Why are Tartan sailboats so expensive, and is the Tartan 3700 actually worth the premium? ⛵ In this Practical Sailor deep dive, we take a close look at one of Tartan Yachts’ most interesting performance cruisers and explain what makes the Tartan 3700 different from many other 37-foot cruising sailboats. We cover the Tartan 3700’s design, construction, sailing performance, interior layout, keel options, carbon rigging, sail-handling systems, cruising features, known problem areas, and what buyers should inspect before purchasing one. We also look at why later Tartan 3700s became surprisingly high-tech, with features like epoxy-infused construction, carbon-fiber spars, sophisticated furling systems, and premium interior joinery. If you’re researching Tartan Yachts, looking for the best traditional cruising sailboat, comparing premium used sailboats, shopping for a bluewater cruiser, or considering a Tartan 3700 for coastal or offshore cruising, this review should give you a much better idea of what makes these boats special, and why they continue to command such high prices on the used market. 🔎 In this video: Tartan 3700 review and boat tour Tartan Yachts construction and history Why Tartans are so expensive Tartan 3700 sailing performance Tartan 3700 interior and cruising layout Carbon rig and advanced sail handling Bluewater and offshore cruising capability Used Tartan 3700 buying advice Known issues and survey considerations Traditional American performance cruisers Best 35 to 40-foot cruising sailboats #Tartan3700 #TartanYachts #SailboatReview #BoatReview #CruisingSailboat #BluewaterSailing #SailboatShopping #UsedSailboats #PerformanceCruiser #PracticalSailor #Sailing #BoatBuying Practical Sailor is your trusted resource for reviews of sailboats and sailing gear. https://www.practical-sailor.com Chat with us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/PracticalSailor/

Trying to figure out which dinghy to buy for your cruising sailboat, the best dinghy for the Bahamas, or which dinghy to use in the Caribbean? In this Practical Sailor video, we compare the traditional hard-bottom RIB with the new generation of inflatable catamaran dinghies, including boats like the Takacat and True Kit. We look at RIB vs Takacat, RIB vs catamaran dinghy, weight, price, stability, planing performance, rough-water handling, horsepower requirements, beaching, storage, davits, durability and how each style works as a real cruising sailboat tender. For decades, the standard cruising setup has been something like a 10-foot RIB with a 15-horsepower outboard, but lightweight cat dinghies are challenging that formula. Are inflatable catamaran tenders actually better? Should you choose a RIB, cat dinghy, inflatable tender or hard-bottom dinghy for liveaboard cruising? Whether you're outfitting a sailboat for the Bahamas, Caribbean, coastal cruising or long-term cruising, this comparison will help you decide what dinghy is best for your sailboat and which tender setup makes the most sense for the way you cruise. #PracticalSailor #SailboatDinghy #RIB #Takacat #CatamaranDinghy #InflatableDinghy #YachtTender #CruisingSailboat #Sailing #Liveaboard #BahamasSailing #CaribbeanSailing Practical Sailor is your trusted resource for reviews of sailboats and sailing gear. https://www.practical-sailor.com Chat with us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/PracticalSailor/

Unlock sailing speed and control! Learn how adjusting your backstay impacts sail shape in different wind conditions. Optimize your rig for effortless steering and enhanced performance. #SailingTips #SailboatRacing #BackstayAdjustment #Yachting #SailTrim

Discover the surprising spaciousness and thoughtful design of the Morgan 44 sailboat. From its deep, protected center cockpit to its uniquely appointed aft stateroom with a bathtub, this vessel redefines comfortable cruising. Explore the practical galley and the remarkably accessible 'walk-in' engine room. #Sailboat #BoatingLife #Yachting #Cruising #Morgan44 #BoatReview

Is the Catalina 36 one of the best used sailboats you can buy for $30,000 to $40,000? In this Practical Sailor deep dive, we tour and review the Catalina 36, looking at performance, interior layout, cruising capability, common problems, engine options, keel choices, and what buyers should inspect before purchasing one. If you’re searching for a mid-30-foot sailboat, affordable cruising sailboat, liveaboard sailboat, first sailboat, or a capable used sailboat for coastal cruising, the Catalina 36 deserves a serious look. We compare the Mk I, Mk 1.5, and Mk II, discuss fin keel versus wing keel, tall rig versus standard rig, Universal diesel engines, chainplate leaks, deck core moisture, keel issues, mast step problems, and why this boat may represent some of the best value on the used sailboat market. Whether you’re planning to cruise the Great Lakes, Chesapeake Bay, Florida, the Bahamas, or simply looking for a comfortable 36-foot sailboat that actually sails well, this review covers what makes the Catalina 36 so popular and what separates a good $35,000 Catalina from a very expensive project. #Catalina36 #CatalinaYachts #UsedSailboat #SailboatReview #LiveaboardSailboat #CruisingSailboat #AffordableSailboat #CheapSailboat #BuyingASailboat #FirstSailboat #Sailing #PracticalSailor Practical Sailor is your trusted resource for reviews of sailboats and sailing gear. https://www.practical-sailor.com Chat with us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/PracticalSailor/

