what does a 40 foot sailboat look like

With plenty of room for a cruising couple to live aboard comfortably, production cruising boats within this size range are understandably very popular with long distance sailors.

However, marina charges worldwide seem to take a bit of a hike at 12m, so be warned...

If you'd like to submit a suitable image of a cruising yacht (yours perhaps?), please click here to send your pic. It doesn't have to be within this boat length category; if it isn't we'll move it to the appropriate one.

Jeanneau 'Sun Odyssey' 409

Moody 41 Classic

Dehler 43 CWS

Hunter Passage 42

Beneteau First 435

Hallberg-Rassy 41

Sweden Yachts 42

Seastream 43

Morgan 41 Out Island Classic

Jeanneau Sun Magic 44 (also known as the Sun Odyssey 44)

Formosa 42 (also known as the Slocum 43)

Feeling 446

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i

Hallberg-Rassy 43

Freedom 44 (Cat Ketch)

Catalina Morgan 440

Catalina 445

Catalina 42 MkII

Beneteau 411

Bavaria Match 42

Island Packet 40

Roomy, comfortable and robust, the long-keeled Island Packet 40 could be many sailors ideal cruising yacht. 139 of them were built between 1994 and 2000.

'Zephyr' , an Ovni 395 dried out on a Cornish beach. Many thanks to Colin & Rebecca Campbell for this pic of their versatile cruising yacht.

Pearson 424

The Peason 424 cruising yacht is available as a ketch as the version shown below, or as a cutter. There's no denying that the Pearson 424 is an attractive cruising yacht.

The J/40 is a highly regarded performance cruising yacht. Designed and built to really sail well, passage times will be impressive.

Derived from C&C's Redline 41, the Newport 41 had a long and successful production run. It might lack some of the amenities of 'full-volume' modern cruising yachts below decks, but is a tough, fast and seakindly boat offshore.

Sirius 40 DS

The Sirius 40 DS motorsailer can be built with a number of keel options:  A deep fin keel of 7'6", 6'6" or 5'9"; a swing keel that draws 8'0" and 3'2" up; or twin keels that allow the boat to dry out upright. 

Columbia 43 MkIII

The gentle sheer and flush deck of this Columbia 43 MkIII aft-cockpit cruising yacht make for a very attractive sailboat.

Pacific Seacraft 40

Many thanks to Mike Price for this fine pic of his Contest 44 'Tumbledown Wind' as she crosses the ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) finishing line.

Mason 43 Cruising Yachts

Many thanks to Sally & Al Pribyl for this pic of their Mason 43 staysail ketch 'Artemis' , at anchor in Prickly Bay, Grenada.

Many thanks to Richard Clement and family for this fine pic of their Moody 425 cruising yacht 'Vega' .

Norseman 447

Many thanks for this pic to Dartanyon Race, co-Captain of this Norseman 447 cruising yacht 'Lutris' .

Hunter 40.5

Caliber 40 LRC

Swan 43 (S & S)

C&C Landfall 42

RH 43 (Also known as the CT 43)

Jeanneau Sun Legende 41

Hinckley Sou'wester 42 MkII

Ovni AluBat 43

Hallberg Rassy 42 (Frers)

She looks like a cutter in this pic, but the inline stays converging at the masthead shows that the Hallberg-Rassy 42 cruising yacht  'Cavatina' is a  solent rigged  sloop.

Beneteau 423

Beneteau Oceanis 42CC

Moody Eclipse 43

Trintella 44

Catalina 400 Mk2

Islander 44

Grand Soleil 39

Westerly Oceanlord 41

CSY 44 (Walk-Through)

Many thanks to Jeff and Carolee, for this pic of their CSY 44 Walk-Thru' staysail ketch  'Contessa' .

CSY 44 (Mid-Cockpit)

Jeanneau 'Sun Odyssey' 40.3

Outbound 44

Island Packet 445

Many thanks to Jim Shanahan for this great pic of his Island Packet cruising yacht 445 'Watermark III'.

Passport 40

More Cruising Yachts Pics Please...

Hallberg-rassy 42 (enderlein), recent articles.

A Hunter Passage 42 for Sale

Jul 16, 24 01:41 PM

The Wauquiez Centurion 40 Sailboat

Jul 15, 24 04:50 AM

The Elan 431 Sailboat

Jul 13, 24 03:03 AM

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Just a headsail and a mainsail - simple and efficient. 

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A smaller headsail and a staysail makes sail handling easier.

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Class 40 Sailing: First Impressions

• June 2nd, 2016
• Sailing Yacht

Now that some 4 weeks passed by since I´ve had my fist real offshore sailing experience with a Class 40 sailing yacht and with having gained some distance to that trip I am trying to sum up my experiences and bundle testimonies of my fellow crew mates to have a thorough review of what it is like to sail a Pogo 40. You may read the cruise report of the first leg here  and of the second leg under Gennaker here  .

First of all: Looking at the boat is an experience by itself. Being accustomed to the view onto classic yachts, seeing this compact, flat hull with its extra-wide stern is amazing. This hull seemingly promises to go fast by its looks alone. My heartbeat went faster upon arrival at the mooring and it was the same with the other crew members. Let´s board the ship and have a look around.

Rigging and Cockpit Layout of a Class 40

A Class 40 is made for single handed and double handing racing. That means first of all that all ropes and lines must be guided in a way that they could be worked upon from the cockpit. Which is done beautifully in the Pogo 40: All halyards run down within the massive carbon mast or over the cabin roof and through jammers and can thus easily be unlocked, brought on to the winch and worked with. Only for hoisting and reefing of the mainsail somebody has to proceed midship to the mast.

When sailing single or double handed – above all in race situations – maneuvers have to be carried out with speed. To assure this, everything has to be within reach of one person: And it is indeed! There is a sheet winch on either side of the cockpit, well within reach with the one mainsheet winch on the center-housing for the life raft. This winch can operate both sheets of jib and Genoa as well as the backstays which also run through spinlocks.

Traveller sheets end in spinlocks right vis-à-vis the mainsheet winch. So, in theory a lone sailor could handle all the running rigging alone. Which of course is proven by a dozen of single hand sailors on Class 40 yachts all over the oceans. Although the cockpit is with its 4.50 meters extremely wide, ways from winch to winch and to the tiller helms are very short. The timeframe from changing conditions to a reaction can thus be made very short.

Of course, our Pogo 40 was equipped with Lazy Jacks to have the ritual of taking down the main sail made as easy as possible, though I can state by my own experience that both hoisting these 70 square meters of canvas and taking them down properly was extremely hard work: I can barely imagine doing this all alone. Thank god electric winches are invented. I felt at home in our Pogo´s cockpit and after a few hours manning the different stations was a no brainer. Again: Being responsible for the whole ship alone should be trained very thoroughly. A Class 40 is far away from being a no frills boat control wise.

Class 40 Sailing: Fast Planing like a Rocket

That was something I was looking forward to the most when booking a cruise on this boat. After having done the interview with Sven, co-owner of SY KNUBBEL, a Pogo 12.50 (which can be read here ) I was impatiently waiting for that sensation when the hull does overcome the boundaries of the wave system and sails faster than her theoretical maximum hull speed. So, all hands on deck, hoist all sails-ho! And tell me now what´s this planing like?

“Planing is when this constant gurgling and bubbling at the stern suddenly stops and is substituted by a smooth Swoosh….- like sound”, tells Sven when I was asking him. Sitting at the helm of POGO 1 beating upwind with 11 to 12 knots I am shouting to the skipper: “Capt´n, at which speed will she start planing?” “We already are – it needs 8 knots”. And yes, looking aft in our wake I notice a white trail indicating the gliding of our hull. It´s just an awesome feeling!

Maintaining control over the ship´s bearing is easy: The Pogo 40 is equipped with twin rudders in such an arrangement that even when heeled extremely the lee-rudder will have full steering capabilities. There was never too much pressure on the rudders though we didn´t have had to cope with too severe gales or swell conditions. It felt quite easy to trim her course by giving rudder – she reacts very vivid and instantly to even smallest corrections. Steering whilst planing? No difference to the classic way of sailing.

Speaking of heeling: The Pogo 40 needs heeling. This process assures the exposure of a smallest possible wetted surface under water thus reducing resistance. She sails very stable even when heeled extremely to up to 40 degrees and I never had the impression of being unsafe. Roaming about on deck when heeled is tricky: It´s wet and slippery, there are ropes virtually everywhere and – when sailing with a crew of five – even a 4.50 meters wide cockpit can easily become cramped.

A truly unique experience was sailing under Gennaker (which can be read in detail here ). The Class 40 is trimmed to go downwind – and she will go as fast as hell! Fastest speed on our POGO 1 in light conditions has been 14 knots, our skipper told us of occasionally exceeding speeds of 20 knots easily. Again: This is a racing machine and riding this stallion must be done only by experienced skippers and crews. She´s definitely not a boat for the rookie.

The Beauty of Sailing a Class 40

Nevertheless, counting myself to the rookie side and looking at how my fellow crew mates managed their jobs on board – all of them with far more experience in sailing than me – with a good skipper sailing on a Class 40 is both exciting, full of adventure and thrilling on the one hand and filled with beauty and grace on the other. Seeing the Class 40 under all canvas, accelerating to full speed and starting to plane filles me with pure joy.

It is barely imaginable that any sailing vessel can sail faster than these kind of boats. I was puzzled when we were overtaking another sailing yacht going at full speed with engine in a matter of minutes, doing our 50 miles in less than 6 hours with light winds. Although it´s a frightening idea but I´d love to be sailing with a Pogo 40 when things get a bit rougher. Well … there are some cruises offered on the Pogo 40 in September. This do get rough in September … This yacht let endorphins flow to the liters, people do have a constant grin on their faces for it is extremely satisfying to sail on a Class 40. Going fast is satisfying: Who wouldn´t trade his VW Golf for a Porsche? I felt constrained to compare the beauty of these boats to the grace of the old square rigged Clipper ships, which might be a sacrilege, but thinking of it there are so much similarities to these fastest sailing vessels of forgotten times.

“She sails wet.”, said skipper Thomas when conducting the safety briefing. There was some water coming down the companionway indeed, but I read reviews of real tough regattas and saw pictures of saloons full of water, soaked cushion and no dry place left whatsoever. As well a frightening prospect, but hell, this must be an awesome experience!

Reviewing a Class 40 Interior

Down below a Class 40 like the Pogo 40 is a true miracle regarding space. She is a 40 ft. boat – I personally find 40 feet with more than 12.50 meters huge compared to my 33 ft. King´s Cruiser – but due to her extreme width of 4.50 meters internal space is just huge! Even with 5 adults leaving their berths, brushing teeth, searching for clothes and having a cup of coffee the saloon didn´t felt cramped at all.

The main saloon is dominated by the large navigation station right on the keel in the middle of the cabin. A seat, a rugged laptop, radio and plotter – even by poking one´s head down the companionway all essential data could be grabbed at once. Down the cabin in the middle is a big fridge and the large folding table which makes dining even with a big crew easy.

Due to the fact that this is a high performance yacht you shouldn´t expect panels or veneers: Even the massive structural stringers of the underbody structure is clearly visible. Watch your step! There´s an L-settee to the port side, a long settee on the starboard side right after the galley which features a two-fire stove, a large sink and working table.

The Pogo 40 features two aft cabins of which the starboard cabin is large enough for two persons, the port cabin has a berth too is also filled with machinery such as heating, vents and pumps and the main power control. Here a more than bare head is to be found: One can seal off when doing his business by having a curtain applied, but again: No doors, no real visual protection and no sound protection at all. It´s a race – not a cruise …

Next to these three possible berths there is more on the port side settees, two persons, another one on the starboard side and – whilst in port – the fore cabin could offer two additional berths. In the end, a crew of 8 persons could find a place to rest while on board but again, that´s just in theory.

When we have been underway with five people – four crew and one skipper – we´ve had two of us in the forepeak, me and another member in the aft cabin, skipper and the last crew member in the saloon berths. Though I didn´t slept on any of the other bunks, I guess I have been lucky indeed having won a berth in the comfortable aft cabin.

To sum it up: The interior won´t appeal to everyone since the isn´t any. Wooden surfaces are limited to galley and folding table, cushion is water proof and so not very cozy (the color being grey does add nothing to create a “ship-like” atmosphere as well) and there is bare GRP everywhere you look. She´s a pure racer. Oh, is she?

Cruising with a Class 40?

There are more owner cruising with their boats than serious racers. You can do cruising with these boats: They have everything needed. This ship is large enough to have provisions and fuel for Blue Water passages, more than enough space and – above all – it will bring you faster to the destinations of your dreams or – being fast above all – allows to stay longer because of reduced sailing time. I guess, a Pogo-concept of fast sailing does correlate with a French sailing philosophy (which I tried to look into here  by interviewing Charly Fernbach of Pogo structures and naval designer-legend Marc Lombard).

If one can adapt to this bare and uncomplicated style of sailing by actively abstaining from luxury I would say yeah, cruising with a Class 40 can be done and should be done! Why wasting precious time on lame old fashioned cruisers? Why not prowl the oceans with speed, arrive early and spend more time? Well, I guess it´s because these days a classy wooden Hallberg-Rassy interior has its fans still – and besides, controlling a yacht like the Pogo 40, going wet and fast with extreme heeling is prospect of asking too much of the ordinary family skipper.

Looking at the sparse interior fitting – even when thinking of replacing the faux water proof leather of the cushion by a friendlier, fresher color, it´s still hard to envision myself and my family going on a long cruise (even a short one) in this boat. Well, envisioning myself I can, but the family … Nevertheless, there are reports of some families doing exactly this.

And the more I think about it – given that I can build up more and more competence and sailing abilities over time – this idea becomes attractive and tempting to dream of ever more. I just love this no-frills-approach to sailing (apart from the not-so-no-frills demand of the boat to be controlled with aplomb), this clean, white, bare surfaces. No wooden panels to care about, easy to maintain and clean, no doors, no portholes – no frills.

I fell in love …

And with all these no frills-commodities, there comes so much joy, so much adventure, so much fun. So much demanding in this boat and – which is most attractive I would say – so much gain in reachable distance! Going faster than 10 knots at virtually any time increases the range of activities extremely: Going faster could mean to reach more distant places or reach more places in the same time. Fascinating. And, sadly enough, unreachable for me (and totally impractical as well). But there´s a solution: Simply by booking another cruise on these fantastic sailing machines.

An alternative for owners who seriously consider to get a Class 40 could be the smaller yet comparable Class 9.50 racer of which some interesting boats are on the market, or – very interesting indeed – a Beneteau Figaro II. A sailing yacht legend of which I am going to publish a couple or articles in the near future.

Bottom line: Class 40 sailing has opened my eyes and thinking back to the wonderful 110 miles aboard POGO 1 still thrills me.

Thanks to Ole Macke for these wonderful Pictures

Compare The Most Popular 40ft Production Catamarans

Stephen and I are always exploring new catamaran models so we can share our insights with you. The information below continues to be valid, but we have a new 40ft catamaran comparison of later models for you to peruse.

We created a chart of each catamaran with a standard spec, ex-factory to compare the specifications and price of each boat. These catamarans compare very similarly on base price but there are a few differences.

The Bali 4.0 has a unique single cockpit / saloon area, entirely flush and unencumbered by bulkheads, accessible by a folding glass door on electric rams (kind of like a tilting garage door). This opens up the area and make it look like a much bigger boat. This catamaran combines some of the most innovative new characteristics in catamaran design which makes it a very desirable. It is quite a peppy sailboat and easy to maneuver.

