Sailboats are incredible vessels designed to offer its owners and guests the thrill of sailing; the feeling of conducting your own boat on the ocean. Search below for these intriguing boats for sale by location, price, size, brand and more.
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A sailing boat is a boat propelled partly or entirely by sails and is smaller than a sailing yacht under 79ft (24m). They can come in different styles including high performance, day sailers, racers, outboard motors, and more. Whether you’re looking to buy your next boat, or want to sell your current one, read on for more information.
The primary difference between a sailing boat and a motor yacht lies in their propulsion systems. Sailing yachts use sails to harness the wind for movement, relying on wind power. In contrast, luxury or low cost motor yachts are equipped with engines for propulsion, allowing them to navigate using motorized power. A sailing yacht is typically 79ft (24m) and above. Distinctions between what constitutes a boat or sailing yacht vary by region and maritime culture. On YATCO.com there are currently over 1,000 sailing boats and yachts for sale, ranging from 14ft (4m) day sailers to 213ft (65m) luxury sailing yachts located around the world – from the South of France to the US, Indonesia, Australia and more in a wide range of prices.
Although terminology has varied across history, in general, the type of boat may be distinguished by size, boat hull design, configuration, keel type, purpose, number and configuration of masts, and sail plan.
Below are some popular monohull boats:
The cutter is similar to a sloop with single mast and mainsail, but generally carries the mast further aft so that a jib and staysail can be attached to the head stay and inner forestay. It used to be a common racing configuration, today it gives versatility to cruising boats.
A catboat has a single mast mounted far forward but doesn’t have a jib. Today’s catboats have only the mainsail; however, a catboat can usually carry multiple sails from the gaff rig.
A dinghy is a type of small open boat, more akin to a day sailer. Characterized for their short length overall and light weight, which also makes them very easy to handle, sailing dinghies are used for recreation, youth sailing programs, sail training, and tending a larger vessel.
A ketch is a type of sailing yacht with two masts. They are like sloops in this, but ketches have a second shorter mast astern of the mainmast, forward of the rudder. The second mast is called the mizzen mast and the sail is called the mizzen sail. Originally, ketches were fishing vessels; the term “ketch” comes from the same root word as “catch”. Their versatility and ease of use has made them popular, particularly in Northern European waters, where their sail plan allows them to react quickly to varying wind conditions.
A schooner is a type of sailing vessel with fore-and-aft sails on two or more masts, the foremast being always lower than the foremost main. Such vessels were first used by the Dutch in the 16th or 17th century. Originally schooners were gaff-rigged, but modern schooners may be Bermuda-rigged. (A Bermuda rigged schooner typically has four triangular sails: a mainsail, a mainstay sail, the foremast, a forestaysail, and a jib (or genoa) forward of the foremast. An advantage of the staysail schooner is that it is easily handled and reefed by a small crew, as both staysails can be self-tacking.
A sloop (from Dutch sloep) has a single mast and a fore-and-aft rig. A sloop has only one headsail, nevertheless if a vessel has two or more headsails, she is called a ‘cutter’ and her mast may be set further aft than on a sloop. In the US however, a sloop may have one, two or three headsails forward of the mast – the term cutter not generally being used for sailing vessels. The most common rig nowadays is the “Bermuda sloop” which carries a mainsail on a boom aft of the mast, with a single loose-footed headsail (a jib or a genoa jib) forward of the mast. This is an optimal rig for upwind sailing; consequently, sloops are popular with sport sailors and yachtsmen, and for racing. This type of boat and rig is simple in its basic form and is maneuverable and fast.
The main disadvantage is the relatively large size of the sails, especially on larger vessels. It is also less successful sailing downwind; the addition of a spinnaker in fact is necessary for faster speed in all but the strongest winds, and the spinnaker is an unstable sail requiring continual trimming.
