boats that halve the environmental impact of standard glassfibre yachts.

The Windelo 50 is an intriguing package – from the styling, modular interior and novel layout to the solar field on the roof and the standard electric propulsion, it is completely fresh.

Windelo 50 price: €795,000

Best bluewater sailboat of 2022 – Outremer 55

I would argue that this is the most successful new production yacht on the market. Well over 50 have already sold (an equipped model typically costs €1.6m) – and I can understand why. After all, were money no object, I had this design earmarked as the new yacht I would most likely choose for a world trip.

Indeed 55 number one Sanya, was fully equipped for a family’s world cruise, and left during our stay for the Grand Large Odyssey tour. Whereas we sailed Magic Kili, which was tricked up with performance options, including foam-cored deckheads and supports, carbon crossbeam and bulkheads, and synthetic rigging.

At rest, these are enticing space ships. Taking one out to sea is another matter though. These are speed machines with the size, scale and loads to be rightly weary of. Last month Nikki Henderson wrote a feature for us about how to manage a new breed of performance cruising cats just like this and how she coaches new owners. I could not think of wiser money spent for those who do not have ample multihull sailing experience.

Under sail, the most fun was obviously reserved for the reaching leg under asymmetric, where we clocked between 11-16 knots in 15-16 knots wind. But it was the stability and of those sustained low teen speeds which really hit home  – passagemaking where you really cover miles.

Key features include the swing helms, which give you views from outboard, over the coachroof or from a protected position in the cockpit through the coachroof windows, and the vast island in the galley, which is key to an open plan main living area. It helps provide cavernous stowage and acts as the heart of the entertaining space as it would in a modern home. As Danish judge Morten Brandt-Rasmussen comments: “Apart from being the TGV of ocean passages the boat offers the most spacious, open and best integration of the cockpit and salon areas in the market.”

Outremer has done a top job in packing in the creature comforts, stowage space and payload capacity, while keeping it light enough to eat miles. Although a lot to absorb and handle, the 55 offers a formidable blend of speed and luxury cruising.

Outremer 55 price: €1.35m

Best bluewater sailboats for comfort

This is the successor to the legendary Super Maramu, a ketch design that for several decades defined easy downwind handling and fostered a cult following for the French yard. Nearly a decade old, the Amel 55 is the bridge between those world-girdling stalwarts and Amel’s more recent and totally re-imagined sloop designs, the Amel 50 and 60.

The 55 boasts all the serious features Amel aficionados loved and valued: a skeg-hung rudder, solidly built hull, watertight bulkheads, solid guardrails and rampart bulwarks. And, most noticeable, the solid doghouse in which the helmsman sits in perfect shelter at the wheel.

This is a design to live on comfortably for long periods and the list of standard features just goes on and on: passarelle; proper sea berths with lee cloths; electric furling main and genoa; and a multitude of practical items that go right down to a dishwasher and crockery.

There’s no getting around the fact these designs do look rather dated now, and through the development of easier sail handling systems the ketch rig has fallen out of fashion, but the Amel is nothing short of a phenomenon, and if you’ve never even peeked on board one, you really have missed a treat.

Photo: Sander van der Borch

Contest 50CS

A centre cockpit cruiser with true longevity, the Contest 50CS was launched by Conyplex back in 2003 and is still being built by the family-owned Dutch company, now in updated and restyled form.

With a fully balanced rudder, large wheel and modern underwater sections, the Contest 50CS is a surprisingly good performer for a boat that has a dry weight of 17.5 tonnes. Many were fitted with in-mast furling, which clearly curtails that performance, but even without, this boat is set up for a small crew.

Electric winches and mainsheet traveller are all easy to reach from the helm. On our test of the Contest 50CS, we saw for ourselves how two people can gybe downwind under spinnaker without undue drama. Upwind, a 105% genoa is so easy to tack it flatters even the weediest crewmember.

Down below, the finish level of the joinery work is up there among the best and the interior is full of clever touches, again updated and modernised since the early models. Never the cheapest bluewater sailing yacht around, the Contest 50CS has remained in demand as a brokerage buy. She is a reassuringly sure-footed, easily handled, very well built yacht that for all those reasons has stood the test of time.

This is a yacht that would be well capable of helping you extend your cruising grounds, almost without realising it.

Read more about the Contest 50CS and the new Contest 49CS

Photo: Rick Tomlinson

Hallberg-Rassy 48 Mk II

For many, the Swedish Hallberg-Rassy yard makes the quintessential bluewater cruiser for couples. With their distinctive blue cove line, these designs are famous for their seakindly behaviour, solid-as-a-rock build and beautifully finished, traditional interiors.

To some eyes, Hallberg-Rassys aren’t quite cool enough, but it’s been company owner Magnus Rassy’s confidence in the formula and belief in incremental ‘step-by-step’ evolution that has been such an exceptional guarantor of reliable quality, reputation and resale value.

The centre cockpit Hallberg-Rassy 48 epitomises the concept of comfort at sea and, like all the Frers-designed Hallberg-Rassys since the 1990s, is surprisingly fleet upwind as well as steady downwind. The 48 is perfectly able to be handled by a couple (as we found a few years back in the Pacific), and could with no great effort crack out 200-mile days.

The Hallberg-Rassy 48 was launched nearly a decade ago, but the Mk II from 2014 is our pick, updated with a more modern profile, larger windows and hull portlights that flood the saloon and aft cabin with light. With a large chart table, secure linear galley, heaps of stowage and space for bluewater extras such as machinery and gear, this yacht pretty much ticks all the boxes.

Discovery 55

First launched in 2000, the Discovery 55 has stood the test of time. Designed by Ron Holland, it hit a sweet spot in size that appealed to couples and families with world girdling plans.

Elegantly styled and well balanced, the 55 is also a practical design, with a deep and secure cockpit, comfortable seating, a self-tacking jib, dedicated stowage for the liferaft , a decent sugar scoop transom that’s useful for swimming or dinghy access, and very comfortable accommodation below. In short, it is a design that has been well thought out by those who’ve been there, got the bruises, stubbed their toes and vowed to change things in the future if they ever got the chance.

Throughout the accommodation there are plenty of examples of good detailing, from the proliferation of handholds and grabrails, to deep sinks in the galley offering immediate stowage when under way and the stand up/sit down showers. Stowage is good, too, with plenty of sensibly sized lockers in easily accessible positions.

The Discovery 55 has practical ideas and nifty details aplenty. She’s not, and never was, a breakthrough in modern luxury cruising but she is pretty, comfortable to sail and live on, and well mannered.

Photo: Latitudes Picture Library

You can’t get much more Cornish than a Rustler. The hulls of this Stephen Jones design are hand-moulded and fitted out in Falmouth – and few are more ruggedly built than this traditional, up-for-anything offshore cruiser.

She boasts an encapsulated lead keel, eliminating keel bolts and creating a sump for generous fuel and water tankage, while a chunky skeg protects the rudder. She is designed for good directional stability and load carrying ability. These are all features that lend this yacht confidence as it shoulders aside the rough stuff.

Most of those built have had a cutter rig, a flexible arrangement that makes sense for long passages in all sea and weather conditions. Down below, the galley and saloon berths are comfortable and sensible for living in port and at sea, with joinery that Rustler’s builders are rightly proud of.

As modern yachts have got wider, higher and fatter, the Rustler 42 is an exception. This is an exceptionally well-mannered seagoing yacht in the traditional vein, with elegant lines and pleasing overhangs, yet also surprisingly powerful. And although now over 20 years old, timeless looks and qualities mean this design makes her look ever more like a perennial, a modern classic.

The definitive crossover size, the point at which a yacht can be handled by a couple but is just large enough to have a professional skipper and be chartered, sits at around the 60ft mark. At 58ft 8in, the Oyster 575 fitted perfectly into this growing market when launched in 2010. It went on to be one of the most popular models from the yard, and is only now being superseded by the newer Rob Humphreys-designed Oyster 565 (just launched this spring).

Built in various configurations with either a deep keel, shoal draught keel or centreboard with twin rudders, owners could trade off better performance against easy access to shallower coves and anchorages. The deep-bodied hull, also by Rob Humphreys, is known for its easy motion at sea.