Fountaine Pajot 40

The Fountaine Pajot 40 is replacing the Lipari 41 and is basically a smaller version of the successful Fountaine Pajot Helia 44 . It has a lot more volume than the Lipari, has a super stylish interior with island berths for the owner cabins (a much requested feature). It is lightweight but is smaller in volume than most of the the other models. However, because the living space was moved forward in the bows, there is still lots of room. We have not seen a boat yet, so the jury is out on how the boat will perform with these new changes. This model will be unveiled at the Paris boat show in December [2015].

The Leopard 40 ( video ) is heavier than the other models. The bridgedeck clearance is lower than those seen on French or Canadian cruising catamarans. Their philosophy is that a lower bridgedeck reduces the boat’s center of gravity with a wider stern to provide more buoyancy aft. However, a higher bridgedeck clearance translates into less slamming. We have owned cats with lower and higher clearances and a higher bridgedeck clearance definitely has less slamming. Read this article about bridgedeck clearance to make your own informed decision.

Lagoon 400S2

The Lagoon 400S2 has been on the market for a couple of years and is extremely popular. The S2 has decent performance with a lot of interior volume as can be seen here in the specifications. It has the biggest volume of the five 40ft catamaran models. This volume is said (by the competition) to translate into less performance but judging from rallies held around the world, it seems that the Lagoon really holds it’s own. Judging by the feedback from delivery skippers and owners on performance, the 400S2 makes a good performing cruising yacht. The interior is luxurious, accommodations are spacious and the cockpit is a nice size, easy to sail and good for a live aboard couple.

All of these catamarans are very acceptable cruising catamarans for a couple with lots of interior and exterior living space. These cats will do well as live-aboard and well as charter boats. Much of your choice will depend on personal preference. Do you prefer a “luxurious” interior, lots of interior volume and reasonable sailing performance, a more innovative design and optimal performance. Is chartering or cruising your ultimate goal or do you prefer a bit of both? All of these things should be weighed before you make a final choice.

40-Ft Catamaran Comparison Table

*Please note that these prices are subject to change by manufacturers at any time. Specifications provided by the manufacturers.

*Options are available in engines, sails, cabin/head configurations and other options like generators, watermakers, etc.

RelATED Articles

• Four Most Popular Production Catamarans: How Do They Compare?
• How Do The Most Popular 50ft Production Sailing Catamarans Compare
• How Do The Most Popular 45ft Production Sailing Catamarans Compare

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The catamarans discussed here are available for both private ownership and charter management. Because catamarans have become so popular in the last ten years, the demand far outweighs the supply. That makes new catamarans more expensive. We are therefor constantly trying to find ways to reduce the cost of ownership for our clients. Learn about our Yacht Charter Management and Yacht As A Business Program .

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We can also help you find a pre-owned / brokerage catamaran that will suit your needs. Go to our Catamaran Quick Search for a global search of all brands of pre-owned catamarans.

Contact us to help you figure out what will best work for you

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Home » Blog » Bluewater sailboats » The best bluewater sailboats under 40 feet (we analyzed 2,000 boats to find out)

The best bluewater sailboats under 40 feet (we analyzed 2,000 boats to find out)

By Author Fiona McGlynn

Posted on Last updated: August 17, 2023

What are the best bluewater sailboats under 40 feet?

Last year we analyzed 2,000 offshore designs to bring you a list of the most popular bluewater sailboats .

However, most people are searching for a boat in a particular size class. So, we decided to do a double-click and look at the best sailboats under 40 feet for offshore sailing.

If you’re interested in an even smaller boat, there are plenty of great options under 30 feet in our list of the best small sailboats for sailing around the world .

The characteristics that make a sailboat a bluewater sailboat are a hotly debated topic, so we wanted to use real-world data and find out what cruisers are using to cross oceans and sail around the world.

We looked at 2,000 boats that entered the Pacific Puddle Jump  (PPJ) over the last 12 years. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the PPJ, it’s a rally that crosses the Pacific ocean.  We took part in 2017 and had a ball!

Also, if you’re looking to buy one of the bluewater boats on this list, you might want to check out our post on the best places to buy used boats and how to find free or cheap boats for sale .

Just be aware that a bluewater boat isn’t necessarily offshore-ready. Our top five picks are all older boats and will undoubtedly require work.

Every cruiser we know made substantial repairs and additions before going offshore: adding watermakers , life rafts, solar panels, and more.

Also, always have a boat inspected by a professional and accredited marine surveyor before buying it or taking it offshore.

So, without further preamble, here are the best bluewater sailboats under 40 feet.

The best bluewater sailboats under 40 feet

1. the westsail 32.

The Westsail 32 is one of the most iconic bluewater cruisers. Built by the Westsail Corporation in the 1970s, this plucky, small sailboat has developed a cult following over the decades. Since 2009, 19 have set out to cross the Pacific in the PPJ rallies.

The Westsail 32 is known for its sturdy construction, seaworthiness, and classic looks. In fact, it set the standard for what a real bluewater cruiser should look like. In 1973, the Westsail 32 was featured in Time magazine and inspired many Americans to go cruising.

Though popular, this boat has earned the unenviable nickname “ Wetsnail 32″, a reference to its poor ability to windward and sluggish performance. But Westsail 32 owners don’t care that they won’t be winning any races.

What the boat lacks in speed it makes up for in classic looks and excellent offshore cruising characteristics. Many owners have crossed oceans and circumnavigated the globe in their Westsail 32s.

2. Tayana 37

The Tayana 37 is a wildly popular Bob Perry design. It first rolled off the production line in 1976 and there are now several hundred of them sailing the world’s oceans.

Above the waterline, the Tayana 37 boasts beautiful traditional lines. However, Perry wanted to avoid the unenviable (read: sluggish) performance characteristics, associated with double-enders.

So, he designed the Tayana 37 with a cut-away long keel and moderate displacement, maintaining the classic look, while achieving reasonable performance.

The Tayana 37 has a devoted following of offshore enthusiasts. Since 2009, 12 Tayana 37s have set out to cross the Pacific in the PPJ rallies.

Read more about the Tayana 37 in this Practical Sailor review .

3. Hans Christian 38T

The Hans Christian 38T is a full-keeled, heavy displacement bluewater boat with a long bowsprit and a clipper bow, giving it a distinctive appearance. It was first introduced in 1976 and was produced until the early 1990s.

If you hadn’t already guessed, the “T” in the name stands for “Traditional”. Like many boats on this list, it takes a cue from Crealock’s famous Westsail 32 which sparked a craze in the 1970s and 80s for Scandinavian-style doubled-enders.

It’s gained a reputation as a capable and seaworthy cruising yacht. Many owners have crossed oceans and completed circumnavigations in Hans Christian 38Ts.

By our count, eight Hans Christian 38Ts have participated in Pacific Puddle Jump rallies over the last 12 years.

4. Island Packet 380

I’ve always considered Island Packets the Rolls-Royce of the bluewater boat world. Their distinctive cream-colored topsides make them easy to spot and their robust bluewater construction makes them the envy of many far-flung anchorages.

Designed by Bob Johnson and built by Island Packet Yachts in Florida, the Island Packet 380 was first introduced in 1998. 169 were built before 2004, over which time it gained a reputation as a capable and comfortable offshore cruiser.

Having been built in the ’90s and early 2000s, this is a relatively newer boat. In many ways, it offers the best of both worlds, a classic-looking boat with all the modern cruising conveniences.

The Island Packet 380 design prioritizes safety and stability. It also has several offshore features including standard twin bow rollers, a divided anchor locker, and ample storage for cruising gear.

Life below deck is comfortable too. With a 13-foot (4 meter) beam there’s plenty of room for liveaboard amenities.

The Island Packet 380 is a popular choice for long-distance cruising and offshore passages. Since 2009, six Island Packet 380s have set out to cross the Pacific in PPJ rallies.

Read more about the Island Packet 380 in this review by Yachting Monthly .

5. Ingrid 38

The Ingrid 38 is a double-ended sailboat that was originally designed for wood construction in 1938.

In 1971, Bluewater Boat Co. began building a fiberglass version. The design proved hugely popular and more than 140 were built.

With a full keep and heavy displacement, the Ingrid 38 epitomizes the traditional bluewater cruiser. Yet, it remains a well-loved design today. Since 2009, six Ingrid 38s have set out to cross the Pacific in PPJ rallies.

Description

Fiona McGlynn is an award-winning boating writer who created Waterborne as a place to learn about living aboard and traveling the world by sailboat. She has written for boating magazines including BoatUS, SAIL, Cruising World, and Good Old Boat. She’s also a contributing editor at Good Old Boat and BoatUS Magazine. In 2017, Fiona and her husband completed a 3-year, 13,000-mile voyage from Vancouver to Mexico to Australia on their 35-foot sailboat.

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Sailboat Types: Full-Guide

For generations, sailing has been a mode of essential transportation, a rewarding hobby, an active and competitive sport, and a lifestyle. Sailing appeals to all, and there are dozens and dozens of types of sailboats.

Small sailboats are perfect for kids to sail on, and massive sailboats are used to cross oceans in style. In between, there are daysailers, racers, and cruisers. 

Table of Contents

• What Does a Sailboat Look Like? 

Small Sailboats

Cruising boats, cruising catamarans, cruising trimarans, full keel boats, fin keel boats, centerboard keel.

• Hydrofoil Sailboats 

A Purpose for Every Type of Sailboat

Faqs (frequently asked questions).

What Are Sailboat Types?

Sailboats are boats that are propelled by the wind. Sailboats use wind power instead of a motor or oars to move the boat. It should be noted, though, that nearly all modern sailboats have a motor as well. It comes in handy when docking in tight marinas and if the wind dies!

A sailboat has one, two, or three hulls. It has at least one mast, or tall vertical spar, that holds up one or more sails. The sails harness the power of the wind to move the boat forward.

To get started, here are some sailing boat types and terms to give you an idea of the sorts of boats that are out there.

• Dinghies — a small open boat, usually for only one or two people
• Daysailors — boats designed to go out for a day trip
• Cruising Sailboats — boats designed to travel long distances that have accommodations for their crew to live aboard a long term
• Sloop — the most common type of sailboat, with one mast and two sails (a jib and a mainsail)
• Ketch, yawl, or schooner — types of sailboats with two or more masts
• Monohull — a boat with only one hull
• Catamaran — a boat with two equal-sized hulls in the water that are connected together by a bridge deck
• Trimaran — a boat with three hulls in the water, the center of which is much larger than the outer two

What Does a Sailboat Look Like?

There are many different types of sailboats, so they look a little different from each other. The basics, however, are the same. 

Each sailboat has at least one hull that sits in the water. Part of the hull is visible above the waterline. Part of the sailboat hull sits below the waterline. 

The part beneath the waterline might be relatively small, or it can be quite large. The rudder, the mechanism used to steer the boat, is also underwater. 

The cockpit is where the helmsperson sits and steers the boat. On small boats, the cockpit takes up the entire boat. Cruising boats have interior accommodations as well as a safe cockpit.

Sailboats have at least one mast and at least one mainsail. As you get to know the different types of sailboats, you’ll see many different hull and sail configurations. 

Different Types of Sail Boats

Sailboats come in all types of sailboat shapes and sailboat sizes . Sailboats can be classified by their hull shape, size, or sail plan. The sail plan is how many sails they carry on how many masts.

Hull shapes include monohulls, catamarans, trimarans, and sailing hydrofoils. A monohull has just one hull, a catamaran has two hulls, a trimaran has three hulls, and a hydrofoil lifts out of the water. 

Sizes range from eight-foot sailboats to megayachts that are hundreds of feet long. Some sailboats are so small they are only suitable for one child who wants to go skimming across the lake. The largest pure sailing yacht in the world is the Black Pearl at 350 feet long (106.7 meters) long. Visit our Yacht vs Sailboat guide for a more definitive difference between the two and their sizes.

Sailboats also have different sail configurations or sail plans. For example, a sailboat with just one big sail on a forward-mounted mast is called a catboat. A boat with dozens of different sails on three masts is called a three-mast schooner.

Small sailboats are extremely popular and offer a lot of fun to the young and old. Most of the time, these boats are just used for daytime use in pleasant weather conditions. Kids often learn to sail in small monohull sailboats. Families might go for a picnic in a Hobie catamaran. 

Yacht club members might race their 16-foot daysailors, while adventurous souls might take their 19-ft weekender and anchor in a calm cove for the weekend. 

What is a Small Sailboat Called?

Small sailboats have different names, depending on the type of sailboat and the number of sail boat hulls. For example, the boat might be a monohull dinghy, small catboat, small catamaran, or daysailor.

Additionally, like every car on the road, every boat on the water is identified by its make and model. In small boats that are commonly raced, a certain make and model may set up a class of racing boats. Class racing means that all of the boats are identical, so the race is based solely on the skills of the skippers.

Sailing Dinghies

Kids and adults often learn to sail on sailing dinghies. Sailing dinghies can be as small as eight feet long. This small size makes it easy for kids to handle.

Some common sailing dinghies are Optis, Lasers, and Sunfish.

This size sailboat is also functional. They can be used to ferry sailors from their larger anchored boats to shore. The small size also helps sailors easily store their dinghy on larger boats. The word dinghy is often used to refer to any small boat used as a tender for a larger vessel, even if the tender is a motorboat.

Cat Rig Boats

A cat rig boat, or cat boat, is a type of sailboat that usually just has one large mainsail and a forward-mounted mast. Many smaller dinghies and training boats are catboats. A catboat has a free-standing mast with no standing rigging.

Small Catamarans

A catamaran is a boat with two hulls. The Hobie brand is synonymous with small catamarans, which are popular with families looking for a fun hobby. Hobie Cats are seen on the sand at beach resorts all over the world—they’re safe, fun, and fast.

Catamarans are faster than monohulls, and these boats are fun to race. Small catamarans are often used by families that live on the waterfront. Their lightweight makes them easy to drag to the waterfront and launch.

Small catamarans are also popular on beaches. Many beach resorts offer Hobie cats for rent. Small catamarans are between 12-20 feet in length. The hulls are joined only with spars and netting, so these fast and light open boats are not set up to carry a lot of people or supplies.

Daysailors are the ultimate fun boat. As the name implies, this type of sailing boat is used for day sailing. These boats are usually between 12 to 20 feet long. Some use these smaller boats for racing or overnight camping, but most sailors use daysailors for a leisurely sail.

Small Sailboats with Cabins

While most small sailboats just have a large open cockpit, several small yacht types have cabins. These cabins offer a chance for sailors to use a porta-potty or get out of the sun. Some small sailboats even have sleeping accommodations for overnight stays.

An excellent example of this is the Cape Dory Typhoon Weekender. This small sailboat is known as “America’s Littlest Yacht.” Down below, there are two small bunks for sleeping and enough space to have a small stove and a porta-potty. Most owners don’t stay aboard long-term, but the cabin is a useful place to stow items while sailing or to hide during a rainstorm.

Cruising boats are boats that are capable of traveling long distances. Cruising boats have sleeping accommodations, cooking facilities, and bathroom facilities. These boats are like RVs for the waterway.

Cruising boats offer sailors the chance to live on their boats while sailing. Like RVs, cruising sailboats travel to different ports of call. Cruising sailboats are one of the more popular types of sailing boat. They offer adventurous sailors the chance to enjoy sailing as a sport while seeing new things.

Cruising boats are usually 30 to 50 feet long. Most cruising couples prefer a boat that is around 40 feet long since this provides enough space to live comfortably and enough storage space for all of their gear.

Monohulls are very popular cruising boats. These boats offer good storage, are safe, and are easy for a couple to handle together. Monohulls have different types of sail configurations.

