Sloop designs are the most common variety of sailboat, The term sloop originates from the Dutch word slope. This design utilizes a mainsail and foresail with one mast. Sloops usually bend only one headsail, though this distinction is not definitive. Unlike cutters, sloops usually have only one headsail, though some sloops such as the Friendship Sloop have more than one sail. Sloops are popular with sport sailors, yachtsmen and as racing craft. Cutters are very similar to a sloop with a single mast and a mainsail. The cutter generally carries the mast further aft to allow for the use of two headsails attached towing forestays, the head stay and the inner stay carry the jib and staysail respectively. This is rarely considered a racing configuration; however, it gives much versatility to cruising boats, especially when there are high wind conditions.

Catboats today are used as a pleasure craft for day sailing. 19th century catboats were also used for racing. Ketch designs are sailing craft with two masts: a main mast, and a shorter mizzen. Both masts are rigged mainly fore-and-aft. Ketch boats are very popular among long distance cruisers. The additional sail allows for a better balance. Another popular sailboat configuration is the schooner. A schooner can have two or more masts. The second mast is at least as tall as the first mast. Sailboats are also classified by hull type. Most sailboats are built with a mono or a single hull. However, some boats are built as multi hull boats. These include catamaran and tri-maran vessels. When comparing a mono hull boat to multi-hull boat acceleration is much different. In a multi-hull boat acceleration to a top speed is very quick and almost instantaneous.

Sailing requires a high level of experience and skill. Crew must be able to quickly change rigs, rudder and dagger to change the speed and direction of the boat in a variety of sea conditions. In addition to steering the boat and managing the sails, crew must also have at least basic knowledge of some of the skills that are normally the responsibility of the captain. These can include weather forecasting, navigation, emergency repairs, marine electronics, first aid and others.

When you are more experienced, your choice becomes refined. You start where you feel comfortable, just as you would with a car, and, after a while, you may like cruising and go for a larger sailboat with more speed and comfort. Or you may turn to racing – a great sport the whole family can enjoy. You learn quite a bit about sail handling and usually join the club. They may have cookouts and activities lined up the year through. There are racing machine sailboats out there in all sizes, but with sparse interiors, less weight and more speed. But a new breed of sailboats has been coming out, getting better year after year. It is the racer-cruiser, capturing the best of both worlds.

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. Below there is your cabin made up of your salon (living room), forward stateroom (bedroom), with a head (bathroom), and to the rear of the salon there is another stateroom with an ensuite head. This area is usually large and enticing, depending how large the sailboat is.

The pilothouse is a nice change. This type of sailboat features an aft cockpit with steering and, if the weather gets bad or if it is raining, you can duck in to the cabin ahead, which is usually raised and also contains a cockpit. That becomes your salon with another cabin area further ahead and below. Sleeping accommodations are in the salon like all sailboats and also up forward. The pilothouse gives you great visibility and everything can be handled out of the weather.

Length

How long a sailboat is will have a huge bearing on the price. However, this isn’t the only thing you need to consider when looking at length. The actual length of a boat also determines things like how much mooring will be.

You see, you’ll be paying per foot of the dock that you occupy, so the longer the boat, the more you’ll pay on a monthly basis to keep your boat tied up at a dock. Some people, because of this, prefer to anchor out in the bay and keep only a small rowboat so they can get out to their boat and not have to pay huge moorage fees. However, if you plan to travel around with your boat, this is something to consider.

Price isn’t the only thing in play here. How much room do you actually need? A very small sailboat can be nice for short outings or playing around. They are also quite popular for regattas, if you are interested in that sort of thing. However, the smaller boats also tend to capsize easily and are not stable enough for anything apart from slightly choppy water, which renders them quite limited.

A longer sailboat, 25-35 feet can actually include space for a home inside. If you plan to spend a lot of time on your boat, this is something to consider. It can be nice to have a spot to get out of the wind and make a cup of tea or lay down and relax while anchored.

Keep in mind that the bigger the sailboat, the more difficult it will be to sail with just one person. Larger sailboats are either automatic or require two or three people to run it, something to remember when you are purchasing. How many people will you have to sail the boat with? Don’t exceed the number unless you plan to hire extra hands.

Material

There are many different materials to build a sailboat from. You will likely have a preference based on looks already, but it’s good to know a bit more about each sailboat material before you choose a used sailboat.

Concrete: This is not a very common boat material, but it does exist and should be avoided. Used concrete sailboats are usually a recipe for disaster and are too heavy and difficult to work with for a beginner.

Wood: Older sailboats are probably going to be made out of wood. This can be very beautiful, particularly when properly maintained. With the right woods, a sailboat can be lovely to look at. However, there are plenty of problems associated with wood.

Even treated wood will tend to rot away over time and it is something that also attracts insects and pests, both air and waterborne, which will destroy the wood. If you do opt to look at buying a wooden used sailboat, make sure you have a complete inspection done of the entire boat, above and below. Keep in mind that wood will require a LOT of maintenance and must be frequently painted or treated to keep it intact. This is not a great material for beginners or anyone who wants a boat they can use when they need it and leave it between times. Investing in a wooden sailboat is a bigger investment than the initial cost.

Fiberglass: This is by far the most common material for boats in general, including sailboats. Nearly all newer used sailboats will be built from fiberglass. It’s resistant to corrosion and tends to be very durable. Make sure that there is no major damage to the finish, which could require some hefty repairs later. This includes gashes or gouges below the waterline, cracked finish or a very dull gelcoat that will require repainting, a costly endeavor.

Steel: While very hardy in construction, steel tends to be prone to rust which can render a great boat useless. Be sure to have a professional inspection if you are looking at a steel used sailboat.

Price

Buying a used sailboat is going to be your best bet for sticking to a budget. Brand new boats tend to be very expensive and while they do come in pristine condition, they don’t come with sails, rigging, and all the gear that you’ll need in order to actually sail your boat.

Usually, used sailboats will come with extras that you would otherwise have to buy separately. The sails and rigging will be used, as well, but if you take the time to look them over and make sure that they are in decent condition, this could be a very good deal. It saves a lot of money since you don’t need to go out and find a set of sails and other extras, which can really add up.

Finally consider how you are going to use your sailboat. For those who want to race, you will need a drastically different boat than those who just want a sailboat to use for a leisurely time on the marina or lake. Taking all of these factors into account can help you choose the right sailboat type for your needs.