Sailing is a relatively affordable way to enjoy freedom and peace on the sea, if you want to explore locations you wouldn’t otherwise see or race. Most people wonder if sailing is an expensive hobby. And it can be. However, like most things, it depends on how you’ll be doing it. Meaning that it all relies on your preferences and the amount of money you’re willing to spend on it. In other words, sailing should not be limited to those who have money. Instead, even a low-wage worker can sail or race the seas. And, in this article, we will see the way to do it. So, follow me!

Sailing as a Sport, Hobby, or Recreation?

Sailing can be a sport, hobby, or recreational activity. This depends entirely upon your needs and preferences. As a sport, it can be an excellent way of training for both the body and the mind. This is because it can be a solo or team sport, adventurous, and requires a wide range of physical skills. For instance, singlehanded sailing is sometimes associated with feats of endurance and adventure, conjuring images of a lone sailor sailing across oceans. Setting out on a long-distance offshore cruise by yourself is a highly skilled endeavor.

Also, sailing as a hobby is definitely fascinating and enjoyable for everyone. If sailing is your hobby then it does not necessitate being a strong swimmer or extremely physically fit. This is an activity that you can enjoy by yourself, with your wife, friends, or your children and furry companions. Keep in mind though that even if it is a great hobby it’s not quite as relaxed and liberating as some people believe. For example, if you’re keen on offshore cruises and ocean voyages you will need strength, knowledge, and willingness to achieve your goal. Sailing, of course, necessitates a lot of effort and strength to keep the sailboat trimmed and moving in the right direction. You must keep an eye on the weather and walk around the boat to adjust the sails or maneuver the boat in the proper direction.

Furthermore, sailing as a recreational activity can be fun and beneficial for everyone. No matter your age, you can start by taking some sailing courses and then sail around a bay or in a lake. Moreover, if you have your own boat you can go with your friends and family during the weekends to enjoy a short trip on the water. But, even if you don’t have your own vessel and don’t really have a big budget you can always charter a small boat. If you’re on a budget though it’s advisable to choose the proper season for chartering. This will depend on your area but most places raise their prices during the summer season. In any case, sailing as a recreational activity is achievable by anyone and on any budget.

Lets’s Take a Closer Look to All Costs Involving Sailing

Sailing Lessons

There are people that consider sailing to be in their blood and feel that the sea is where they have to be. Their introduction to sailing may have been so gradual and natural that they don’t really know how it happened. It’s basically like having an inherent talent that you make use of beneficially. You might merely study the manuals on the sailboat you’re operating to get the feel of things if you grew up sailing. But, there are a couple of methods to get started for those of us who don’t have a sailing history or aren’t sure how much we remember. Firstly, starting with a small, affordable sailboat and learning as you go is a terrific way to get started sailing. Consider also reading books and articles and watching YouTube videos.

However, if you aren’t one of those who can proudly declare that they have been sailing since they were children, taking sailing lessons and learning the basics is important.

Note that if you’re new to sailing it’s highly important to take sailing lessons and master the fundamentals of sailing. The best would be if you have a friend or relative that can teach you at no cost and combine these with some additional courses. Most sailing classes are not expensive; starting from $400 to $1500 depending on the area, level, and season. You will receive official instruction, which is considerably superior to learning to sail from books or the internet. The best aspect of formal education is that you’ll get hands-on experience, which is far superior to just reading books. Obviously, learning to swim is another important element of sailing. If you still don’t feel confident about swimming consider learning to swim before engaging in sailing lessons.

While learning to sail from books is beneficial, joining a sailing club and taking lessons will help you become a better sailor. Note that sailing clubs have varying fees according to what they offer, where they are, and how many courses you will take. Overall, having a formal lesson is far better, and it does not have to break the bank. They are not yet really cheap, but they will teach you the fundamentals of sailing and are the only way to acquire knowledge if you plan on sailing on the ocean.

