The first boat always leaves great memories. Between the inexpensive sailboat for beginners and the large, complicated-to-maneuver voyage sailboat, it’s not always easy to find your first boat, especially when you’re discovering sailing and the sea. So, I offer you 5 tips for choosing your beginner sailboat, or simply your first sailboat.
Buying your first sailboat is always a delicate moment. Your first boat will be the one that introduces you to the sea, adventure, and the worries of maintenance… Between the comfortable cruising sailboat and the small day-boat, the new or used sailboat, the choice is not always obvious.
We will set aside those planning a grand voyage, who often buy the ideal sailboat for that project. For many of us, sailing is coastal, with family, friends, or alone. We buy a boat to sail on weekends, one week during the May holidays, and two weeks during the summer vacation.
Before buying the ideal sailboat, why not start with renting or crew exchanges to learn sailing? It’s a very good solution. This allows you to gain initial experience and discover sailing without risk. In any case, here are some tips for choosing your first sailboat. These are based on my experience and mistakes.
Calculate the Purchase and Maintenance Budget for Your Sailboat
The first thing to consider is the budget. While the purchase price of the boat is obviously important when choosing a sailboat, the cost of maintenance should not be overlooked. Indeed, a small transportable sailboat, like a Jeanneau Tonic 23, and a 9-10 meter sailboat, like a Jeanneau Attila, will not have the same impact on your wallet throughout the year.
It is important to consider the various fixed costs, such as mooring fees, insurance, winter storage, and equipment. The cost of hauling out will depend on the length of the boat (a can of antifouling paint is not cheap…). Also, plan for the various items that will need replacing in the coming years, such as ropes, rigging, or even the engine.
Choose a Sailboat Suited to Your Sailing Program
Before choosing your sailboat, you need to know your sailing program. Why do you want to sail? What interests you about sailing?
Indeed, sailing programs can vary. Some will want to discover the sea by sailboat, its coasts, and nature, while others will want to race every weekend. For some boaters, sailing means choosing to sail in raids, like camping. At the same time, some habitable sailboats offer as much comfort as a motorhome. In short, whether you sail for the day or for a week, start by thinking about your program.
If programs change, the following criteria for choosing your first sailboat are always relevant, whether you choose a new boat or a used boat.
Buy a Small Sailboat to Start Sailing
Starting sailing on a small sailboat is the best possible option. Indeed, small sailboats have the advantage of giving more sensations to beginners, in general. These boats give you more sensations at the helm while forgiving mistakes, without being too technical. You will be able to learn to trim the sails and maneuver by gaining experience more quickly than on a large sailboat.
At the same time, a small sailboat is cheaper to buy and allows you to start sailing at a low cost. Moreover, the maintenance cost will also remain reasonable and will save you from cold showers in the first few years. They say “small sailboat, small problems”. And for families, some transportable and habitable sailboats will allow a family to have excellent moments.
Choose a Maneuverable Sailboat
As we saw earlier, learning to sail on a small sailboat allows you to have more sensations. Indeed, learning to sail means learning to feel the boat, the wind, and the sea on it. Your first sailboat should therefore be easy to maneuver, to encourage and secure the maneuvers. It should allow you to feel the elements and learn to anticipate them. Its helm should be smooth and the maneuvers within reach.
A Sailboat That Allows You to Sail Often
Learning to sail comes through practice. There’s nothing better. Sailing often allows you to gain experience. You should therefore choose a sailboat that can be used easily, alone or with a crew. Transportable sailboats have a huge advantage and should be considered closely. Indeed, they allow you to multiply sailing trips and bodies of water, thus sailing more often. At the same time, you will be able to experience different types of sailing.
Buy a Sailboat That Encourages Sailing
Will you sail alone or with your family? The question is important. Indeed, if you want to sail with your spouse and children, the sailboat must be suitable. Your boat must be reassuring enough so that your spouse and children want to come back. If you buy a boat for hardcore sailors, very technical and without comfort, it is possible that your family will quickly lose interest.
Conversely, an old fishing-cruising boat might quickly bore a dynamic family that likes to move around. The same goes for the comfort on board the sailboat. Is your family more into camping or motorhomes?
Inspecting the Used Sailboat
Buying a used sailboat is not a decision to be made on a whim or out of love at first sight. Choosing your sailboat wisely is a decision that must be reasoned. Many points need to be checked before buying. The purchase of a sailboat is often the result of many years of effort and savings. If the budget is secured and well-defined, it’s best to avoid unpleasant surprises that could increase the cost. At the same time, a cruising or racing boat, whether a monohull or a multihull like a catamaran, will not require the same attention points.
Unlike automobiles, in boating, there is no technical inspection for the moment. When you buy a boat, you only have the owner’s declared history and maintenance invoices. Since trust does not exclude control, and paying an expert for each boat visit can quickly become expensive, it is essential to check several points of the sailboat yourself or with a knowledgeable and neutral person. Let’s look at the points to check before buying a sailboat.