Contact Us Terms Privacy. The appeal of owning a cruising sailboat is one that deep down almost everyone shares. Even someone who has no intention of ever sailing can see the appeal of owning such a vessel. So much of the appeal is tied into the possibilities , the sense of wonder that owning such a boat bestows on its owner. Whether you are making a voyage from one coast of the United States to the other or plan to make your way around the globe, a decent cruising sailboat is a must.
Not all sailboats are built to withstand the high seas and high winds of the open water. Sure, they may do well enough when hugging the coastline, but sailing far and away over the horizon is a completely different animal. This article will help you know what to look for in a cruising sailboat and which specific boats you should look into buying. There are hundreds of great options on the market, these 5 are just some of the best. Cruising sailboats are ones that are designed to be used over long distances.
They are bigger, stronger, and far more stable. If you imagine a typical small sailboat such as a wayfarer you are looking at a pretty solid boat. Good quality, great for beginners, very safe, very affordable. But, it is simply not going to cut it out at sea for long. People have used the wayfarer to sail from the United Kingdom to Norway.
But, people have also done that in a kayak. A cruising boat is meant to be liveable for long periods between making land. Typically, cruising just means a multi-day trip. In reality, it can be far longer. Reid Stowe once sailed his self built foot schooner for over three and a half years. This is an extreme example, no one lives on their boat that long, but it gives you an idea of the possibilities.
To be able to spend so much time on a boat requires that it be of an adequate size to accommodate everything you would need. If a sailboat is capable of housing you for a few days, technically it can be classed as a cruising sailboat. Typically, cruising sailboats can reach speeds of ten knots. This is needed to be able to make it from one point of land to another before supplies run out. While, yes, a sailboat capable of traveling for multiple days without making land could be classed as a cruising sailboat.
There are some criteria that it needs to hit to be considered a good choice. Your sailboat needs to not only be capable of making the journey but doing it safely. Here are some important things to consider when deciding if a sailboat would be suitable for cruising:.
A boat that is not going to be stable is not ideal for cruising. When sailing for multiple days chances are you are going to crossing through rough seas and dangerous waters. A good way of assessing stability is width and hull type. If a boat has a very wide, or multiple, hulls you can assume it is going to be quite stable. The bigger the boat the better, not only for stability but for comfort. If you are going to be essentially trapped on your boat for several days it is a good idea to have as much room to move about as possible.
Both in the cabin and on the deck. If you are stuck inside because of bad weather for several days every extra square foot you have is going to be a blessing. Size matters to when you consider how many people you can bring on your voyage. Strength matters. A strong hull will help you withstand even the roughest conditions.
If given the choice, you would do well to choose the former. A sailboat without a mast or sail is much more likely to capsize. Being able to travel long distances is not only limited by the strength or sturdiness of the boat but how much storage it has. If you plan to be sailing for 7 days you will need 7 days worth of supplies. More than anything, what makes a sailboat suitable for cruising is having an experienced skipper.
There is a big difference between sailing for multiple days and multiple hours. Make sure you are capable of making the voyage before you think about whether your boat can. There is such a romantic notion of being able to sail wherever you please, whenever you please. Being able to make long voyages is so much more exciting than shorter ones. The chance to cruise from country to country is such an exciting opportunity that few people in the modern era have.
Sailing from country to country used to be the only way to get around. Now, everyone uses planes. Sailing brings people back to their ancestral roots in a way no other form of transport does. There may not be new lands to discover on behalf of our countries, but there are new lands to discover for ourselves. Reading about, hearing about, or watching documentaries on places is not the same as exploring them for yourself by sea.
The sense of adventure and discovery is like nothing else. Most people will never do it, but the dream is still there. Most of all though, long-distance cruising is exciting. The adrenaline from making the dangerous trip through open sees is truly exhilarating. Whether you are racing or cruising along at your own pace, there is always a sense of danger when out at sea.
Sailing long distances may be romantic, it may be exciting, it may be freeing, but it is also one of the most dangerous things you can do. When you are out of contact with the rest of the world, out at sea beyond the help of those onshore, the potential for danger is huge. No matter how experienced, how skilled, or how brave you are there is the potential for disaster. There are things you can do to improve the odds.
Being a great sailor is one, making sure you have the best cruising sailboat possible is another. Some are far more affordable than you might expect. There are so many fantastic sailboats out there that finding the right one might feel impossible.
The choice is overwhelming, even with the above guide on what to look for in your boat there are still almost endless choices. Luckily, this article is here to help. This section will give you a good selection of cruising sailboats at various price points. Which one is best for you will likely depend on a mixture of preference and budget.
If you are looking for a reliable sailboat look no farther than the Prout Snowgoose This large catamaran makes use of its double hulls for increased width and stability. It is easy to steer, handles well, and is pretty spacious.
There are more roomy catamarans on the market but none are as strong as this one. It is built to be sailed long distances in rough conditions. Its fiberglass hull makes it light and nimble all while retaining its strength.
It is a slightly older model, but one that will serve you well. It is British made so finding one in the States can be a little tricky. If you do find one though you would do well to jump at the chance to purchase it. The Corbin 39 is a beautiful blue water sailboat. It is a very rare boat with a proud history. Because of this method of production, this model can vary drastically on the inside. This means you may want to have a proper look around inside the boat before purchasing one.
The outside, especially the hull, is likely to be the same from boat to boat as they were sold as a piece. The Corbin 39 is a rather large boat, the deck is huge and is perfect for transporting multiple passengers. You may have to shell out some more cash for renovations but the boat itself is second to none. Some models were made in the early s, but not many. This double-ended hull cruiser is incredibly strong, it has a cast iron ballast and can withstand even the very worst weather conditions.
This boat is strong, rugged, but not very quick. If you are looking for speed this is not the boat for you. The hull is fiberglass so you know you are getting a sturdy boat, but the trade-off from the iron ballast means this boat is heavy and slow to maneuver.
The older ones are a bit cheaper, at the expense of being a little worse for wear. This foot cruiser is a jack of all trades type of craft. If Good Boats To Sail Around The World Jacket you are looking for a very solid middle of the pack choice this is the one for you.
It does everything well but excels almost nowhere except in size. The Nordic 40 is very large for the price you are paying, so you are certainly getting your money worth here. This vessel is sturdy, strong, light and nimble. It is capable of moving very quickly and agilely through the water in a light breeze but is more than capable of resisting tougher conditions.
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