For new sailors, finding the safest sailboat can be challenging at first. Because learning to sail is already a big step to take and can be difficult, picking the right sailboat can also be the same. As a result, many people are wondering if sailboats are really safe. There are several possible answers to this question. When determining if a sailboat is safe, several factors must be examined. Specifically, whether or not it is suitable for your needs. In this article, I’m going to answer that question and also examine the factors that make sailboats safe. So, keep reading!

Factors to Consider Before Choosing a Sailboat

Many factors influence the choice of a boat for sailing and cruising. Boats are symbolic of ourselves in many ways. Our sense of taste, our needs, experience, and, most significantly, our ideas for where and how we would sail are all reflected in them.

But, we can’t really design our own sailboat according to our taste. Only if you have a big budget and you’re able to order a custom sailboat. No matter how long a person has been associated with boats and sailing, he will undoubtedly have developed a strong sense of what looks well in a boat and what does not. The old saying among yacht brokers and dealers is that if you’re looking for a new boat, you should only buy one that you fall in love with.

That’s great advice, however, it’s impossible to predict why one person thinks a boat is beautiful while another doesn’t. The issue of affluence plays another significant role here. Regardless of their financial situation, some sailors prefer to cruise aboard small pocket cruising boats, trailer sailers, or small keelboats. Yet, in the harbor, you’ll find another sailor of low means who has made significant sacrifices to sail aboard a boat that exceeds his financial means. The one takes pride in his ability to enjoy sailing without worrying about money, while the other takes pride in his ability to handle and preserve the object of his seafaring passion.

Sailing should be enjoyable, and having a boat is an important part of that enjoyment. When it comes to selecting a boat for you and your family, the idea of having a good time should be at the top of your priority list. That’s why so many experts advise people looking for new boats to buy one that won’t break the bank and, as a result, won’t put pressure on their household finances. If the new boat is a financial drain and necessitates numerous other sacrifices, individuals who are intended to appreciate it are likely to become resentful of it.

Choosing a small cruiser, on the other hand, can have the same drawback. If the checkbook is in order, but the new boat cannot comfortably accommodate the sailing crew over a rainy weekend, the boat will not be used as intended. It’s always a trade-off.

One common misconception among people looking for a new boat is that the larger the vessel, the safer it would be. Speed and seakeeping abilities, both of which are important safety criteria, will be affected by size. Many small cruising boats, on the other hand, have successfully completed long and competent voyages while their larger counterparts remained at the harbor. And, keep in mind that if you sail properly and safely a small cruiser then the boat will be perfectly capable of being the one to sail you around the world.

>>Also Read: Best Ways to Minimize The Risk Of Drowning While Sailing

Safety and Sailboats

Finding the safest sailboat is crucial when you are a new sailor. You may believe, and you have to, that you have a well-developed set of sailing skills, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take measures. No matter how much natural skill you have for sailing, you are significantly more likely to crash, capsize, or beach your boat if you are a beginner. Even if you don’t plan on doing any of those things, it’s still a good idea to plan for the worst-case situation.

First and foremost, the safer the sailboat, the less likely you are to encounter any of the aforementioned issues. A sailboat that is bigger, stronger, and more stable is less likely to capsize or get blown off course. This is one of the advantages of owning a safe sailboat. Second, having a safer sailboat means you’ll be more likely to survive if any of those things happen. Sailing is risky, and the sea can be challenging. So, if you have a seaworthy and sturdy boat that can withstand most damages, you have a better chance of surviving it as well.

It would be unusual if sailboats weren’t built to be safe in some way. Having said that, some will be safer than others. Based on the square footage of the hull and several other parameters, complicated calculations about a boat’s safety can be established. However, there are some basic factors to consider when determining how safe a sailboat will be.

