Your First Sailboat Purchase
Sailing allows you to become one with your environment, capturing the wind’s energy as you move ahead.
There are all types of sailboats. Generally speaking, there are cruisers, racers, cruiser-racers, center cockpits and pilothouses.
This is a great time to be a first time buyer. Prices are so, so low and deals are for the making! The best place to start looking for a sailboat is at a boat show. There you will be able to experience firsthand how each boat looks and feels as you move about the cockpit and cabin. Most first time sailboat shoppers opt for a 25-30 foot cruiser, since they are easy to handle.
Once you become more experienced, your choice of boat will, too, just like buying a second car. When you have experience under your belt, you may find you like cruising and opt for a larger model giving you more speed and comfort. For the more adventurous, racing is an incredible sport the whole family can enjoy. Joining a club can be helpful in learning sail handling. Throughout the year, they offer cookouts and activities. The racing machine sailboat offers a sparser interior and less weight, but far more speed. Year after year, a new line of sailboats has been improving in quality and performance, called the racer-cruiser.
Center cockpit sailboats present the deck forward and aft with the steering towards the center of the sailboat. This configuration allows you and your guests to relax in the stern area of your sailboat rather than everyone being in the cockpit. The stern railing usually has built in seating and some also have deck mats to layout and get a tan.
Down below, the typical layout is a cabin consisting of a salon (living room), a forward stateroom (bedroom) and a head (bathroom). In the rear of the salon, there is usually another stateroom with an ensuite head. This area is a comfortable place to relax in privacy.
The pilothouse offers a cockpit sheltered from bad weather. One cockpit is located aft, while the other lies in a raised cabin ahead. The pilothouse offers sleeping accommodations both in the salon and up forward. One of the benefits is the great visibility.
Choosing from the numerous options available is an exciting part of shopping for a boat. As soon as you’re ready to make your purchase, contact your local boat dealer or yacht broker who can help you find the best boat to fit your need. They will look out for your best interest, since they you’re your repeat business.