How Do I Choose a Sailboat?

By Peter12 mins read

Nowadays, the market has such a wide range of sailboats to choose from. But, how do you find the right one? And, most importantly, from where do you start? This decision that you are making requires thorough research and clarification of your personal targets. So, in order not to end up with the wrong sailboat, read this article before starting your research. On the Internet, you’ll see a lot of advertisements for ‘boats for sale’, but some of them are not quite what they seem. First of all, you need to have your priorities set straight. Thus, let me guide you to choose the right sailboat according to your needs!

Before Your Purchase

It is of great importance to consider how you’re going to use your sailboat. On the one hand, it is much better to buy a used sailboat if you’re planning to do some short regattas or fishing activities. On the other, if you’re planning to do some offshore and ocean cruising for a year or two, then maybe it’s better to buy a new sailboat. However, without careful thought and planning, you could end up with a sailboat that doesn’t suit your sailing goals. Worst-case-scenario, you could buy a sailboat that’s too big to handle. Fortunately, there is a lot of information about sailboats and yachts that can be found online, along with reviews and specific characteristics.

Use of Your Sailboat

It is indeed an enticing idea to cast off all your worries and sail away in the ocean! Firstly, try to be realistic with your goals and above all, honest with yourself. Think about your plans and how you intend to use your sailboat. Secondly, before starting to think about the size, materials, budget, equipment, etc., think about your sailing plans. For example, will you take occasional trips with an overnight stay? Will you be sailing on inland lakes? Are you going for an extraordinary ocean cruising? Or for coastal cruising a few times per year? Or maybe do you envision living in your sailboat and sailing occasionally? Someone might need a bluewater sailboat to withstand everything in a long offshore cruise, but someone else might just need a sailboat to sail from time to time without going abroad. So, think about your plans and goals.

>>Also Read: Hidden Problems to Look For in Used Sailboats

Type Of Sailboat that Suits You

Sailboats can be classified by their intended use such as coastal cruiser, bluewater, daysailer, and racer. Furthermore, they can be constructed out of fiberglass, steel, wood, or aluminum. Then, there’s the rigging (sloop, ketch, cutter, etc), the construction method (foam-cored, cold-molded or vacuum-bagged), their keel type (full keel, centerboard, fin keel, etc), and the number of hulls (monohull, multihull, catamaran). Something else that you should take into account is storage. Most people don’t have enough space to keep their sailboat on their property. For that reason, marina and storage fees are applied, so be sure to add them up before buying your sailboat.

Moreover, in case you’re planning to stay abroad on your sailboat, then a 6-meters sailboat with amenities and cabins would fit your needs. Also, the cabin space of your vessel is necessary when you’re sailing for a long time with other people. In order to operate some sailboats, you don’t always need a crew. A lot of sailboats are single-handers, which means that they’re easy to sail. Before your purchase, make sure about the persons aboard. If it’s just you, then don’t buy a huge sailboat with complicated rigging. Then again, who will be using it? The one who is a single-handler, a skipper plus the guests, or the one who travels with the whole crew? If you clarify this, then it’ll be easier for you to choose the right size for your sailboat!

Your Budget

This matter should be considered in conjunction with your sailing plan, as it helps to see if you’re being realistic. When setting your budget for buying a sailboat, this can help you to create a timeline. In other words, maybe you’re planning to sail around the world but the current situation you’re in doesn’t allow you to do so. So, you have two options:

You can buy a cheaper sailboat now in order to gain experience in protected waters and after some years stick up to your initial plan.
Or, you can save money while chartering sailboats, until you’ve saved enough money and gained the desirable experience that will make your dream come true.

Sailboat Size

The size of your sailboat plays a crucial role. The size of a sailboat defines its capabilities and characteristics. For example, if you want cabins and extra amenities, you’ll usually need to go above 6 meters in length. However, sailboats like the Catalina 22 offer comfortable cabins. For extra headroom, you might need to search for boats 7.5 meters in length or longer. If your plans are about taking long-term bluewater voyages, then choose the right size for your boat. In case that the sailboat is big then it will be difficult to handle it by yourself. In contrast, if its size is small, it might not be safe enough.

What about single-handed offshore passages? Sailboats between 7 and 10 meters are often safe and comfortable. In addition, before choosing your sailboat think about the places you wish to take your boat. Not every boat can withstand high latitudes or the tropics.

>>Also Read: Beginners Guide to Buying a Sailboat

Hull and Keel Type

In general, there’s a wide range of sailboat hull types to choose from. Keep in mind that even the slightest change in the hull’s shape can cause differences in handling. Let’s see some of their characteristics! Well, often the traditional sailboats include a heavy and deep keel, known as a full keel or displacement hull. These sailboats are a great choice for long offshore passages. This is because their long keels provide stability and augment motion. Although displacement hulls are a good option for overseas voyages, their weight can pose a problem for storage and operation.

There’s also the fin keel which is a long keel option but lighter and narrower. Sailboats with fin keels are light, fast, and can withstand long voyages. On the contrary, long-keel sailboats might be tricky in shallow waters. In other words, this is due to the fact that they draw a few meters below the waterline. Therefore, the bilge keel made itself the true winner! Bilge keels have a starboard side and are off-center on the port. Furthermore, with multiple keels, you remain stable when heeling as well as navigating easier. A bilge keel is a great design for a typical user.

But, if you’re not planning to go on long offshore voyages, then a centerboard may be the best option for you. A centerboard is a fin keel that can be removed, thus allowing it to pass in shallow water. So, if you’re keener on rivers and lakes then a centerboard is what you need. These cruisers provide a lot of uses although they lack in offshore capability.

>>Also Read: Full Vs Fin Keel

Summary

Remember that there’s a big difference between owning a sailboat and dreaming of sailing. Make sure to consider carefully all the above-mentioned tips in order to find the appropriate sailboat for you. It’s essential to understand your needs and the use of your sailboat. Imagine choosing a 15-meter for sailing on the lake or a dinghy for a long overseas voyage…Or worse, imagine making a quick purchase and eventually understood that you didn’t meet all your requirements. To sum up, I hope that this article was helpful to you and that you’ll be better guided to this buying process now!