Some of the Oyster 575’s best features include its hallmark coachroof windows style and centre cockpit – almost everyone will know at first glance this is an Oyster – and superb interior finish. If she has a flaw, it is arguably the high cockpit, but the flip side is the galley headroom and passageway berth to the large aft stateroom.

This design also has a host of practical features for long-distance cruising, such as high guardrails, dedicated liferaft stowage, a vast lazarette for swallowing sails, tender, fenders etc, and a penthouse engine room.

Privilege Serie 5

A true luxury catamaran which, fully fitted out, will top €1m, this deserves to be seen alongside the likes of the Oyster 575, Gunfleet 58 and Hallberg-Rassy 55. It boasts a large cockpit and living area, and a light and spacious saloon with an emphasis on indoor-outdoor living, masses of refrigeration and a big galley.

Standout features are finish quality and solid build in a yacht designed to take a high payload, a secure walkaround deck and all-round views from the helm station. The new Privilege 510 that will replace this launches in February 2020.

Gunfleet 43

It was with this Tony Castro design that Richard Matthews, founder of Oyster Yachts, launched a brand new rival brand in 2012, the smallest of a range stretching to the flagship Gunfleet 74. The combination of short overhangs and centre cockpit at this size do make the Gunfleet 43 look modern if a little boxy, but time and subsequent design trends have been kind to her lines, and the build quality is excellent. The saloon, galley and aft cabin space is exceptional on a yacht of this size.

Photo: David Harding

Conceived as a belt-and-braces cruiser, the Kraken 50 launched last year. Its unique points lie underwater in the guise of a full skeg-hung rudder and so-called ‘Zero Keel’, an encapsulated long keel with lead ballast.

Kraken Yachts is the brainchild of British businessman and highly experienced cruiser Dick Beaumont, who is adamant that safety should be foremost in cruising yacht design and build. “There is no such thing as ‘one yacht for all purposes’… You cannot have the best of all worlds, whatever the salesman tells you,” he says.

Read our full review of the Kraken 50 .

Wauquiez Centurion 57

Few yachts can claim to be both an exciting Med-style design and a serious and practical northern European offshore cruiser, but the Wauquiez Centurion 57 tries to blend both. She slightly misses if you judge solely by either criterion, but is pretty and practical enough to suit her purpose.

A very pleasant, well-considered yacht, she is impressively built and finished with a warm and comfortable interior. More versatile than radical, she could be used for sailing across the Atlantic in comfort and raced with equal enjoyment at Antigua Sailing Week .

A modern classic if ever there was one. A medium to heavy displacement yacht, stiff and easily capable of standing up to her canvas. Pretty, traditional lines and layout below.

Photo: Voyage of Swell

Well-proven US legacy design dating back to the mid-1960s that once conquered the Transpac Race . Still admired as pretty, with slight spoon bow and overhanging transom.

Capable medium displacement cruiser, ideal size and good accommodation for couples or family cruising, and much less costly than similar luxury brands.

Photo: Peter Szamer

Swedish-built aft cockpit cruiser, smaller than many here, but a well-built and finished, super-durable pocket ocean cruiser.

Tartan 3700

Designed as a performance cruiser there are nimbler alternatives now, but this is still an extremely pretty yacht.

Broker ’ s choice

Discovery 55 Brizo

This yacht has already circumnavigated the globe and is ‘prepared for her next adventure,’ says broker Berthon. Price: £535,000 + VAT

Oyster 575 Ayesha

‘Stunning, and perfectly equipped for bluewater cruising,’ says broker Ancasta International. Price: £845,000 (tax not paid)

Oyster 575 Pearls of Nautilus

Nearly new and with a high spec, this Oyster Brokerage yacht features American white oak joinery and white leather upholstery and has a shoal draught keel. Price: $1.49m

Best bluewater yachts for performance

The Frers-designed Swan 54 may not be the newest hull shape but heralded Swan’s latest generation of displacement bluewater cruisers when launched four years ago. With raked stem, deep V hull form, lower freeboard and slight curve to the topsides she has a more timeless aesthetic than many modern slab-sided high volume yachts, and with that a seakindly motion in waves. If you plan to cover many miles to weather, this is probably the yacht you want to be on.

Photo: Carlo Borlenghi

Besides Swan’s superlative build quality, the 54 brings many true bluewater features, including a dedicated sail locker. There’s also a cockpit locker that functions as a utility cabin, with potential to hold your generator and washing machine, or be a workshop space.

The sloping transom opens out to reveal a 2.5m bathing platform, and although the cabins are not huge there is copious stowage space. Down below the top-notch oak joinery is well thought through with deep fiddles, and there is a substantial nav station. But the Swan 54 wins for handling above all, with well laid-out sail controls that can be easily managed between a couple, while offering real sailing enjoyment to the helmsman.

Photo: Graham Snook

The Performance Cruiser winner at the 2019 European Yacht of the Year awards, the Arcona 435 is all about the sailing experience. She has genuine potential as a cruiser-racer, but her strengths are as an enjoyable cruiser rather than a full-blown liveaboard bluewater boat.

Build quality is excellent, there is the option of a carbon hull and deck, and elegant lines and a plumb bow give the Arcona 435 good looks as well as excellent performance in light airs. Besides slick sail handling systems, there are well thought-out features for cruising, such as ample built-in rope bins and an optional semi-closed stern with stowage and swim platform.

Outremer 51

If you want the space and stability of a cat but still prioritise sailing performance, Outremer has built a reputation on building catamarans with true bluewater characteristics that have cruised the planet for the past 30 years.

Lighter and slimmer-hulled than most cruising cats, the Outremer 51 is all about sailing at faster speeds, more easily. The lower volume hulls and higher bridgedeck make for a better motion in waves, while owners report that being able to maintain a decent pace even under reduced canvas makes for stress-free passages. Deep daggerboards also give good upwind performance.

With bucket seats and tiller steering options, the Outremer 51 rewards sailors who want to spend time steering, while they’re famously well set up for handling with one person on deck. The compromise comes with the interior space – even with a relatively minimalist style, there is less cabin space and stowage volume than on the bulkier cats, but the Outremer 51 still packs in plenty of practical features.

The Xc45 was the first cruising yacht X-Yachts ever built, and designed to give the same X-Yachts sailing experience for sailors who’d spent years racing 30/40-footer X- and IMX designs, but in a cruising package.

Launched over 10 years ago, the Xc45 has been revisited a few times to increase the stowage and modernise some of the styling, but the key features remain the same, including substantial tanks set low for a low centre of gravity, and X-Yachts’ trademark steel keel grid structure. She has fairly traditional styling and layout, matched with solid build quality.

A soft bilge and V-shaped hull gives a kindly motion in waves, and the cockpit is secure, if narrow by modern standards.

A three or four cabin catamaran that’s fleet of foot with high bridgedeck clearance for comfortable motion at sea. With tall daggerboards and carbon construction in some high load areas, Catana cats are light and quick to accelerate.

Sweden Yachts 45

An established bluewater design that also features in plenty of offshore races. Some examples are specced with carbon rig and retractable bowsprits. All have a self-tacking jib for ease. Expect sweeping areas of teak above decks and a traditionally wooded interior with hanging wet locker.

A vintage performer, first launched in 1981, the 51 was the first Frers-designed Swan and marked a new era of iconic cruiser-racers. Some 36 of the Swan 51 were built, many still actively racing and cruising nearly 40 years on. Classic lines and a split cockpit make this a boat for helming, not sunbathing.

Photo: Julien Girardot / EYOTY

The JPK 45 comes from a French racing stable, combining race-winning design heritage with cruising amenities. What you see is what you get – there are no superfluous headliners or floorboards, but there are plenty of ocean sailing details, like inboard winches for safe trimming. The JPK 45 also has a brilliantly designed cockpit with an optional doghouse creating all-weather shelter, twin wheels and superb clutch and rope bin arrangement.

Photo: Andreas Lindlahr

For sailors who don’t mind exchanging a few creature comforts for downwind planing performance, the Pogo 50 offers double-digit surfing speeds for exhilarating tradewind sailing. There’s an open transom, tiller steering and no backstay or runners. The Pogo 50 also has a swing keel, to nose into shallow anchorages.