Thinking about buying a used sailboat? Before you pay for a marine survey, make sure the boat is even worth inspecting. In this video, we look at seven major used sailboat problems that can turn a good deal into a very expensive mistake, including soft deck core, rotten bulkheads and chainplate structure, keel-support damage, mast-step problems, hull delamination, structural mast repairs, and aging cored hulls. If you’re searching the used sailboat market, comparing sailboats for sale, or learning how to inspect a sailboat before buying, these are the red flags you need to understand. A used boat survey can uncover a lot, but knowing what to look for during your first sailboat inspection can save you time, money, and a very painful refit. #UsedSailboat #BuyingASailboat #SailboatInspection #UsedBoat #SailboatSurvey #BoatBuying #SailboatForSale #Sailing #PracticalSailor #MarineSurvey Practical Sailor is your trusted resource for reviews of sailboats and sailing gear. https://www.practical-sailor.com Chat with us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/PracticalSailor/

Beyond the spacious interior, discover the robust hull and keel structure of the Beneteau 361. Learn about its solid laminate construction and the importance of inspecting the cored deck for water intrusion. #Beneteau361 #SailboatStructure #Yachting #BoatMaintenance #MarineEngineering

Could this be the fastest family cruiser you’ve never heard of? The Bavaria Match 42 is a genuine performance sailboat hiding beneath the interior of a comfortable three-cabin cruiser. In this Practical Sailor yacht tour, we explore its Doug Peterson-designed hull, seven-foot racing keel, powerful sail plan, race-ready cockpit and the surprising performance that allowed this 42-foot production sailboat to reach more than 11 knots. We also tour the Match 42’s galley, saloon and three double cabins to see whether this fast production cruiser could work as a liveaboard sailboat, Caribbean sailboat or offshore performance cruiser. Along the way, we examine owner experiences, sailing performance, construction, maintenance concerns and the important keel reinforcement history every used Bavaria Match 42 buyer needs to understand. #BavariaMatch42 #SailboatTour #PerformanceSailing #LiveaboardSailing #PracticalSailor Practical Sailor is your trusted resource for reviews of sailboats and sailing gear. https://www.practical-sailor.com Chat with us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/PracticalSailor/

Learn how to adjust a sailboat backstay correctly—and how backstay tension changes mast bend, forestay sag, mainsail shape, pointing ability, heel, and weather helm. In this Practical Sailor guide, we explain sailboat backstay adjustment for beginners: when to tighten the backstay, when to ease it, and how to establish a safe baseline for your own rig. You’ll see how an adjustable backstay can flatten the mainsail, open the upper leech, reduce headstay sag, and help depower the boat as the wind builds. We also cover the important differences between masthead and fractional rigs, why some backstays should never be completely slack, and how backstay settings change in light air, medium air, heavy air, chop, and downwind sailing. You’ll learn the warning signs of too little tension, the symptoms of too much mast bend, and why the backstay should be adjusted together with the mainsheet, vang, cunningham, and halyard—not treated as an isolated control. Whether you’re learning how to tune a sailboat rig, improve sail trim, reduce weather helm, control forestay tension, or get better upwind performance, this video gives you a practical system you can use every time you sail. Because every mast, rigging plan, and backstay adjuster is different, use the limits and base settings supplied by your boatbuilder or mast manufacturer. Never exceed the safe working load of the wire, rope, blocks, chainplates, hydraulic cylinder, or other fittings. If those limits are unknown—or if you see mast pumping, distorted hardware, damaged wire, or unusual sail wrinkles—have a qualified sailboat rigger inspect the system. Subscribe to Practical Sailor for independent, practical advice on sailboat maintenance, marine equipment, sail trim, rigging, and seamanship. #BackstayAdjustment #SailboatRigging #SailTrim #RigTuning #SailingTips #MastTuning #SailboatMaintenance #PracticalSailor Practical Sailor is your trusted resource for reviews of sailboats and sailing gear. https://www.practical-sailor.com Chat with us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/PracticalSailor/

