Winner: Hanse Yachts AG, Moody 41DS

“I expected [the Moody DS41] to sail like a typical motorsailer, i.e., not so well. Boy was I wrong.”

—Ed Sherman

You don’t need to go back too far to recall when deck-saloon sailboats were all the rage. Oyster Yachts first promoted the style, and it wasn’t long before several major players (Jeanneau, Wauquiez, Southerly and others) joined the fray. For a while, the style’s popularity rivaled the emerging multihull market. As a design trend, it waned for some time, but now one of the original proponents has returned with the Moody 41DS, and the result is terrific. 

“I loved the boat,” judge Herb McCormick says. “I was blown away by how well it sailed. I had no preconceived notion that it would perform so well. It doesn’t necessarily look like a fast boat when you first see it, but it was a wolf in sheep’s clothing. And the interior…so much space for its size.” 

Judge Ed Sherman agrees: “I expected this boat to sail like a typical motor-sailor, i.e., not so well. Boy, was I wrong. It was equipped with all high-end Victron electrical gear done to a high standard. All of it was notable.” 

Judge Mark Pillsbury has the last word: “The most surprising aspect of the Moody 41 DS wasn’t the near-360-degree view from the saloon, the creative use of interior space, or the high bulwarks and stainless-steel life rails surrounding the entire deck. No—it was the sailing performance, which had us clipping along at close to 8 knots in about 13 knots of breeze.”

Finalist: Elan Yachts, Elan Impression 50.1

The Slovenian builder, well-known for its skis as well as its yachts, has become a major player in Europe and in the Mediterranean, where the brand is ubiquitous in the many charter operations plying the waters. Elan has made considerable inroads into US markets as well, with its Impression line of cruising boats proving a fine option for those with coastal and bluewater aspirations. 

Pillsbury summarizes the 50.1’s appeal: “Sailors in the market for a big, roomy cruising boat should take a look at the Elan 50.1. With numerous layout options, the flagship of the Impression line can be configured to meet the needs of a cruising couple or family on the go, or it can even be optimized for chartering to help defray the cost of ownership. Kudos to the twin cockpit tables that incorporate stout stainless-steel handholds.”

Finalist: Hallberg-Rassy, Hallberg-Rassy 400

Hallberg-Rassy is another brand with a long history of excellence and success in the Boat of the Year realm. The latest member of the clan continues in the same vein of earlier Hallberg-Rassy models. 

Pillsbury traces the ascending arc over the years: “Right up front, I need to confess that I’m a Hallberg-Rassy fan. They build bluewater boats that are lovely to look at and tough as nails. The new 400 fits in well with the company’s time-proven range, but with some exciting new twists such as twin rudders and dual wheels that really open up the cockpit. Better yet, the 400 can really sail. In fairly light wind, about 10 knots, we saw the speedo hover in the 7- to 8-knot range. Fun stuff.” 

Sherman digs deeper and also likes what he saw: “This boat was one of several in our group that have taken a ‘no-generator on board’ approach. Using Mastervolt lithium batteries and both 12- and 24-volt electrical subsystems, this fully equipped cruiser will regenerate battery voltage via the 60 hp engine when needed. Beautifully executed.”

Finalist: Hanse Yachts AG, Hanse 460

After a brief hiatus from the Boat of the Year waters during the downtime of the pandemic, Hanse was back in business with a yacht that earned the title of Best Family Cruiser in the 2022 European Yacht of the Year contest. 

Sherman understands why: “We’ve been inspecting Hanse Yachts for over a decade now, and they just keep getting better in terms of build and systems-installation quality. This particular boat has more refrigeration equipment installed than I can recall ever seeing on a monohull in this size category. Service access throughout was excellent.” 

The overall versatility is what strikes a chord with Pillsbury: “With an in-mast furling main, a self-tacking jib set on an inner forestay for upwind sailing, and a reaching sail set on an electric furler, the Hanse 460 has a sail plan that lets you easily shift gears to match the conditions. It was easy to move between the boat’s twin helms, and the double-ended main sheet was accessible from either wheel. Overall, the setup was very workable for a shorthanded skipper.”

