If you love the idea of a pocket daysailer that looks timeless yet sails like a thoroughbred, the 2011 Alerion Express 33 Gallup should be on your radar. Currently listed for $195,000 in Chebeague Island, Maine, our editors see her as a standout in the brokerage market, an ideal choice for anyone craving performance, comfort, and classic aesthetics.

The Alerion Express 33 blends a modern, sporty hull with the traditional beauty of a Herreshoff-inspired topsides design. Step aboard Gallup and you’ll immediately notice the spacious cockpit, complete with high backrests, pedestal steering, and twin electric winches that put all sail handling within easy reach of the helm. A powerful sail plan with a self-tacking jib keeps things simple for shorthanded sailing, while the responsive helm and stable underbody ensure an engaging, confidence-inspiring ride.

In 2019, Gallup underwent a significant suite of upgrades totaling over $110,000. Highlights include a new in-boom furling system (a rare and highly desirable feature), new mainsail, hull paint, dodger portlights, and electronics. Since then, she’s seen only light summer use and has been stored inside with heat protection each winter.

Below deck, the Alerion 33 surprises with thoughtful, efficient accommodations. A forward V-berth provides private quarters, while the main cabin offers twin settees and generous shelving. The galley includes an Origo alcohol stove, top-loading Isotherm fridge, stainless steel sink, and plenty of storage. The head compartment is well-appointed with a Raritan marine toilet and deck hatch for ventilation. The teak and holly cabin sole, solid teak doors, and formica bulkheads maintain that signature Alerion balance of classic style and functional elegance.

Construction-wise, the Alerion 33 is a high-quality composite design. The SCRIMP-infused fiberglass hull features end-grain balsa core and vinylester resin reinforcement, with stainless steel through-bolted chainplates, a fin keel with lead bulb, and a carbon double-spreader Hall Spars mast. Decks and cockpit boast varnished teak trim, full-length cockpit seats, and a removable cockpit table, ideal for daysailing and short cruising in style and comfort.

Powered by a 20-hp Yanmar diesel engine with saildrive, Gallup cruises at an easy 8 knots under sail, with a range of 115 miles under power. The boat comes fully equipped with a Fortress anchor, life jackets, winch handles, fenders, and more. Yes please! 

Specifications:

• LOA: 33’ | Beam: 9’3” | Draft: 5’0”
  
• Engine: Yanmar 3YM20C, 20 hp diesel
  
• Fuel: 18 gallons | Fresh Water: 11 gallons
  
• Cabins: 1 | Heads: 1
  
• Price: $195,000 | Location: Chebeague Island, ME
  

With its combination of classic aesthetics, modern sailing performance, and high-end upgrades, Gallup is a rare find in the brokerage market, a boat that delivers both style and substance in equal measure. For sailors seeking a daysailer-cruiser that turns heads at the dock and delights under sail, the 2011 Alerion 33 is a solid choice currently offered for sale with Wellington Yacht Partners. 

The post Used Boats We Love: 2011 Alerion Express 33 appeared first on Cruising World.

Saffier Yachts has introduced the latest addition to its performance-minded line of luxury daysailers, announcing the new SE 28 Leopard ahead of its world premiere at Boot Düsseldorf in January 2026.

Designed for spirited sailing with the ease of singlehanded control, the 28-footer pairs clean lines with the brand’s hallmark simplicity. A reversed bow, broad beam and flat underwater sections speak to its focus on speed and balance, while a deep spade rudder promises grip and responsiveness.

Owners will have the choice of a Yanmar 15 hp diesel or a 7.5 kW electric drive, along with a tiller or dual-wheel setup. Sail controls run below deck to the helm, keeping the cockpit clean and focused. Saffier notes that the boat’s new hull form is built to enhance both upwind and downwind pace while maintaining confident handling.

Inside, the SE 28 Leopard features a compact cruising layout with a V-berth forward and settees to either side of the saloon. Optional equipment includes refrigeration or a marine toilet. On deck, the cockpit can seat eight, with a large sunpad and stow-away table to create a relaxed social space after returning from an afternoon blast across the bay.

Light weight and a trailerable design open the door for sailors looking to explore new waters, with the boat designed to be launched and rigged easily.

“This new hull offers faster sailing upwind and downwind, with stability and control in all conditions,” the yard said in its announcement. “She is more than just a daysailer. She is your invitation to sail faster and further.”