A yawl is typically two-masted, usually rigged with one or more jib sails, a mainsail, and a mizzen. Like the ketch, the forward (main) mast is higher than the mizzenmast, but the mizzenmast of a yawl is placed astern of the rudder post (more for balancing the helm than propulsion) while that of the ketch is closer amidships. Like most modern pleasure boats, yawls are rigged with fore-and-aft sails – the most effective rigging in utilizing manpower. The word yawl is sometimes applied to a dinghy or day sailer and to a light fishing vessel rigged with lugsails.
There are many different types of sailboats, and there are various uses for each type. When it comes to sailing vessels versus motorsailers, the differences are significant. When making a purchase, you want to make sure you’re getting the best sailboat for your needs.
The main difference between the two is that while sailing boats are powered and propelled by the force of the wind against the sails, motorsailers are a hybrid and can be powered equally by the wind in its sails, as well as internal engines (the ratio of sail propulsion to power can range from 30% sail / 70% power up to 70% sail / 30% power).
Cost is another element that distinguishes various boat types. Purchasing a sailing vessel can be relatively convenient, depending of course on the type of boat – is it a day sailer or 150-foot sailing yacht? Regular maintenance is performed by skilled professionals, insurance, crew, docking, and more is necessary to enjoy the boat and keep its value. The average cost of motorsailers on the other hand, can be quite high, especially when dealing with sailing yachts (i.e. motorsailers larger than 24m). In addition to maintenance and insurance, the fuel, the crew fees, and the yacht management run by specialized companies are to be considered and can make the running costs of motorsailers considerably more expensive.
In terms of functionality, while these boat types can be very technical to run, and one needs to learn the parts of the boat and how to set up the sails and mast in the ideal positions according to weather and wind patterns (although in the case of sailing yachts you must still count on an expert crew); motorsailers can have the option to propel the boat with just the motors – it is common for sailing yachts to use this mode when doing the ocean crossing for instance. Regardless of the boat type, you’ll want to have sailing experience before casting off from the dock.
Depending on what you want to achieve, there are a few different options available. From the smallest to the largest small sailboats, you can choose from:
Looking at used sailing vessels is an attractive option for many, not only due to the cost comparison to newer models, but also because of the history and proven track record the boat has. Some other reasons people consider purchasing used boats includes:
While considering a used vessel, weigh your preferences. Although used boats offer benefits, you might prefer the safety and enjoyment of a new sailing vessel.
Now that we know why some people prefer to look at the brokerage market for a used boat, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind when purchasing used:
A sailing vessel is normally perfect for cruising, sailing alone and/or racing with a few passengers, however, it usually does not provide the same volume and therefore comfort for living aboard motorsailers. Depending on the size of the motorsailer you can invite a lot more people for the cruise as many motorsailers – 100% of motorsailers above 98ft (30m) – come with cabins to live in.
When deciding whether to purchase a traditional sailing vessel or a motorsailer, one must consider what the goals are with sailing and cruising; what type of boat is best suited for you?
This list of questions that can help narrowing down the search:
Traditional sailing vessels today are used most often for recreation. Cruising and racing are some of the most popular hobbies of sailing boat owners. Small dinghies tend to be better for racing.
There are pros and cons for this type of boat:
This vessel can cruise in lakes, rivers, canals, coastal waters, and, of course, oceans. Many people choose sailboats for quick daytime sailing or weekend getaways, or even small day sailers to play around with on the lake.
Manufacturers use advanced technology to make them sturdier, but light at the same time. This allows them to move swiftly with little wind but remain durable cruise after cruise. Sailing vessels are the most environmentally friendly water vehicles you can imagine! If you are adventurous and like a solo cruise, they are a great option to experience nature firsthand but also for people who want to learn the process of manual sailing.