Used sailboat market undergoing a generational shift. 25-30 year old modern cruisers are now entry-level, offering more space and features than older models at the same price. #SailboatMarket #UsedBoats #Boating #Sailing

Dreaming of sailing? Good news! The used sailboat market is shifting, making boats that were once out of reach surprisingly affordable. Sellers are negotiating, buyers have power, and older gems are getting price reductions. #Sailboat #UsedBoats #BargainHunter #SailingLife #YachtWorld

⛵ The 1989 Morgan 44 is a big center-cockpit cruising sailboat with Catalina DNA—but it may be one of the most overlooked boats of its generation. In this complete Morgan 44 sailboat review, we investigate who designed it, why Catalina built it, how it differs from the Morgan Out Island series and whether this 37-year-old cruiser can actually sail. The answer may surprise you. Designed by Nelson and Marek and built by Catalina’s Morgan Division in Largo, Florida, the Catalina Morgan 44 combines a performance-cruising hull with an enormous liveaboard interior. It offers two private cabins, two heads, approximately 215 gallons of fresh water, a centerline aft berth and something almost unheard of on a sailboat this size—a walk-in engine room. We also examine owner reports, offshore experiences and magazine coverage of the closely related Morgan 43. Owners describe these boats as strong, sea-kindly and considerably better under sail than their spacious interiors might suggest. Some have reported regular 150-nautical-mile days, while Morgan 43s have completed major ocean crossings and circumnavigations. 🎥 Source boat tour and listing footage from Little Yacht Sales: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HMcF3vT3sI Do you own a Morgan 44 or Morgan 43? Tell us what we got right, what we missed and what prospective buyers need to know. 👍 Like the video, subscribe to Practical Sailor and join us for more honest sailboat reviews, buyer guides and cruising advice. #Morgan44 #CatalinaYachts #SailboatReview #PracticalSailor #CruisingSailboat #BluewaterSailing #UsedSailboats Practical Sailor is your trusted resource for reviews of sailboats and sailing gear. https://www.practical-sailor.com Chat with us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/PracticalSailor/

Servicing Your Wheel-Drive Autopilot: https://www.practical-sailor.com/subscriber-only/servicing-your-wheel-drive-autopilot/ Sailboat Maintenance for Beginners doesn’t have to be complicated. In this video, we cover 10 sailboat maintenance jobs every new owner should know, including cleaning the bilge, inspecting keel bolts, exercising seacocks and through-hulls, checking standing rigging, rebedding deck hardware, inspecting the mast step, servicing the steering system, maintaining the engine, protecting battery and busbar connections, checking sails and running rigging, and inspecting the anchor and ground tackle. This practical sailboat maintenance checklist will help you catch leaks, corrosion, worn equipment and dangerous problems before they become expensive repairs or emergencies on the water. Whether you just bought your first sailboat or want a simple annual boat maintenance routine, these beginner-friendly checks can help keep your boat, your crew and your family safer. Subscribe to Practical Sailor for independent sailing advice, boat maintenance tips, equipment testing and straightforward guidance for sailboat owners. Practical Sailor is your trusted resource for reviews of sailboats and sailing gear. https://www.practical-sailor.com Chat with us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/PracticalSailor/

Challenging perceptions, the Hunter 41 DS boasts a modern design and impressive sailing performance. Discover a sailboat that defies expectations with its blend of style and capability. #Hunter41DS #Sailboat #Sailing #Yachting #BoatReview

Should you buy an older Beneteau sailboat? In this Practical Sailor boat review and yacht tour, we examine the Beneteau Oceanis 361 to see what a 25-year-old production cruiser offers today. We look at its sailing performance, two-cabin and three-cabin layouts, cockpit, galley, separate shower, and features that matter to a cruising couple or a sailor handling the boat alone. If you’re buying a used Beneteau 361—or comparing affordable cruising sailboats such as the Catalina 36, Hunter 356, Jeanneau Sun Odyssey, and Bavaria 36—condition matters more than the badge. We cover what to inspect before buying, including wet deck core, keel bolts and grounding damage, rudder bearings, engine hours, and former charter use. Is an old Beneteau a bargain or an expensive project? #Beneteau #Oceanis361 #UsedSailboat #SailboatReview #PracticalSailor Practical Sailor is your trusted resource for reviews of sailboats and sailing gear. https://www.practical-sailor.com Chat with us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/PracticalSailor/

Navigating the Annapolis boat show? Skip the downtown parking nightmare! Arrive early or park in Eastport for a cheap sailor's solution. Don't forget comfortable shoes for a day of exploring. #BoatShowTips #Annapolis #SailingLife #EventHacks