View all of the winners by category, meet the judges, and more…

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First impressions count, and mine were definitely ­favorable as I approached the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 380 with CW’s Boat of the Year ­judges during October’s United States Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland. Something about the way the reverse bow’s knuckle hovered just above the water caught my eye. Toss in pronounced hull chines carried aft from amidships, a low-slung coachroof and a high-aspect rig, and this boat hinted at the potential for some serious giddyap-and-go.

And it did, as we found out a few days later, when we went for a sail on a delightfully sunny morning on Chesapeake Bay.

The breeze was decent, about 15 knots. Sailing hard on the wind, we saw 7 knots and change on the GPS; we pushed it past 8 knots when we cracked off to a close reach. The 380 comes with a sprit that does double duty as an anchor roller and tack for off-wind sails, but a code zero wasn’t available (or we might have bumped the speedo by another knot or so while reaching deeper).

Judge Tim Murphy summed up our time aboard fairly well later in the day: “It really was a lovely boat to sail. Boy, we got out there this morning; the breeze was light, and you really, really felt the pleasure of going sailing. That’s quite successful.”

After my trick at the wheel, I wrote in my notes, “super-­responsive.” Naval architect Mark ­Lombard knows how to draw slippery hulls, and with twin rudders, the 380 immediately zigged and zagged with just a turn of the wheel. I ­believe they call it fingertip steering. 

The helms are far aft in the cockpit, adjacent to the manual ­fold-down transom/swim platform, and there is a clean path between them. This ­design allows the helmsman to move easily from side to side. I had no problem tacking the boat single-handed, releasing the loaded-up ­genoa sheet and the crossing to trim to the new heading. A single Harken sheet winch was just forward of either wheel. Another pair of Harken winches was on the cabin top, to either side of the companionway, for halyards, reef lines and a vang control.

The 380 uses a double-ended main sheet attached to a bridle with anchors on either side of the cabin top. Sheet ends are led to stoppers at either wheel so that they can be locked off and the coaming winches can be used for genoa trimming. Rather than using fairlead cars and tracks, the genoa jib sheets are led through friction rings on either side of the mast. The rings are each controlled by inhaul and outhaul lines, which means you can position the clew where you want it and really fine-tune sail shape. It takes a little getting used to, but it’s a ­pretty ­nifty feature. The boat we sailed was set up with a 110 ­percent genoa on a roller ­furler; a track for a self-tacking jib is an option.

Forward of the helms, the 380 has a roomy, well-laid-out cockpit. A centerline table has fiberglass leaves that drop to allow a clear path forward to either side, and its stainless-­steel tube frame provides a solid handhold. The boat we visited had cushions on the coamings and seats, and the benches were long enough for the off-watch crew to stretch out and grab some rest.

A few years ago, Jeanneau introduced walkaround decks to the Sun Odyssey line, and the builder has now brought this concept to the 380, likely the smallest boat that will see it. The side decks ramp down to the level of the cockpit sole, so you just have to walk out from either wheel and then forward up a relatively gentle incline. Besides ease of use for older crew, the arrangement means the lifeline and stern pulpit are about waist-high at the after end of the boat (good for safety as well). Forward of about amidships, the lifelines are at their typical 24-inch height. Thick, molded toe rails help keep feet from sliding overboard when the boat’s heeling.

Two last notes about the topsides: The 380 has no backstay, meaning an owner can hoist a square top main for added performance (our boat had a traditional main, stowed in a boom pouch when not in use). The trade-off is relatively low lower shrouds that need to be ducked when heading for the foredeck, though the low coachroof makes stepping up and past them tolerable.

Down below, the 380 has a fairly traditional layout by Jean-Marc Piaton, who’s had a hand in styling the entire Sun Odyssey range. A centerline drop-leaf table is forward in the saloon, surrounded by U-shaped seating to port; opposite is a long settee, with a kind of cool inboard armrest at its forward end. It lets you face aft and relax, or turn to converse with mates across the table. At the opposite end are a nav station and the boat’s electrical panel.

The galley is abaft the ­dinette. It has a gimbaled ­propane two-burner stove and oven, as well as generous refrigeration space. The counters have deep fiddles, and there’s enough stowage to provision for extended time at sea.

There are multiple ­options for sleeping ­accommodations. The boat we saw had a three-stateroom, two-head ­layout, with a shared head and shower compartment to starboard, at the foot of the companionway. With the two-stateroom, one-head arrangement, you gain a second hanging locker in the owner’s stateroom forward, and the stateroom aft and to starboard is reconfigured for a separate shower, as well as room for a workshop or stowage. If it were my boat, that’s what I’d choose.

