A pocket cruiser is a sailboat nearing 30 feet length or under which would be excellent for offshore use for a single hander. Listed below are ten of the best for this type of lone bluewater sailing. Many little boats in this size range are unfit for serious work where the sea constantly batters you. The stout little sailboats below would be secure enough to double the horn or sail round the world. I listed them in alphabetical order. Please comment on any additions.
- Allied Seawind II 32: Sistership to the famous Seawind 30 one of which was the first fiberglass sailboat to circumnavigate the world.
- Baba 30: Smallest of Robert Perry and Ta Shing’s Baba serious of offshore double enders.
- Contessa 32: Famed sailboat in book Cape Horn to Starboard. Designed by David Salder.
- Hallberg Rassy 31: The Scandinavian yard makes some nice little cruisers.
- Morris 28: High quality, northeast style little cruiser. Beautiful woodwork down below and sweet style with her subtle sheer and overhangs.
- Nicholson 31: Camper and Nicholson made a variety from this 31 to their 35 foot pocket cruiser.
- Pacific Seacraft 31: William Crealock designed offshore, full keeled tank.
- Shannon 28: Well built Walter Schultz design with a full keel.
- Vancouver 32: Robert Harris designed double ender which has smaller 27 and larger 36 foot sisterships.
- Westsail 32: Original pocket cruiser. Her performance gives her the nickname “wet snail,” but she is proven.