Why are sailboats so cheap right now? The used sailboat market is flooded with affordable boats from the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s, and buyers have more choices than they’ve had in years. In this video, we look at why older sailboats can sell for $10,000 or less, why some boats are practically being given away, and what’s causing prices to soften across the used boat market. We also look at the generational shift happening in affordable cruising sailboats. Instead of only finding older racer-cruisers with small interiors, buyers can now find 1990s and early-2000s sailboats with aft cabins, sugar-scoop sterns, walk-through transoms and much larger interiors for under $50,000. We’ll cover aging boat owners, the post-COVID boat boom, rising marina costs, insurance challenges, price reductions, and the big problems to inspect before buying a cheap sailboat, including soft decks and keel issues. #Sailing #Sailboats #UsedSailboats #CheapSailboats #SailboatBuying #BoatBuying #CruisingSailboat #UsedBoats #SailingLife #PracticalSailor Practical Sailor is your trusted resource for reviews of sailboats and sailing gear. https://www.practical-sailor.com Chat with us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/PracticalSailor/

Could the Hunter 41 Deck Salon be one of the most comfortable liveaboard sailboats you can buy for a cruising couple? In this complete Hunter 41 DS sailboat tour and review, we take a close look at this surprisingly spacious 40-foot cruising sailboat, including its huge deck-salon interior, two-cabin layout, two heads, large galley, aft master cabin, cockpit, B&R rig, sailing performance, construction, engine options, and the features that make it such an interesting used sailboat for long-term cruising and living aboard. If you're searching for the best liveaboard sailboat, best sailboat for a cruising couple, a comfortable 40-foot sailboat, an affordable cruising sailboat, or simply wondering whether a Hunter sailboat is worth buying, this boat deserves a closer look. We also cover Hunter 41 Deck Salon problems, owner experiences, sailing performance, offshore capability, maintenance concerns, deck-salon window leaks, in-mast furling, keel and hull construction, and what to inspect when buying a used Hunter 41 DS. Whether you're planning coastal cruising, the Great Lakes, the ICW, Bahamas, Caribbean cruising, or looking for a comfortable sailboat to live aboard, this Practical Sailor boat tour will help you decide whether the Hunter 41 Deck Salon belongs on your shortlist. #Hunter41 #HunterSailboat #LiveaboardSailboat #SailboatTour #CruisingSailboat #UsedSailboats #PracticalSailor Practical Sailor is your trusted resource for reviews of sailboats and sailing gear. https://www.practical-sailor.com Chat with us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/PracticalSailor/

Planning a trip to the 2026 Annapolis Sailboat Show? In this video, I’m sharing my best insider tips for getting the most out of the biggest sailing event of the year, from where to park and when to arrive to which boats to see first, where to stay, what to expect inside the vendor tents, and how to avoid wasting half your day standing in crowds. The Annapolis Sailboat Show runs October 15–18, 2026 at City Dock in Annapolis, Maryland, and it’s one of the best places in the world to see new cruising sailboats, catamarans, marine electronics, sailing gear, rigging, safety equipment and the latest technology for sailors. But Annapolis is about much more than new boats. Every fall, the Chesapeake becomes a gathering place for liveaboard sailors, bluewater cruisers and boats heading south toward Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean, making boat-show weekend one of the greatest sailing gatherings anywhere. I’ll also explain the Cruisers Creating Content area, sailing YouTubers you can meet, Cruisers University, seminars, the best days to visit, cheap hotel options near BWI Airport, Eastport parking, and why even sailors who have absolutely no intention of buying a new boat should experience Annapolis at least once. If you’re researching the Annapolis Boat Show, sailboat shows, cruising sailboats, liveaboard sailing, sailing to the Bahamas, bluewater cruising, catamarans, boat buying or sailing gear, this is your guide. #AnnapolisSailboatShow #AnnapolisBoatShow #Sailing #Sailboats #Cruising #LiveaboardSailing #BluewaterSailing #SailingLife #SailingYouTube #Sailboat #Catamaran #BoatShow #Annapolis #BahamasSailing #LadyKSailing Practical Sailor is your trusted resource for reviews of sailboats and sailing gear. https://www.practical-sailor.com Chat with us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/PracticalSailor/

This boat's bowsprit is critical for its forestay and bobstay support. Inspect carefully for rot, cracks, or loose hardware—a weathered trim piece can wait, but a weakened bowsprit cannot. Its cutter rig also offers manageable sail combinations for any crew. #BoatBuying #MarineSurvey #Sailing #Yachting #CutterRig