The SE 28 Leopard joins a growing list of modern performance daysailers capturing attention among cruisers who appreciate the feel of a spirited boat and the convenience of less-demanding systems. For sailors who want weekends of simple fun or midweek evening racing, the Leopard lands squarely in that sweet spot.

The boat will make its international debut at Boot Düsseldorf in 2026.

Youth & High-Performance Pathways

Across many sailing hubs in Europe and North America, lightweight performance boats like the SE series are becoming part of a broader pathway for young sailors transitioning from dinghies to keelboats. Many clubs and sailing schools now mix Optis, ILCA/Lasers and high-performance daysailers in training fleets to help youth sailors develop tactics, boat handling and confidence across a range of platforms. For families looking to grow young racers or simply enjoy fast, manageable weekends on the water, compact sport-forward keelboats continue to play an important role.

The post Saffier Unveils SE 28 Leopard Daysailer appeared first on Cruising World.

With the new J/7, J/Boats has distilled nearly five decades of design experience into a modern 23-foot keelboat that’s as approachable as it is spirited. Designed to be trailerable behind a midsize SUV, the J/7 offers seating for up to five in a deep, secure cockpit, a compact cabin for storage and overnights, and a simple sail plan that delivers the crisp handling J/Boats are known for. Aimed at families, beginners, and club programs—but with enough sparkle to keep experienced sailors engaged—the J/7 promises to double your sailing days with a blend of comfort, stability, and pure fun on the water.

Design & Layout

The J/7’s layout emphasizes comfort and ergonomics without overcomplication. The cockpit spans 8.5 feet with long bench seats, angled backrests, and space for five adults. A walk-through transom with swim platform adds lounging and teaching space, making the boat as welcoming at anchor as it is under sail. Belowdecks, a compact cabin offers a V-berth, low settees, and stowage—enough for a nap, privacy, or a weekend “glamping” setup with a boom tent and portable head. Visibility from the helm is excellent, thanks to the low cabin profile and high boom clearance, ensuring that crew of all experience levels feel secure and comfortable.

Construction & Systems

The J/7 is engineered for daily program use, drawing lessons from the J/22, J/24, J/70, and J/80 fleets that have endured decades of hard service worldwide. Hull and deck are built with vacuum-bagged composite sandwich construction: biaxial E-glass skins with a Corecell foam core, reinforced with high-density inserts at load points. The result is a rugged, lightweight platform with a high strength-to-weight ratio. The keel is a 3.8-foot all-lead fin with a bulb, yielding a 46% ballast ratio for stability rarely seen in this size range. Systems are deliberately simple: roller-furling jib, end-boom mainsheet bridle (no traveler), and an aluminum deck-stepped mast for easy stepping and transport. Auxiliary power comes from a small outboard bracketed off the transom.

Performance Under Sail

Sailing the J/7 is intentionally straightforward. With one hand on the tiller and the other on the mainsheet, the boat balances beautifully upwind or under main alone. The generous ballast and hull form provide exceptional stiffness, keeping heel angles comfortable even with inexperienced crews aboard. Responsive sail controls—adjustable backstay, efficient sheeting angles, and jib furling—allow quick depowering in puffs. An optional sprit and asymmetric spinnaker package opens downwind possibilities, though the boat is equally happy reaching with just main and jib. Early demo sails show upwind speeds over 7 knots in a breeze and smooth tracking through tacks. For clubs, families, and daysailors alike, the J/7 delivers the unmistakable “J feel” in a forgiving and versatile package.

Safety & Stability

One of the J/7’s standout features is its stability and predictability. With over 1,000 pounds of lead ballast in its keel bulb, the boat resists excessive heeling and inspires confidence for new sailors. The open, self-bailing cockpit drains quickly, and all sail controls are led to hand, minimizing the need for crew to move about underway. The molded-in toerail and lifeline-ready deck plan further enhance security. Whether used as a club trainer or a family daysailer, the J/7’s balance of stiffness, simplicity, and strength checks the safety box as solidly as it does the fun box.

J/7 Specifications

A Small Boat With a Big Boat Feel

What sets the J/7 apart is how much big-boat stability it delivers in a compact, 23-foot package. With a 46% ballast ratio, high freeboard, and long cockpit benches, the J/7 gives sailors a sense of security rare in boats this size. That translates into more relaxed crews, more time on the water, and fewer canceled days when conditions are less than perfect. It’s an approach that makes the J/7 as much about accessibility as performance.

