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Features
2023 March 1 - 12:00 am

John Kretschmer needed his full kit of storm sailing tactics to get through a fraught passage across the famously nasty bay

I first downloaded the American GFS weather model, and it didn’t look good. I tried the ECMWF European model, but it was worse. I even downloaded the German ICON model, but no matter how many w
Features
2021 September 1 - 12:00 am

Bluewater sailor John Kretschmer reflects on savoring the best parts of sailing, even when they aren’t great

The forecast wasn’t good, but it wasn’t terrible either. We were bottled up in the Gulf of Maine and the fresh south-southwest winds of summer made the prospect of sailing to Bermuda a likely slog
Features
2021 June 1 - 12:00 am

With exotic landfalls out of the question, John Kretschmer discovered a new way to do sail-training passages: make seafall instead

Close your eyes. You can hear the waves washing along the hull and feel the raw power as Quetzal sails into the heart of the Caribbean Sea on a sweet close reach. She rides the building easterly swell
Features
2020 October 1 - 12:00 am

John Kretschmer shares memories of Larry Pardey and Marvin Creamer, two sailors who helped shape him and led the way to his life under sail

People who inspire us are those who find a way to launch dreams, to launch voyages, to sidestep conventional wisdom and sober, well-intentioned advice, and lead lives that are truly their own. They us
Features
2020 May 28 - 12:00 am

John Kretschmer shares his wealth of knowledge on the logistics of a Caribbean sabbatical so you can do it too

I recall my first Caribbean landfall like it was yesterday. And trust me, it wasn’t yesterday—it was 40 years ago. It was November and we were heading south from Bermuda. After five days we e
Technique
2017 March 1 - 12:00 am

Planning an ocean passage starts with knowing when to go and which way will get you there fastest

The notion of ditching the job and house, buying a boat and sailing away to the tropics, across an ocean, or even around the world, is a fantasy that lurks in the mind of every sailor. Some actually follow their dreams and find a suitable boat and prepare it for serious sailing. Dreams collide with reality when it comes to the daunting task of route planning logistics, literally, “When to sail where?”  Timing the right seasons and prevailing winds for offshore passages with the need to avoid hurricanes and heavy weather requires a bit of forethought. 
Boat Test
2016 September 1 - 12:00 am

Cleverly designed and easy to sail, this cruising cat is set for adventure

The Miami Boat Show is a catamaran sailor’s fantasy venue. Leading multihull manufacturers from around the world display not just their latest models, but in many cases their full range of boats. There’s no denying that spacious cruising cats with their mix of outdoor and indoor living spaces are ideal for tropical waters and the palm-tree-lined Miami setting is apropos. Every year we review at least one cat after the show and this year we chose the popular Leopard 44.
Technique
2016 July 1 - 12:00 am

Knowing when and how to use your last means of survival is paramount to good seamanship

 There’s an old saying, “Step up into the life raft,” implying that you should not launch your life raft prematurely in an emergency. And while many old sayings are often just that, old and out of date, there’s merit to this wise advice. 
Boat Test
2016 July 1 - 12:00 am

Beneteau’s newest 41-footer redefines the cruiser-racer concept with a harmony of elegant styling, bold hull design and an easy-to-sail rig

Beneteau introduced its latest model at the Strictly Sail Miami boat show in February, and while the sleek Oceanis 41.1 had a steady stream of admirers, dreamers and serious buyers, I confess it left me feeling just a bit nostalgic. Don’t get me wrong, the 41.1 is undeniably modern. Silky smooth lines with a full-length chine, a low-slung cabintop gracefully disguising generous freeboard, wide beam carried aft and long ends leave no doubt that the Finot-Conq 41.1 hull design will look fresh a decade from now. What intrigued me was the multifaceted aspect of the design. 
Features
2016 July 1 - 12:00 am

Looking back at a lifetime of sailing, Contributing Editor John Kretschmer has found himself unwittingly following in the seafaring footsteps of the sailors closest to him

 You can’t escape history when sailing in the Mediterranean, not even your own. We were off the Lycian coast of Turkey. My wife Tadji was at the helm, searching for zephyrs as Quetzal ghosted over a shimmering sea. I was below, rummaging through the nav station looking for a detailed chart for the approach to Kekova Roads. I am a luddite, I still use paper charts and I knew it was in there somewhere.
Boat Test
2015 September 18 - 12:00 am

This German cruiser, a result of fresh thinking along with expert design and construction, is ready for the open ocean

Hanse thinks big. The German company, one of the world’s premier production builders, currently produces five models larger than 40 feet, and its new flagship, the 675, is nearly 70 feet. A recent test of the 575 found a collage of modern design, fresh thinking and exhilarating performance. 
Boat Test
2015 July 1 - 12:00 am

The Gunboat 55 takes cruising to a higher level of innovation, speed and elegance

The Gunboat 55 makes a powerful impact, but it is easy to get the wrong impression of this intriguing new model from Peter Johnstone and the crew at Gunboat International. Sure, the shapely hulls and stealthy deck lines cause necks to crane at boat shows. And it’s a Nigel Irens design so there’s no doubt it’s a rocketship. The finely honed interior by Nauta Yachts based in Milan, Italy, is naturally elegant. So what’s not to understand? Despite the fusion of design innovation and cutting-edge materials and manufacturing processes, the Gunboat 55 is a simple boat at heart. 
Boat Test
2015 April 1 - 12:00 am

The latest midsized racer-cruiser from J/Boats offers exhilarating performance in a family-friendly package

I have been fortunate to sail most models in the J/Boat family and I confess, I like them all. The new J/88 is an ideal blend of what makes the J/Boat brand so enduring. 
Boat Test
2015 February 1 - 12:00 am

This German-built cruiser, with its blend of fresh thinking and solid engineering, can take a family to new horizons

The new Cruiser 46 from German boatbuilder Bavaria Yachts is poised to shake up the big-boat cruising market on this side of the Atlantic. A sleek Farr design packed with fresh thinking and sound engineering, the Cruiser 46 is a terrific value. It is hard to fathom that a boat of this size and quality, and fully outfitted no less, can be delivered to your dealer’s dock for less than $350,000.
Features
2014 December 1 - 12:00 am

Through more than 400 sailors on 80-plus training passages and six ocean crossings, John Kretschmer’s sturdy Quetzal has served her owner admirably. John chronicles the refits he’s made to his beloved boat over the last decade to keep her sailing hard

The boat was stranded ashore in a snowy Maryland boatyard. I remember my first glimpse of the 1985 Kaufman 47 that my daughters and I would soon rename Quetzal like some might recall their wedding nig
Boat Test
2014 August 1 - 12:00 am

The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 packs a big-boat punch with innovative features, a spacious interior and easy-to-sail speed

The latest addition to Jeanneau’s venerable Sun Odyssey line is a prime example of why buying a new boat in today’s market makes good sense. The new 349 is brimming with innovative design features that enhance sailing performance while emphasizing user friendliness on deck and shamelessly exploiting creature comforts below. From twin rudders and wheels, to an efficient mainsheet bridle system, to an easily driven and highly stable hull form, to a bright and versatile interior plan, Marc Lombard and the Jeanneau design team have created a small cruiser that feels like a big boat. In fact, the only small thing about the 349 is the surprisingly attractive price.

Perry on Design

  • This folding trimaran for fun cruising offers plenty of options

  • The redesign of a popular 50-foot cruiser offers better performance and more comfort

  • Retro style but modern performance are the trademarks of this new cruiser

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