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.

The first and most common sail configuration is the sloop, which consists of a mainsail and foresail. The basic sloop design also comes with several different variations, for example there can be more than one foresail or a fractional rig. A fractional rig is a sloop where the foresail doesn’t go all that way to the top of the mast. In some conditions this type of a rig can give the boat better performance.

Then there is that catboat which is similar to the sloop in design with only one mast, however it doesn’t have a headsail like a sloop. The catboat is also distinctive because the mast is placed close to the bow of the boat. Next is the ketch, which has two masts; a main and a mizzenmast. There may also be a jib sail in front of the main mast on some ketch sailboats. Lastly there is the schooner, which can have two or more masts with the second being at least as tall as the first.

So with all these choices to choose from how can you determine which of the many types of sailboats is right for your needs? First you need to take the time to learn about the different types of sailboats available. Some of the many types of sailboats to consider is keelboats, catamarans, catboats,trimarans, sloops, chooners and yawls among others. Each sailboat will have their own features, which you need to consider and learn about before making an informed decision. So take the time to do some research and familiarize yourself will all the available types of sailboats.

Next you need to consider what you plan on doing with your sailboat. Where will you be using the sailboat most often; in the ocean, on a lake or at a marina? When deciding what sailboat to buy you need to know where you will be using it since each location has a different aspect to the wind and water which will need to be considered before making a final decision.

Now consider how many people you will typically have on board your sailboat. Knowing how many people are typically going to be with you can help you determine the right size of the sailboat you need. You also need to consider the fact that depending on the size of the sailboat you choose you may also need more people to safely operate the sailboat.

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.Therefore, 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.

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.