Cruising Bermuda Rigged Sloops

Most monohulls are Bermuda rig sloops. This sail plan features one mast with a mainsail and a headsail. Bermuda rig sloops are easy to single-hand and very versatile. How many sails does a sloop have? A Bermuda sloop flies two sails at a time, which are the mainsail and a headsail.

However, the boat might have other sails onboard. For example, the captain might take down the jib in light winds and use a bigger genoa to capture more wind power. During a downwind sail with light winds, the captain might rig a large spinnaker, which looks like a huge kite, to keep sailing even in little wind.

Even within the sloop category, there are many variations in the design. A masthead sloop is one whose forestay (headsail) goes all the way to the top of the mast. In contrast, a fractional sloop’s forestay connects at some point lower. So a 3/4 fractional rig has a headsail that only goes up three-quarters of the way to the top.

Riggers and boat designers have a lot of tools in their toolbox from which they can make a boat faster or more user-friendly. The type of rigging and sail plan a boat is equipped with offers it performance improvements as well as functionality.

Cruising Cutter

A cutter is a sailboat with one mast, one mainsail, and two sails forward of the mast. The sail at the front of the boat is the jib, genoa, or yankee depending on its size and cut. The next sail in, the inner headsail, is called the staysail. Island Packets are popular boats with this sail plan.

Cutters are popular choices as cruising and bluewater cruiser boats because the staysail provides the skipper with many different sail options. They could fly all three sails fully, or they could fly a small partial mainsail and just the staysail for heavy winds.

Cruising Ketch With Mizzen Sail

Some cruising monohulls are ketches. A ketch can be easily identified by its two masts. The forward mast is the main mast with a mainsail. The aft mizzen mast is shorter and has a mizzen sail. This sail plan can make it easier to carry a big sail area and configure the sails for various sailing conditions.

A boat with more than one mast is called a split rig because the rig is split between two shorter masts instead of all mounted on one tall one. The advantage of a split rig is that there are more sails, each of which is smaller. That makes them easier to handle, and important consideration when you are sailing alone or with only one other person.

Cruising Yawl

A yawl is similar to a ketch and has two masts. However, the mizzen mast on a yawl is aft of the rudder post, whereas it is forward of the rudder post on a ketch. This mizzen mast location is even further back than a ketch’s. Yawls are one of the less popular types of sailboats. However, like the ketch, they offer diverse sail options and can keep sailing in many different types of weather. 

On both ketches and yawls, the mizzen mast is shorter than the main mast. If the two masts are of equal height, or the forward mast is shorter, then you are looking at a schooner.

Cruising catamarans are one of the most popular classes of sailboats right now. This type of sailing boat has two hulls and offers sailors speed, space, and comfort. A cruising catamaran is usually between 40 and 60 feet long and 20 to 30 feet wide. The additional width offers cruise sailors huge amounts of space. 

Cruising catamarans have excellent storage space and ample living accommodations if you intend to living on a boat . These boats are popular with couples and families and are often used to sail around the world on circumnavigations. 

Cruising catamarans are usually fractional sloop rigs. They have one mast, a large mainsail, and a jib or genoa. In general, these boats are designed to be easy to sail and minimize complications.

Trimarans are a type of sailboat with three hulls. Trimarans are known to be fast and are popular with racing sailors. However, they are also gaining popularity as cruising boats. These boats usually have fewer accommodations than cruising monohulls and catamarans. However, more modern trimarans like the Neel Trimaran have luxurious living spaces.

Types of Keel

Another way to classify the different types of sailing boats is by looking at the boat’s keel type. You can easily get an idea of different keel designs by walking around a boatyard. When a sailboat is in the water, it is hard to tell the shape of its keel.

The keel is the bottom part of the hull and is underwater. The keel is structurally essential. The keel’s weight helps the boat sail evenly and uprightly. The force created by the water moving over the keel counteracts the effects of the wind on the sails.

So a keel does two jobs for a sailboat. First, it provides a force that allows a sailboat to sail into the wind. Second, it provides stability. If storm-force weather conditions cause a monohull boat to roll, the weight in the keel will help the boat right itself.

Many older cruising boats had full keels. The keel shape runs the entire length of the boat. A full-keel boat is strong and easy to manufacture. Full-keel boats often have deeper drafts. The boat’s draft refers to the amount of water it needs to float. Full-keel boats can’t go into the shallow anchorages that catamarans or swing-keel boats can access.

Captains often report that full-keel boats are harder to maneuver in tight places such as marinas. Full-keel boats lack quick maneuverability. They have a reputation for being slower than more modern designs, but they make up for this by providing a very comfortable and safe ride in rough weather.

A boat with a fin keel has a smaller underwater profile than a boat with a full keel. This smaller keel resembles a fish fin. Captains find fin keel boats easier to maneuver. Fin keels use their shape to create very effective forces underwater. That makes them very good at countering the forces on the sails, meaning that fin keels sail upwind very well.

A boat with a bulb keel has a torpedo-shaped bulb on the bottom of a fin keel. Bulb keels offer improved stability. Bulb keels have shallower keels than a fin keel boat. The bulb also lowers the center of gravity in the boat, making it more stable overall.

A wing keel features a keel with a small wing on either side of the keel. Viewed from above, the keel looks like it has a set of small airplane wings. 

Similar to a bulb keel, wing keel boats often have a shallower draft than fin-keel boats. However, the additional shape causes drag and can reduce sailing performance in some circumstances.

A centerboard is common on small daysailors that are launched and retrieved from trailers. Deep keels make getting those boats in and out of the water difficult. By chopping off the keel, you can make a sailboat as easy to launch as a powerboat.

Related: Best Trailerable Sailboats

But of course, a sailboat needs to have a keel. A centerboard is a simple swinging fin keel that can be raised or lowered. This provides some excellent benefits if the sailor on board likes to explore areas with shallow water.

Many bigger boats have centerboards, too. A boat with a centerboard can be seen as the best of both worlds. A centerboard boat has a fixed shallow draft keel. However, the captain can deploy the centerboard when sailing in deeper waters. The centerboard adds depth to the keel and offers increased stability and performance.

A modification of the centerboard is the swing keel — a ballasted keel that can be retracted like a centerboard . These are rare. They’re used on large cruising boats where the crews want the option of accessing shallow waters. In England, this type of boat is used and can be dried out when the tide goes out.

Racing Sailboats

Yacht racing is a popular sailing sport. It’s a great way to get out on the water while competing. In fact, racing is a great way for sailors to hone their sailing skills. Sailors have to pay close attention to weather conditions and manage their sails effectively to maximize their speed.

Sailors can race any boat with sails. Kids race sailing dinghies against each other. Club racers sail daysailors or catboats. Catamarans and trimarans are also popular race boats. Several classes of boat races in the Summer Olympics.

Hydrofoil Sailboats

A hydrofoil is a unique and modern type of racing sailboat. A hydrofoil can be a monohull, catamaran, or trimaran. A hydrofoil has wing-like foils on the hull’s underside.

As the sailboat speeds up, the hydrofoils lift the hull out of the water, and the hydrofoil sailboat almost appears to be flying above the water.

Because the hull is now out of the water, drag, and resistance are minimal, and the sailboat can sail even faster. For example, a dinghy that usually goes four knots can accelerate to 12 knots when fitted with a hydrofoil.

Most hydrofoil sailboats are catamarans and trimarans. The added width of these multihull sailboats gives the hydrofoil sailboat more stability.

Traditional Sailboats

Traditional sailboats are the type of sailboats used to transport people and goods before modern transportation options were available. Before the railway, cars, and airplanes, a tall ship sailboat was used to ship cargo and people across oceans and from port to port. 

A gaff rig refers to the gaff, which is the upper spar on a square-shaped sail. Gaff rigs can be used with any mast configuration, but this feature is usually seen on traditional boats like a catboat, tall ship, or schooner.

A schooner has at least two masts. They are different from other mast configuration designs with two spars in that both masts are equal in height, or the forward mast is shorter. Schooners are faster than most traditional boats and were often used to transport perishable goods such as fruit. 

Schooners were also popular race boats in the early 20th century. For example, first America’s Cup races were won by schooners.

Today, schooners are usually used as charters for vacations or youth sail training programs. But there are a few cruising boats out there that feature schooner rigs. 

Any way you divvy it up, there are tons of different types of sailboats out there. With a little research and a little looking, you’re sure to find one that suits your style and boating plans.

What are the classes of sailboats?

Sailboat styles can be classified by hull type, use, or sail plan. The types of sailboat hulls include monohulls, catamarans, and trimarans. You can also categorize the kinds of sailboats by their use. For example, sailors use their boats for daysailing, cruising, and racing. Finally, different kinds of sailboats have different sail plans. A sailboat might be a sloop, ketch, yawl, catboat, or schooner.  The term “classes” has a particular meaning in sailing, however. Class racing is the competitive racing between boats of the same make and model—boats of the same “class” or of “one design.” There are hundreds of different classes of sailboats out there. Some of the most popular classes include the Laser and Sunfish classes.

What is a small 2 person sailboat called?

A small two-person sailboat is a dinghy. These small boats are fun to sail on protected waters. Many kids learn to sail in a sailing dinghy. There are dozens of makes and models of sailing dinghies available, some are used in Olympic sailing racing while others are just rowboats with sail rigs attached.

Matt has been boating around Florida for over 25 years in everything from small powerboats to large cruising catamarans. He currently lives aboard a 38-foot Cabo Rico sailboat with his wife Lucy and adventure dog Chelsea. Together, they cruise between winters in The Bahamas and summers in the Chesapeake Bay.

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Average Cost of Buying & Owning a Sailboat (2022)

Here are the 2022 data for our research on the average cost of buying and owning a sailboat.

Examples of Popular Sailboats, and How Much They Cost

What Does it Cost to Buy a Sailboat?

The average price of a new sailboat per foot in USD:

• under 30 ft: $2,400 per ft
• 30 - 50 ft: $5,700 - $8,500 per ft
• over 50 ft: $11,900 - $65,400 per ft

On average, second-hand sailboats go at 1/3 - 1/4 of the cost of a new boat:

• under 30 ft: $815 per ft
• 30 - 50 ft: $3,020 per ft
• over 50 ft: $5,100 - $17,000 per ft

Price of new sailboats

I've looked at the prices of thousands of yachts (really) on one of the largest yacht marketplaces in the world (- not manually, don't worry: with the help of their search function). This is what I came up with:

Source: Yachtworld Q2 2022

The price of new sailboats ranges from roughly $1,412 - $65,433 per foot. I've used these numbers to calculate the following list:

Prices per foot in USD

Here's the detailed price per foot for all lengths from 20 to 100 feet:

Price of used sailboats

We did the same for used catamarans, comparing thousands of listings. Here are the complete data:

The price of used sailboats ranges from roughly $471-$17,044 per foot.

Prices on Craigslist

To get an average of the price of a used sailboat, I went over to Craigslist. I took the first 10 relevant search results for sailboats under, and over 30 feet.

Of course, the averages here are very speculative, as prices vary from day to day. But it gives a broad range of what to expect.

Over 50 feet, listings become meagre. I believe people tend to not place their 80-ft sailboats on Craigslist, but sell it through a broker instead.

Median Craigslist price of a used sailboat:

• under 30 ft: $7,900
• over 30 ft: $96,900

Average Craigslist price-per-foot of a used sailboat:

• under 30 ft: $354 per ft
• over 30 ft: $1,845 per ft

This is what I found on Craigslist under 30 feet:

Washington dc.

Source: Craigslist Washington DC Q2 2022

Los Angeles

Source: Craigslist Los Angeles Q2 2022

Source: Craigslist Houston Q2 2022

South Florida

Source: Craigslist Miami Q2 2022

Source: Craigslist New York Q2 2022

Here's what I found for 30 feet and up:

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Better Sailing

10 Best Catamarans Under 40 Feet

One of the best ways to unwind and relax is cruising on the sea and enjoying nature’s beauty on a boat. And when it comes to your relaxation and enjoyment, why not go for a boat that is guaranteed to deliver you maximum comfort like the catamaran?

For new yacht/boat enthusiasts, the term catamaran might seem foreign to you. A catamaran is a multi-hulled vessel with two hulls that are both of equal size. It is a geometrically balanced vessel, getting its stability from its wide beam, unlike a monohull with a ballasted keel. Now you might seriously be wondering, why take a cat instead of a monohull? Well, there are quite a few reasons but let us focus on the important ones.

Benefits Of A Great Catamaran Under 40 Feet

Sailing comfort.

Something very glaring about sailing a cat is the absence of heeling, which a monohull has. Even when powered, a cat will hardly heel more than 5-10 degrees before its time to reef. This makes it far more relaxing and comfortable under sail.  

Speed 

A bluewater cruising catamaran is faster than a cruising monohull of the same length. They usually reach near racing monohull speeds while still maintaining the comforts that a cat provides.

Nevertheless, note that cats are sensitive to load; a loaded cat will have its performance affected.

Living Spaces and Liveaboard Comfort

The one thing a modern cat does not lack is space. A typical cat has the space equivalent to a monohull 10+ feet larger. When you factor in the cockpit space, a flybridge, and the deck space, it becomes a whole new ball game. Not only do you get a tremendous amount of space, but most of that space is also luxurious and comfortable, whether at anchor or underway.

Here Are Some Of The Best Catamarans Under 40 Feet

Fountaine Pajot Lucia 40

Price: From 350k to 450k For Sale On The Used Market

The Fountaine Pajot released the new Lucia 40 to the Miami show in February 2016, and boat enthusiasts received it with a lot of enthusiasm.

The new Lucia 40 was designed by Oliver Racoupeau, and it is a promising take on the future of modern designs. The hulls are moderately narrow but wide enough for the double berths in both cabins to fit in. The topsides are high and have big rectangular windows that allow natural light into the hulls and give a marvelous view from the cabins.  

The boat has a lot of space for a 40-footer which has been put to good use to provide a lot of options for a comfortable lifestyle on board. A displacement of 19,500 pounds and an Alpi wood finishing puts the cat on the lighter end of the cruising spectrum. 

All in all, the Lucia 40 is a very wonderful cruiser catamaran that is not lacking in looks, motor efficiency, or living space. She will never disappoint in giving you that enjoyable cruise that you deserve.

>>Also Read: 10 Best Catamaran Brands

Fountaine Pajot Lucia 40 Specs

Overall length: 38.4 ft Waterline length: 37.9 ft Beam: 21.7 ft Draft: 3.9 ft Air draft: 63.3 ft Overall height: 14 ft Light displacement:21,000 pounds Load displacement: 27,000 pounds Material: Polyester Fiberglass

Price: From 350k to 600k For Sale On The Used Market

The Lagoon 40 has come to replace her previous 39 and 400 models. Designed by VPLP, the new cat adopted the style of her larger predecessors, including the angular transoms, lengthier rectangular hull ports to let natural light stream in below. The design also includes a coach roof that shapes into an upward angled composite hard drop, giving her a more “aggressive” look. Special attention was placed into keeping the weight low.

The interior has not gone through any overly dramatic change, but the tweaks have been given an extra feel of luxury. The symbolic white fiberglass or gray cabinetry of the 39 has been discarded for richer shades of dark brown Alpi wood and plenty of leather accents. The lagoon 40 has 3-4 cabins readily available for use.

The Lagoon 40 is truly a beauty among beauties, a modern marvel that does not go for less when it comes to luxury.

