The posh interior of the Regal cabin features flip-up backrests to increase V-berth space.

Vasily Alexeyev was far from buff. He had an enormous gut and three chins. But the great Russian weightlifter was the strongest man in the world in the 60s and 70s.

The small express cruiser isn’t all that attractive, either, with its short, fat profile. These stubby, top-heavy vessels are about as graceful running through the water as Alexeyev was when he performed a clean and jerk. But he got the job done.

So does the compact cruiser. The mission is to pack in as many creature comforts as possible in a small overnighter—and do it without sacrificing safety or access to components and equipment that need maintenance. …