Seawind 1600

Seawinds are relatively unknown in Europe, but these bluewater cats are very popular in Australia. As would be expected from a Reichel-Pugh design, this 52-footer combines striking good looks and high performance, with fine entry bows and comparatively low freeboard. Rudders are foam cored lifting designs in cassettes, which offer straightforward access in case of repairs, while daggerboards are housed under the deck.

Best bluewater sailboats for families

It’s unsurprising that, for many families, it’s a catamaran that meets their requirements best of increased space – both living space and separate cabins for privacy-seeking teenagers, additional crew or visiting family – as well as stable and predictable handling.

Photo: Nicholas Claris

Undoubtedly one of the biggest success stories has been the Lagoon 450, which, together with boats like the Fountaine Pajot 44, helped drive up the popularity of catamaran cruising by making it affordable and accessible. They have sold in huge numbers – over 1,000 Lagoon 450s have been built since its launch in 2010.

The VPLP-designed 450 was originally launched with a flybridge with a near central helming position and upper level lounging areas (450F). The later ‘sport top’ option (450S) offered a starboard helm station and lower boom (and hence lower centre of gravity for reduced pitching). The 450S also gained a hull chine to create additional volume above the waterline. The Lagoon features forward lounging and aft cockpit areas for additional outdoor living space.

Besides being a big hit among charter operators, Lagoons have proven themselves over thousands of bluewater miles – there were seven Lagoon 450s in last year’s ARC alone. In what remains a competitive sector of the market, Lagoon has recently launched a new 46, with a larger self-tacking jib and mast moved aft, and more lounging areas.

Photo: Gilles Martin-Raget

Fountaine Pajot Helia 44

The FP Helia 44 is lighter, lower volume, and has a lower freeboard than the Lagoon, weighing in at 10.8 tonnes unloaded (compared to 15 for the 450). The helm station is on a mezzanine level two steps up from the bridgedeck, with a bench seat behind. A later ‘Evolution’ version was designed for liveaboard cruisers, featuring beefed up dinghy davits and an improved saloon space.

Available in three or four cabin layouts, the Helia 44 was also popular with charter owners as well as families. The new 45 promises additional volume, and an optional hydraulically lowered ‘beach club’ swim platform.

Photo: Arnaud De Buyzer / graphikup.com

The French RM 1370 might be less well known than the big brand names, but offers something a little bit different for anyone who wants a relatively voluminous cruising yacht. Designed by Marc Lombard, and beautifully built from plywood/epoxy, the RM is stiff and responsive, and sails superbly.

The RM yachts have a more individual look – in part down to the painted finish, which encourages many owners to personalise their yachts, but also thanks to their distinctive lines with reverse sheer and dreadnought bow. The cockpit is well laid out with the primary winches inboard for a secure trimming position. The interior is light, airy and modern, although the open transom won’t appeal to everyone.

For those wanting a monohull, the Hanse 575 hits a similar sweet spot to the popular multis, maximising accommodation for a realistic price, yet with responsive performance.

The Hanse offers a vast amount of living space thanks to the ‘loft design’ concept of having all the living areas on a single level, which gives a real feeling of spaciousness with no raised saloon or steps to accommodation. The trade-off for such lofty head height is a substantial freeboard – it towers above the pontoon, while, below, a stepladder is provided to reach some hatches.

Galley options include drawer fridge-freezers, microwave and coffee machine, and the full size nav station can double up as an office or study space.

But while the Hanse 575 is a seriously large boat, its popularity is also down to the fact that it is genuinely able to be handled by a couple. It was innovative in its deck layout: with a self-tacking jib and mainsheet winches immediately to hand next to the helm, one person could both steer and trim.

Direct steering gives a feeling of control and some tangible sailing fun, while the waterline length makes for rapid passage times. In 2016 the German yard launched the newer Hanse 588 model, having already sold 175 of the 575s in just four years.

Photo: Bertel Kolthof

Jeanneau 54

Jeanneau leads the way among production builders for versatile all-rounder yachts that balance sail performance and handling, ergonomics, liveaboard functionality and good looks. The Jeanneau 54 , part of the range designed by Philippe Briand with interior by Andrew Winch, melds the best of the larger and smaller models and is available in a vast array of layout options from two cabins/two heads right up to five cabins and three heads.

We’ve tested the Jeanneau 54 in a gale and very light winds, and it acquitted itself handsomely in both extremes. The primary and mainsheet winches are to hand next to the wheel, and the cockpit is spacious, protected and child-friendly. An electric folding swim and sun deck makes for quick fun in the water.

Nautitech Open 46

This was the first Nautitech catamaran to be built under the ownership of Bavaria, designed with an open-plan bridgedeck and cockpit for free-flowing living space. But with good pace for eating up bluewater miles, and aft twin helms rather than a flybridge, the Nautitech Open 46 also appeals to monohull sailors who prefer a more direct sailing experience.

Made by Robertson and Caine, who produce catamarans under a dual identity as both Leopard and the Sunsail/Moorings charter cats, the Leopard 45 is set to be another big seller. Reflecting its charter DNA, the Leopard 45 is voluminous, with stepped hulls for reduced waterline, and a separate forward cockpit.

Built in South Africa, they are robustly tested off the Cape and constructed ruggedly enough to handle heavy weather sailing as well as the demands of chartering.

Photo: Olivier Blanchet

If space is king then three hulls might be even better than two. The Neel 51 is rare as a cruising trimaran with enough space for proper liveaboard sailing. The galley and saloon are in the large central hull, together with an owner’s cabin on one level for a unique sensation of living above the water. Guest or family cabins lie in the outer hulls for privacy and there is a cavernous full height engine room under the cabin sole.

Performance is notably higher than an equivalent cruising cat, particularly in light winds, with a single rudder giving a truly direct feel in the helm, although manoeuvring a 50ft trimaran may daunt many sailors.

Beneteau Oceanis 46.1

A brilliant new model from Beneteau, this Finot Conq design has a modern stepped hull, which offers exhilarating and confidence-inspiring handling in big breezes, and slippery performance in lighter winds.

The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 was the standout performer at this year’s European Yacht of the Year awards, and, in replacing the popular Oceanis 45, looks set to be another bestseller. Interior space is well used with a double island berth in the forepeak. An additional inboard unit creates a secure galley area, but tank capacity is moderate for long periods aboard.

Beneteau Oceanis 473

A popular model that offers beam and height in a functional layout, although, as with many boats of this age (she was launched in 2002), the mainsheet is not within reach of the helmsman.

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 49

The Philippe Briand-designed Sun Odyssey range has a solid reputation as family production cruisers. Like the 473, the Sun Odyssey 49 was popular for charter so there are plenty of four-cabin models on the market.

Nautitech 441

The hull design dates back to 1995, but was relaunched in 2012. Though the saloon interior has dated, the 441 has solid practical features, such as a rainwater run-off collection gutter around the coachroof.

Atlantic 42

Chris White-designed cats feature a pilothouse and forward waist-high working cockpit with helm position, as well as an inside wheel at the nav station. The Atlantic 42 offers limited accommodation by modern cat standards but a very different sailing experience.

Best bluewater sailing yachts for expeditions

Bestevaer 56.

All of the yachts in our ‘expedition’ category are aluminium-hulled designs suitable for high latitude sailing, and all are exceptional yachts. But the Bestevaer 56 is a spectacular amount of boat to take on a true adventure. Each Bestevaer is a near-custom build with plenty of bespoke options for owners to customise the layout and where they fall on the scale of rugged off-grid adventurer to 4×4-style luxury fit out.

The Bestevaer range began when renowned naval architect Gerard Dijkstra chose to design his own personal yacht for liveaboard adventure cruising, a 53-footer. The concept drew plenty of interest from bluewater sailors wanting to make longer expeditions and Bestevaers are now available in a range of sizes, with the 56-footer proving a popular mid-range length.

The well-known Bestevaer 56 Tranquilo  (pictured above) has a deep, secure cockpit, voluminous tanks (700lt water and over 1,100lt fuel) and a lifting keel plus water ballast, with classically styled teak clad decks and pilot house. Other owners have opted for functional bare aluminium hull and deck, some choose a doghouse and others a pilothouse.