Jeanneau injects the ­balsa-cored deck of the 380, which means there is a finished top and bottom ­surface when it comes out of the mold. The hull is hand-laid and solid fiberglass. There are two cast-iron fixed keels available: shoal draft (5 feet, 3 inches) and standard (6 feet, 6 inches). There’s also a lifting keel option. At 54 feet, 6 inches, the rig is Intracoastal Waterway-friendly. Our boat had a 29 hp Yanmar and shaft drive (a 40 hp Yanmar is optional). A base-model SO 380 starts at $237,000. The boat we sailed, with canvas, air conditioning, electronics and a stereo system among the options, will run you about $350,000, delivered and commissioned to the East Coast of the United States. 

Though I began with a nod to first impressions, my ­lasting impression of the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 380 is favorable too. Or, as Boat of the Year judge Ed Sherman put it,
“Yeah, cool boat.”

Mark Pillsbury is a CW editor-at-large.

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 380 Specifications

Sea Trial

For a complete guide to ­Cruising World’s extensive ­online ­catalog of boat reviews, or to ­request ­reprints from our older print ­archives of reviews, go to ­cruisingworld.com/sailboats.

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The newest model from this longtime Florida builder is an attractive well-built option for a cruising couple with longterm liveaboard and voyaging plans. This, among many other reasons, is why the Island Packet 439 won the Best Full-Size Cruiser in Cruising World’s 2021 Boat of the Year Awards.

View the full review article on the Island Packet 439

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With an emphasis on build quality, high-end materials, and the innovative vision that has always been a staple of the Beneteau brand, the Oceanis Yacht 54 truly represents the pinnacle of the modern monohull cruising design. Editor Mark Pillsbury recently sat down with Beneteau to get the inside scoop.

To learn more about the Oceanis Yacht 54 and request a test drive, visit Beneteau’s website: Oceanis Yacht 54.

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This new 40-foot cruiser from Beneteau offers unrivaled deck volume and interior space and a new hull design – all with zero concessions to performance. Editor Mark Pillsbury recently sat down with Beneteau to get the inside scoop.

To learn more about the Oceanis 40.1 and request a test drive, visit Beneteau’s website: Oceanis 40.1

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Beneteau Oceanis 30.1

Of the five boats in this ­collection, the 31-foot-3-inch Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 was the compact yacht best-equipped and spec’d out as a dedicated cruising boat, and not coincidentally, it was also awarded the title of Best Performance Cruiser for 2020. But don’t let her cozy interior accommodations fool you; this is also one peppy little vessel.

One of the major appeals to the judging panel was the 30.1’s versatility. There are four different keel options, or a centerboard. The deck-stepped mast can be equipped with a tabernacle for easy lowering and trailering to a new locale, or for transiting canals. At $160,000, it was also the least-expensive offering in the category. The plusses just kept adding up.

The rig is a single-spreader fractional number with a square-top main, which maximizes power aloft in the sail plan. Our test boat had an overlapping genoa (with adjustable sheet leads) and an optional bowsprit; the standard version has a self-tacking 100 percent headsail. Twin wheels make handling simple, but for old-school dudes (like me), you can also get a tiller. That’s right, a tiller! The transom is complete with a little fold-down boarding step, along with a boarding ladder. At the opposite end, a Facnor headsail furler is stationed beside the Lewmar windlass. The overall attention to detail is terrific.

The Beneteau representative who presented the yacht to our judges said that the goal down below was “to fit a bigger boat in a smaller hull, to install a 35-foot interior in a 30-foot boat.” It was certainly an ambitious plan, and one that was largely successful. The V-berth forward is certainly impressive, and that aforementioned deck-stepped spar really opened up the space below, particularly the central saloon and dining area. At the foot of the companionway, the complete galley is to port and the enclosed head to starboard, which is also the locale of a functional little navigation desk. A good-size aft double cabin is also to starboard. For a small family, or a pair of couples, this is a perfectly fine arrangement.

