If you’re reading this article it means that you’re truly interested to enhance your sailing knowledge. As a matter of fact, what is one of the most important aspects of sailing? Well, owning a sailboat. But even if you don’t own a sailboat, and looking to buy one or you’re just chartering sailboats, this list will provide you some practical info. Below, you’ll find information about the most popular sailboat lengths, along with some other characteristics. These characteristics are their price, type, and additional features, among others. So, let’s see them!

Popular Sailboats Under 20ft

In general, sailboats under 20ft tend to be popular for short-distance cruising and day sailing. However, sailboats under 20ft are easy to trailer, have simple rigging, cost less for maintenance and they can still provide the amenities of a 30-footer. Nowadays, many people are buying small sailboats to sail in coastal areas and benefit from their small size, which as a result makes them easier to handle. Moreover, sailboats under 20ft have become quite popular amongst solo sailors, suitable for family outings, and ideal for beginners.

• Beneteau First 20: Even small, the First 20 is a speedy sailboat that can sail into lakes and waterways. It’s basically an updated version of the Beneteau First 211 and has a base price of $37,700. It can be easily towed due to its weight which is less than 3,000 pounds. Some of its main characteristics are that it has a roller-furling headsail, a backstay-less rig, dual rudders, and a large mainsail. Furthermore, it comes with a fiberglass bowsprit for flying an asymmetric spinnaker. Its cabin has a double V-berth, 2 quarter berths, a portable toilet, and a sink.
• Catalina 16.5: Even though Catalina yachts are known for their big size model this one makes the difference. You can get it for just $10,000 and it’s one of the best daysailers. Furthermore, it has a spacious cockpit and a big storage locker. You can choose between two different designs, the keel or the centerboard model. The centerboard is equipped with an adjustable overhaul and with a balanced sailplane. As for the keel model it has a high-performance keel design which makes it ideal for docking.
• Hunter 15: This model is quite versatile, a fact that makes it suitable for solo sailors or for family outings. This happens due to the fact that it has a high freeboard, a raised boom, and a protective polymer with high-strength fiberglass construction. You can get Hunter 15 for just $10,000 and benefit from its smart design. A contoured cockpit, a wide beam, easy to rig and trailer, are some of its main characteristics.

Popular Sailboats Under 30ft

Small cruising boats can be a good choice for those that want comfort and safety while sailing. Below, there’s a list of the best sailboats under 30ft that stand out among others due to their high-performance on water, easy-handling, space, amenities, and robust construction.

• Beneteau First 28: This sailboat has a Finot design and is made with a fin keel with a spade rudder. Its accommodation capacity is sufficient for weekend voyages or for short trips, but it’s easy to handle and has excellent performance. So, in one package it provides safety and fun for the family or just for solo sailors. Moreover, it has a choice of lifting which provides stability due to the deep draught and fin keel.
• Newport 27: The first appearance of Newport 27 was in California in 1971. Even if it’s a racing sailboat, it has a relatively spacious interior for its kind. It has 6ft of standing room, 4 berths, a navigation station, and a galley. So, you can benefit from the amenities of a larger sailboat with only $10,000.
• Columbia 29: The Columbia 29 is an old model but it’s still a popular choice among sailors. It was designed for coastal cruising and is characterized by good performance thus making it easy to sail. Furthermore, it’s a spacious model with 2 quarter berths, a small dining room, and a forepeak double.
• Sun Odyssey 26: A real ocean cruiser that has good capacities for its length. Some of its features are its big berth, the standing headroom, and a full-width aft cabin. It weighs only 1870 lbs and has enough room but still keeping its top performance. Furthermore, it has a centerboard design, a comfortable and safe cockpit, and a large width foredeck.
• Hunter 27: Hunter 27 is by far one of the best pocket cruisers. This is due to its spacious layout, walkthrough transoms, and wheel steering. Moreover, it offers a wide range of amenities such as a full galley including stove, cooler, a saloon, and 2 berths.
• Contessa 26: Even though the Contessa 26 is an old model it is proved to be a robust vessel. It is rigged as a masthead sloop and can carry full sail in up to 20 knots of breeze. However, the boat lacks space and accommodation capacity but it has excellent performance as a daysailer.

Popular Sailboats from 30 to 70ft

In general, large sailing vessels are for sailors that want to travel overseas, live on their sailboat and experience a house’s comfort. Even though that the majority of large vessels is quite expensive, the sailboats below can definitely be of excellent use if you’re looking for elegant design, large spaces, safety and an enjoyable voyage.

• Bavaria Cruiser 46: For people that space and size counts then this is the boat for you! The exceptionally designed Cruiser 46 has an L-shaped spacious cockpit, a big swim platform, spacious cabins, and two bathrooms. Furthermore, the cockpit’s double rider ensures a stable cable system as well as balance and secure positioning when sailing. Not only is it a spacious sailboat but elegant as well!
• Beneteau Clipper Oceanis 343: This model is a lively cruiser and includes design and construction features that reasonably made it popular throughout the years. It has a spacious deck, good steering control, and a voluminous beam. Moreover, it’s easy to handle and maintain and shows high-performance in different weather conditions.
• Hallberg-Rassy 94 Kutter: Yes, this is a classic traditional Swedish model among Hallberg-Rassy yachts. With a fuller hull, canoe stern, and a full keel it provides quality sailing. An extra feature is that its cockpit has a steering house, available in two different versions along with different angling of the windscreen. Moreover, the boat has a relatively big interior for its size and can sail satisfactorily even without the help of the engine.
• Amel 54: This model has an elegant interior with 2 cabins forward and a large head with a bathroom in the bow. The center’s high and dry cockpit has a secure helm station and offers a large area for relaxation. Finally, Amel 54 has joysticks controlling its electric furling sails.
• Nautor’s Swan 48: This model is cleverly designed from masthead to keel, and set up in order to be easily handled. Some of its top features include twin rudders, a fixed sprit, and a foam-core vinylester hull. In addition, you can choose between different headsail configurations, such as a self-tacking jib.
• Lagoon 46: Lagoon 46 is one of the best multihull cruisers. It has a large self-tacking headsail and a high-aspect mainsail set well aft, something that makes the mainsail easier to handle. As for the hull design, the chines provide extra interior volume and ensure that bow entries remain functional. Finally, it has a well-designed accommodation plan, exterior lounging space, a flybridge, and a forward cockpit.

Most Popular Sailboats – Summary

To sum up, the most popular sailboat lengths can be from 30 to 70 feet overall. Again, this depends on each sailor’s needs. If you want a sailboat for family outings and small cruises then a 30ft monohull is the one for you. On the other hand, if you’re keen on racing or traveling overseas then look for a multihull or monohull sailboat over 45ft overall. Of course, there are always exceptions because there are some 30-footers that provide the amenities of 50-footers, and 60-footers that are not suitable for an overseas voyage. And as we’ve reached the end of this article listing the most popular sailboat lengths remember to always choose one according to your needs and after thorough research.