Heritage in Every Hull

The J/7 carries forward J/Boats’ legacy that began in 1977 with the garage-built J/24. That boat launched a family-run company and a worldwide fleet of over 15,000 boats. Like its predecessors, the J/7 balances speed, simplicity, and practicality. It’s designed not just as a boat to sail hard and put away wet, but as a design that will endure across decades of active use in family fleets, clubs, and sailing schools.

Options for More Fun

Out of the box, the J/7 is about mainsail-and-jib simplicity. But sailors who want to stretch its legs can opt for a bolt-on short sprit and asymmetric spinnaker package, or a symmetric spinnaker setup with a mast ring and foreguy. Cushions, a trailer, and a boom tent extend its versatility for days afloat or overnighting. One-design rules are being drafted for club-level racing, ensuring that the J/7 will be just as comfortable in the beer-can fleet as it is at the mooring.

Step aboard with Sailing World editor Dave Reed and team for a first sail on the J/7.

About the Builder

J/Boats: Sailing to Success

Founded by brothers Rod and Bob Johnstone in 1977, J/Boats began with the iconic J/24, a garage-built racer that went on to become the most successful keelboat class in the world. Over the decades, the Johnstone family has built more than 15,000 boats across a wide range of designs, all carrying the same DNA: performance made accessible to sailors of every level. Today, the second and third generations of Johnstones continue to lead the brand from Newport, Rhode Island, with models spanning 23 to 65 feet. The J/7 is the latest in that lineage, a boat as true to its roots as it is forward-looking.

First Impressions

Stepping aboard the J/7, it’s immediately clear that J/Boats focused on simplicity and comfort without sacrificing performance. The cockpit seats five adults with ease, and the wide side decks and walk-through transom make moving around effortless. Lines are led cleanly to the helm, halyards are easy to manage, and the adjustable backstay gives instant sail control, even in puffy conditions. Underway, the boat feels solid and balanced, tracking straight with minimal fuss, yet it responds instantly when you want to turn or trim. Stability is remarkable for a 23-footer, thanks to a low VCG and 46-percent ballast ratio, so stepping aboard at the dock or in a breeze is confidence-inspiring. Downwind, the boat slides gracefully, and upwind, it carries sail efficiently without demanding constant attention. For families, beginners, or experienced sailors looking for quick, enjoyable days on the water, the J/7 delivers a full-size sailing experience in a trailerable package, making it easy to get out more often, whether for a casual afternoon sail or a spirited weekend session.

The post New Boat Preview: J/Boats J/7 appeared first on Cruising World.

If you haven’t heard of Domani Yachts, you’re not alone. The Belgian builder is a relatively new name in the daysailer world, but their latest model—the S32 Lounge—offers an interesting take on the modern performance cruiser that’s starting to turn heads in Europe.

The concept began as a tweak to their earlier S30 Sportyacht. The original idea was simple: add a steering wheel to the tiller-driven platform. But once the design team started refining things, the boat took on a life of its own. The result is a longer, more streamlined hull with a very deliberate layout, divided into four distinct zones: a rear sun deck with swim access, an aft steering area, a central social cockpit, and a modest but well-finished interior cabin.

One of the most notable features is the twin wheel setup, positioned well aft. This not only keeps the helm clear of the main seating area, but it also gives the helmsman full control of the lines without needing to step forward. It’s a smart move if you’re sailing short-handed but still want to bring friends along. The central cockpit remains clean and open—guests can relax or move around without getting in the way of sail handling.

While Domani is clearly leaning into style with this boat—the lines are low and sleek, and the superstructure echoes more of a speedster aesthetic than a traditional yacht—the sailing features haven’t been neglected. The S32 is designed to perform, with the kind of hull shape and rig that will appeal to sailors who want to move quickly and efficiently, even if they’re out for a casual day on the water.

Below, the interior is simple but not spartan. It’s meant for day use or the occasional overnight, with quality materials and clean design. This is not a boat built for long-term cruising, but it’s more than just a pretty deck to lounge on.

Domani has been producing its boats in Belgium since 2017, and the S32 Lounge is currently sailing out of Veerse Meer in the Netherlands—about an hour from Antwerp. For U.S. sailors who are curious, test sails are available by appointment, and the company offers made-to-order production for interested buyers.

The post Domani S32: A Modern Take on the Classic Daysailer appeared first on Cruising World.

