Articles & Guides

All the different types of sailboats explained — sloops, cutters, ketches, yawls, schooners, catamarans, and more. Sailing rig types, hull types, and keel types with real examples from 5,000+ boats.

Every type of sail explained — mainsails, jibs, genoas, spinnakers, staysails, and storm sails. Learn how each sail works, when to use it, and how sail dimensions are measured.

The 10 best sailboats for learning to sail and buying your first boat. Forgiving handling, active communities, and affordable prices — with real listing data and specs.

The 10 best used sailboats you can buy for under $10,000 — real listing data, full specs, and buying tips for each boat. From the Catalina 22 to the Ericson 27.

The 12 best used sailboats under $20,000 — from the Catalina 27 to the Catalina 34. Real price data, specs, comparison tables, and buying tips for serious coastal cruisers.

The 10 best sailboats for living aboard under $50,000. Headroom, galley space, comfort ratios, and real price data for boats people actually live on.

The 10 best ocean-capable sailboats under $100,000. Capsize screening, comfort ratios, and real price data for proven offshore designs from the Westsail 32 to the Valiant 40.

The 10 best sailboats you can tow behind a truck. Tow weights, draft, vehicle requirements, and real price data — from the Catalina 22 to the Com-Pac 16.

The 10 best sailboats for two-person crews. Manageable sail area, cockpit ergonomics, privacy, and comfort — with real price data and specs for each boat.

Everything you need to know about Hunter Marine — the company history from 1973 to Marlow-Hunter, three design eras (Cherubini, Steck, Henderson), complete model catalog, reputation, and current market pricing.

Everything you need to know about Catalina Yachts — Frank Butler's company history from 1969 to today, the three production eras (Founding, Mark II/III, Modern 5-Series), complete model catalog, reputation, the Catalina Smile, and current market pricing.

Everything you need to know before buying a used Catalina 30 — history, what years to look for, known problems to inspect, and real price data from over 100 active listings.

A complete guide to buying a used Hunter 27 — history, all versions and variants (fin keel, centerboard, 27-2), what years to target, common problems to inspect, and pricing data.

Everything you need to know before buying a Cape Dory 25 — George Stadel's full-keel classic, the 25 vs 25D differences, what years to look for, common problems, and real pricing data.

Everything you need to know before buying a Pearson 26 — William Shaw's versatile coastal cruiser, Standard vs. Weekender vs. One Design variants, what years to target, common problems, and real pricing data.

Everything you need to know before buying an Ericson 27 — Bruce King's well-built coastal cruiser, early vs. late production differences, the Atomic Four question, common problems, and real pricing data.

Everything you need to know before buying a Catalina 27 — Frank Butler's bestselling cruiser, 6,662 hulls built, rig and keel variants, the critical keel-to-hull joint, common problems, and real pricing data.

We analyzed thousands of active listings across hundreds of sailboat models. Here's what the numbers show about median prices, trailer premiums, and which boats have the most market activity.