A gently sloping sheer, high windshield and trunk cabin are all marks of a New England-style boat. The Surfhunter 29 has them all. Note the bow’s narrow forefoot and sharp entry.

Cruising boats are often built from the inside out, with interior volume being the priority. The hull design takes a back seat, and the builder gives birth to a bloated tick of a boat with gobs of creature comforts but a ride that will split your spleen.

There are a few boats—and not just fishing boats—that are built from the outside in, however. The builder first worries about the shape of the hull below the waterline. Creature comforts aren’t ignored, just dealt with after the ultimate goal is achieved—to deliver a smooth ride in rough water. …