>>Also Read: 10 Best Catamarans Under 200k

Lagoon 40 Specs

Length overall: 38.5ft Beam: 22.2ft Draft: 4.5ft Mast clearance: 60.5ft Light displacement (EEC): 10,885t Sail area: 875 sq ft Square top mainsail: 511 sq ft Self-tacking jib: 364 sq ft

Price: From 250k to 400k For Sale On The Used Market

Renowned naval architects Marc van Peteghem and Vincent Lauriot Prevost of VPLP design have gone above and beyond with this modern marvel. While the defining features of the previous lagoon remained, very significant changes were made to the rigs and hulls to boost sailing performance. Most importantly, the mast and the center of buoyancy of the hulls are farther apart.

The boat has infusion molding, which serves for increased weight saving (a factor very important for a catamaran), an optimal structure, and better protection for the environment and shipbuilders.

The woodwork for the interior of the 39 was done with Alpi reconstructed wood, coupled with vertical glazing for protection against the sun.

Lagoon 39 Specs

Length Overall: 38.3ft Beam: 22.3ft Draft Minimum: 4.0ft Water Capacity: 66.0 imperial gallons Fuel Capacity: 88.0 imperial gallons Cabins: 4 Berths: 8/10 Day maximum passengers: 10 Bathrooms: 2 WC: 2 Number of engines: 2 Power: 40 hp

Price: From 150k to 450k For Sale On The Used Market

The Lagoon 380 is the most sought-after cat in the world, and it is not hard to see why. Line her up against her follow cats like the lagoon 46 or 42, and she still tops them.

She is a certified ocean crosser; quite sturdy, safe, and economical. She also has an acceptable level of performance and is pretty spacious for a cat of her size. What more could you ask for? She definitely one of the best catamarans under 40 feet and a dreamboat for an enjoyable cruise.

The 380 is not the lightest boat for her size. Her hulls are made from solid fiberglass below the waterline and cored with a mix of foam and balsa above the waterline.

The design used for the interior is top-notch, and it makes use of the available space. The boat also possesses vertical windows that help to efficiently maximize space and minimize the heat from the sun. In addition, there are dual sliding doors that open up the saloon into the cockpit. The Lagoon 380 is truly a modern masterpiece.

Lagoon 380 Specs

Length Overall: 37.7 ft Beam: 21.3ft Draft Minimum: 3.8ft Water Capacity: 88 – 132 imperial gallons Fuel Capacity: 44 imperial gallons Cabins: 4 Berths: 8/10 Day maximum passengers: 10 Power: 30 hp

Nautitech 40

Price: From 250k to 600k For Sale On The Used Market

Looking for a spectacular sailing sensation? Are you planning on spending a wonderful and relaxing trip with family and friends on the sea? If yes, then look no further; the Nautitech 40 is the perfect cat for you.

The open design gives you huge living space for a forty-foot cat, the most in her class. She is pretty light for a production cruising cat and accelerates very quickly compared to other brands. The Nautitech is the perfect combination of speed and comfort.

Different density foam cores are used, depending on the location and loading in different parts of the boat. The biggest difference between the Nautitech 40 and much of the competition is the use of foam composite in contrast to the balsa cores of the competition. This allows a significant amount of weight to be saved.

Nautitech 40 Specs

Length Overall: 39.4ft Beam: 22.7ft Draft Minimum: 4.43ft Water Capacity: 105.6ft Fuel Capacity: 94.6ft Cabins: 4 Berths: 8/10 Day maximum passengers: 10 Bathrooms: 2 WC: 2 Number of engines: 2 Power: 30 hp

If you are not an ardent yacht lover yet, then the Bali 4.0 should easily change your mind. This modern marvel towers above all others in the cat crowd, boasting a state-of-the-art design and revolutionary features. Her oversized and wholly open spaces, plus its competitive price, makes it a superb choice for you. 

The interior design of the boat stems from the famous Italian composite material, Alpi, which has a mixture of thin African woods laminated with a gorgeous outer surface. The addition of other complimentary fabrics sums up a tasteful modern décor.

You cannot be faulted for calling her a floating apartment, so if you’re looking for something large but lightweight with a feel of “home” offshore, the Bali 4.0 has it all.

Bali 4.0 Specs

Length Overall: 39.1ft  Beam: 22.0ft Draft Minimum: 3.7ft Water Capacity: 176 imperial gallons Fuel Capacity: 88.0 imperial gallons Cabins: 4  Berths: 8/10 Day maximum passengers: 10 Number of engines: 2 Power: 20 hp

Seawind 1190

Price: From 400k to 550k For Sale On The Used Market

Seawind built upon the global success garnered from the 1160 to create a swifter model with enhanced performance. With the addition of retractable rudders, carbon fiber throughout, and a wardrobe of performance sails, she is truly a top-class cat.

The 1190 is intended to be a sportier version of its comfortably cruising sibling. It has various performance-enhancing features like the carbon-reinforced beam for reduced weight and the carbon bowsprit for stiffer/lighter construction.

Similar to her sister, the 1190 has trifold doors opening the saloon to the cockpit with the forward opening Saloon window, which allows the cat to have maximum airflow.

Seawind 1190 Specs

Length Overall: 38.1ft Beam: 21.3ft Draft Minimum: 3.6ft Water Capacity: 154 imperial gallons Fuel Capacity: 79.2 imperial gallons Cabins: 3 Berths: 8/10 Day maximum passengers: 10 Bathrooms: 1

Beneteau Excess 12

Price: New From 350k (Sailaway)

Excess is a new multihull line designed by Groupe Beneteau. It was designed to be an open cat that connects the crew more directly with their sailing experience.

The French naval architect focused on streamlining the interior wood structure and, in doing so, got rid of a lot of cabinetry hardware. The result was a smoother and lighter interior that still satisfies all your needs.

Beneteau Excess 12 Specs

Length Overall: 38.5ft Beam: 22.0ft Draft Minimum: 4.43ft Water Capacity: 66 imperial gallons Fuel Capacity: 96.8 imperial gallons Cabins: 4 Berths: 8 Day maximum passengers: 8 Number of engines: 2 Power: 45 hp

Prout Escale 39 – Best Budget Option

Price: Around 150k For Sale On The Used Market

The Prout Escale 39 was built in Essex, United Kingdom, in 1991. This cruising beauty was created by two brothers, Francis and Roland Prout. 

The Escale, compared to previous builds, has a considerably larger beam; this, in turn, resulted in her having a very spacious interior. If you prioritize comfort over speed, then the Escale 39 is the perfect boat for you. She has ideal accommodations below deck, the kind of space you will not find in a monohull. Some parts of her interior are dated, and this reflects on her second-hand prices.

Prout Escale 39 Specs

Overall length: 39″0″ Waterline length: 35″0″ Beam: 18″3″ Hull beam (max.): 4″3″ Draft: 3″3″ Max. headroom: 6″10″ Mainsail: 243 sq. ft. Genoa: 475 sq. ft Staysail: 125 sq. ft. Displacement: 15,679 lbs. Freshwater tank: 154 gals. Fuel: 35 gals.

Gemini Legacy 35

Price: From 200k to 300k For Sale On The Used Market

The Gemini cat has always been one of the silent achievers in American boatbuilding. Once again, they have delivered greatness with the Legacy 35.

She still has roughly the same looks as her predecessors with the familiar hardtop pilothouse and elongated upswept side ports. Her cockpit, however, has been rebranded to include an optional aft bench for stowage.

The interior layout has seen changes, but this has improved the comfort she provides in a lot of ways. The saloon has been designed to take a U-shape on the centerline in the raised pilothouse.

Gemini Legacy 35 Specs

Length Overall: 34.51 Fuel Capacity: 35.93 US gallons.  Cabins: 2 Berths: 4/6 Day maximum passengers: 6 Bathrooms: 2 Number of engines: 2 Power: 15 hp

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, while all the boats mentioned above may vary and appeal to different tastes and preferences, it is guaranteed that renting or buying any of the above catamarans is sure to offer a great amount of onboard luxury and satisfy any need and aesthetic taste. 

Peter is the editor of Better Sailing. He has sailed for countless hours and has maintained his own boats and sailboats for years. After years of trial and error, he decided to start this website to share the knowledge.

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Average Speed of a Sailboat (Plus Top Speed)

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

June 15, 2022

Going fast in a sailboat can be lots of fun. But what is the average of a sailboat? Well, let's find out.

The delight and gratification that comes from speed can be a big plus for adrenaline-seeking sailors. Well, nothing can fire up the adrenaline more than having a speedy boat ride out on the water. This is essentially why having an idea of how fast a sailboat can go is of great importance. When it comes to looking at the speed of a sailboat, it can be crucial to consider the types of activities that you'll be using your sailboat for. In fact, your sailboat should only be considered ideal if it meets the level of expectations required of it in terms of speed and activities on the water. Even with this, the speeds of sailboats can vary based on several factors. But what is the average speed of a sailboat?

The top speed of a sailboat will vary based on its size and purpose. For example, high-end racing sailboats are purposely designed to reach maximum speeds while larger and bulkier sailboats may be slower due to drag and friction. That being said, the average speed of racing sailboats is 15 knots (17 mph). On the other hand, the average speed of cruising sailboats is 4-6 knots (4.5-7 mph) and can attain a top speed of 7 knots (8 mph). In essence, cruise speeds of over 8 knots are quite normal.

Let's get into the details.

Table of contents

Measuring Sailboat Speed

The nautical measurement of speed is the knot. According to the World Sailing Speed Council, one knot is equal to about 1.15 mph. The knot measurement is dependent on the circumference of the Earth. So if your sailboat is cruising at an average speed of 1 nautical mile per hour, it means that it's cruising at a speed of 1 knot.

Modern sailboats have GPS tracking devices that can be used to measure the distance covered, as well as the speed at which the sailboat is sailing.

Factors that Determine the Speed of a Sailboat

Different types of sailboats can attain different speeds. There are several factors that can determine the speed of a sailboat. Let's take a look.

The Length and Size of a Sailboat

While the speed of a sailboat will depend on several factors such as currents, wind conditions, and many other factors as we'll discuss later, the most important thing that can influence the speed of a sailboat is its size and length. You may be asking yourself; what's the connection between the length of a boat and its speed?

Well, the ability of a sailboat to go fast depends on the harmonizing act between its length and the power that drives it. When a sailboat moves through the water, it creates a pattern of waves. These waves include one along the side of the sailboat, which produces a ridge of water at the bow and a trough at the stern.

If the length of the wave is almost equal to the length of the boat, it creates a huge ridge that shoves the sailboat back into its trough, thereby slamming it up against an almost dense wall of water resistance. This then gives the sailboat sufficient speed to lift its bow out of the water and the ability to skim above the bow waves while allowing it to overcome the resistance that the water or the waves create.

A sailboat, of course, needs a lot of power to get over the hump in the resistance curve. So a longer boat will have a higher speed than a shorter boat. This is because a longer sailboat will create longer waves across its hull and move faster. On the other hand, short sailboats tend to generate shorter waves, thereby will have reduced speeds. In essence, it's almost impossible for a sailboat to travel faster than the speed of a wave if the wave is longer than the boat.

In most cases, boat designers create extreme lengths to get boats over the mound of the wave resistance. While a lightweight boat can easily achieve this, it can leave you shorthanded in heavy winds as it can be easily pushed by the winds. Again, it may not have the stability needed to carry enough sails to get the appropriate power to sail on the water. So if the boat is light, it should at least have a double hull to at least compensate for its instability.

The Shape of the Hull

This may be hard to believe but some hulls are more efficient than others when it comes to creating the wave resistance that is needed to move the boat. Generally, hulls should be very slim and carefully shaped. Keep in mind that a sailboat that has a hull that's shaped like a fat tub will not be as fast as a sailboat with a very slim hull even if they're of the same length.

A proper indication that the hull has the ability to be faster depends on its aft or buttock lines. If a hull has a straight line from the lowest point of the hull to the transom and the transom is a little bit wide, the boat will not only be stable but will be much faster. On the contrary, a hull that curves a lot but has a narrow stern may not be that fast. In essence, hulls play an integral role in slicing through the water and do not push water aside and down.

Comparing the Speeds of Catamarans and Monohulls

Are catamaran or trimaran hulls more superior to Monohulls in terms of speed? Well, cruising on a sailboat with a cat hull will be much faster than cruising on a sailboat with a monohull by 25%-30% if the two sailboats are of the same length. A catamaran hull will not only achieve speeds of a racing monohull but will be more comfortable to sail on.

A tri-hull is even much better in the sense that they're generally designed towards the performance end of the spectrum. They will, therefore, double the speed of a racing monohull.

The only downside of a cat and trimaran hull is that they're more sensitive to loading and their performances will significantly suffer if they're loaded. On the other hand, a monohull can perfectly handle loading and this is a huge advantage is you're planning to sail with a crew. To this end, you should consider keeping your cat or tri boat as light as possible if you want to maximize speed. We all know that keeping your sailboat light is as difficult as they come but it's of importance if speed is your main goal.

Monohull (6-8 knots)

Most average sailboats are designed with monohulls. They're generally displacement hulls designed to split through the underwater. This not only stabilizes the boat but slices through the water smoothly. If you want to make a monohull sailboat much faster, you can consider raising the entire hull above the water.

Catamarans and Trimarans (9-10 knots)

Unlike monohulls, cats and trimarans are located on top of the water. This means that they'll be displacing less water, thereby making them a lot faster. The only downside is that this design will make the boat less stable, which can be a cause for concern given that safety should always come first while on the water. This is essentially why catamarans and trimarans have two and three hulls respectively. This will, however, make the boat extremely buoyant.

Waves play a critical role not just in the speed of your boat but also in the safety of your boat. We all know that waves are very unpredictable. They can be calm and gentle but can suddenly become wild, confusing, irregular, and angry.

Generally described as freaks or rogues, waves can be very dangerous. They can bully your boat and attempt to roll it over. Waves can also make your boat faster or slower. As such, waves can either positively or negatively affect the speed of your sailboat. Given that calm waves cannot be appropriate in achieving the maximum speed of your boat, the right wave condition that should enable your sailboat to move faster should overlap and interfere in the right way.

The wind is the only thing that propels sailboats. The wind will fill up the sails, which is then used to move the boat. Both true winds and apparent winds can be integral in moving the boat forward. True wind is essentially the type of wind you feel when you stand still and it's what pushes a boat. Needless to say, strong winds may move a sailboat faster than calm winds but this may depend on the wind direction.

How to Improve the Speed of Your Sailboat

Having looked at the average speed of a sailboat, as well as factors that may affect its speed, it's important to highlight how to improve the speed of your sailboat.

It's important to make sure that your sailboat is properly designed to attain maximum speed. The sailboat should also be properly maintained and serviced to work at maximum speed. Make sure that the hull and foils are clean and in perfect shapes. Here's what to do.

• ‍ Make sure that the foils do not have seaweeds or plastic bags
• Ensure that the hull is in tip-top shape and can hold tension
• Make sure that the sails are in the right conditions
• Make sure that the masts have the right stiffness

You may have a lot of difficulties reaching your targeted speed if the weight of the crew exceeds the appropriate capacity of your sailboat. This is because there will be some sort of drag and tension and this may significantly hinder the speed at which the boat travels. In essence, a lighter boat may be a lot faster than a heavier boat. This is what you should do.

• ‍ Make sure that the weight is appropriate
• Ensure that the boats overall weight is moving aft and out appropriately
• Make sure that the maximum weight is not exceeded

The settings of your sailboat can either negatively or positively affect its speed. For instance, you should make sure that the mast rakes, mast step position, shroud tensions. Jib car position, vang tension, and keel position, as well as any other part of the sailboat, are perfectly set to make the boat faster.

You should compare various settings and figure out which type of settings gives you maximum speed. Here are some of the things to do.

• ‍ Ensure that jib cars are in the right position
• Make sure that your mainsails are in the right position
• The vang tension should be efficient

The technique you use on your sailboat can make a difference when it comes to your speed. Techniques such as steering and trimming can be a huge speed factor, particularly when the conditions at sea are difficult. You should also have varying trimming techniques. Here are some important skills.