Sailboats rely on environmental factors, so unless you are blessed with ideal weather and wind conditions, you may have to wait before hitting the water. They don’t roll very much; they reach an angle of heel and pretty much remain there. The heel will depend on how much wind you get and how much sail you have. And the sail will depend on how hard you want to push the boat to get to your destination. This process will require some packing up, often more than what is required for cruising in a motorsailer. Also considering sailing boats are propelled partly or entirely by sails, they can be at the mercy of the weather more than a motorsailer.
Being more comfortable, coming with a lot more space than traditional sailing boats, motorsailers are great for long cruises. This type of boat can be customized fully or partially, and usually benefit from a high performance output thanks to the added engine power. You can also decide how you want your own interiors to look and have them as welcoming as your home on land – especially on sailing yachts. You can reach offshore areas comfortably and quickly. It all depends on the boat’s fuel tanks, its rate of consumption and propulsion from the outboard motor. You can get a net gain in speed over what would be possible by just using one method of propulsion. With the right motorsailer, you could also decide to circumnavigate the globe!
Motorsailers allow more comfort and lazy days when you don’t feel like setting up your sails. Rolling on motorsailers can be minimal – you just need to make sure you have ideal bilge keels or gyro-driven stabilizers. Motorsailers can tackle a wide range of weather and sea conditions without damage or discomfort. They’re able to keep up a decent speed even if there is little to no wind. Being bulkier and heavier allows motorsailers to offer more space for accommodation inside the boat.
The wide stern and heavy displacement are not ideal for sailing. The big keels tend to slow down a bit, but many sailors can cruise at a reasonable speed. Some sailors tend to think that because they are built half for sailing and half for powering, motorsailers are only half as good at each. While there may be some truth to this statement, many owners of motorsailers enjoy their power and sailing a great deal. There are many benefits to purchasing (or even renting and/or chartering) a sailing boat or motorsailer. Consider the facts and features of each of these boats when you’re choosing which boat to purchase or rent. It’s all about your preferences, your style, your budget, and your needs.
Besides all the typical mooring, fuel and other certifications, new buyers will encounter some potential hidden charges:
While you may not be able to customize the boat exactly as you wish, there are often fewer hidden costs to buying a used vessel. Nonetheless, you will want to account for:
Sailing has been around for centuries for travel and fishing, but it’s only become a sport since the early 17th century. The Dutch are said to be the first nation who raced yachts for fun. They gave a ship to Charles II and the sport quickly became popular in England before being taken up in America. Today, it is a pastime enjoyed by millions of people worldwide – both competitively and non-competitively on lakes and rivers to the open ocean – on day sailers and those that can sleep 12 guests in luxurious cabins.
Living on the ocean sounds romantic, and it can be. Sailing for many is about exploring the far flung reaches of the world and discovering places they don’t yet know exist, all while onboard boats propelled partly by or entirely by sails. Sailing is also an invigorating sport that offers many rewards, not the least of which is that it’s simply so much fun. Those who love the environment, live adventurously and want to enjoy the brisk feel of the breeze on their face, the gentle motions of the boat as it cleanly slices through the water are the perfect sailboat buyers.
Nothing compares to the lifestyle on a sailing boat, the freedom that comes with it and the closeness to the sea this type of boat offers. Not to mention the allure of such yachts in films like the James Bond “Casino Royale”, Daniel Craig sails into Venice on the Spirit 54, a classic British yacht that’s celebrated for its elegance; the 54-foot boat was handcrafted in Suffolk, incorporating mahogany topsides and teak decks. By being featured in these James Bond scenes, the yacht not only shot to international fame, but it also became the first sailing yacht to travel along the Grand Canal in around 300 years.
The cost of insurance will depend on a few different factors; however, it’s important to preface this by saying that it is usually much cheaper than car insurance (since generally it isn’t getting as much use or mileage); and usually less than motorboat insurance since sailing vessels don’t reach the same speeds or danger levels. On average, most won’t spend more than $1,500 a year on comprehensive coverage (depending on the yacht size and price of course), but here are a few things that can affect your insurance premiums:
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