These Are The Most Important Factors to Consider When Evaluating a Boat’s Safety

Stability and Hull Design

One disadvantage of a wide, flatboat is that it can be virtually as stable as it is upright. Therefore maximizing the angle of heel at which the boat’s stability diminishes (AVS) is critical. Hull chines, which were first employed on plywood and steel boats to allow for the use of simple flat materials in their construction, have made a reappearance in the last decade. Hard chines appear to increase a hull’s inherent form stability (the hull’s natural resistance to heeling and inversion). With sterns becoming wider and wider to improve accommodation below and cockpit space for twin wheels, any method of increasing a hull’s inherent form stability will make the boat safer.

They also aid in directional stability and prevent the boat from rounding up when pushed too hard. Old boats had a long keel or, more likely, a robust skeg that was at least half the depth of the rudder. Deep spade rudders with no such protection appear to be more common nowadays. And, dual rudders are also becoming common. They’re primarily designed to maintain steerage when the quarter of a particularly wide stern lifts out of the water when the boat heels. Note also that the short length of the keel decreases the wetted area and drag associated with it. Some argue that bolt-on keels are not reliable, and accidents have occurred when they detach. These occurrences, however, are extremely unusual and nearly typically the result of improper grounding or maintenance.

As you may understand, the hull’s design affects stability. Beginner sailors, who are still learning the ropes and are significantly more prone to capsize than someone with a lot of expertise, should pay careful attention to this. Note that the type of hull of a sailboat is one of the greatest methods to determine how stable it will be. For instance, a double-hull sailboat (catamaran) will be twice as stable as a single-hull sailboat. The more surface area a boat has, the more stable it will be. And, this is why ferries are usually very wide and flat.

>>Also Read: Best Sailboats Under 40 Feet

Material

Depending on the size, application, and estimated life of the vessel, modern boat and ship design incorporate a range of hull materials. FRP and wood boats are a suitable alternative for smaller, recreational or shallow-sea activities because they are both environmentally and economically friendly. Steel and aluminum continue to be popular materials for larger boats.

In general, a sailboat made of more durable material is safer. It may end up costing you more to have a steel boat built, but safety comes at a price. That isn’t feasible for a beginner sailboat, so you’ll have to settle for fiberglass or carbon fiber. The material used has a direct impact on the boat’s performance and safety, as well as the environment. All of these aspects for improving sustainability must be considered by boat designers and builders when choosing the best potential option for creating the boat.

>>Also Read: Aluminum Vs Fiberglass Sailboats, Aluminum vs Steel Sailboats

Size

The first item on your mind is probably whether or not a boat will be able to withstand the weather, the seas, and the lengthy journey. However, contrary to popular belief, size is less important than you may assume. Not that it isn’t important in the grand scheme of things; it is, but for very different reasons. A 20-foot Flicka, for example, is just as capable of crossing oceans as a seaworthy 60-footer. It’s a little more difficult to handle, especially in rough weather, but the boat’s size won’t affect that much its bluewater capabilities.

But, yes size matters when it comes to sailboats. This is because the larger the boat, the more stable it will be. The safer you are, the smaller the waves are in comparison to your boat. If you compare a small sailboat to an aircraft carrier, the aircraft carrier is going to be infinitely safer in rough circumstances than the sailboat. The distinction between a small and a medium sailboat is less important, but it is still significant.

>>Also Read: Best Small Sailboats To Sail Around The World

Sailplans and Rigs

Note that sloops or cutters make up the majority of current bluewater cruisers. The weight is all in the wrong place, and the repercussions might be disastrous if something goes wrong. Sailing long distances with in-mast furling mains can happen, but they don’t make life any easier than the better alternatives.

A competent slab-reefing system, on the other hand, is nearly adequate. It makes handling the main a breeze when worked from the cockpit. And, you won’t have to worry about single-line reefing. Always choose a cutter if you have the opportunity. In light to moderate breezes, use the genoa, then roll it up and unfold the staysail when the chips are down. If you have a sloop, you’ll need to make storm jib arrangements. Keep in mind that a robust mast is essential for safety. The mast has to be able to withstand even the most severe storms. The reason for this is that if a boat’s mast damages, it’s much easier for the boat to capsize. A ship’s stability is dependent on its mast; without a sturdy mast, the ship will not be stable.