• ‍ Know how to steer perfectly
• Know how to control primary upwind
• Know the right amount of curl to have in your kite
• Make sure that you're pumping efficiently
• Know how to play the jibs and genoas

These factors can be of great importance in increasing the speed of your sailboat. You can use them efficiently next time you want to be up to speed.

Bottom Line

Sailing speed is, without a doubt, one of the most favorite discussions among sailors. Most sailors often try to figure out how to make their sailboats faster or why a given sailboat is faster than another one. In essence, the average speed of a sailboat ranges between 4 knots to 15 knots but this may depend on the size and type of the sailboat, as well as other factors. This means that the average speed of sailboats is 8 knots but there several factors such as the type of the hull, waves, and wind conditions can affect the speed of your sailboat.

It's, therefore, important to know how these factors may affect your speed and what you need to do about them. For example, your sailboat may not be as fast as you may want if it's not properly prepared or maintained.

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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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Big Love: New Boats Over 40 Feet

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Longing for a bigger boat? A stretched out LOA with a beefier beam delivers plenty of room for innovative amenities and luxury.

Boat envy is nothing to be ashamed of, and it's certainly nothing new. Look, we all love our boats (for the most part), but be honest: Have you ever met a boater without a wandering eye? There's a reason why the term "moving up" is so commonly used in dealerships coast to coast.

The standard 8-foot, 6-inch beam — perfect for trailering — is where most of us live quite happily. But a funny thing starts to happen to the beam when a boat stretches to 28, 30, 40 feet: Layout options and creature comforts expand exponentially. Cramped interiors start resembling luxury condominiums, with air conditioning a given, along with home-sized cooking and dining areas, plush comforts below decks to escape for sleeping, or watching live TV — and plenty of room on deck to roam, lounge, fish, or entertain — maybe all at once.

It's OK to long for that pristine 50-foot cruiser three slips down — the one so big it has to be parked on the face dock. That beauty is something to strive for, and maybe one day it will be yours. Either way, anyone who's toured a big boat at a show knows how much fun they are to explore.

"Whaler is well-known for our fishing series — Montauk, Dauntless, and Outrage — but we're going in a different direction here," says Will Rogers, director of large boat sales for Boston Whaler, which introduced its Realm 380 at the 2018 Miami International Boat Show.

The new Boston Whaler Realm line (the 350 was introduced a year ago) has elements of a center-console, bow rider, and cabin cruiser — yet, it's not any of those — all rolled into a stable, smooth-riding 38-footer chock full of amenities.

"One of the key things we've seen over the years as these center-consoles have grown, the owners are starting to overnight in them because they now have the comfort to do that, with larger air-conditioned cabins below, so the youngsters can go below, relax, take a nap," Rogers says. As center-consoles have grown in size and proliferated the new boat landscape, they're evolving from the stripped-down pure fishing machines of old. Sure, it can still handle fish blood on the cockpit deck for a fishing trip on Saturday, but it had better be clean for that family cruise on Sunday.

Formula 430 SSC

LOA: 45'6" | Beam: 12' | Draft: 3'7" | Fuel: 500 gals | Water: 56 gals | Displacement: 25,720 lbs | Power: Mercury Quad Verado 300 or 350, both with joystick piloting. formulaboats.com

Formula's new 430 Super Sport Crossover offers nearly 40 linear feet flowing on one continuous level from bow to stern. The 430's trademarked SmartZone concept optimizes space, with the layout set up for lounging in the open bow, entertaining in the saloon, and fishing in the cockpit.

Scott Smith, Formula's marketing manager, says he's seeing a shift, "from cruisers you can take out for the day and raft up at the sandbar, to day boats you can dock at your cottage and overnight when you want to: "Leisure time is getting tighter, and family trips are shorter."

Bells & Whistles

The real star power to big boats goes beyond just size. It's all the cool features and amenities. It's safe to say all of these yachts come with state-of-the-art electronics, propulsion systems, and luxurious appointments. That's why their price tags typically start around $750,000 and go far beyond (with some exceptions, read on).

Beneteau Gran Turismo 50

LOA: 51'9" | Beam: 14'4" | Draft: 2'11" | Fuel: 2 x 172 gals. | Water: 2 x 53 gals | Displacement: 30,000 lbs | Power: twin Volvo IPS 600 or twin 435-hp diesels. beneteau.com/us

Beneteau's new power flagship, the Gran Turismo 50, available in either hardtop or sport fly design, takes amenities to the next level with a built-in retractable sun visor in the hardtop and opening side windows to transform into an open boat. The flybridge version has a second helm station and a dinette that transforms into a solarium. The aft bench turns into a chaise lounge with a remote control that lowers the backrest and raises the footrest. A tender garage is reached via the optional hydraulic submersible swim platform.

"Above the trend of uniqueness, our customers are looking for smart and efficient boats where they can combine the best comfort, volume, and travel experience at accessible pricing, says Jean-Francois Lair, sales director for Beneteau.

Jeanneau Prestige 460 S

LOA: 46'10" | Beam: 13'9" | Draft: 3'5" | Fuel: 328 gals Water: 105 gals | Displacement: 38,250 lbs | Power: twin Volvo IPS 600-hp or twin IPS 500 370-hp. jeanneau.com

The Prestige 460 S Coupe also features a hydraulic swim platform and large retractable sunroof, plus a large sliding glass door aft that opens the interior to a spacious cockpit, where an L-shaped cockpit seating design transforms into a large aft sundeck. An optional rear galley with electric transom grill is located for cooking on the swim platform.

That's Entertainment!

Tiara Yachts' C49 Coupe, like all of these yachts, is designed for entertainment, and laid out like an open-design luxury condo with 360-degree panoramic windows all around, including a large retractable window integrated into the hardtop. A single entry cockpit maximizes seating. Hardwood and designer fabrics dominate the interior. When the weather is right, open the sliding aft saloon glass door, framed by windows, to connect interior and exterior to take in the sea air on a rear cockpit lounge seat finished in exterior grade Ultraleather. A portside aft-facing seat and high-gloss adjustable teak table add to the ambience of the open-air cockpit. Accommodations for up to six guests await below deck.

Tiara C49 Coupe

LOA: (w/swim platform) 50'3" | Beam: 15'4" | Draft: 4'2" | Fuel: 500 gals | Water: 135 gals | Displacement: 41,000 lbs | Power: twin Volvo IPS 800s. tiarayachts.com

The cabin on Formula's 430 Crossover provides "a completely residential experience" with 6-foot, 6-inch headroom, a fully appointed lower galley, dining lounge, enclosed head, and stateroom sleeping aft. The U-shaped lounge is deep and spacious, accommodating friends for dinner or light entertainment at a wood table that hinges up for a larger surface or lowers for sleeping, all at the flip of a switch.

"Today's daycruiser probably has more cruising features than the performance cruiser had when I started in this business back in the late 1980s," Smith says. That includes the wine cabinet and 32-inch HDTV with soundbar and Blu-ray player.

Go The Distance

The bigger the boat, the bigger the fuel tank. Sure, you'll still burn a ton of fuel compared to the small boats, but the technological strides made in fuel-efficient engines over the last decade is dramatic. Beneteau's Gran Turismo 50 has twin 172-gallon fuel tanks. With standard twin 435-hp Volvo IPS drives and the builder's patented Air Step 2 planing hull, this vessel delivers an approximate fuel burn of 33 gallons per hour at an optimal cruising speed of 25 mph.

"We designed a boat to be versatile entertaining a large group of guests comfortably on the main deck and also provision for proper comfort and space commensurate with a 50-plus-foot yacht," says Lair, of Beneteau.

Boston Whaler 380 Realm

LOA: 38' | Beam: 11' | Draft: 2' | Fuel: 450 gals | Water 60 gals | Displacement: 15,500 lbs | Power: quad 350-hp Mercury Verado outboards. bostonwhaler.com

Boston Whaler's pitch for the Realm line is they will take you, "beyond the horizon and back." The 480 Realm, with its 450-gallon fuel tank, delivers an approximate fuel burn of 44.5 gallons per hour at an optimal cruising speed of 35 mph.

The Prestige 460 S boasts a 328-gallon fuel tank that delivers a 280-mile range at 29 mph, burning about 28 gallons per hour.

Trophy Fish

Big boats are not just for cruising, as with the Canyon 456 from sportfishing icon Grady-White. "This was the way to go for the owner who has worked up in size through the Grady line and now wants something larger and with more styling," says Shelley Tubaugh, Vice President of Marketing.

The large center-console is "more spacious, technically sophisticated, and more richly appointed than any other outboard sportfishing boat," Tubaugh says. Its 14-foot beam is, by far, the widest in its category and also the largest unsinkable boat of its kind.

With ample seating, including a sunpad at the open bow, the family can relax there while others cast lines off the stern.

Grady-White Canyon 45

LOA: 45' (without engines) | Beam: 14' | Draft: 2'6" | Fuel: 616 gals | Water: 80 gals | Displacement: 24,500 lbs | Power: Quad Yamaha 350 outboards. gradywhite.com

Grady's exclusive Sea Command Center helm features four electronically adjustable seats with rich upholstery, stainless supports for the armrests, and fold-down footrests. CZone digital switching technology enables one-touch control of onboard systems including power, electrical, lighting, heat and air conditioning, and even seacocks.

A standard Seakeeper gyrostabilizer keeps the boat stable in offshore rollers and the standard Yamaha Helm Master system with Set Point parks the boat where the fish are biting. With quad Yamaha 350 Outboards, the 456 has a 31-mph cruising speed at 3,700 rpm, and a fuel burn rate of 0.65 mpg, for 48.1 gph.

Four Winns Vista 375

LOA: 37' | Beam: 12' | Draft: 3'4" outdrives down/2'4" up | Fuel: 216 gals | Water: 51 gals | Displacement: 16,500 lbs | Power: multiple twin 350-hp Volvo or MerCruiser configurations. fourwinns.com

Value to be found "Big boats" is a term relative to the size of your own pride and joy. That doesn't mean they are all "yachts" either. Four Winns, which is now owned by Beneteau, made its name with deckboats and small cruisers, which it has increasingly stretched in size over the years. Its new flagship is the 37-foot Vista 375, which packs a whole lot of bells, whistles, and fun into a $391,769 base price tag.

Start with the most popular comforts: air conditioning/heating, flat-screen TV, galley with stove, microwave, and icemaker or refrigerator, Sunbrella camper canvas, premium sound system, hardwood flooring, hot/cold freshwater washdown on the swim platform, and enclosed head with separate shower. Power options encompass Volvo or MerCruiser — from twin 260s to twin 350s — each with joystick control. Running with twin 350 at 3500 rpm (about 32 mph), fuel burn is 25 gph.

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A journalist by training, BoatUS Magazine Senior Editor Rich Armstrong has worked in TV news, and at several newspapers, then spent 18 years as a top editor at other boating publications. He’s built a stellar reputation in the marine industry as one of the most thorough reporters in our business. At BoatUS Magazine, Rich handles everything from boat and product innovation and late-breaking news, to compelling feature stories, boat reviews, and features on people and places. The New Jersey shore and lakes of lower New York defined Rich's childhood. But when he bought a 21-foot Four Winns deck boat and introduced his young family to the Connecticut River, his love for the world of boats flourished from there.

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Yacht Cruising Lifestyle

Everything fun you can do from your yacht

20 Bluewater Cruising Sailboats Under $100,000

January 5, 2021 by Travis Turgeon 2 Comments

Choosing the right bluewater yacht for your needs requires a ton of research. With so many designs and features available, it can be overwhelming trying to narrow down your options. The process gets even more complicated when you begin to consider the personal opinions of other sailors. 

So how do you know where to start? Every person’s definition of comfortability will vary when it comes to onboard living. What suits a family of four won’t necessarily suit a couple or a single-handed sailor. Your budget, style, and needs are all unique to you and your situation, so it’s essential to know just what to look for when buying a new or used vessel . 

To start you off in the right direction, we put together a list of our top choices for bluewater cruising yachts under $100,000.

Allied Princess 36

Built as a long-keel ketch or cutter, the Allied Princess 36 was in production from 1972 to 1982. Around 140 vessels were manufactured in total, so you can occasionally find them on the used market. 

While these cruisers’ design and construction are considered sufficient, the excessive use of fiberglass makes the design a bit bland. Although they may not have the most appealing design, these bluewater yachts certainly tick a lot of boxes.

With the full-keel measuring just four-foot six inches, it’s a design that holds steady on its course without pointing as high as a fin-keel design. 

Overall, the Allied Princess 36 is a wonderful option for bluewater sailing.

Prices range between $30,000 and $60,000.

Cabo Rico 38

The Cabo Rico 38 is at the top of its class, constructed with a long-keel cutter rig design that gives it outstanding bluewater capabilities for its price point. The vessel was produced in two models – Pilothouse, and Trunk Cabin – although the Pilothouse design is less common.

Cabo Rico i s consistently successful with it s 38 models, and t hey remain one of the most prominent cruising boats on the water.

Internally, this boat has various features required for a bluewater cruiser: Large water and fuel tanks, a solid design with balsa wood cores for thermal and noise insulation, and an overall seaworthy design.

While this boat wasn’t m eant to win races, it is a fantastic choice for a crui sing vessel.

Prices range between $30,000 and $80,000.

Celestial 48

The Celestial 48 is the largest boat on our list and is commonly sought after by the cruising fraternity. The problem is, these vessels are scarce on the used market. 

The Celestial 48 is a ketch rig with a shoal-draft, fin-keel design, and a center-cockpit configuration that is comfortable and ideal for bluewater sailing. One of our favorite features is the six-foot, two-inch headroom in the cabin, along with high-capacity water and fuel tanks.

The Celestial 48 was built in China by the Xiamen boatyard, although it’s no longer in production.

If you can find one, the Celestial 48 will make an excellent bluewater cruiser.

Prices start near our $100,000 mark.

The Corbin 39 is manufactured in two designs, aft or center cockpit. Designed and built in Canada by Robert Dufour and Marius Corbin, the 39 is now (sadly) out of production. This cruiser remains a favorite of many and is still commonly searched for on the used market.

One thing to note is that most of the boats were sold as unfinished kits, leaving owners to complete the interiors themselves. For this reason, the standard of interior design finish will vary, so it’s worth checking and comparing with other vessels carefully.

When found, the Corbin 39’s present a very reasonable price tag, but a full survey is essential.

Prices range between $40,000 and $60,000.

The Freedom 36 is one of the smaller yachts on our list, but it has an exciting design that attracts cruisers. The wide beam and long waterline design allow for a much larger interior than most other boats of similar length. As a cruiser, space is a top priority, so this cruiser should be on your list of considerations.

A unique feature of this Freedom yacht is the stayless carbon fiber mast. It looks a little odd for most, with no forestay or backstay and a mast that flexes alarmingly in the wind. It’s a proven design, though, and gives clean lines just like an aircraft wing.

The Freedom 36 is certainly an exciting cruiser to keep an eye on.

Prices range between $40,000 and $80,000.

Gulfstar 44

Known as a capable cruiser or live-aboard boat, the Gulfstar 44 is a spacious yacht that can take you around the world.

Designed with a fin-keel and skeg-rudder, the Gulfstar is comfortable and well built.

Internally, you’ll find a large galley, king-size aft cabin, and spacious fore cabin, with ample room in the saloon. Earlier Gulfstar vessels suffered from inconsistent build quality, but from around 1976 onwards, the company made huge improvements.

For a spacious bluewater sailboat with excellent heavy-weather handling characteristics, the Gulfstar 44 is a great choice.

