Cruising World

Cruising World is your passport for exploring the world’s coastlines and oceans while voyaging under sail. Its contributors inspire and entertain through stories, pictures and videos that underscore the beauty and adventure of sailing, while providing instruction on the disciplines of seamanship, navigation and boat handling. The Cruising World community is made up of experienced, committed sailors and boat owners. No matter their long-range sailing plans, Cruising World’s mission is to nurture their dreams with practical how-to information and stirring real-life adventure features.

NEW GAL in TOWN • “Once you get past the graceful classic lines and wood trim the two boats share, well, the Levant ain’t your granddaddy’s small, full-keel daysailer.”

Cruising World

AN OASIS IN CHALLENGING TIMES

PASSAGE Notes • Sunny Outlook for the Caribbean

SECURE YOUR BATTERY BANKS

A REAL TRIBUTE

GOING BANANAS

WINTERWEAR AND GEAR

UNDERWATER WONDERS IN THE CAYMANS

SAD NEWS FROM L’HYDROPTERE

A VIBRANT, WARMING MEAL

ROASTED RED PEPPER SOUP

ON the HOOK • “We don’t live aboard because it’s easy. It’s not.”

Fresh STARTS • “Don’t be fooled by my Sperrys, my JFK-style sunglasses or my well-kept pocket cruiser. Just watch me tack, and you’ll see what I really am: a novice, an amateur or, as my 7-year-old son says, a total noob.”

THE CRUX OF THE MATTER • After completing a circumnavigation of Antarctica via the Southern Ocean, an intrepid West Coast adventurer sails north, bound for the Northwest Passage and the long way home.

CARIBBEAN CRUISING. 2022 STYLE •  The islands await sailors fleeing winter, but be sure to pack flexibility, realistic expectations and an open schedule as you put together your plans.

The Contest • After a year in which boat shows and sail tests were upended in these pandemic times, an impressive fleet of 27 new monohulls and catamarans gathered on Chesapeake Bay for the 2022 Boat of the Year competition. It was the largest fleet in many years, and in absolutely stellar conditions, our team of independent judges put the gleaming new yachts through their paces. When the spray had settled, eight winners were crowned in size-and purpose-related categories, and another pair of superb craft were recognized for their overall excellence. Were there surprises? Oh, yes. The following pages tell the whole tale.

The Comeback Year

BEST POCKET CRUISER/DAYSAILER • Beneteau First 27 • J/9 Tartan 245

BEST MIDSIZE CRUISER (UNDER 40') • Hallberg-Rassy 340 • Bavaria • C38 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 380

BEST PERFORMANCE CRUISER • Grand Soleil 44 • Elan GT6 Dufour 470

BEST FULL-SIZE CRUISER • Hylas H57 • Cigale 16 Salona 46

BEST LUXURY CRUISER • CNB 66 • Dufour 61 Jeanneau Yachts 60 • Contest 67 CS

BEST CRUISING CATAMARAN (UNDER 50') • Leopard 42 • Bali Catspace Fountaine Pajot Isla 40 • Bali 4.6

BEST PERFORMANCE CATAMARAN • Balance 482 • Seawind 1600 Kinetic Cats KC54

BEST CRUISING CATAMARAN (OVER 50 FEET) • Xquisite X5 Plus • Voyage 590 FP Samana 59 • Lagoon Sixty 5

SPECIAL AWARDS • Kinetic KC54 Voyage 590

THE JUDGES • Gerry Douglas • Tim Murphy Ed Sherman

SAILING (AND JUDGING) BY THE NUMBERS

SPECS AT A GLANCE

CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS

Away We Go

1 HOW SMART’S YOUR BOAT? • The combination of modern communications, digital-switching hardware and app-styled software lets owners monitor and control onboard systems at sea or from home.

2 THE LIFELINE QUANDARY • There was no question that the lifelines on my 45-foot schooner required replacement, but it led to a broader question: wire or rope?

3 ROLL AWAY THE MAIN • For shorthanded crews,...