2004 2004 Saga 48

Step below and you’ll see why Perry fans rave about this design. The Saga 48 carries her beam well aft, which means a generous cockpit and an aft cabin that feels more like a stateroom than a “cruising compromise.” The rig is set up for shorthanded sailing, with all the key controls led back, so reefing or trimming in a squall doesn’t require gymnastics at the mast. Tankage and storage are serious-cruiser sized, with room for spares, tools, and provisions for long hops between ports. Underway, the balanced hull and deep rudder keep the helm light and predictable, even when pressed, and the motion is notably kind when the breeze pipes up.

For these waters, where conditions can swing from flat calms to short, choppy seas, the Saga 48’s combination of waterline length and moderate displacement really shines. She’ll slip along efficiently on light-air days, yet has the hull form and ballast to stay composed when afternoon squalls roll through. The cockpit is deep and protected, ideal for long days under way or keeping watch at anchor. Her draft and underbody are well suited to coastal routes dotted with shifting shoals and inlets, while the powerful auxiliary engine makes punching through tidal currents and narrow passes far less stressful. It’s a boat that feels equally at home weekending or stretching out on a bluewater passage.