At last month’s St. Petersburg Boat Show, I had the opportunity to attend a presentation by delivery skipper and author John Kretschmer about what he described as sailboats designed for a serious ocean. I have always been somewhat cautious about lists that claim to identify the ideal boat, but Kretschmer is particularly qualified to discuss the subject. He reviews boats for Sail Magazine, and his latest book, Sailing a Serious Ocean, is also available through the online bookstore.

An ideal-boat list should never be treated as an absolute rule. Still, it can be extremely useful for sailors who are just beginning to explore the world of offshore cruising. By studying the strengths and weaknesses of different designs, prospective cruisers can narrow their choices and find a boat that fits their individual goals.

Why the List Is Not Definitive

There is certainly no single list that can cover every excellent offshore cruising boat. Numerous capable designs are absent, while some of the boats included here may be completely unsuitable for a particular sailor.

Kretschmer emphasized this point during his presentation. A boat that is ideal for one sailor may be a poor match for another because experience, cruising style, crew size, budget, and personal preferences all influence the decision.

One of the strengths of this selection is its variety. It represents many different hull forms, sizes, layouts, and approaches to offshore cruising. The inclusion of the Prout Snowgoose and Steve Dashew’s Sundeer 60 is especially interesting. Both occupy relatively unusual positions within the cruising world, yet each has demonstrated its ability to perform successfully at sea.

Other Boats Worth Considering

If I were adding more vessels to the collection, I would consider including one of the heavier-displacement microcruisers discussed previously in my writing about pocket cruisers.

That said, I would hesitate to describe even the strongest boats in this category as ideal choices for a truly serious ocean passage. Nevertheless, John Neale of Mahina Tiare Expeditions includes the Dana 24 among his recommended cruising boats. His considerably broader selection is accompanied by a useful explanation of the design characteristics that sailors should evaluate when choosing an offshore vessel.

Why Construction Matters Offshore

My interest in capable cruising boats was also influenced by our earlier series examining sailboat construction, with particular attention paid to structural design and construction details.

There are many excellent sailboats that perform extremely well in coastal waters. However, the requirements become considerably more demanding when a boat is expected to operate offshore. In particular, scantlings, meaning the dimensions and specifications of structural components, become much more significant when a vessel must withstand the prolonged stresses of ocean sailing.

A boat intended for serious offshore work needs more than attractive accommodations and good sailing performance. The strength and durability of its construction can have a major impact on its ability to withstand heavy weather and long passages while minimizing maintenance problems.

Readers’ Suggestions for Tough Boats

Several years ago, we explored a similar subject in our Mailport section and invited readers to nominate what we called “tough boats.” The idea was to identify vessels built to endure difficult conditions while requiring relatively little attention and upkeep.

These recommendations demonstrate just how broad the range of boats considered suitable for demanding cruising can be.

Finding Your Own Offshore Boat

I would be interested in hearing about additional boats that sailors believe deserve a place on this kind of list, as well as other useful resources for anyone trying to identify a reliable shortlist of offshore cruising boats.

If your personal favorite does not appear on any recommended-boat list, there is no reason to be disappointed. No published selection can account for every sailor’s needs, and choosing a cruising boat is ultimately a highly personal decision.

One of the best observations I have heard on the subject came from Steve Callahan, author of the survival classic Adrift. During a presentation at the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Show, I asked Callahan, who has extensive experience sailing both multihulls and monohulls, what type of boat he preferred.

His answer was simple and remarkably serious: at the end of the day, the best cruising boat is the one you are on.