YachtBuyer’s Favorite Adventure Boats of 2024

Regardless of the weather, these boats are engineered to thrive in some of the world's harshest environments. Below we highlight our top choices from a year of  boat testing and exploring this remarkable category.

Given the vast selection of remarkable adventure and explorer boats introduced in 2024, choosing just five has been a difficult task. However, (after much head-scratching) we've done it, and below you'll find YachtBuyer’s top picks, each ready to conquer the harshest seas and most remote destinations while owners and guests live in the lap of luxury.

Targa 41

Despite being more of an evolution than a revolution, the new Targa 41 — much like the iconic Porsche 911 — works hard to retain the core elements that fans love, regardless of being refined over the years to elevate the overall experience.

The clever design of the decks, onboard storage solutions, and ease of movement onboard make this boat extremely user-friendly, even when handling it solo. One of the standout features is the comfortable driving position, which ensures that long hours at the helm are enjoyable. The yacht’s agile handling capability also makes it a delight to navigate through various waters, giving you confidence and control. When it comes to accommodation, the hull windows in the guest cabin not only bring in natural light but also offer guests an incredible view.

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The driving position is excellent
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The walkaround decks are safe and easy to crew
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The cosy, practical main saloon

It's not a knife-like progress through the waves, but it just sort of batters them into submission until they go away..."

Jack Haines

YachtBuyer

In creating their first new model in seven years, Targa has wisely avoided drastic changes, sticking to what works while implementing thoughtful tweaks that enhance the overall package. If you're a fan of the Targa lineage, you'll appreciate that these changes make a great boat even better, with the Targa 41 boat for sale staying true to its core identity. Simple is clever.

Hardy 50 DS

The Cockwells Hardy 50 DS stands out as a robust and reliable boat, providing a smooth ride and impressive performance, even in challenging conditions. While its exterior has a traditional, purposeful look reminiscent of a converted Victorian terraced house, the interior is a different story.

Step inside, and you'll discover a modern, bright space blending classic design with contemporary luxury to deliver open-plan living. The high-quality helm setup features the latest technology, ensuring the Hardy 50 DS excels as a sea boat. 

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The lower helm is more high tech than you might imagine
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The traditional exterior gives way to a bright, modern interior
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The VIP cabin, forward on the lower deck

This boat is like a creme egg — hard on the outside, and soft and luxurious on the inside."

Jack Haines

YachtBuyer

Crafted with safety and ease of movement in mind, the Hardy 50 DS boat for sale makes navigation and crewing straightforward, and its amenities are fully operational even while underway, making it ideal for those long journeys. Overall, it offers the best of both worlds, enabling you to explore any waters you wish without sacrificing comfort or style.

Nordhavn N51

Although it's designed for faster production with less customization than its bigger brothers, the Nordhavn N51 retains the core qualities that define a Nordhavn. It's an incredibly capable passagemaker, offering a safe and practical environment ideal for long-term living and adventurous voyages.

The N51 even offers twin-engine redundancy, ensuring reliability and safety during long passages, with the capability to complete transatlantic ranges without the need for refueling. The engine room access is also excellent, making maintenance straightforward. This adventure boat exudes a true liveaboard feel, with practical detailing that enhances everyday living on the water.

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The pilothouse is fitted with a single berth
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The galley is amidships, between the saloon and the pilothouse
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The owner's ensuite cabin, forward

While the layout is fixed and doesn't allow for the same level of customization as the larger models, the Nordhavn N51 boat for sale compensates with a more modern look and feel. This boat embodies everything that has earned Nordhavn such a loyal following, combining contemporary design with the brand's signature reliability.

Omikron OT-60

The Omikron OT-60 offers a refreshing take on boating, focusing on refinement and efficiency rather than sheer performance. Designed to be enjoyed while in motion, rather than just at the destination, it balances form with function, showcasing a high level of boat-building expertise that inspires confidence in its capabilities. 

Featuring an efficient hull shape, the OT-60 excels in offering smooth and economical cruising. This is further supported by the boat's high-quality build and a practical layout and design that enhances overall usability. And, for the eco-conscious amongst you, there's even a hybrid option available. 

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The wide cockpit is a great living space
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The deck saloon is exceptionally bright
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The helm station is clear and well designed

Its styling and slower, fuel-efficient cruising speed may not suit everyone, but its emphasis on simplicity and autonomy over speed and handling offers valuable insights for those seeking a more relaxed cruising experience. As a first effort, the Omikron OT-60 boat for sale is an impressively well-rounded package.

Arksen 85

Built on the Isle of Wight in the UK, the Arksen 85 is a true explorer yacht with an exceptional range of 7,000nm at a cruising speed of 9 knots. That means you could cruise non-stop from Southampton, UK to Buenos Aires, Argentina with fuel to spare. That's what happens when you have an efficient hull shape and a fuel capacity of over 17,000 litres.

The beauty of this boat, though, is how its all-aluminium rugged exterior gives way to an interior that is modern, fresh and deeply comfortable. The sort of interior where you would want to spend months at a time, which is highly likely with a boat like this where the world is your cruising ground. 

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A helm built for passagemaking
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The deck spaces are rugged and functional
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The 25mm glass is designed to resist bad weather

The world is your cruising ground, you just have to decide if you want to see icebergs or islands

Jack Haines

YachtBuyer

It's a boat that skillfully blends form and function, with practical no-nonsense deck spaces and a comfortable interior that feels like a home away from home. Only this home can take you to the outer reaches of the world's oceans...

Looking for your dream explorer yacht? Explore our complete collection of explorer yachts for sale worldwide, tracked in real-time by YachtBuyer MarketWatch. We scan the entire market to ensure access to all genuine listings, saving you time. Alternatively, you can view all other boats for sale.