Photo: Jean-Marie Liot

The Boreal 52 also offers Land Rover-esque practicality, with utilitarian bare aluminium hulls and a distinctive double-level doghouse/coachroof arrangement for added protection in all weathers. The cockpit is clean and uncluttered, thanks to the mainsheet position on top of the doghouse, although for visibility in close manoeuvring the helmsman will want to step up onto the aft deck.

Twin daggerboards, a lifting centreboard and long skeg on which she can settle make this a true go-anywhere expedition yacht. The metres of chain required for adventurous anchoring is stowed in a special locker by the mast to keep the weight central. Down below has been thought through with equally practical touches, including plenty of bracing points and lighting that switches on to red light first to protect your night vision.

Photo: Morris Adant / Garcia Yachts

Garcia Exploration 45

The Garcia Exploration 45 comes with real experience behind her – she was created in association with Jimmy Cornell, based on his many hundreds of thousands of miles of bluewater cruising, to go anywhere from high latitudes to the tropics.

Arguably less of a looker than the Bestevaer, the Garcia Exploration 45 features a rounded aluminium hull, centreboard with deep skeg and twin daggerboards. The considerable anchor chain weight has again been brought aft, this time via a special conduit to a watertight locker in front of the centreboard.

This is a yacht designed to be lived on for extended periods with ample storage, and panoramic portlights to give a near 360° view of whichever extraordinary landscape you are exploring. Safety features include a watertight companionway door to keep extreme weather out and through-hull fittings placed above the waterline. When former Vendée Globe skipper Pete Goss went cruising , this was the boat he chose to do it in.

Photo: svnaima.com

A truly well-proven expedition design, some 1,500 Ovnis have been built and many sailed to some of the most far-flung corners of the world. (Jimmy Cornell sailed his Aventura some 30,000 miles, including two Drake Passage crossings, one in 50 knots of wind).

Futuna Exploration 54

Another aluminium design with a swinging centreboard and a solid enclosed pilothouse with protected cockpit area. There’s a chunky bowsprit and substantial transom arch to house all manner of electronics and power generation.

Previous boats have been spec’d for North West Passage crossings with additional heating and engine power, although there’s a carbon rig option for those that want a touch of the black stuff. The tanks are capacious, with 1,000lt capability for both fresh water and fuel.

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Jenneau Sun Odyssey 42i

The new 42i, like her smaller sister ship the 36i, is just such a dual-purpose boat. In 42 feet Jeanneau has been able to create a sailing platform that has ocean going capabilities and accommodations that will serve those who will be living aboard for weeks or even months at a time.

The performance package offered by the builder has more sail area, high-tech sails, Dyform rigging, adjustable backstay and genoa cars, a deeper high aspect keel and a folding propeller. If you want a turbo charged cruising boat, the performance package on the 42i will do the job for you.

But even without the added horsepower, the 42i promises to be a fine sailing boat that will be easy for a couple to manage. With twin wheels in the cockpit and all sail control lines led aft, you will find sail trim, reefing and furling can for the most part be handled from the cockpit.

Down below, two accommodations plans are offered. A three-cabin version has twin quarter cabins and a V-berth forward while the two-cabin version has one quarter cabin, a larger aft head with stand alone shower and extra storage in the port cockpit locker.

The saloon has a large dinette, a bench settee that will be a good sea berth and an excellent galley with acres of counter space. The interior is finished in teak and white and offers a teak and holly sole. The ambience is comfortable and bright. For those with ambitions for speed on and off the racecourse, the 42i will serve their purposes and, in the bargain, will be a highly capable offshore passagemaker.

Specification: LOA 42’2”; LWL 38’1”; Beam 13’6”; Draft (std.) 6’11”; Displacement 18,540 lbs.; Sail Area 877 sq. ft.

For more information log on to www.jeanneauamerica.com .

Author: Blue Water Sailing

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Home » Blog » Bluewater sailboats » The best bluewater sailboats (we analyzed 2,000 boats to find out)

The best bluewater sailboats (we analyzed 2,000 boats to find out)

By Author Fiona McGlynn

Posted on Last updated: May 16, 2023

We analyzed two-thousand bluewater sailboats to bring you a list of proven offshore designs

What are the best bluewater sailboats?

This was a question we asked a lot of experienced cruisers when we decided to sail across the Pacific. We needed a boat after all, and we wanted to buy the best bluewater sailboat we could afford.

We heard a lot of strong opinions.

Some sailors thought it was reckless to go offshore in any boat that didn’t have a full keel.

Others prioritized performance, and wouldn’t dream of going anywhere in a slow boat like the Westsail 32 (a.k.a. a “Wet Snail 32”).

Opinions like these left us feeling confused like we had to choose between safety and performance.  

If we learned anything from these conversations, it’s that what makes a bluewater boat is a hotly debated topic!

However, there’s a way to cut through all the opinions and get to the bottom of it. The solution is….

We analyzed just under 2,000 boats embarking on ocean crossings (over a 12 year time period) and came up with a list of the ten best bluewater sailboats.

Where did we get our data?

The data for our best bluewater sailboats list comes from 12 years of entries in the Pacific Puddle Jump (PPJ), an annual cross-Pacific rally. We took part in 2017 and had a ball!

You can read about the methodology we used to analyze this data at the bottom of the post.

What do we mean by “best”?

We know, that word is overused on the internet!

Simply, based on our data set, these were the most common makes and models entered in the PPJ cross-Pacific rally. There were at least 10 PPJ rally entries for every make of boat on our top 10 list.

So, these boats are 100% good to go?

No! A bluewater boat isn’t necessarily a seaworthy boat. Almost every cruiser we know made substantial repairs and additions to get their offshore boat ready, adding watermakers , life rafts, solar panels, and more.

Also, you should always have a boat inspected by a professional and accredited marine surveyor before buying it or taking it offshore.

But my bluewater baby boat isn’t on this list!?

There are hundreds of excellent bluewater yachts that are not on this list. For instance, we sailed across the Pacific in a Dufour 35, which didn’t even come close to making our top 10 list.

Choosing the right boat is very much an individual journey.

Where can I find these bluewater boats for sale?

We recognize that a top 10 list won’t get you very far if you’re shopping for a bluewater boat (especially if you’re looking in the used market).

So, to help you find your perfect boat, we’re going to create a big list of bluewater boats that you can use to refine your search on Yachtworld, Craigslist, or any other places to buy a used boat .

Sign up for our newsletter to get our big list of bluewater boats list as soon as it comes out.

We’re also working on a series of posts by size class. For example, if you’re looking for a smaller boat, you can narrow it down to the best bluewater sailboats under 40 feet .

Takeaways from our analysis

There were no big surprises on an individual boat level. All of these makes are considered good cruisers, some of them are even best-selling designs! However, there were a few things that caught our eye.

“Go simple, go small, go now” still holds water

We were thrilled to see the smallest boat in our roundup at the very top of the list! Westsail 32 owners can take pride in their small but mighty yachts (and ignore all those snail-sayers).

While undoubtedly there’s been a trend towards bigger bluewater cruisers in recent years, small cruising sailboats seem to be holding their own. 60% of the monohulls on this list were under 40 feet (if you count the Valiant 40 which sneaks just under at 39.92 feet).

Cat got our tongue

So, we knew catamarans were a thing, but we didn’t fully appreciate HOW popular they’d become!

50% of our top 10 bluewater boat list consists of catamarans—a good fact to toss out the next time you’re trying to garner a happy hour invite on the party boat next door (which will undoubtedly be a catamaran).

Still got it!

We’ve got good news for all you good old boat lovers! 60% of the boats on our list were first built before 2000.

While these older models are less performance-oriented than modern designs, cruisers value these boats for their ability to stand up to rough seas and heavy weather. It just goes to show that solid bones and classic looks never go out of style.

Alright, without further ado, let’s dive into our list of the 10 best bluewater boats!

The 10 best bluewater boats

1. Westsail 32

The Westsail 32 is one of the most iconic bluewater cruisers and 19 have set out to cross the Pacific in the PPJ rally since 2009.

In 1973, this small cruising sailboat garnered a 4-page spread in Time magazine. The article inspired many Americans to set sail and the Westsail 32, with its double-ender design, set the standard for what a real bluewater cruiser should look like.

There were approximately 830 built between 1971 and 1980.

This small boat has taken sailors on ocean crossings and circumnavigations. Though considered “slow” by some, the heavily-built Westsail 32 has developed a loyal following for her other excellent offshore cruising characteristics.