The Boat

To begin with, you do not need to possess a boat to do sailing. There are boat share groups in many areas, and even if you don’t have one, there are racers that are looking for crew. Are you able to sit on one side of the boat and then move to the other when instructed? Well, you can do that on a racing boat. I’d recommend starting with a simple course to see if you enjoy it, then looking for a sharing program or crewing for others. Or, you can just sail on other people’s boats! By finding a local yacht club you can ask if they need crew for round the cans races. Alternatively, you can be a member of a website like sailopo.com or crewseekers.net and simply spend your holidays sailing.

Sailboats range in price from a few hundred dollars to well over $100,000. The price you pay is determined by a variety of criteria such as size, age, technology, multi-hull vs. monohull, rigged vs. unrigged, and more. Also, do you want a weekend boat, a seaworthy boat, or a liveaboard cruiser? Note that the climate and weather, freshwater or saltwater, and personal preferences will greatly influence your decision about purchasing a boat.

Millions of dollars can be spent on the most expensive sailboats. A yacht that the average American would consider nice will cost roughly $50,000. A 26′ Island Packet will set you back roughly $25,000, while a 35′ Ocean Cruiser would set you back around $40,000. Of course, if you buy a used boat, the price will likely be substantially lower. Moreover, note that a seaworthy sailboat may be less expensive than you think. A Sabre can be purchased for as little as $7,000. Lastly, sailing enthusiasts with a penchant for tools and do-it-yourself tasks may be able to do basic and minor repairs. Like this, the overall costs of maintenance will be significantly minimized!

>>Also Read: Best Small and Trailerable Sailboats

Buying VS Renting a Sailboat

Rental fees vary greatly depending on your location, but renting a sailboat is much less expensive than buying one. However, owning and maintaining a small sailboat between 14 and 18 feet may be less expensive. Depending on its age and size, a decent but old sailboat can be purchased for around $6,000. These sailboats do not require an extra motor, and you can easily car-top or trailer them wherever you want. Moreover, you can store them in your backyard when not in use. Consider the boat’s purchase price as a loss. The money is in the maintenance/dockage and such. You’ll be able to recoup the majority of the boat’s purchase price, but you’ll also have to invest a significant amount of money.

When it comes to renting a sailboat, there are numerous firms and sailing clubs to choose from. Because there are no additional expenditures, they are usually far less expensive than owning a boat. Also, you won’t have to worry about dock expenses or maintenance. You must, however, ensure that you know how to sail before renting the boat, or you will have to hire a skipper, which can be costly. Keep in mind that the cost of hiring a sailboat might vary depending on a variety of factors, including your location, the size of the boat, and the length of time you plan to use it.

Maintenance and Insurance

On a yearly level, sailboats require little maintenance and maybe some minor repairs. It’s important to note that properly and regularly maintaining your boat will minimize expenses in the long term. The bottom of your hull will need to be repainted on a regular basis. There may be charges associated with dry storage while the maintenance is done, depending on whether you can simply move your boat out or not. You also have to wax the hull of your sailboat on a regular basis. Engines, too, require routine maintenance. If you DIY, the costs aren’t as high, but hiring someone to service the boat might be costly.

Of course, you’ll need to insurance the sailboat, which may cost roughly $350 each year, depending on the boat. On average, sailboat insurance isn’t too expensive. Expect to pay a few hundred dollars every year. Insurance for luxury yachts or high-risk usage might cost up to $1000 in some situations. Note that insurance expenses can be reduced by taking precautions and gaining experience. If the boat is 15 years or older, you may also need to purchase new lines, rigging, and sails.

Sailboats ranging between 20 and 24 feet sometimes require the use of a small outboard motor for auxiliary power, which involves more maintenance and other costs. The expenditures of owning a sailboat that is 25 feet or longer can be significantly higher because they require dock space, larger sails, motors, more expensive rigging, and so on. As a result, owning a larger sailboat is much more expensive, and therefore your sailing hobby may become a bit more expensive as well.