Prices start around $60,000.

Hans Christian 38

If you’re considering cruising the world in a bluewater yacht, then the Hans Christian 38-T should be added to your shortlist of candidates. 

With a full-length keel design and laden with solid teak, this boat weighs in at 12.5 tons, making it a heavy displacement vessel that you can rely on to take you through some of the harshest conditions.

Manufactured in Taiwan, these cruisers can be a chore to acquire. One of the most common downfalls of the Hans 38-T is electrical problems, so be sure to get the wiring checked out by a professional. 

Outside of electrical issues, this boat is a proven winner in the cruising world. 

Prices start around $70,000 but expect to pay well over $100,000 for the more admirable models.

Hinckley Bermuda 40

The Hinckley Bermuda 40 was in production for over 30 years, from 1959 until 1991, but only 203 boats were manufactured in total. Many Bermuda 40s were used as racing vessels throughout their production, winning the Northern Ocean Racing Trophy in 1964. 

The design also gained many admirers in the cruising world thanks to the long keel and centerboard, which allows the boat to maneuver through shallow waters. The Hinckley Bermuda 40 is hard to beat for versatility, combining classic looks with the shallow draught and generous interior space.

Early models from the 60s and 70s start around $80,000, but later models land well above our $100,000 threshold.

Island Packet 35

Although only in production for six years, 178 Island Packet 35s made their way onto the market. These vessels have become justifiably popular with coastal cruisers and bluewater sailors alike.

These cruisers are available in two designs; long-keel or long-keel with centerboard – both of which come with cutter rigging. 

The design is conservative and built for comfort rather than speed. Inside space is very generous, with a 12-foot beam, a v-berth cabin in the forepeak, and a double cabin on the aft port side.

Island Packet 35’s appear on the used market regularly, so locating one shouldn’t be too much of a hassle.

Prices start at around $65,000.

The Niagara 35 is a popular cruiser available in two exciting models, each one coming with a fantastic interior design. 

The original model features a center galley and marine toilet that separates the fore and aft areas. The saloon is completely closed off, making it useful during extended passage journeys.

The later model has a double-berth forward, separated from the saloon by the head and shower. Both models include a spacious cockpit design. Through its 12 years of production, 260 Niagara 35’s went on the market – so you can regularly find them for sale.

Early models start around $30,000, with later models coming in closer to $70,000.

Only 32 of the Robert Perry-designed Nordic 40s went through production, making them exclusive and difficult to find. If you do manage to get your hands on one, however, you won’t be disappointed.

The fin-keel and skeg-mounted rudder design allow for up to six people to stay comfortably, including extra storage space for luggage and provisions. 

The Perry design is recognized for the quality of its fittings, including rod-rigging and full hull insulation on early models. After 1987, they cut back on a few design features, but it’s still a quality boat. 

If you can manage to find a Nordic 40, it will make an excellent investment.

While it may be rare to find one below our $100,000 mark, it is possible.

Passport 40

Built in Taiwan, the Passport 40 is another excellent design by Robert Perry. Sporting a fin-keel and a skeg-mounted rudder, the design is known for its well-balanced performance. 

Originally supplied with a sloop-rig, the majority have an inner stay, fitted to allow a double headsail. This cutter-style rig makes the Passport 40 even more suitable for ocean crossings.

The interiors are well designed – as you’d expect from a Robert Perry – and make for comfortable living during long passages.

Peterson 44

The Peterson 44 was designed and built as a performance cruiser, combining sufficient speed and sea-kindly handling. 

A low center-cockpit, 10,000 pounds of lead ballast, and a long fin keel allow this vessel to take turbulent conditions in stride without sacrificing the crew’s comfort. 

Internally, there is plenty of space in the well-designed cabin. For long passages, there’s a 132-gallon water tank and a 117-gallon fuel tank.

Finding a Peterson 44 may be your only problem. They manufactured about 200 boats, but owners rarely like to part with them – adding to their intrigue and value.

Prices for these yachts vary widely. Expect to pick up an older model between $50,000 and $75,000.

Prout Snowgoose 37

As the only catamaran on our list, the Prout Snowgoose 37 is a proven boat for circumnavigation on the bluewater trail. 

A standout feature of the early Snowgoose models is its narrow beam, which allows them to navigate canals easily. These boats are popular in Europe and are common on the journey between Spain and France on the Mediterranian. Additionally, the Prout Snowgoose 37 can fit into a single-hull marina, reducing berthing costs when compared to most other catamarans. 

If you have never considered a catamaran in the past, the Prout Snowgoose 37 may change your mind.

Prices start near $45,000, with later models reaching over $100,000.

The Shannon 38 comes in two styles, with either an aft cockpit or pilothouse. Shannon Yachts are known for their build quality and attention to detail, and the 38 is no exception. The boat is available as either a ketch or cutter rig, but it’s renowned for its performance at sea in both forms.

Only 100 were built, with the final boat launched in 1988. If you can find one on the used market, it will make a competent bluewater cruiser.

Prices start at $40,000 for older models, with newer models inching closer to our $100,000 mark.

Only 80 of the Tartan 41s were manufactured, although they produced a similar Tartan 43 with the same molds. It is a fin keel design, with a skeg-mounted rudder and sloop-rigging. In its day, it was considered a fast cruiser, but now they’re mostly made for comfort.

If you’re looking at a Tartan 41, check out the keel dimensions. The keel was undersized on earlier models, which caused heavy-weather steering issues. The boatyard redesigned the later models, and some retrofitting has been done on the originals.

Prices start around $45,000 and reach upwards of $70,000.

No list of bluewater sailboats would be complete without the Tayana 37. It’s a beautiful boat designed by Robert Perry that comes in three variants; cutter, ketch, and pilothouse. 

Built to compete against the popular Westsail 32, the 37 became a good seller – with almost 600 launched to date. Today, they are manufactured in limited numbers, as the traditional teak-heavy design is now less popular.

If you can find a good Tayana 37, cruising the oceans will be a pleasure in this sturdy and robust vessel.

Early models cost around $45,000, with newer or retrofitted models topping $75,000.

Another boat designed by Robert Perry, the Valiant 40 is one of the most sought-after bluewater cruisers on the used market. By the end of production, two manufacturers were able to put out around 200 boats, so it’s certainly possible to get your hands on one.

With a fin keel, reasonably heavy displacement, and solid build, open ocean cruising is made comfortable in the Valiant 40.

The Valiant’s trademark is the canoe stern, something Perry has carried over into many of his designs. The boat’s performance sets it apart from the more traditional heavy-cruisers, and it still has many admirers.

Expect to pay upwards of $45,000 for an early Valiant, but well-maintained vessels will command much higher prices.

Wauquiez Pretorien 35

When the weather gets rough, most people prefer bigger, heavier cruisers. Small boats generally don’t perform as well in harsh conditions, but the Pretorien 35 is an exception.

Built to IOR specifications, it’s a short, wide-beam design, with a ballast in the keel that makes up half of the displacement. It may be disappointing in light winds, but as the breeze picks up, the Pretorien comes alive.

Wauquiez built boats are known for their quality finish, so you shouldn’t hold any doubts when buying a used Pretorien.

Prices start around $39,000.

Westsail 32

At just 32 feet, the Westsail might be a surprising inclusion on our list. However, the design has proven itself many times over and remains popular with many cruisers.

With a long keel, transom-mounted rudder, and heavy displacement, these are seaworthy yachts.

The flipside to this is that the performance can be underwhelming. The Westsails are known for being slow, safe boats that will get you wherever you need to go – making them perfect for leisurely cruising. 

Over 800 vessels entered the market between 1971 and 1981, so there should be plenty available if you look hard enough. The other point to remember is that they sold them as owner-completion kits, so the internal fitments, in particular, will vary in quality.

With so many available, the prices remain reasonable – with an early Westsail 32 fetching around $29,000 and well-maintained older models coming in closer to $50,000.

Remember: When buying a bluewater cruising yacht for less than $100,000, compromise is inevitable. 

If you’re looking for a seaworthy, heavy-displacement design, you’ll have to compromise on the boat’s age. Choosing a modern, light design will allow you more for your money.

The best advice for buying a boat is to be truly honest with yourself by defining your needs and separating them from your desires. 

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Reader Interactions

November 15, 2021 at 6:30 pm

You guys didn’t mention Cape dory or pacific seacraft. How long have you been sailing?

February 18, 2022 at 1:37 pm

Very nicely done. There will always be people who disagree with your list but they reserve the right to comment without creating any value which is what you provided. Thanks for putting this together.

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Marshall Sanderling 18: Used Boat Review

Affordable Cruising Sailboats, Continued

Maine Cat 41 Used Boat Review

CS 30 Used Boat Review

Best Crimpers and Strippers for Fixing Marine Electrical Connectors

Thinking Through a Solar Power Installation

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Master the Sailing Basics: Never Stop Learning the Little Things

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Un-Stepping the Mast for America’s Great Loop

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Preparing Yourself for Solo Sailing

How to Select Crew for a Passage or Delivery

Preparing A Boat to Sail Solo

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Chafe Protection for Dock Lines

Waxing and Polishing Your Boat

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• Sailboat Reviews

Do You Really Need a Bigger Boat?

Questions arise at cruising seminars and it’s always encouraging when attendees provide the answers. In one such case, a young couple asked how much a good cruising boat would cost? A more seasoned old salt, hiding in the back row responded, “all you have to spend.” His wit sparked a lengthy discussion focused on why bigger budgets almost always lead to bigger boats—it’s a topic worth exploring.

This bigger-is-better trend has accelerated in recent years. When my wife and I sailed around the world, the stereotypical cruising sailboat was a 35–40-foot sloop, cutter or ketch sailed by a two-person crew. In those days, boats tended to be older and crews were younger. Today, boats are bigger, newer, and it’s the sailors who have grown a bit older. Demographic trends show that fewer young sailors are sidelining careers and setting sail. But there’s a boom in retirees going cruising that has led to a rethink in cruising boat design along with how voyages are undertaken.

The trend is toward bigger boats, with more just-like-home accommodations. These new cruisers are equipped with power winches, bow thrusters and automated sail handling gear. Autopilots and networked navigation systems are linked to global communications equipment. And there’s often a weather router in daily contact, plus a sat phone speed dial link to the mechanic back home. Passage makers head off together and voyages are as well-scripted as a Manhattan Gala.

Builders, advertisers, and brokers have embraced the new trend and launched a ‘bigger is better’ cruising campaign. For those with the bucks to buy and maintain these boats and the skills to handle super-sized sail plans, there’s some validity to the claim. But embedded in this avalanche of enthusiasm is some very misleading spin. Of considerable concern are the ads that dub 60-65 footers with 10-foot draft, 18-foot beam and mainsails larger than 1,000 sq. ft., as “user-friendly” sailboats, easily handled by a shorthanded crew. Larger cruising boats, brimming with automation, certainly can make life aboard more convenient and comfortable. But the bottom line for those at sea remains the same: it revolves around the necessity to match sail area with the ever-changing mood of the wind and the sea. When control is lost, bad things can happen, and the following account spells out a very tragic encounter.

TRAGEDY AT SEA

Karl Volker and his wife, Annamarie Frank were ‘sailing bloggers’ who started living their dream the day they moved aboard their 67-foot CNB sloop called Escape. The boat was advertised as a luxurious home afloat—an easy-to-handle, high-performance cruiser. Three years later, the long term liveaboards had sailed Escape from Germany to the Caribbean. But on a squall-ridden night in June of 2022, while on passage from Bermuda to Nova Scotia, Karl and Annamarie encountered the unexpected. They were sailing with two additional crew, chosen from an online crew service website. Both had joined Escape in Bermuda the day before departure. It had been a typical early June weather pattern, following the weather router’s forecasts, right up until the third night out when the Gulf Stream lived up to its ill-tempered reputation.

Caught over canvased, the “all hands on deck” call came a little too late and the attempt to furl the genoa and tuck a second reef to the mainsail failed. Power winches and in-boom furling, meant to expedite the process, didn’t guarantee a favorable outcome. As the reefing effort began, the person on the helm turned the big sloop into the wind. The skipper was still reefing the jib and the person handling the mainsheet failed to trim the slack. This resulted in a viciously flogging mainsail propelling a heavy boom back and forth across the cockpit.

Annamarie stepped into the arc of the careening boom and was struck by the mainsheet and knocked to the deck unconscious. Karl rushed to her aid, and he was also hit by the flailing mainsheet with enough force to cause a compound leg fracture. The crew fought to get the vessel under control, render first aid and make contact with the US Coast Guard. The latter resulted in a daring helicopter rescue, that involved mid-route, shipboard refueling aboard a US Coast Guard Cutter. Tragically, the physical damage caused by the blunt force trauma had taken its toll. Upon reaching the cutter, Annemarie was pronounced dead, and Karl succumbed to his injuries on route to the hospital.

In the months that followed, a variety of experienced sailors weighed in on the cause of the tragedy. One of the most reoccurring themes revolved around why the crew of Escape used head-to-wind reefing. Most who commented, pointed out that turning into the wind is the last thing you want to do. It results in a flogging mainsail that can cause the boom to lash back and forth with lethal consequences, especially if there’s slack in the mainsheet. Combine this with the way a head-to-wind vessel pitches like a bucking bronco and one can see why it’s anything but the optimum angle for reefing. In the article on page 16, we take a close look at reefing alternatives and what options make most sense.

SIZE MATTERS

In the wake of this tragedy, we feel it’s time to take a close look at sailboat buying and the quest for the biggest boat you can afford. A key operating principal in the boat-buying process revolves around the assumption that vessel size needs to dovetail with crew competency. In the old days, the gentlemen of yachting had the good sense to hire a crew to handle or at least augment the boat handling aboard their classic yachts.

As the Corinthian era evolved, a sail-it-yourself ethos took shape. It was an ethos that led to smaller rather than larger vessels, that could be sailed by shorthanded crews. An interesting subset of sailors evolved. Those captains of industry who still favored larger yachts leveraged their management skills, inviting other capable yachtsmen and their athletic offspring to spend summers racing and cruising. This ensured that the big boats had enough talent to cope with the big challenges always found at sea. Names like Kialoa, Ondine, Boomerang, Running Tide and many others replaced the older professionally-crewed schooners.

DEFINING SIZE

Small, mid-size, and large cruising sailboat designations are harder to designate than hat sizes. This stems from the fact that multiple measurements play a competing role, especially when it comes to defining what fits into the mid-sized sailboat category. It takes a tape measure, weight scale and means of measuring volume to accurately answer the “small, medium, large” question. For example, a lighter, narrower beam, lower volume 35-footer can be a good candidate for the small cruiser category. While a beamy, heavier displacement, higher-volume 32-foot sailboat, such as the venerable Westsail 32, may qualify as a midsize cruiser. What both small and mid-size cruisers have in common is they are both great platforms for double handed sailing. This trait, until today, tended to separate them from larger cruising sailboats.

Another telltale factor resides in how boats of each of these groups are fitted out. For example, one has to look far and wide to find a bow thruster on a boat in the small cruiser category. But roller furling headsails have become quite ubiquitous. Diesel heat and air conditioning, once a landmark of bigger sailboats/yachts, are now a growing fancy among upper end mid-sized cruisers. Reliable hermetically sealed, low current draw compressors have made refrigeration a reality even aboard the smallest cruisers. This wide use of technology, especially networked electronics, furling systems, autopilots, and more has simplified sailing, but also carries a significant price tag. However, there’s still some interest in keeping things simple and some astounding voyages have been made in smaller, less complicated sailboats.