If you’re interested in small bluewater sailboats, check out our post on the best small sailboats for sailing around the world .

2. Lagoon 380

The Lagoon 380 is a reliable, solidly built catamaran and considered roomy for its size. We counted 18 of them in our data set. With over 800 boats built , it may be one of the best-selling catamarans in the world. Like the other boats on this list, the Lagoon 380 has proven itself on long passages and ocean crossings, winning it many loyal fans.

3. Lagoon 440

18 Lagoon 440s have set out to cross the Pacific in the PPJ rally since 2009.

Why leave the comforts of home, when you can take them with you? The Lagoon 440 is a luxurious long-range cruiser, offering beautiful wood joinery, spacious accommodations, and a deluxe galley. Oh, and you have the option of an electric boat motor !

SAIL and Sailing Magazine have both done in-depth reviews of the Lagoon 440 if you want to learn more.

4. Amel Super Maramu (incl. SM 2000)

If you follow the adventures of SV Delos on YouTube, you probably know that the star of the show (SV Delos— in case the title didn’t give it away ) is an Amel Super Maramu. These classic bluewater sailboats can be found all over the world, proof they can go the distance.

We counted 16 Amel Super Maramus and Super Maramu 2000s in our list of PPJ entries.

Ready to join the cult of Amel? Read more about the iconic brand in Yachting World.

5. Valiant 40

When I interviewed legendary yacht designer, Bob Perry, for Good Old Boat in 2019, he told me that the Valiant 40 was one of the boats that most defined him and marked the real start of his career.

At the time, heavy displacement cruisers were considered sluggish and slow, especially in light winds.

Perry’s innovation with the Valiant 40 was to combine a classic double ender above the waterline, with an IOR racing hull shape below the waterline. The result was the first “performance cruiser”, a blockbuster hit, with over 200 boats built in the 1970s.

It’s no surprise we counted 16 Valiant 40s in our data set.

Cruising World magazine dubbed it “a fast, comfortable, and safe cruising yacht,” and there’s no doubt it’s covered some serious nautical miles.

It’s worth noting that there were blistering problems with hull numbers 120-249 (boats built between 1976 and 1981). Later models did not have this problem. Despite the blistering issues, the Valiant 40 remains one of the most highly thought of bluewater designs.

6. TAYANA 37

The Tayana 37 is another hugely popular Perry design. The first boat rolled off the production line in 1976 and since then, nearly 600 boats have been built. Beautiful classic lines and a proven track record have won the Tayana 37 a devoted following of offshore enthusiasts.

12 Tayana 37s have set out to cross the Pacific in the PPJ rally since 2009. Read more about the Tayana 37 in this Practical Sailor review .

7. Lagoon 450

If this list is starting to sound like a paid advertisement, I swear we’re not on Lagoon’s payroll! This is the third Lagoon on our list, but the data doesn’t lie. Lagoon is making some of the best cruising sailboats.

The 450 has been a hot seller for Lagoon, with over 800 built since its launch in 2014. While not a performance cat, the Lagoon 450 travels at a reasonable speed and is brimming with luxury amenities.

At least 12 owners in the PPJ rally chose the Lagoon 450 to take them across the Pacific. It’s no wonder SAIL had so many good things to say about it.

8. Fountaine Pajot Bahia 46

There were 11 Fountaine Pajot Bahia 46s in our data set.

Fountaine Pajot released the Bahia 46 in 1997, a sleek design for traveling long distances. Its generously-sized water and fuel tanks along with ample storage for cruising gear are a real plus for the self-sufficient sailor.

According to Cruising World , “Cruising-cat aficionados should put the Bahia 46 on their “must-see” list.”

9. Catalina 42 (MKI, MKII)

10 Catalina 42s (MKI and MKII) have set out to cross the Pacific in the PPJ rally since 2009.

The Catalina 42 was designed under the guidance of the legendary yacht designer and Catalina’s chief engineer, Gerry Douglas.

One of Catalina’s philosophies is to offer “as much boat for the money as possible,” and the Catalina 42 is no exception. According to Practical Sailor , Catalina aims to price its boats 15% to 20% below major production boats like Hunter and Beneteau.

Practical Sailor has a great in-depth review of the Catalina 42 .

10. Leopard 46

Since 2009, 10 Leopard 46s have embarked on Pacific crossings in the PPJ rally.

Leopards have won legions of fans for their high build quality, robust engineering, and excellent performance.

The Leopard 46 also boasts something of a racing pedigree. It was built in South Africa by Robertson and Caine and designed by Gino Morelli and Pete Melvin, who came up with the record-breaking catamaran Playstation / Cheyenne 125 .

Read more about the Leopard 46 in this Cruising World review .

Methodology

What the data is and isn’t.

The PPJ data was a real boon because it reflects a wide range of cruising boats: small, big, old, new, expensive, and affordable. We think this may be because the PPJ is a very financially accessible rally—the standard entry cost is $125 or $100 if you’re under 35 (age or boat length!).

We did look at data from other (pricier) rallies but found that the results skewed towards more expensive boats.

Needless to say, the data we used is just a sample of the bluewater boats that crossed the Pacific over the last 10+ years. Many cruisers cross oceans without participating in a rally!

Entries vs. completions

The data we used is a list of the PPJ entries, not necessarily the boats that completed the rally. In instances where we saw the same boat entered multiple years in a row, we assumed they’d postponed their crossing and deleted all but the latest entry to avoid double counting.

Boat make variations

The world of boat building and naming can get pretty complicated. Sometimes a manufacturer changes a boat’s name a year or two into production, other times the name remains the same but the boat undergoes a dramatic update.

For the most part, we’ve used SailboatData.com’s classification system (if they list the boats separately, then we have also), except where there are two separately listed models that have the same LOA, beam, and displacement.

Fiona McGlynn is an award-winning boating writer who created Waterborne as a place to learn about living aboard and traveling the world by sailboat. She has written for boating magazines including BoatUS, SAIL, Cruising World, and Good Old Boat. She’s also a contributing editor at Good Old Boat and BoatUS Magazine. In 2017, Fiona and her husband completed a 3-year, 13,000-mile voyage from Vancouver to Mexico to Australia on their 35-foot sailboat.

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Bluewater Sailboat – Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 49DS

Over the past few years, Jeanneau has made a stir by entering the market for deck-saloon cruisers, but it has also done an excellent job of upgrading their mainstay boats, as evidenced by the new Bluewater Sailboat Sun Odyssey 49. The SO 49 takes the position of the SO 45, a common vessel in charter fleets all over the world. Like its predecessor, the SO 49 is intensely targeted towards this market’s requirements.

Over the past few years, Jeanneau has made a stir by entering the market for deck-saloon cruisers, but it has also done an excellent job of upgrading their mainstay boats, as evidenced by the new Sun Odyssey 49. The SO 49 takes the position of the SO 45, a common sailboat in charter fleets all over the world. Like its predecessor, the SO 49 is intensely targeted towards this market’s requirements.

• LOA:14.80m (48ft 7in)
• LWL:13.24m (43ft 5in)
• Beam (max):4.49m (14ft 9in)
• Draught:2.24m (7ft 4in)
• Displacement (lightship):11,290kg (24,890lb)
• Ballast:2,870kg (6,327lb)
• Sail area (100% foretriangle):103m2 (1,109ft2)
• Engine:57hp or 80hp Yanmar
• Water capacity:635lt (140gal)
• Fuel capacity:240lt (53gal)
• Sail Area/Displacement ratio:20.8 or performance 23.4
• Displacement/LWL ratio:136
• Design: Philippe Briand/Piaton Bonet

According to Paul Fenn, director of Jeanneau America, when French boatbuilder Jeanneau debuted the 54DS in 2002 at a dealer gathering in the United States, there was “complete stillness.” Dealers were apprehensive about their ability to sell the sailboat since the style of the first model in this distinctive-looking deck saloon class differed from the bulk of yachts found in American waters. But there was something unsettling about this contemporary style.

Response to the 54, particularly on the West Coast, “has been above our wildest aspirations,” said Fenn. The manufacturer struggled to keep up with demand for the 54DS and created a second set of moulds to increase output.