Cockpits

Yacht builders nowadays tend to prioritize aesthetics over function. But, the wide-open cockpits of today’s production cruisers may accommodate both lounging spaces at anchor and safety at sea. And, they do this by implementing a few simple, and very affordable changes. Of course, before setting sail for an offshore voyage, you must do a thorough examination of the potential risk regions. And, if necessary, retrofit additional safety equipment like grab rails and harness points.

Being higher up and forward in the boat ensures that water rarely gets near it, and being so much above the water gives the crew a sense of confidence. However, while the genoa is flying, it limits the helmsman’s forward view. Also, it can aggravate seasickness due to the more apparent side-to-side movement in a beam sea. The raised height, on the other hand, enables massive aft staterooms. And this is the main reason why Moody and Halberg-Rassy yachts are popular.

Although more vulnerable to a sharp following sea, an aft cockpit makes you feel more connected to the boat. In stormy situations, a high bridge deck or something similar can considerably lessen the possibility of down-flooding from the stern.

>>Also Read: Best Small and Trailerable Sailboats

Choosing a Safe Sailboat

When considering purchasing a yacht, the first thing you should ask yourself is, “How am I planning to use the boat?” The answer should then point you in the direction of the type of boat that is best suited to your needs. Whether these are cruising along the coast and tying up in a marina berth at night, or taking your family on long passages in open, offshore waters.

Note that a professionally planned and built offshore boat will cost significantly more than a production cruiser, potentially three to four times as much. All of that money will be reflected in the design’s integrity, the quality of the materials utilized, and the level of skill employed to construct it. However, it’s not true that many pocket cruisers are dangerous when sailed offshore.

As you can see, there is a lot to think about while choosing the safest sailboat. They all have advantages and disadvantages, and which one is best for you is a matter of personal preference and need. For example, based on safety and stability, a catamaran would be a great choice. But, perhaps you prefer a seaworthy monohull which is also safe if you choose it according to the above-mentioned factors.

Note that capsizing is less likely to occur in larger vessels than in smaller boats. The question of whether a boat will capsize, as well as when and how it might do so, is crucial for any sailor planning long-distance offshore sailing. You may get a decent idea of how a boat will handle a gale at sea and how to prepare your own gale tactics by looking at its stability range. Also, a sailboat that is dismasted is more prone to capsize than one that is fully rigged.

A boat has an intrinsic stability range. In other words, an angle of heel past which it will capsize. You can use the boat’s lines and specs so as to calculate the stability range. Following a capsize, certain modern boats according to IOR designs or exceptionally beamy ones may remain inverted. Inverted boats with a stability range of fewer than 120 degrees can stay inverted for up to two minutes.

Sideways-to-the-sea boats, especially light, beamy ones, are more susceptible to capsize than boats positioned bow to the sea or stern to the sea. As a result, boats that are actively sailed in gales and breaking seas are more likely to escape capsize than ones that are left alone, beam to the storms.

>>Also Read: Sailboats Vs Powerboats

Summary – Are Sailboats Safe?

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the world of sailing — both racing and cruising — exploded. During those two decades, a large number of boats were introduced to the market to cater to the rapidly increasing number of new sailors. The design and building process moved at a breakneck speed. And, at that time, no single governing agency was able to step up and assign rules for boats that would establish minimum levels to ensure safe, seaworthy construction. Yet, it is the construction of our boats, the very integrity of the hulls in which we sail, that keeps us safe from the waves, deep water, and rough conditions. And, when it comes to hull structure, there are a few fundamentals that any aspiring sailor or boat owner should check for before embarking on a long cruise.

Most sailors will be able to find a cruising sailboat that meets their desires, needs, financial and maintenance capabilities. To make the best decision, you must first find a boat that you fall in love with but also a boat that fulfills safety and seaworthiness requirements. Once you’ve discovered a boat — or many — that meets the first condition, it’s critical to take a step back and evaluate the boat objectively. To do so, you’ll need to consider the boat’s general design, structure, and details. A great sailor hunting for the correct boat, the safety boat, must be a surveyor with a great glint in his eye!