There comes a time in every sailor’s life when they are ready to purchase their first serious boat. A first boat should be able to teach you about boat ownership while you’re having fun, but won’t break the bank while doing it. Hopefully your first boat will hold its value until the time that you are ready to move up to a larger one.

When I was ready to find my first boat, I kept an eye out for something above 24 feet but under 28 feet. In my opinion, that length gives you a boat that is not a weekender, but allows you to go cruising for a week or longer. My search did not take long after doing some research that supported what I already suspected. The Cape Dory 27 was everything I wanted and a little more.

When Cape Dory Yachts was in business, they forged a great reputation for building sturdy vessels that are safe at sea, simple in layout and easy to handle thanks to the skill of legendary yacht designer Carl Alberg. The CD27 has a stellar reputation for being a no-nonsense, bluewater capable boat that was built without compromise. When I was trying to decide on a boat to purchase, many boats came up that fit most of my prerequisites with the exception of reputation. Cape Dory’s motto was “A Standard Of Value.” This holds true to this day.

You can find CD27s priced between $5,000 and $12,000, depending on what condition they are in. I had a budget of under $9,000, so I ignored the perfect specimens. A CD27 priced at $5,000 will probably need new sails or a re-power. A good starting place to find one listed for sale is capedory.org.

The CD27 has a basic 12-volt system with a house and a starting battery. A simple breaker board allows you to control the basics — cabin lights, running lights, anchor light and VHF. The engine that was most popular in the CD27 is the incredibly reliable, single-cylinder Yanmar YSM8. Clocking in at a whopping 8 horsepower, with an 8-gallon fuel tank, this gives you a steaming range of 100 miles at 1/3 gallon per hour. It’s plenty strong to do what you need to do.

The CD27 sacrifices some interior space to a large cockpit, but that cockpit is perfect for those daysails when you want to bring a few friends along. Accommodations include the large V-berth and two single port and starboard bunks amidships, with the portside doubling as a settee. I have found that even with space for four, overnighting with three people is more realistic because you can store everyone’s gear on the empty bunk. Due to the lack of a quarter berth, there is a ton of storage space under the cockpit for swim ladders, snorkeling gear, fenders, a grill, sails and dock lines.

Where the CD27 really shines is where it counts — under sail. It is such a simple boat that you might feel like you are sailing a very heavy dinghy at times. With incredible handling for a full-keel boat and very surprising speeds off the wind, especially in heavier air, the CD27 is sure to please the purist sailor. These boats came stock with Barlow size 16 non-tailing winches, so if you plan on singlehanding, I would recommend the addition of a pair of self-tailing winches and a roller furler for the genoa. When I bring friends sailing, they usually comment on how fast she is and also how nimble she behaves when we weave around moorings for the mandatory “harbor tour” after the more relaxing bay sail. She balances perfectly upwind with very little weather helm if you reef at the right time. Off the wind, the CD27 scoots right along, and is able to pass boats much larger and heavier. To say a CD27 is fun to sail is an understatement.

A native of Newport, Rhode Island, Eben Horton has now found his perfect second boat, Kaya, a Columbia 30.

Specifications

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What’s a sailboat designer to do? A customer loves his 40-foot high-end fiberglass daysailor, but its 3-foot 11-inch centerboard-up draft is just a little too deep for the 3 feet of water at the end of the dock. He wants the same good looks and sailing ability of his current boat, of course, only in a slightly smaller package. Oh, and he wants to race his new sloop with pals in the Spirit of Tradition races that are decidedly anti plastic.

If you’re designer Ted Fountaine, you put pen to paper, or fingers to the keyboard, and come up with the new Friendship 36, a lovely looking little sister to the gorgeous Friendship 40.

The first Friendship 36 has just been launched by Rockport Marine, in Rockport, Maine, and after looking at the photos Fountaine sent along, she is a beaut.

To achieve a draft of just 32 inches with the centerboard up, Fountaine modified the underbody of the 40 and eliminated its stub keel. The hull and deck are made from cold-molded wood laminates over frames and bulkheads. Topsides, the new boat is thoroughly modern, with a carbon-fiber rig and in-boom furling, hydraulic bow thruster and mainsheet controls at the helmsman’s feet, and push-button winches and furler for the jib. Below decks, the gloss-varnished open saloon has a galley with electric fridge, microwave, sink and gourmet coffee brewer, an electric head, and hot and cold shower. There’s even room for a double berth forward of the table.

Fountaine reports seatrials went well, a key step in turning a faithful old customer into a happy new one.

Click through to see more photos!

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