Sailboats offer a unique experience compared to that of motorboats – sailboats blend adventure with skill and tranquility, attracting both seasoned sailors and newcomers alike. Whether you’re drawn to the idea of harnessing the wind in your own hands to explore distant shores or simply seeking a peaceful day on the water without a noisy engine, choosing the right sailboat is key to creating the perfect experience.
Your Comprehensive Sailboat Guide
This Sailboat Guide will introduce you to the wide world of sailing vessels, helping you to find a boat that matches your needs, lifestyle, and sailing goals. From sleek racing yachts to classic cruising sailboats and agile dinghies, each type of sailboat is designed with specific features, uses, and skill levels in mind. Before we get started, you’ll want to ask yourself what is the main purpose of your sailboat purchase – do you want to enjoy a few nights on the water? Get your pulse racing in regattas? Or set sail on a global adventure powered by the wind?
In this guide, we’ll explore these different types, explain essential features to consider, and provide expert advice on how to select the ideal sailboat.
Tips for Maintenance, Safety, and Smooth Sailing
We’ll also be sharing practical tips on maintenance, sailing basics, and safety practices that will ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience on the water. Whether you’re planning to embark on your first sailing adventure or are an experienced sailor simply looking for an upgrade, this guide is a valuable resource for every sailor.
Featured Image Credit: 1915 78′ HERRESHOFF Yacht for Sale 1915 78′ HERRESHOFF Classic Yacht
Table of contents
What is a sailboat?
A sailboat is a vessel that is propelled either completely or partially by sails. Sailboats are vessels under 78ft (unlike sailing yachts that are 79ft and above). Sailboats encompass a number of different styles including daysailers, racers, cutters, ketches, schooners, sloops, yawls and more.
How does a sailing boat work?
Sailing boats work through a combination of aerodynamics and hydrodynamics. The wind on the sails, combined with the water below combine to propel the sailboat across the water. When the sails are unfurled, they act similar to an airplane in that the wind moves across the sails and propels the boat forward. Most sailboats will still come with a small engine to supplement the wind power or even use 100 percent if there is little to no wind when you are out on the water.
How fast do sail boats go?
The speed a sail boat can achieve will depend on a few factors:
- Boat size
- Number of sails
- Added motor power (if used)
- Weather conditions
For a general idea, the average speed of a racing sail boat is 15 knots or 17 miles per hour; while a cruising sailboat will usually attain a top speed of 7 knots or 8 miles per hour.
How do sailing boats sail into the wind?
Sailing boats can sail into the wind by simply making a few adjustments. Slightly angle the bow toward a more forward direction than the wind so the wind will go up and over the sail and help propel the boat forward. The keel will help to balance the force of the wind in the sails to keep your journey smooth and balanced.
Do sail boats have motors?
While not all sail boats must have a motor, the majority of sailboats will come equipped with one either as a safety back up, or to help propel the boat during days of little wind. Even if you have a smaller sailboat, it’s a good idea to keep an outboard motor on hand in case you are in an emergency situation and need to get back to shore immediately, or if you are traveling long distances and can’t always depend on optimal wind conditions.
How to live on a sailboat
Living on a sailboat isn’t the right lifestyle for everyone but if you’re looking to live a minimalist lifestyle or cast off the bowlines and spend some time exploring the world around you onboard your own sailboat, it can be your very own floating home away from home.
Before you make the leap to living onboard your sailboat full-time, here are some things to consider:
- Size – Will you be living onboard the sailboat by yourself? Or will you be living with a family where there are children and pets to consider? You’ll want to make sure there is enough room for everyone living onboard to not only sleep, but to enjoy some private living spaces as well.
- Safety – Based on the above, if you have children or pets living on the sailboat with you, you’ll want to do a complete safety check to make sure everyone can live safely onboard.
- Storage – Not simply for clothes and food provisions, but also for additional fuel if cruising for long distances, and extra materials to be stored if anything needs to be repaired while underway.
- Location – If you’re cruising, you’ll need to make arrangements for stops along the way. However, if you plan to live on your sailboat at a yacht club or marina full-time, you’ll need to make sure the one you choose allows people to live aboard full-time and pay the appropriate fees.
Aside from the above, you’ll also want to be cognizant of what you are giving up when you live on a sailboat permanently. Without a home address, mail and deliveries can be harder to get, visitors can sometimes be tricky to host and feeling a bit more transient are all factors that may arise when you choose to live on a sailboat.
How to rig a sailboat
If you have a sailboat at the larger end of the spectrum you may not be able to completely rig the sailboat on your own (at least not the first time!). If we look at a standard sailboat with two sails, you’ll need to be able to rig the following items:
- Halyards – The halyards are the lines that pull your sails up. You’ll need different halyards for each sail you plan to rig.
- Mainsail – You’ll first want to rig up the mainsail which attaches to the back of the mast. Connect the top of the sail in the mast track and pull on the halyard to feed the length of the mainsail into the mast. Once up, secure the halyard in a cleat and keep your head low and out of the way of the mast!
- Jib – The smaller triangular sail at the bow of the boat will usually be rolled up when not in use. The bottom corner attaches to a fitting on the deck, and you’ll then connect the jib to the forestay with clips. You’ll then attach the head of the jib to the other jib halyard with a shackle and split ring. Tie off your two lines from the jib on each side of the boat. The jib is much easier to handle and hoist than the mainsail.
How to buy a sailboat
As with any boat purchase, it’s always best to work with a reputable boat dealer or broker. Start with our worldwide broker finder to find the best broker to help you in your purchase of a sailboat.
Purchasing a sailboat is an exciting moment in someone’s life – to get closer to the water, to take the sail in your hands, and truly be a navigator of the sea is an exhilarating feeling. To start your search, please check YATCO’s sailboats for sale. For similar boats, please check our Schooner guide, and Liveaboard boat guide. If, after consulting our guide on “How Much Boat Can I Afford?” you realize you have a bit more money to spend, check out our sailing yacht guide for vessels 79ft and above.
YATCO Boating Guides
- Boating in Florida Guide: Before you head out on the water for your next big catch of the day, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the rules of the water in Florida. Whether you are a resident, or someone looking to visit and do some fishing, you’ll want to be sure to heed the ways of the water. YATCO created a Boating in Florida Guide for this very reason.
- Boat Financing Guide: Maybe you want to make fishing more than just a charter once or twice a year, and instead invest in your own boat or yacht you can take out any time you want. And in a place like Florida, where the fishing season never ends, it’s the perfect place to buy your next yacht. Learn about Boat Financing in our Guide.
- Boat Maintenance Guide: Now you know the boat you want, it’s important to learn how to maintain it as well. There are a number of factors to consider when it comes to improving the longevity and overall look and feel of your boat or yacht. Learn the proper ways to keep your vessel in good shape with YATCO’s Boat Maintenance Guide.
- Boating the Right of Way Guide: Just as we need to learn the rules of the road when we head out in our car, it’s important to learn the rules of the water as well. Whether you are a seasoned sailor, or new to boating, YATCO created a Boating Right of Way Guide to better understand some of the rules and buoys or signage you may come across on the water.
- Boat Insurance Guide: While certain states (including Florida) and countries around the world may not make boat insurance compulsory or a legal requirement before heading out on the water, it’s still a prudent idea to secure boat insurance before slipping off the dock. Learn more about the importance of boat insurance with our guide.