Later this year, Hull No. 200 will leave the plant in western France; by that time, more than 30 of the boats will be going to the United States.

The Bluewater Sailboat Sun Odyssey 49DS, which debuted at the Annapolis Boat Show last fall, is the second deck saloon type that the business anticipates will see a similar level of demand. By the end of the year, Jeanneau intends to construct 90 boats, 30 of which will be shipped to the US. “Our future lies in the DS line. here is where we sell, “said Fenn. This summer, Jeanneau will reveal a third boat in the lineup. (The designs of the Jeanneau 40DS and 43DS differ.)

The design goals for the 49DS are described as “volume and comfort” in the brochure, and there is some truth to that marketing. This Bluewater yacht is not your father’s. Every characteristic of a sailing yacht constructed in earlier generations has been completely altered. The low-volume cockpit, small ports, and the dark, cramped cabin are all missing, as well as the narrow beam, low freeboard, lengthy overhangs, and curving sheerline.

There is not a single angle from which the 49DS appears awkward, despite shattering all of the established conventions characterising the design of a stylish, usable sailing yacht. Particularly with the optional dark blue hull color, the sailboat appears to have good proportions.

Even the first startling cat-eye windows quickly disappear into the general smoothly flowing design, which is continuous all the way down to the rounded teak caprail.

This “daring to be different” strategy shines out even more when viewed from the side. The chamfered edges subtly meld to a toerail as your gaze goes back. Then, there is a significant departure from earlier deck designs behind the mast. The brand-new Sun Odyssey 490 features a wholly unique “walk-around deck” design that enables sailors to leave the cockpit and proceed to the foredeck without having to climb over coamings or step up onto lockers. The transom, which is at the same level as the cockpit sole, is reached by sloping the side decks from midships to it.

For a Bluewater sailboat of this size that is now used for charters, the deck arrangement is comparatively typical. When the boat is well heeled, the twin wheels allow exceptional all-around sight, and the fixed cockpit table works wonderfully as a foot brace in the incredibly wide cockpit. Another feature typically found on larger boats is a full-size, separate sail locker up front with a ladder leading down into it.

The size of the cockpit is the first thing you notice when you go aboard. The 14 feet, 8 inch maximum beam is carried well forward, making the long cockpit appear spacious and also rather wide. It’s simple to see two people manning the dual helms, leaving plenty of room aft for children to utilize the swim platform and deck shower while the adults unwind at the cockpit table and have their lunch in peace. The cockpit sole is where the fibreglass table foundation, which has been formed, is attached. It is prewired with 12-volt power and designed to mount an LCD radar or chartplotter on the rear end. A lovely teak table top was an optional feature aboard the test boat (hull number 14).

The split backstay makes it possible for broad gates at centerline to provide access to the swim platform. On the fore-aft axis, the sail lockers under the cockpit benches are quite short, but they extend far enough outboard to make the capacity acceptable overall. On this boat, most sail adjustments will be made via the furling mechanisms rather than by modifying the canvas. The deep twin lazarettes have room for fenders and cleaning materials in addition to housing two cooking gas canisters.

The 35.4-inch-diameter wheels on the twin helms, which have duplicate compasses and instrument readouts, are well outboard. At the starboard wheel are the engine controls. The helms have convenient access to the main genoa winches.

The cabintop winches positioned on either side of the companionway hatch are where the mainsheet and furling lines are connected. A moulded mount for the optional dodger is located forward of the winches and their corresponding line clutches. Its positioning and construction are intended more to protect the companionway than the helmsman or anyone seated in the cockpit.

A polished pipe strut that is fastened to the hull supports the deck-stepped Sparcraft mast below deck, which rises 64 feet above the waterline (hand-laid solid glass, while the deck is balsa-cored). Mast bend or active backstay adjustment are not possible with an in-mast roller furling main, but there is a lot of rake, which explains the 9/10-fractional headstay. Profurl is the manufacturer of the roller furling system. Large chain locker and 1,200-watt anchor windlass allow for the employment of some robust ground tackle.

Now you can also precisely calculate the expenses related to boat ownership to make smart choices based on your budget and sailing needs. Use this bluewater Sailboat Calculator to explore different options and make the best decision.

The volume is what truly stands out below deck. The 49DS drew a steady stream of guests to the Strictly Sail boat show in Oakland, the majority of whom remarked on how airy and open the saloon is right away. The forward-facing navigation table is located immediately to port after descending the companionway ladder. The navigator is kept still at sea by a lovely curving bench. A folded paper chart has plenty of room on the table’s surface, but there isn’t much vertical space for mounting electronics, which is in line with the trend of placing chartplotters and radar screens in the cockpit. The breaker panel is located away from the table and has labels in both French and English to serve as a reminder of where the boat was constructed.

As you descend the wide companionway steps into a bright and airy cedar cabin, the Sun Odyssey makeover continues. Deck hatches, coachroof, and hull windows all let natural light in, giving the area a wonderful sense of space. Together with interior decorator Jean Marc Piaton, Jeanneau created this fresh appearance.  A full-size chart table with a unique design is located on the port side by the steps; rather than having a single seat in a small area, this table has access from both sides. A slightly longer sofa that backs onto the galley is located in the opposite way from the traditional navigator’s seat, which faces forward.

A front master cabin with an en suite bathroom, two double aft cabins that are both spacious and have plenty of light, and a small head with a shower just across from the chart table make up the three-cabin arrangement. Ample work surfaces and everything being within reach from one central location are provided by the galley’s reasonable size for the yacht.  The large refrigerator has access from the top and the side. The saloon is spacious and inviting, with a table that can seat six people at a time for meals and a pull-out bench seat that can be safely tucked under the table while sailing.

Interior weight has been maintained to a minimum, distributed within 1.5m of the keel, and deep down in the hull to maximize the potential power of the hull design. A close proximity to the boat’s centerline is where huge drawer and cupboard units, as well as space under the seats, are located.

In contrast to many production boats, these are constructed with elegant round fiddles and curved edges to the drawers, giving the boat a sophisticated appearance. The retractable inspection hatches in the flooring are fitted with stainless steel pins around their edges to wedge them snugly into their holes and stop rattling. Fabric panels are utilized on bulkheads and counter tops to dampen noise.

The Sun Odyssey 490 has a forward master stateroom similar to what you might anticipate in a motor cruiser thanks to the additional inner bow volume produced by a wide, slab-sided hull design. A full-size double bed (200×160 cm) may fit here, and there are three sizable storage drawers underneath. A separate bath and shower, two hanging lockers, a central TV console with a bookshelf, and a vanity unit with a washbasin, mirror, and storage are all included in the enormous cabin. Even a pull-out shoe rack is present.

There are two corresponding layout choices. The initial layout places a convertible cabin forward with smaller twin heads and the owner’s stateroom aft of the companionway with its own head. A thin partition that divides the room in half to create two smaller cabins can be installed in the convertible cabin. The second plan positions the convertible cabin aft with a single head and the owner’s stateroom forward with a larger single head. Both floor plans appear to be designed to comfortably fit two couples for a lengthy voyage and additional passengers for shorter trips.

Performance

A 75 horsepower Yanmar (or an optional 100 horsepower Yanmar), a fixed three-blade 20 by 12 prop (or an optional three-blade Max Prop), and the choice of a bow thruster are used to propel the boat. The boat is equipped with the Max Prop and a two-liter, 100-horsepower turbocharged engine. It breezed along at 7.5 knots despite a 15-knot headwind.  With the optional electric winches, hoisting (or unfurling, in this case) and trimming sail is as simple as touching a few buttons. On this yacht, there is no need to work up a sweat unless you enjoy manually turning winches.

Their hulls have good initial stability and track well; their sailplans are powerful without being overbearing; and this one was no exception. Their helms have a smooth, positive feel with a fat sweet spot. Can make better than 8 knots through the water under full sail and is fairly comfortable doing so when beating through Long Island Sound into a 20-knot breeze. The boat seemed very substantial, and there was only a slight tremor.