Historically, the midrange mainstream of reliable cruising boats included a good sampling of cruiser/racers and racer/cruisers that efficiently wended their way around the world. The Ericson 41 we sail is a classic example of a midsize production FRP sloop that was up to the task. One of the first dedicated cruisers was the Valiant 40 a Robert Perry design that collectively accrued more sea miles than most other production cruisers. Part of the reason for the boat’s popularity was its combination of ability under sail and usable liveaboard interior. Eventually, pressure for a commodious aft cabin and more amenities bumped out the beam and increased the displacement of many midsize cruisers. Today’s midsize passage makers have more sail area, more auxiliary horsepower and cost five times as much as a Cal 40 that won more than its fair share of ocean races and has cruised far and wide.

THE 60-PLUS CLUB

There’s been a growing interest in shorthanded cruising aboard larger and larger sailboats—a trend that’s both encouraging and worrisome. Part of the problem stems from the accomplishments of singlehanders aboard 60 foot plus sailboats surfing the two story high Southern Ocean swells. These pro athletes have skills, fitness levels and seamanship awareness that go far beyond that of the average sailor. But when seen from a distance, their agility and sail handling skills make fast passages look all too easy.

There’s also a financial hurdle that’s limited entry into the big league of super-sized cruising. Larger sailboats have long been the domain of one-off designers and custom builders. It’s been a niche industry that has created a legacy of fine yachts. However, the abiding principal has been large sailboats require larger crews and pros should be hired when necessary.

Voyagers like Steve and Linda Dashew have changed the paradigm. They are strong advocates of shorthanded big boat cruising and make it clear what talents are needed. They advocate weather awareness and the importance of keeping all systems in good working order. The Dashew’s pioneered a line of big cruising boats to be sailed by shorthanded crews. The Sundeer and Deerfoot lineup featured utilitarian exteriors, functional sail handling systems and sumptuous interiors. Their goal was to deliver a sixty-foot plus long-term liveaboard that was ready cross oceans efficiently.

THE SMALL-BOAT CROWD

Tim and Pauline Carr took the other tack. They were strong advocates of keeping the boat small and the systems simple. They sailed their 28-foot Falmouth Quay Punt, Curlew, built in 1898, all over the world, including a junket down to Antarctica. They did so with neither engine nor electronics, but this doesn’t mean that a small, old wooden sloop is best the bet for every cruiser.

Dave and Jaja Martin, also small boat adventurers, opted for a fiberglass boat four-feet shorter than Curlew. Dave became a gifted shipwright through a learn-by-doing apprenticeship. When he was in his early twenties, he took over the Cal 25 that and his dad had double-handed from Seattle to the Caribbean.

Lenore and I met Dave while cruising in the Bahamas and were captivated by his tenacity and plans for adventure. He took me up on an offer to sail up to Long Island Sound to work in a boatyard I was running. It was a job that would also give him a chance to refit his tired Cal 25 and outfit for further adventure.

It’s not easy to turn a fantasy into reality, especially when it involves a tight budget and a tired little boat. But Dave defied the odds. His 40/40 plan was to work for the boatyard 40 hours a week and work on his own boat 40 hours a week. He lived in the loft above the carpentry shop and held to his plan. During his two years in residence, he de-rigged and dismantled the boat, reinforced the hull and deck, laminated floor frames and stringers, rebuilt the rudder and rerigged the mast—renaming her Direction.

The second spring arrived, and we were launching clients 30, 40 and 50 footers, gleaming with fresh varnish and all shades of LPU paint. Most were tethered to moorings just as their predecessors had been for more than a century. Finally, a highly modified Cal 25 took to the water, dwarfed by the size and prestige of the surrounding fleet. As opening day revelry brought the season to life, one of the smallest boats in the bay, almost invisible to onlookers, set sail on a voyage that would circle the globe.

Dave Martin had gotten only one thing terribly wrong—single handing was not his preferred routine. In the Caribbean, he had met a kindred spirit with a familiar sense of adventure, and the shipmates were soon to be a married couple. In New Zealand they had their first child, a second in Australia, and with four aboard, Jaja and Dave sailed Direction westward. The Martins eventually rounded the Cape of Good Hope, welcoming the trade wind reach across the Atlantic and a return to the US to rebuild a 32- foot-steel sloop and set off on a family cruise of the Atlantic’s high latitudes and the Arctic.

Today, the Martins live ashore in Maine where Dave and Jaja built a house and a Wharram catamaran for local cruising. Their daughter, Holly Martin has singlehanded her 27-foot sloop Gecko from Maine to French Polynesia, carrying on a family tradition.

Small cruising boats can still deliver big rewards, their upside includes easy handling, less time consumed with maintenance and lower costs. Yes, there are do-without factors but as one backpacker/mountaineering friend said, “that 20-something footer seems the lap of luxury to me!”

Mid-sized cruising boats, remain a mainstay of the sailboat market. Over the last several decades, these vessels have significantly increased their interior volume. The average length has remained in the 35-45 foot range, but hull shapes have changed to enhance aft cabin accommodations. In many cases this beamier hull shape has been merged with a shoal draft keel. However when such a design heels, the wide beam causes the keel’s lateral plane’s lift to greatly diminish and hinder windward performance.

Those intent on sailing long passages should consider performance under sail as well as accommodations below and recognize the tradeoffs. Deeper draft improves windward performance, and a displacement/ballast ratio of 120 degrees or greater will insure a rapid recovery from a knockdown.

In the midst of writing this article, my attention was drawn to a front-page sailing story in the mainstream press. It was another disaster at sea account, but fortunately, this time it had a happy ending. A two-person crew, along with a miniature poodle, had set sail from Oregon Inlet, NC aboard a Catalina 30. It was Dec 3, 2022 and the crew’s planned passage to Florida kicked off with the rounding of Cape Hatteras, prime time for bad weather during winter. The vessel was dismasted, ran out of fuel and lay a hull for ten days as two severe cold fronts and deep low pressure systems tormented the little sloop. Finally, a tanker spotted them 214 miles off the Delaware coastline and rescued the crew and their poodle.

Yes, there’s a host of safety questions pertaining to time of year, equipage, and lack of communications gear, but one thing is quite evident. The crew of the Catalina 30 were in violent wintertime conditions, lost their rig, but the little sloop remained afloat and the crew survived. It was a different story in June aboard the 67-foot sloop Escape, a much larger and theoretically safer vessel. In that instance the owners perished attempting to regain control of the mainsail. In both cases, missteps and weather volatility turned their passage into a survival encounter.

Navigation and Marine Weather Instructor at the Annapolis School of Seamanship and PS contributing editor Ralph Naranjo is the author of The Art of Seamanship: Evolving Skills, Exploring Oceans, and Handling Wind, Waves and Weather.

The old salt’s advice that “a good cruising boat will cost you all you have to spend,” is actually a bit misleading, because there will be plenty of ongoing expenses that need to be covered. Some of these reoccur like clockwork, others are far less predictable. In both cases, contingency funds are an important part of any boat budget.

As one might expect, smaller, less complicated sailboats are less costly to maintain than larger boats with more complicated systems. In some cases, expenses are linear. Good examples are slip fees, haul-store-launch charges, and bottom painting invoices. But when it comes to more complex projects, terms like “time and materials” and “it looks like a labor intensive job” take on special meaning to every boat owner. Experienced skippers seek quotes on major work and experienced boatyard managers understand that the full extent of certain repairs can’t be fully discerned until considerable disassembly is carried out. This means that a lot rides on boatyard–boat owner communication and trust.

The do-it-yourself shortcut is a feasible alternative for those with the skill, time, and inclination to tackle boat projects themselves. Those seeking a painless shortcut in lieu of paying hefty boatyard bills should beware of what projects they undertake. Spending inordinate amounts of time making something more broken is never a good tack. And it often ends up being more costly in the long run. That said, those skilled with hand tools, in possession of the right manuals and having previously tackled similar jobs are usually capable to doing much of their own boat’s maintenance, especially aboard a smaller sailboat with less complex systems.

The attached table profiles a sampling of some of the more common sailboat expenses. It reveals how bigger boats create larger holes in the water in which one’s finances can rapidly disappear. One thing that is missing, however, is the net effect of rapidly rising labor rates. Take for example the way the great surge in technology is encouraging sailors to climate control cabins and make their boats more complex and energy consuming than ever. A case in point involves the new owners of a nine-year-old 47 foot multihull who’s equipment adding appetite overwhelmed the factory installed electrical system.

When all was said and done, the failed original DC electrical system was replaced with all-new components and a rewired, charging and electrical distribution system. Current was stored in an extra heavy-duty bank of Lithium batteries required to run an array of amenities.

The price for the refit and upgrade approached $70,000. Cruise plans had to be delayed and the question that lingers is how much shoreside lifestyle does a sailboat really need? There are many answers to that query, but for those who seek a less complex solution, consider the slogan of small-boat sailing icons Lynn and Larry Pardey, authors of “The Self-sufficent Cruiser,” who urge sailors to “Go small, go now.”

The consensus among experienced offshore sailors is that the preferred point of sail for reefing a boom-furling mainsail is a reach. This entails bearing away onto a close or beam reach, easing the traveler, and adjusting the mainsheet to depower the mainsail so it’s spilling breeze but not flogging. How close or deep a reach depends on the sweep-back angle of the spreaders, sea state, and the furling system itself. It’s essential to hold a steady course and keep just enough tension on the main sheet to maintain a mostly depowered mainsail. Next, ease the halyard and rotate the in-boom furling mandrel in unison, insuring an even and compact furl.

Prior to reefing, make sure that the boom-to-mast angle meets manufacturer’s recommendations, usually around 87 degrees. Also, overtrim the headsail so it will deliver less drive and more roll dampening effect. During the reef, continue ensure that the halyard release rate keeps pace with the rate of the mandrel rotation. Note how the sail luff is layering, and if necessary, slightly change the boom angle to keep the luff from crowding the gooseneck or moving too far aft. This approach to reefing lessens the apparent wind and dampens the vessel’s pitch and roll. It also moves the boom and main sheet tackle away from the center of the cockpit.

As mentioned above, it’s time to abandon the idea that reefing the mainsail requires a turn into the wind. Doing so eliminates the stability derived from a trimmed headsail and a depowered but non-flogging mainsail.

Turning head-to-wind causes the vessel to increase its pitch and roll, while at the same time making mainsail control much more difficult. This isn’t just the idle opinion of a few old salts, it’s the dogma spelled out in the manuals written by the experts at Forespar’s Liesurefurl, GMT, Schaefer and other boom furling manufacturers.

The big debate revolves around how deep a reach provides the best angle of attack for in-boom furler reefing, or for that matter all reefing. Those who favor a broad reach like the way it eliminates pounding into a seaway. However, it also requires more mainsheet easing and a wider boom angle. And as the halyard is eased and the leech falls off, there’s more chance that the sail will press against the spreaders, especially if they are swept back, as in a backstayless B&R rig common on Hunter models.

An attentive person on the helm plays a vital role during the deep-reach reefing process. As the boat accelerates down wave faces, the apparent wind comes forward if the helmsperson bares away they must be ready for the apparent wind to go even further aft as boat speed decreases. To deep a reach raises the specter of a jibe during reefing which will add an addition layer of woe. Those who reef on a close or beam reach seem to have the right compromise.

Good steering compensates for these shifts and is part the reefing process, as is the dexterity a helmsperson displays in avoiding a wave induced jibe.

RELIEVING BACKWINDED MAIN

A preventer can eliminate the hazard linked to the boom crossing the deck during an accidental jibe. But it can also leave a crew, engaged in the middle of a mainsail reefing effort, caught in a tricky back-winded fire drill. In essence, a jibe with a preventer set puts a sailboat into a pinned down position with the backwinded jib and mainsail held to windward by the preventer. This is when the crew realizes that the preventer now handles as much load as the mainsheet did a few minutes ago, and it’s doing so at a 1-to-1 ratio rather than the usual 4-to-1 reduction that a mainsheet creates. It’s also when the crew fully appreciates having secured the preventer to as large a winch as possible (see “ The Best Prevention is a Preventer ,” see PS July 2017.

A preventer can keep an unintentional jibe from becoming a lethal threat to the crew, but only if it includes an effective means of handling a backwinded mainsail and a boat pinned over on its rail. In such circumstances, the best preventer option is one that has been led from the boom end to a block at the bow and returned to a big winch in the cockpit. This single part line now holds the same force once handled by a multipart mainsheet. By securing the preventer tail to a large cockpit winch, the preventer can be safely eased and the vessel brought back under control.

Other options, such as attaching a mid-boom, cam cleat equipped, block and tackle to the rail may work to keep the boom from careening across the deck. But the real challenge is easing the back winded mainsail and getting the boat back on its feet.

There’s a love-hate relationship apparent when talk turns to topping lifts. Advocates love the aid they offer when reefing a mainsail. Slab reefing is expedited by over tensioning the “topper”, tipping up the boom end and making it much easier to set the new leech cringle. Boom furling systems gain a welcome means of boom angle tweaking when a topping lift is part of the running rigging.

Opponents hate the flailing line as it endlessly assails the leech of the mainsail. On long voyages the line can chafe seam stitching and damage the sailcloth. The greater the mainsail’s roach, the more problematic this issue becomes. Some rig a snap shackle to the topping lift that allows it to be quickly removed and clipped to a pennant attached to the stern rail, ready to attach when needed. In such cases, a mechanical or hydraulic vang/boom support is also used to keep the outboard boom end from dropping into the cockpit if the halyard breaks or is inadvertently released. Traditionally a boom gallows added this rollbar-like protection.

Another valuable reefing tactic of value to shorthanded crews is utilizing a heave-to position to tuck in a reef. The opposing back winded headsail and rudder turned in opposition leaves the vessel sedately crabbing sideways with a slow forereaching motion. The mainsail sheet is eased to the point of spilling breeze but not flogging and reefing is easy to accomplish. Once all is tucked and tightened, release the backwinded headsail and you’re back underway.

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

in the example in the article where the smaller boat was de-masted in bad weather, and the sailors and their dog survived until they were spotted and rescued, is there an implication that if a larger boat were de-masted and in the same unfortunate predicament, that the size of the larger boat would be problematic vs the smaller hull? As a newbe and potential passage maker any thoughts would be appreciated.

I have a “wrinkle” in the top end of my roller-furling mainstay. I believe it was caused by not having the furler tight to the top of its run. It snagged up on me while trying to furl for the approaching Nicole last fall. I eventually had to cut away my old genoa which was flogging around like a wild stallion. After taking down the mast for winter boat storage, I noticed the damage to the stay. I will have to replace it this spring. Any advice? P.S. My boat is an extensively renovated Hunter 27 and the roller furler is a Pro-furl.

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Is 40 foot an Ideal size Sailing Boat

• Thread starter savageseadog
• Start date 6 Dec 2006

savageseadog

Well-known member.

I know it depends on what you are going to do, but I'm talking about an all rounder, something that can be cruised almost anywhere and could be raced as well with a sensible size crew. The basis for thinking this is that over 40 foot costs seem to multiply, sail size and sizes of everything again get too big. The draught gets very restrictive too. Maintenance wise a 40 footer can be maintained by an owner alone. Beyond 40 foot lifting becomes a difficult issue as well. Any comments, I'm not talking about a hard and fast 40, more like 38-42 foot.  

john_morris_uk

I think 40 foot is a pretty good size, but the real question is 'for what?' Our boat is 39 foot and we live on her for a few weeks a year, with a plan to live onboard for a year or two when I get my pemsion. For us, the size is good - and its what we can afford (just!)  