Thanks to the coachroof windows and overhead hatches, there’s plenty of natural light below deck, which is augmented by efficient LED lighting throughout. The bold hull graphics are certainly attention-getters, and the well-executed dodger a perfect place to get out of the weather. Our sail test was conducted in a decent Chesapeake Bay blow, touching 20 knots, and the boat was nimble and responsive. All in all, it’s an ­impressive package—not to mention, a winning one. beneteau.com; 410-890-0270

Grand Soleil 34

Way back in the 1970s, when the well-known Italian boatyard Grand Soleil was just getting started, its first model was a Finot-designed 34-footer. With over 300 units sold, it was an instant success, and launched the company on an upward trajectory that spanned the intervening decades, mostly with an ongoing series of much larger, more complex racer/cruisers. For 2020, the builder decided to return to its roots with a completely revamped Grand Soleil 34, and it’s a terrific boat.

These days, there are a ­couple of major rating rules under which racing yachts compete, and a growing movement of doublehanded classes in many major regattas. And, of course, conditions vary wildly depending on where one sails. Grand Soleil has taken all this into account by offering numerous keel, rig and deck packages, so owners can optimize their boat for their particular region or events.

The shallower of the two keel options draws under 6 feet and is fitted with a lead bulb, which is also the recommended cruising configuration; a deeper 7-foot-2-inch foil is also available. There are three rig choices: a standard aluminum stick or a choice of two different carbon spars. Our test boat had twin rudders and wheels, but a single rudder with a tiller can also be had. The optional 30 hp diesel with sail drive was the power plant on our version; a 20 hp auxiliary is standard. See what I mean about optimization?

Whichever performance package you opt for, the accommodations remain mostly the same. But even then, you have choices. For instance, the open layout, in cruising mode, has a roomy double berth in the bow; but you can remove the cushions and their base when racing to convert the space into vast sail stowage. Likewise, much of the oak furniture and floorboards can be replaced with composite materials, or even carbon, for competitive sailors mindful of keeping weight at an absolute minimum.

Either way, a drop-leaf table in the center of the boat is flanked by a pair of settees, and there’s a spacious double cabin aft, to port, while the opposing starboard side includes a roomy head through which you can access a large storage area under the cockpit seat. For cruising applications, there’s storage galore.

We sailed the boat in light air, unfortunately, so we did not have the opportunity to put the boat through its paces properly. There’s no doubt, however, that she’ll haul the mail. mareblu.net; 619-840-3728

Italia 9.98

Of the five boats that comprised the Performance Cruiser class, in terms of sheer appearance, the futuristic 34-foot Italia 9.98 was easily the most distinctive. There are actually two versions of the boat: the 34 Club—which is the cruising alternative, the primary features of which are its twin wheels—and the 34 Fuoriserie—the racing model, and the one we tested, with its tiller steering being the identifying characteristic.

Both models share the same interior layout, and for ­cruising, the quarters are especially inviting and contemporary. The large double-berth forward is accessed by a large cutaway bulkhead trimmed in teak that doubles as a ring frame, and practically begs you to crawl in and kick way back. Two large, central settees flank the drop-leaf table that’s intersected by the keel-stepped spar.

Both the galley, to port, and the navigation station, to starboard, are most pleasant surprises: The former has a big fridge and gimballed, two-burner stove; the latter is much larger than one would expect on a boat of this size. Engaging details abound, including innovative, removable fabric lockers that can be offloaded when in racing mode, and cabin doors framed in aluminum for durability. Aft, there’s a generous double cabin to port, and a smaller double that also incorporates a big head to starboard. Other than sparing teak trim ­throughout, all furniture and fittings are clean, white composite structures that seem more aeronautical than nautical. Very modern and attractive.

Topside, the cockpit is spacious; the short, molded-in bench seats can be lengthened with dedicated storage boxes, which you can leave on the dock when racing and reinstall when cruising. There’s a good-size lazarette locker aft of the beam-width traveler, which in turn is aft of the tiller. The open transom adds to the overall feeling of being on a larger vessel. The double-ended German-style mainsheet is led below deck, contributing to the minimalistic theme; the sheet leads, naturally, are adjustable. The truly outstanding nonskid is molded directly into the deck.