Rigging and Storage

If you get a sailboat that isn’t already rigged, you’ll have to spend money on rigging. Depending on the quality and how you use it, rigging will need to be updated every five to 10 years. Rigging can range in price from a few hundred dollars for a small sailboat to upwards of $2000 for a larger rig. To rig your boat, you’ll need ropes and other supplies. If you desire extra or specialty equipment, such as a spinnaker for light winds, the cost of rigging will increase.

Storage is one of the most significant costs for many boat owners. Small sailboats can be kept in yards, garages, or storage facilities. Check with your local homeowner’s association to see if storing your small boat in your yard is permitted.

Note that if you’re moving your boat yourself, keep in mind that you’ll also need a trailer. The trailer can cost anywhere from $500 to over $1000, depending on the size of your boat. In between usage or seasons, larger boats require a dock, marina, or dry dock. Indoor storage will cost between $50 and $200 per foot per season, while outdoor storage will cost between $20 and $50 per foot per season. Expect to pay at least $300 a month for a spot at a marina where you can access your boat whenever you want. In addition, costs for electricity, water, and other amenities.

Sailing Gear

Sailing necessitates a large amount of equipment, which can be costly. The majority of this equipment is purchased once, but some will need to be replaced or upgraded over time. The anchor is the most important part of your sailboat’s investment, therefore don’t scrimp here. The anchor you’ll need can cost anywhere from $50 to several hundred dollars, depending on the size of your boat and the sort of anchor holding you’ll have where you sail.

Important safety items include lifejackets, a first aid kit, and navigational equipment. Your boat must have lifejackets for everyone on board at all times, according to the law. You should also have floats, flares, and other legal requirements on hand. You will pay around $200 for your safety equipment. While it’s generally recommended that you don’t sail in situations that are beyond your sailing skill, having proper safety equipment is essential to being safe. Notifying someone ashore of your plans and when you anticipate returning is an important component of safety. Carry a Very High Frequency (VHF) radio and, in the event of an emergency, dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.

The clothing you should wear while sailing is determined by a number of things, including climate and the type of vessel. However, basic sailing gear should include a waterproof outer layer, sailing shoes, gloves, and warm layers. Sunglasses and a hat help shield your eyes and head from harmful UV rays. A full-length wetsuit, wetsuit boot, buoyancy aid, and safety jackets are also recommended. Note that your sailing gear and equipment will change as you gain more experience. As a newbie in sailing, it’s wise to avoid the more expensive and well-known brands. Instead, go for less expensive options that won’t cost you a fortune.

>>Also Read: Best Sailboats Under 100k

The Bottom Line – Is Sailing Expensive?

This question is perfectly normal for anyone new to sailing. But, as you may understand, there’s no definite answer. This is because everything depends on your needs and preferences. In other words, renting or buying a boat, occasional or offshore sailing, and your general sailing plans/goals. It also depends a lot on how you want to sail. If you like daysailing small boats then everything’s cheaper. If you want to get a big sailboat, the costs can go up a lot. Note that the few thousand you pay to purchase a boat is quickly eclipsed by ongoing costs. These are some of the costs you expect, on average:

• About $1.3k to pull the boat out each year, repaint the bottom and for minor repairs. Add about $2,000 for maintenance costs.
• About another $700 a year in mooring fees.
• About $150 a year on outboard servicing.
• Another $250 on insurance & registration.
• About $100 on fuel.

It’s worth mentioning that a keelboat will have expensive slip costs and marina/winter storage. Of course, you can lessen this if the boat is single-point lifted with a cheaper crane, and trailered to store over the winter. Also, if you’re keen on making repairs and do most of the tasks like a DIY this will significantly minimize costs. The cost of a boat increases exponentially with its size. From a dinghy that costs dozens of dollars in annual registration to a trailer sailer that requires a larger automobile to tow. A boat that requires a crane to launch/recover and a mooring/slip, as well as a yacht that requires a travel lift and requires expert maintenance. Lastly, it’s important to determine your sailing goals. If you want to cruise around the ocean this needs more knowledge and a better vessel.

I hope that this article answered your question and that you can now make a better decision. In any case, I wish you a fresh start to come, and may you have fair winds and following seas!