Two persons can easily sail the boat thanks to its design, with one at the helm controlling the genoa sheet and the other adjusting the main and handling the furling lines. Sailors in windier regions will probably choose to complement the Technique-Voile sails that come with the boat from the factory with a smaller jib. The boat ships from the factory with a 135 percent genoa.  It can blow 20 to 25, which is provided by H+S Yacht Sales, the largest West Coast dealer for Jeanneau. When directly in the path of the wind, with the breeze less than 5 knots,

The main and jib can be furled, unfurled, and then furled again in a matter of seconds, and the speed and simplicity with which they can be adjusted encourages small, intermediate adjustments. The furling main is fashioned using a combination of sheet, traveller, vang, and outhaul without the use of battens, cunningham, or leach line.

With a variety of heel angles, the steering positions are comfortable at both helms, and the wheel sensation is moderate—neither twitchy nor dull. Even in turbulent weather, the cockpit remains astonishingly dry due to the deckhouse’s low profile, which does not obstruct view.

The cockpit table, which at first glance when sailing seems like it would be an obstacle, actually functions as a useful footrest for people seated. Because the cockpit is so large, the cockpit table—which initially seems as though it could be a hindrance while under sail—actually serves as a useful footrest for people seated on the windward bench while still allowing smooth passage. The general comfort of sailing made a breezy afternoon feel more manageable. In fact, practically every aspect of the 49DS seems to have been thought out to make sailing fun and comfortable. By focusing the 49DS completely on cruising baby boomers, Jeanneau has avoided the temptation to appeal to globe girdlers or racers, and it appears they have succeeded.

Quick Notes

Understanding the interior possibilities of a full bow shape on a cruising yacht is what makes this design so brilliant. In its endeavour to advance the Sun Odyssey line, Jeanneau has unquestionably gone big. This yacht has genuinely unique design elements. The Sun Odyssey 490 is aggressive and looks like a fist smashing through the water, but beauty can be found in both form and function. This design focuses on ease of living and sailing and provides a lot for the money. It is a large boat that, in the correct circumstances, will provide quick and enjoyable sailing. It is simple to operate, adaptable, and features a chic interior that prioritises comfort.

Looking for a used sailboat for sale? Check out the Bluewater sailboat data and specs to make an informed decision. Ocean Wave Sail has data for over 10000+ boats that can help you select one to meet your sailing needs.