Active member

As the owner of R38, you expect me to agree and I do. Your points are valid, I'm a great fan of the maxim of "If you can't manhandle it, then think carefully about putting on it a boat." So anchors and sails that, above 40' ish, start to need power winches go into that category. I'm not knocking a power windlass, I'm fitting one myself this winter it is just that if it all goes wrong I'm know that I can heave the thing up by brute force. As for docking in any kind of a blow and manoeuvring in a marina, some marinas are tight at 38 foot. Yes, I know that the Dame Ellen's and Mike Goldings of this world handle their huge craft single handedly but these boats are equipped with whopping great coffee grinder winches which well outside of what I would want to put on a cruising boat. I've got a fair few friends with bigger boats and they all seem to have problems handling the loads that these craft can deal up. It's a real shame because I'd love the additional space. Below 35' is a bit small for me (I'm 6' 4")  

I would rather say, maximum I have an older boat than most people but the weight of sails, anchors and chain, etc is much the same. At 37ft she is big enough to live aboard for extended periods of time but not so big that very fancy gear is needed. For example, I don't need a power windlass. Also, she is big enough to be able to make an ordinary coastal passage in most weather conditions in a reasonably predictable time scale. i.e. up to F6 we're not bothered, whilst still being small enough to singlehand. A particular pleasure with an old fashioned boat of this size is the ability to carry a decent rigid dinghy on deck (a 9ft sailing dinghy, in our case). I would not want anything bigger, if anything my ideal boat might be a little smaller, say 32ft.  

I totally agree. As an owner of a 39 footer that I live aboard on for about 8 months a year, I have found that she is absolutely the perfect size for me. She is large enough to be very comfortable to live on, but small enough for me to be able to sail and moor single handed if I need to. It is also the smallest size I would like to cross an ocean in or be caught out in a serious blow in, but that is a personal choice. Last point: the prices for mooring in many marinas in the Med goes up rapidly above 40 ft.  

We have a R41 and also tend to live (and work) on her in the summer. We find her a good size, and underway there are no problems with two of us sailing her. She is also docile enough to single hand. There are sometimes problems with close quarter handling - we solved those by wimping out and fitting a bow thruster (I know, I know). This is a boat "of a certain age" and I suspect that a more modern boat would not suffer from the handling problems and would offer more living space. Yer pays yer money....... Cheers Colin  

Well yes, we have 40', liveaboard full time and have more than enough space to carry all we need to be self sufficient for up to 8 months at a time. We do most of our own maintenance and can cope with sailing singlehanded if we need to. If anything though I think I would go for something a bit smaller, around 36'. We are carrying an extra cabin that is usually filled with more stuff than we truly need to cruise ie Christmas tree etc!! Drives the husband mad.  

OK, so as everyone's agreeing with you I hope you won't mind a note of controversy. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif As the owner of a 29 footer who sails weekends and takes a 1-3 week holiday each year I cannot understand why a couple would need anything bigger. For liveaboard, fair enough, it is your house and you can't go somewhere else when it rains but as a pleasure yacht the advantages of smaller are: Cost - we're not all millionaires Harbour handling - I'm not built like Geoff Capes, neither is my wife, but between us it is no problem to manhandle the boat around a dodgy marina berth. 29' and 3 tons is quite tractable. I have seen 40 footers that are unhandleable except with a 50hp engine and a bowthruster. Safety - many large boats have a massive freeboard, so that boarding from a dinghy is hazardous, as is loading goods and chattels. And you can forget trying reach the toerail, let alone climbing back on board from the water without a ladder. We have a freeboard of less than 18" amidships, and in a non-emergency situation it is quite possible to get yourself back on board. I'm sure 3' of freeboard makes for a pleasantly large living space once on board, but I don't live there, I use the boat to visit places, and once in harbour the main task is to get out and explore. The boat is a place to sleep, sip sundowners and store things. And eat, occasionally, . And then there's the hidden cost increases: a 25-30 footer needs no more than 10hp to get around under power, sipping 2-3 pints an hour. Any anchor that can hold you is going to need a windlass (or a visit to the physiotherapist) to get it back in again. Finally racing: I don't, but I am informed by a fellow '29 owner who does that the Liz 29 has a wickedly unfair handicap when the wind perks up, in addition to her innate upwind speed.  

I don't think that you are being controversial, most of the above posters said that their perfect boat would be nearer the 29', apart from long tall me. The only quibble I 'd have with you is the rate of fuel consumption, at 5 knots with 37.5 hp we use the same amount as your goodself rising to a thirsty 4 pints at 6 knots /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif  

[ QUOTE ] at 5 knots with 37.5 hp we use the same amount as your goodself rising to a thirsty 4 pints at 6 knots [/ QUOTE ] that's interesting, fuel consumption is always quoted as being a function of engine horsepower, although logic and the laws of physics would suggest that the number of horses actually engaged is more significant, but I wouldn't have guessed that the same amount of fuel would be used to drive a 20' lwl/3 ton boat and a ?35' lwl boat at the same sub-max. hullspeed speed.  

We live aboard a Sadler 34 for half the year. This is not an enormous boat for her length but there is ample for the two of us. There are significant savings to be had in marina cost bands, which in some places are 10 - 10.99 metres and in others are 10 - 11.99 metres. 10 .99 metres (just over 36 feet) would seem to be close to the ideal size from this point of view, as however hard you try it is necessary to use them sometimes. 20 years ago this size of boat used to be the 'ideal size' but I suppose expectations may now be higher. We find it excellent for sailing, close quarters handling and single-handing. Over the whole season of 2006, our Yanmar 3GM30F engine consumed just over 1 litre of fuel per running hour. We mostly cruise at about 6 knots  

Strange but true, 10 tons, lwl 29', we have a autoprop which has added 20-30% to our range .  

We have a Bav 34 went away for two years on it and we still had a spare room full of junk (well bicycles etc.)  

40 footers perfect! I loved my hillyard which was 40 feet,plenty of water large reliable? engin wheel steering great easy to fit davits or dingy on coach roof bags of stowage space, plenty of deck to wander about at anchor and often a comfortable aft cabin and perhaps as with the hillyard a fixed rain sun roof over a good part of the comfortable cockpit. Downside: Harder to find a place in port can be very expensive and often just to big for small fishing harbours! If i could justify the cost i would still have my hillyard, but im very happy now with a slightly more compact boat!  

40 foot & 10t displacement is probably the upper end that is manageable by a couple without mechanical assistance (powered winches etc). Note the comment on displacement, its not just size, but the weight too. A lot depends on what exactly you want to do with the boat and how many folks will be entertained on board. Net net, 40 foot (35 - 40) is a great size as they are fast enough to give a good long cruising range, large enough inside to be a lot more comfortable than camping, have enough displacement that they don't jerk around in a cop or at anchor and the physical loads aren't too big.  

Achillesheel

The ideal boat is one that is four feet longer than the one you've got. Works for me....  

EXactly /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif No matter what size, those extra 4 feet seem to become highly desireable. Until you size up, when you are still 4 feet short. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif  

My wife and I live for three months a year on our 31ft boat - next year it will be six months - and we find the size perfect for two but a squeeze if we have guests. Smaller boat every time for me for a number of reasons: 1. Reduced costs - berthing, maintenance, replacing gear etc. 2. Manoeuvrability in confined spaces. 3. Modest draught (fin keel). 4. Lighter weight of gear. 5. Easier to find space in congested marinas. 6. Concentrates the mind on making sure the boat is efficiently organised to maximise space. As a rider, I would add that weather plays an important part. If you're going to sail somewhere that's cold and wet, you will spend more time down below. In this case, a bigger boat might be desirable. Whether the boat is 30ft or 40ft isn't going to make any difference to how seaworthy she is - so that's not an issue. If I sailed alone I'd go even smaller - something like a Vancouver 27 or a Twister.  

I'm extremely happy with my First 42s7. She's very comfortable, for up to six people, fast, and rewarding to sail. The one down-side is that single-handing is no longer an option, and I keep feeling tempted by the thought of a cheap little 20 footer for fun runs round the harbour...  

26ft is ideal for us, we have 26ft gear and costs (under £400 for a full standing rigging replacement). A mast we can or could in dire need manhandle down. Engine equipment that can be removed and carried off the boat by two people (lots of swearing and shouting but can be done). Speed comparable to a 40ft boat most of the time. We have the space of a 40-45ft yacht, 3 double berths! Full galley and heads/shower. Storage space that we are not allowed to fill, well, not supposed to. Yet on our 45ft equiv. yacht we have a 10kg anchor which holds firm, a bigger storm anchor which touch wood is never used for purpose. We can even sail with our tender inflated on the foredeck. we draft around 2' 4" and can take to a dry mooring and live and sleep on board as if she were afloat. I keep playing around with selling up and buying a much bigger boat, but then reality hits and I realise that this is the perfect fit for two people sailing and living. I pay for a 26ft yacht on my mooring, may get stung in a marina, but then I am paying for a 39ft yacht which is still a little smaller than I have, so it is win win. Maybe you guys are extending in the wrong direction, what'dya think?  

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What Does a Sailboat Look Like? (A Visual Guide)

Ever been curious about the different types of sailboats that you see out on the water? Do you want to know what the anatomy of a sailboat looks like? If so, then you’re in the right place! In this article, we will be taking a visual tour of what a sailboat looks like and all of the important parts that come together to make a sailboat work.

We will cover everything from types of sailboats to the hull, mast, sails, rigging, and rudder.

So, let’s get started!

Table of Contents

Short Answer

A sailboat typically looks like a long, slender boat with a tall mast in the middle.

It has a large sail attached to the mast that is used to capture the wind and propel the boat forward.

The hull of the boat is usually curved at the front, and the back end is flat.

Depending on the size and type of sailboat , it may also have a cabin or cockpit for passengers.

Types of Sailboats

When it comes to sailboats, there is no one-size-fits-all description.

In fact, there are a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and designs available to suit all types of sailing styles and purposes.

Whether youre a recreational sailor looking for a small, lightweight day-sailer or an experienced racer looking for a larger, faster keelboat, theres a sailboat to fit your needs.

The most common types of sailboats are sloops, cutters, catamarans, and trimarans.

Sloops, the most popular type of sailboat, are single-masted vessels with a single sail.

Cutters, another popular type of sailboat, have two masts and two sails, while catamarans and trimarans have two or three hulls and multiple sails.

Each type of sailboat has its own unique advantages and drawbacks, so its important to consider your sailing needs and style to find the right boat for you.

In addition to the type of sailboat, its also important to consider the size of the boat.

Sailboats range from small day-sailers that are less than 10 feet long to large, full-sized yachts that are up to 100 feet long.

The size of the boat will determine how many people can comfortably fit onboard and the type of sailing activities that can be done.

Finally, the shape of the hull and the number of masts and sails will affect the boats performance.

For example, sailboats with a wide, rounded hull will offer more stability, while sailboats with a narrow, pointed bow and stern will be faster and more maneuverable in windy conditions.

The number of masts and sails will also affect the boats performance, as more sails can provide more power and speed but can also be harder to handle in heavier winds.

Understanding the different types, sizes, and shapes of sailboats will help you find the perfect boat that suits your sailing needs and style.

Be sure to take the time to explore all of your options before making a decision.

With the right sailboat, you can have a fun and safe sailing experience.

Anatomy of a Sailboat

When discussing the anatomy of a sailboat, there are several key components to consider.

At the most basic level, a sailboat consists of a hull, mast, sails, and rigging.

The hull is the body of the boat, and is typically made of either fiberglass or wood.

The shape of the hull can vary depending on the type of boat, with some having a narrow, pointed bow and stern, and others having a wide, rounded shape.

The mast is a tall vertical pole that is connected to the hull, and is used to support the sails.

The sails are typically made of white canvas, but can be made of various other materials, such as nylon or polyester.

The sails are attached to the mast and rigging, which are used to adjust the angle and shape of the sails.

Lastly, the rudder is the steering mechanism of the boat, and is usually located near the stern, or back of the boat.

A sailboat’s hull is its main structural component, and is typically made from a variety of materials such as wood, fiberglass, aluminum, or steel.

The shape of the hull can vary, with some boats having a pointed bow and stern, and others having a wide, rounded shape.

The size of the hull also varies, with some boats being only a few feet in length, and others being up to several hundred feet long.

The hull also serves as the foundation for the sailboat’s rigging and masts, and is typically made of a lightweight and strong material.

Additionally, the hull is also designed to provide stability and buoyancy in the water.

The mast of a sailboat is an integral part of its design, and is typically made of wood or aluminum.

The mast is the vertical structure that supports the sails and rigging, and is typically the tallest part of the sailboat.

The mast can vary in height depending on the size of the boat, but is typically between 10 and 20 feet tall.

The mast also serves as the primary anchor point for the sails, and can be adjusted to suit different sailing conditions.

Depending on the type of sailboat, the mast may have one or more spreaders, which are horizontal crossbars that support the sails and spread out the force of the wind.

In addition to the spreaders, the mast may also be equipped with shrouds, which are vertical cables that provide additional support to the mast.

The mast also typically has a variety of pulleys and blocks which are used to adjust the sails and rigging.

When it comes to sails, there are a few common materials that are used.

Canvas is the most common material used for sails, and it can be dyed any color or pattern to give the sailboat a unique look.

Kevlar, Mylar, and Polyester are other materials used to make sails, and they are often lighter and more durable than canvas.

The size and shape of the sails also vary depending on the type of boat and the wind conditions.

Generally, the larger the sail, the more power the boat will have in the wind.

The shape of the sails can be triangular, square, or even more complex shapes like gaff-rigged or Bermuda-rigged.

The sails are attached to the mast using a variety of rigging techniques, such as a halyard, sheet, and clew.

The sails are then adjusted to capture the wind and propel the boat forward.

The Rigging

When it comes to rigging, sailboats come in all shapes and sizes.

The rig of a sailboat refers to the arrangement of sails, masts, booms, and lines that make up the boat’s sail plan.

The number and size of sails, masts, and booms can vary greatly, depending on the type of boat and its intended purpose.

For instance, a racing sailboat typically has a large, tall mainsail, one or two jibs, and a spinnaker.

On the other hand, a cruising sailboat may have two or more mainsails, a jib, and a gennaker.

Rigging a sailboat can be a complex task and requires knowledge of the various parts of the rig and how they interact with each other.

In addition to the sails, masts, and booms, sailboats also typically have a variety of lines, including halyards, sheets, and other running rigging.

In addition, sailboats may also have a variety of blocks, cleats, pulleys, and winches to help control the sails and rig.

Understanding how the rigging works and how to adjust it is essential to becoming a successful sailor.

A sailboats rudder is an essential part of the boats navigation system, allowing the boat to be steered in different directions.

Rudder designs can vary greatly, from a flat wooden board to a curved fiberglass blade.

It is typically connected to the boats steering wheel or tiller, and is mounted on the aft of the boat, just below the waterline.

The shape of the rudder helps to create lift, which assists in steering the boat.

A boats rudder is usually adjustable, allowing for fine-tuning of the steering angle and responsiveness.

The rudder also assists with controlling the boats speed and helps to minimize drag.

In addition, the rudder can be used to help the boat respond to waves and wind conditions.

All in all, the rudder is an essential part of any sailboats design, helping to ensure safety and a smooth sailing experience.

Final Thoughts

A sailboat is a fascinating and complex craft that has been used since ancient times.

Whether you’re looking to purchase a sailboat for recreational use or for a more serious endeavor, understanding the anatomy of a sailboat is crucial to making an informed decision.

With this visual guide to the components of a sailboat, you’ll be ready to make the perfect choice for you and your needs.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s go sailing!

James Frami

At the age of 15, he and four other friends from his neighborhood constructed their first boat. He has been sailing for almost 30 years and has a wealth of knowledge that he wants to share with others.

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