Buying a boat is never a simple affair: the first step is always to understand what type of sailing you have in mind, because not all boats suit all needs!
Many are captivated by the stories of sailors who sail around the world alone, navigating by the stars and eating fresh catch every day.
Unfortunately, the reality—especially for those who are not already experts—is very different. And thankfully, that’s the case!
Becoming familiar with the sea doesn’t just mean obtaining a boating license or learning to operate a boat confidently. Especially when you reach the important decision to purchase a boat, it’s crucial to take your time, study your habits, analyze the displacement and technology of the hulls, and also listen to the advice of the right friends.
In this guide to purchasing a boat, we will discuss this delicate phase: the choice of the kind of life you want to lead at sea. We will explore the different types of sailing and their associated habits, to give an overview of the key questions you need to ask before buying a boat.
Questions to Consider
Let’s start with a series of very simple questions.
- What does your family expect to do?
If sailing will be a hobby to pursue with your family, the first thing to do is to ask them. It may seem trivial, but I have often seen people purchase a boat lightly, only to find themselves paying for storage fees without ever managing to coordinate family schedules to set sail.
- Join a club
A captain’s competence isn’t gained in just a few weeks. It’s important, before the purchase, to start familiarizing yourself with boats, and what better way than to join a yacht club?
In addition to meeting many people with potentially similar experiences, you can try sailing different types of vessels—from small boats to cruising yachts, from sailboats to motorboats—allowing you to discover which type of vessel you like and satisfies you the most.
Renting a boat lets you experience both the design of the vessel and the experience of living aboard.
And if you’re a complete novice, you can also opt for a rental with a skipper.
- Volunteer crew
Not many know, but skippers often look for crew members, whether for long crossings, summer cruises, or daily sailing. There are websites, club notice boards, or recommendations from acquaintances. Volunteering as crew can be a great idea, especially for those who plan to undertake ocean crossings, being away for months, or moving to live directly on a boat.
Design Features to Consider When Buying a Boat
After all the experiences I just mentioned, you will understand which design features you can forgo and which ones you cannot do without when you decide to buy a boat.
Specifically, the factors to pay attention to are:
- Shelter from the rain;
- Sleeping area;
- Cooking area;
- Toilet;
- Inboard engine;
- Competitive performance of the boat;
- Spacious cockpit for drying off or sunbathing;
- Headroom when standing;
- Ability to sail in open water;
- Separate cabins.
Asking the Right Questions
In addition to these features, you should ask yourself some questions that will also help your broker guide you toward the right boat model.
The questions I have gathered after years of experience are roughly these:
- Who will you be sailing with?
- Where will you keep the boat?
- What’s your budget? Remember it will be divided between the purchase and annual expenses…
- How skilled are you?
- How many days a year will you be sailing?
Now that we have posed all the questions and made all the necessary premises, we can review the types of boats, which I will present here in relation to the type of sailing chosen.
Types of Boats to Purchase
- Day Boats
If your time and resources are limited, or if this is your first boat, I recommend opting for an open day-sailer. Imagine yourself in this boat for 4-6 people, in an estuary, with your family or a small group of friends. You can sit comfortably—and this is the most attractive feature of these models—and you can even have a small covered area at the bow (the cuddy), where you can keep your gear safe from rain or splashes.
There won’t be a toilet, there won’t be a place to cook, and your crew will be exposed to the sun.
- Overnight Boats
A step up from day-sailers are vessels that have cabins, which can also serve as sleeping quarters. They often come equipped with a single-burner stove and a toilet.
This is a very basic solution with little extra space, but it allows those sailing short distances to enjoy the rocking even when the sun goes down and the stars come out.
- Coastal Cruising Yachts
When it rains, how do you plan to keep your crew sheltered? If this question concerns you, then the yacht you might need is a coastal cruising boat. Those sailing with family or planning parties.