Coastal Cruiser
The versatile all-rounder for weekends and holidays
The classic family yacht: a fin-keel monohull with a proper galley, heads and berths for 4–6 people. It suits weekend hops, summer holidays along the coast and the odd club race. The used market is huge.
Length 8–11 m (26–36 ft)
Typical price €20k–150k used
Strengths
- Best all-round compromise
- Big used market, easy to resell
- Comfortable for a week aboard
Weaknesses
- Needs a marina berth or mooring
- Running costs add up
- Not ideal for serious ocean crossings
Ratings
5
5
6
5
6
5
0
6
5
3
6
Typical hull materials
Example models (16)
| Model | Length | Built | Hull |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catalina 306,000+ built; parts and owner advice are easy to find | 30 ft · 9.1 m | 1972–2000s | Fibreglass (GRP) |
| Catalina 362,000+ built; family and liveaboard favourite (check the chainplates) | 36 ft · 11.0 m | 1980s–2000s | Fibreglass (GRP) |
| Westerly FulmarRugged British cruiser with fin or twin keel | 32 ft · 9.8 m | 1980s | Fibreglass (GRP) |
| Hunter 33Affordable Cherubini design, common on the US used market | 33 ft · 10.1 m | 1970s–80s | Fibreglass (GRP) |
| Sadler 26Unsinkable foam-filled hull; the bilge-keel version can dry out on its keels | 26 ft · 7.9 m | 1980s | Fibreglass (GRP) |
| Beneteau Oceanis 31Bright, easy-handling French cruiser | 31 ft · 9.4 m | 2000s–2010s | Fibreglass (GRP) |
| Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32Roomy two-cabin layout, common in charter fleets | 32 ft · 9.8 m | 2000s– | Fibreglass (GRP) |
| Bavaria Cruiser 34Lots of volume for the money | 34 ft · 10.4 m | 2010s | Fibreglass (GRP) |
| Hanse 315Self-tacking jib, easy for a couple | 31 ft · 9.4 m | 2010s– | Fibreglass (GRP) |
| Hallberg-Rassy 31Swedish quality in a small package; holds its value | 31 ft · 9.4 m | 1990s–2000s | Fibreglass (GRP) |
| X-Yachts Xc 35Compact cruiser from a performance yard, with a steel keel frame | 34 ft · 10.4 m | since 2014 | Fibreglass (GRP) |
| Dufour 390 Grand LargeFrench family cruiser with a big cockpit and a bright saloon | 39 ft · 12.0 m | 2010s | Fibreglass (GRP) |
| Etap 28iUnsinkable small cruiser, popular in Belgium, the Netherlands and France | 28 ft · 8.5 m | 1980s–2000s | Fibreglass (GRP) |
| Varianta 37Simplified Hanse 375 at a budget price | 38 ft · 11.6 m | 2010s | Fibreglass (GRP) |
| Bente 28Compact cruiser with a minimalist, open interior | 28 ft · 8.7 m | since 2022 | Fibreglass (GRP) |
| Puma 32Alberto Cabal design from 1977, a roomy coastal cruiser | 32 ft · 9.8 m | 1970s–80s | Fibreglass (GRP) |