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New Member Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Administrator Yacht Name: Serica of Woodbridge Home Port: Marina Mytilini on Lesvos, Greece Country: Greece Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top - - Administrator Yacht Name: Serica of Woodbridge Home Port: Marina Mytilini on Lesvos, Greece Country: Greece Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top said:Rather "wide" question, but as a start I would suggest the Sun Rise This has been sailed around the world non stop by Frenchman Alain Maignan who has just started another round the world attempt in the same Sun Rise, but this time against the wind and current Should have read his recent posts, before posting, apparently he started 1st January , but had major problems in strong winds and has just arrived back in France - he is very determined so guess will set off again as soon as he has things sorted. - - Jeanneau Guru Jeanneau Model: 2004 SO 43DS Home Port: Ionian Country: Greece Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Jeanneau Guru Jeanneau Model: 2004 SO 43DS Home Port: Ionian Country: Greece Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top by New Member Sailing In Greece, Now wintering at Crete Jeanneau Model: SO 45.2 Yacht Name: FUNNY GIRL Home Port: Harlingen Country: The Netherlands Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Also read here: This "old" Extended Jeaneau Gin Fizz ketch This "Lady", 15 years old at that time sailed around the world SOLO. Another story: Rgds, Peter a happy 45.2 owner/ live aboard in Greece by Jeanneau Guru Sun Liberty 34 Country: UK Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top said:Hello Jeanneauians! As a potential Jeanneau owner I would like to ask what model Jeanneau is the most Deep or Blue Water Sailboat capable. I know that length has a say, but what model to start with? Please include any models that have been discontinued in the last 20 years. Thanks in advance. I love my model and had been used for ocean crossings - old Category 1 by design ( e.g. around the world) but not big 34ft - Sun Liberty 34 - can be found on a extremely competitive price Jeanneau Guru Moved Affinity back to Scotland in 2021. Now have a contract at Troon Yacht Haven. Yacht Name: Affinity Home Port: Troon, Scotland Country: United Kingdom Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top At a seminar run by WCC, Berthon's told us that the cost of any repairs to a boat will be a reflection of the boat's new price. Since then we have proven to ourselves that boat costs are proportional to length and to the square area for sails. Enjoy the hunt and then enjoy the passages. Ian Expert Member Jeanneau Model: Jeanneau DS40 Yacht Name: SoulMates Home Port: Miami, Fl Country: usa Instagram: boat_svsoulmates Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top She is a great boat and we got a lot more miles to go in her. We think the DS40 is the best boat Jeanneau ever built but that is just our opinion Expert Member Yacht Name: Fogg Home Port: Auckland Country: NZ via mobile Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top by Full Member Jeanneau Model: 2005 43DS Home Port: Wellington Country: New Zealand via Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Expert Member Jeanneau Model: Jeanneau DS40 Yacht Name: SoulMates Home Port: Miami, Fl Country: usa Instagram: boat_svsoulmates Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top said: If you happen to see a 45-50ft Jeanneau alongside a proper blue water cruiser of a similar size you’ll see countless differences (rigging, deck layout, cockpit, size & sturdiness of fittings, tank capacities etc etc etc) that all add up to a stronger and safer offshore experience. But I’d buy an older Amel instead. So only an Amel is a "proper" offshore boat? Anything else? And what of the hundreds if not thousands of Jeanneau boats that are constantly sailing Blue Water and long distance crusing/sailing?  Expert Member Yacht Name: Fogg Home Port: Auckland Country: NZ via mobile Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Full Member Jeanneau Model: 2005 43DS Home Port: Wellington Country: New Zealand via Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top said:Amel was just an example of a French boat designed for blue-water cruising vs Jeanneau as a French boat designed for Med-style cruising. Of course there are lots of others. Yes lots of lighter cruising boats have sailed RTW and arrived ok including older Jeanneaus. But it’s no secret that many of the older 80s/90s versions were built more simply and more solidly. Which is why they are still going strong. Recently I was in the market for a boat and looked at countless options including many boats that had sailed to NZ on their own bottoms - including lighter production boats. But it was easy to see the difference. After a few years of offshore cruising the lighter boats were showing the signs. But the purpose built machines still looked closer to new and less fatigued. I love my Jeanneau 42DS for coastal cruising and it might cross the South Pacific fine. But if I ran into a nasty weather system I’d rather take a hiding in something like an Amel which would handle the loads and fatigue better. I’d have to agree. I sailed a friends Ganley Pacemaker from NZ to Tonga. Steel hull, skeg rudder, sharp bottom (vs flat). It was a battleship, so when we hit some very nasty weather it just carried on like nothing was happening. It was a pig to handle in a marina and not a great short handed weekend cruiser but a great offshore boat. So it’s a matter of compromise, the right mix between offshore capable but useful for everyday sailing when you are at home. Expert Member Yacht Name: Fogg Home Port: Auckland Country: NZ Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top said: said:Amel was just an example of a French boat designed for blue-water cruising vs Jeanneau as a French boat designed for Med-style cruising. Of course there are lots of others. Yes lots of lighter cruising boats have sailed RTW and arrived ok including older Jeanneaus. But it’s no secret that many of the older 80s/90s versions were built more simply and more solidly. Which is why they are still going strong. Recently I was in the market for a boat and looked at countless options including many boats that had sailed to NZ on their own bottoms - including lighter production boats. But it was easy to see the difference. After a few years of offshore cruising the lighter boats were showing the signs. But the purpose built machines still looked closer to new and less fatigued. I love my Jeanneau 42DS for coastal cruising and it might cross the South Pacific fine. But if I ran into a nasty weather system I’d rather take a hiding in something like an Amel which would handle the loads and fatigue better. I’d have to agree. I sailed a friends Ganley Pacemaker from NZ to Tonga. Steel hull, skeg rudder, sharp bottom (vs flat). It was a battleship, so when we hit some very nasty weather it just carried on like nothing was happening. It was a pig to handle in a marina and not a great short handed weekend cruiser but a great offshore boat. So it’s a matter of compromise, the right mix between offshore capable but useful for everyday sailing when you are at home. Exactly right Mike. I'd prefer to sail to Tonga in a steel Ganley as well but would hate to live with it for weekend gulf cruising and marina berthing. Personally I don't feel defensive about this. My 42DS is a superb coastal cruiser but I'm the first to admit that you are pushing the boat outside it's comfort zone and original design purpose by heading offshore for extended periods. And I reckon Jeanneau would probably agree (although maybe more quietly)! Senior Member Jeanneau Model: Sun Odyssey 43DS Yacht Name: Spiffy Home Port: Hayling Island, Portsmouth Country: England Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top I have also come across several 43DS that have voyaged extensively. But don't forget how many have circumnavigated in much smaller and supposedly less robust craft. And let's face it, 'true' bluewater boats as defined by Beth et al, are out of most people's reach unless they are up for a long refit. by Go to navigation Go to content Go to footer International Boat Show of Moscow | Russia VISIT our sailboat lines, outboard and inboard powerboat models at the  Moscow INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW .  - from 5th through the 9th of march, 2020 -. We invite you to join us at the  Moscow International Boat Show  to discover, in a premier showing, our models and latest innovations . Professional representatives will be available to advise and guide you in order to find the right Jeanneau for you. We will update you as soon as possible with the list of powerboats and sailboats that will be on display at this boat show. Stay tuned! For all the news regarding shows where Jeanneau will be present, join us on social networks! Terms of use The information gathered via the Jeanneau website (subsequently referred to as “the Website”) is managed by SPBI S.A–JEANNEAU Communications Services, responsible for data management, in order to process your request for information, as well as to get to know you better. The information marked by an asterisk is required in order to process your request. 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If you click on the "SEND" button, you are agreeing to the transfer of your personal data. 324 IMAGES 43 of the best bluewater sailing yacht designs of all time Bluewater Sailboat The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 40.3 Sailboat JEANNEAU 65 Flagship Bluewater Cruiser Bluewater cruisers Jeanneau 37 for sale 2007 Jeanneau 54 Ds Classic Bluewater for sale. View price, photos and VIDEO Bluewater Sailing, Jeanneau 509 Tour and maintenance Jeanneau Voyage 42 JEANNEAU 60 The 18m sailing yacht for 2023 Jeanneau Yachts 60 #sailboat #luxuryyacht #jeanneau 2024 Jeanneau 54 See at the Miami Boat Show Top 3 JEANNEAU Yachts for 2024 COMMENTS Twelve Top Bluewater Cruising Boats Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 49. For a boat focused on the needs of the lucrative charter market, the Sun Odyssey 49 has proved a remarkably adept bluewater cruiser. A large cockpit, easily managed sailplan and fine all-round performance obviously have something to do with this; cool features like a dedicated sail locker in the bow and a large nav station belowdecks don't hurt either. 43 of the best bluewater sailboat designs of all time Best bluewater sailboats for families Lagoon 450. ... Jeanneau 54. Jeanneau leads the way among production builders for versatile all-rounder yachts that balance sail performance and handling ... Sun Odyssey Comfortable and high-performance, Sun Odyssey sailboats invite all those who love the wind and the sea to share moments of pure happiness on the water. The quality of life on board, clean and elegant design, innovation, safety, and ease of handling make this a perfect sailboat for cruising with friends and family, and for making your first voyages at sea.The Sailing LifestyleThe perfect ... Jenneau Sun Odyssey 42i Jenneau Sun Odyssey 42i • As Jeanneau has been innovating with its production techniques by introducing injection molded decks, they have also been innovating with hull and rig designs that will set the boats apart in the cruising fleet and on the race course as true racer-cruisers with a strong performance pedigree. The new 42i, like her smaller sister ship the 36i, is just such a dual ... Boat Luxury Sailboats For the purchase and/or sale of a sailboat, please don't hesitate to contact your Jeanneau dealership by clicking here: Contact your Jeanneau dealer. A boat builder for over 60 years, Jeanneau remains at the forefront of marine innovation, offering 11 sailboats, 33 to 64 feet, to suit every style, designed by great naval architects, The best bluewater sailboats (we analyzed 2,000 boats to find out) The 10 best bluewater boats. 1. Westsail 32. Photo credit: SailboatData.com. The Westsail 32 is one of the most iconic bluewater cruisers and 19 have set out to cross the Pacific in the PPJ rally since 2009. In 1973, this small cruising sailboat garnered a 4-page spread in Time magazine. SUN ODYSSEY 36I (JEANNEAU) 30 to 40 indicates a moderate bluewater cruising boat; 40 to 50 indicates a heavy bluewater boat; over 50 indicates an extremely heavy bluewater boat. Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam^1.33), where displacement is expressed in pounds, and length is expressed in feet. Capsize Screening Formula (CSF): Designed to determine if a ... Sun Odyssey 34 Length overall 10.30 m / 33'10". Hull length 9.98 m / 32'9". Displacement 4700 kg / 10362 Lbs. Weight 1520 kg / 3351 Lbs. Max people 4 à 6. SUN ODYSSEY 349 (JEANNEAU) 30 to 40 indicates a moderate bluewater cruising boat; 40 to 50 indicates a heavy bluewater boat; over 50 indicates an extremely heavy bluewater boat. Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam^1.33), where displacement is expressed in pounds, and length is expressed in feet. Capsize Screening Formula (CSF): Designed to determine if a ... Bluewater Cruising And Sailing Guide Jeanneau's new 2022 Sun Odyssey 380 sail boat is a bluewater cruising capable vessel with a base price of $237,000 that is on a short list candidate for couples and families looking to escape onto the water for day sails or extended coastal cruising. Above: A 2022 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 380 Sailboat. Photo by Jeanneau. Bluewater Sailboat Overview. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42DS i s a Bluewater sailboat created for cruising that has a contemporary, fluid design, a rare, timeless elegance, and the pleasant interior layout you would anticipate. It also performs exceptionally well. Due to its strengthened hull design and skillfully crafted sail plan, the powerful hull impresses not only for its outstanding performance at sea but ... Jeanneau boats for sale Bluewater Yacht Sales, LLC- Wrightsville Beach | Greenville, North Carolina. 2006 Catalina 310. ... Jeanneau boats for sale on YachtWorld are listed for a swath of prices from $30,877 on the lower-cost segment, with costs up to $1,495,303 for the highly-specialized, bespoke models. Bluewater Sailboat The Bluewater Sailboat Sun Odyssey 49DS, which debuted at the Annapolis Boat Show last fall, is the second deck saloon type that the business anticipates will see a similar level of demand. By the end of the year, Jeanneau intends to construct 90 boats, 30 of which will be shipped to the US. Deep Blue Water Jeanneau Sailboat Apr 13, 2018 at 2:42pm NZL50505 said: Amel was just an example of a French boat designed for blue-water cruising vs Jeanneau as a French boat designed for Med-style cruising. Of course there are lots of others. Yes lots of lighter cruising boats have sailed RTW and arrived ok including older Jeanneaus. JEANNEAU YACHTS 55 30 to 40 indicates a moderate bluewater cruising boat; 40 to 50 indicates a heavy bluewater boat; over 50 indicates an extremely heavy bluewater boat. Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam^1.33), where displacement is expressed in pounds, and length is expressed in feet. Capsize Screening Formula (CSF): Designed to determine if a ... TONIC 23 (JEANNEAU) 30 to 40 indicates a moderate bluewater cruising boat; 40 to 50 indicates a heavy bluewater boat; over 50 indicates an extremely heavy bluewater boat. Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam^1.33), where displacement is expressed in pounds, and length is expressed in feet. Capsize Screening Formula (CSF): Designed to determine if a ... Moscow Yacht Show 2018 The Moscow Boat Show 2018 took place from the 1st to the 3rd of June, 2018 Moscow Yacht Show 2018 , organized in the best yacht club of the Russian capital Royal Yacht Club, finished successfully. Despite the changeable weather from June 1 to 3 all three days of the exhibition were filled with events. International Boat Show of Moscow VISIT our sailboat lines, outboard and inboard powerboat models at the Moscow INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW. - FROM 5TH THROUGH THE 9TH OF MARCH, 2020 - We invite you to join us at the Moscow International Boat Show to discover, in a premier showing, our models and latest innovations. Professional representatives will be available to advise and guide you in order to find the right Jeanneau for you. International Boat Show of Moscow Come and discover our models, from 5th through the 9th of March, 2020! catamaran gulet motorboat riverboat sailboat trimaran yacht