Our test boat was equipped with an optional sprit to fly reaching and off-wind sails. Another iteration of the sprit includes an anchor roller as well; the boat we sailed did not have a windlass, but there’s provision for one. It would be quite easy to convert this boat from racing mode to a solid cruiser. And you’d turn heads in every anchorage. italiayachtsusa​.com; 410-279-3027

J/99

Beginning with the popular little J/24 way back in 1977, J/Boats has become famous for its steady introduction of terrific racing and cruising boats, almost all of which shared one main characteristic: They sailed like a witch. More than four decades later, having built more than 50 separate, mind-­boggling models, the Johnstone family that designs, markets and sells the brand shows no signs of slowing down. Their latest offering, for 2020, was another fast and fun racer/cruiser: the ­32-foot-7-inch J/99.

Our sea trials for Boat of the Year, conducted in a stiff 25-knot Chesapeake Bay breeze, was easily one of the most memorable test sails in this edition of the contest. The boat was fast, responsive and a joy to steer, perched on the weather rail with an extension for the tiller. Judge Ralph Naranjo was probably the most impressed of all. “It’s one of the most enjoyable small boats I’ve ever had a chance to sail,” he said.

Everything about the deck layout is set up for efficient boat handling. The beam-width traveler is aft but readily at hand; optimizing mainsail trim in the lulls and puffs is clearly a priority, and coarse and fine-tuning options on the mainsheet further simplify this task. Halyards and reefing lines are led to a pair of Harken winches on the coachroof. A Harken furler handles the 100 percent jib. The sheet leads, naturally, are adjustable. In past designs, the company was well-known for its retractable bowsprits, but with the J/99, it opted for a fixed sprit that is more robust and can handle the loads imposed by today’s big asymmetric kites and code-zero reachers. The entire point of this exercise is easily attained—not to mention sustained—performance.

The “cruiser” part of the boat’s racer/cruiser calculation is the lesser of the two, but the boat is by no means stripped out. The head is forward, with the forepeak reserved for sail stowage. But there are good sleeping quarters in a pair of doubles aft, as well as the two settees in the main saloon that flank a central table. Nice teak trim lends warm and welcome accents to the nav station and galley, which was rudimentary on our test boat, but which can also be upgraded with a basic propane stove. Sure, this layout is more of a camper than a cruiser, but it’s also more than serviceable for a dauntless crew. When they gather around at the end of the day, it will be more than adequate for ­spinning yarns about the wonderful sailing they just experienced. jboats​.com; 401-846-8410

Jeanneau Sun Fast 3300

If there were any doubt about what the 32-foot-9-inch Jeanneau Sun Fast 3300 was designed and built for, it was put to rest by our sister publication, Sailing World—a racing magazine dedicated expressly to the need for speed—when it named the boat its overall Boat of the Year for 2020. So let’s get that right out of the way: The 3300, pure and simple, is a raceboat. Sure, the interior has the basics to allow its crew to navigate, prepare a hot meal and catch a few winks between watches, but the idea here is to get you there, and as quickly as possible.

The boat is actually optimized for doubleha­nded races, a growing segment of the competitive scene, especially in France, where the boat was designed and constructed. One of the naval architects on the project was Guilaume Verdier, whose design credits include the remarkable 100-footer, Comanche. There are hollows, or “concaves,” in the bow and stern of the boat to promote planing in certain conditions. Jeanneau clearly pulled out all the stops in creating the 3300.

The deck-stepped rig—which will allow the boat to be shipped in a container for owners who wish to campaign the boat internationally—is carbon, of course. The list of tweakable features is endless. Both the mainsheet and running backstays are infinitely adjustable, with fine-tuned cascades for each. There are water-ballast tanks to simulate the weight of a full crew lining the windward rail when sailing in shorthanded mode. A three-dimensional jib–lead ­system provides the ability to dial in exact and precise ­headsail trimming. When ­racing, a five- or six-sail inventory will allow the crew to hoist and set the ideal sail combination for whatever the wind speed, sea state or point of sail.

Regarding the layout below, Sailing World editor Dave Reed wrote: “There’s not much glitz below deck, but that’s the point. The 3300 is no crossover cruiser. Inside the bowels of this white vinylester-infused capsule are nothing but rudimentary accommodations: galley, nav station, convertible settees and pipe berths that fold up to add additional crew berths. If distance racing and putting the boat away wet is what you desire, this is the level of interior you’ll come to appreciate.”

As the great designer Bill Lee once said, “A raceboat is like a jock strap you pull on to go racing.” So buckle up and hang on to your hats. And strap in, of course. jeanneau.com; 443-221-4203

Herb McCormick is CW’s executive editor.

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