Sailing can be addictive. Many people want a sailboat as soon as they step on dry land after their first sailing excursion. Before making that trip to the sailboat dealer though it’s important to know a little bit about buying, maintaining and storing a sailboat.

Perhaps the most important decision you will make when buying a sailboat is size. While you may be intoxicated by the sight of a long boat under full sail there are practical considerations you should make. First, what experience do you have in sailing a boat? Second, where will you be sailing? Third, where are you going to store the boat? Fourth, how far will the sailboat have to be moved? Fifth, what’s your affordable price range?

When thinking about your sailboat skill level, there are other factors which should be considered. Besides your mental sailing acumen, how about your physical acuity? The actual act of piloting a sailboat is arduous and demanding; it can require quite a reserve of body strength. If you are going to be sailing alone or with just one other person, a sixteen footer is the max you want to go. For day sailors just learning the art, consider an eight foot boat. Remember, too, that newbies should never go out by themselves.

The locale for most of your sailing adventures will also have a great impact on the size of the boat you select. You will need to think not just about the length of the boat but also about the height of its mast. The type of enclosure on your boat may also be dictated by the kind of weather you think you may encounter. Boats sailed in warmer climes can be far more open than sailboats meant for colder regions. Take into account too the time of year you will be doing most of your sailing. If you want to stay out on the water as far into the chilly days as possible your sailboat will need to have some sort of cabin which will generally necessitate a larger body.



When it comes to storing your boat, once again size matters. It’s a good idea to visit several marinas before getting too attached to a particular sailboat. The cost of a slip can be daunting. This is especially true if you are required to have a membership at a particular marina club in order to slip your boat there. Don’t forget to inquire about additional costs; the slip fee may cover just the cost of tying your sailboat. You may want to choose a somewhat smaller boat so that you can have it protected at a full service marina.

After you buy the boat, how are you going to get it to the water? Luckily many sailboat dealers operate right at the water’s edge. However, if you live inland and buy your boat inland you are going to have substantial charges to get it to the lake or ocean. Think about purchasing your craft from a waterside sailboat dealer. Some dealers may give you a discount on the sale to help defray the moving charges.

Now, you’ve finally gotten to price. Price is one of the lesser priorities because there are many ways to maneuver around the cost of a sailboat. Much like cars, new sailboats depreciate by at least ten percent the moment they leave the showroom floor. For that reason, you may want to explore buying a used sailboat. The secondary market for sailboats has seen consistent growth. Still, it takes a practiced eye to know what to look for in a used boat for sale. Consider using the services of a professional to check a boat over if you are buying it from an individual. You might also inquire about certified used sailboats when speaking with new sailboat dealers.

Sunfish sailboats are reliable and very reasonably priced boats that have an active after market life. Most sailboat dealers can have a used Sunfish in stock in short order. Laser sailboats are known for their exceptional speed and maneuverability. Macgregor sailboats and Hunter sailboats are two other brands which can often be found at reasonable prices used. These boats come in a wide variety of styles, including power models and models suitable for short living stints. Prices, of course, vary according to the size and option packages. For family boating in style, have a look at Catalina sailboats. A little skillful research can turn up a full featured pre-owned model in the mid five figure range.

As with any other major purchase, there are a lot of costs that will hit you after the sale. Your primary expenses after slip fees and off season storage will be maintenance. However, you don’t want to skimp in taking care of your sailboat. Just one season of failing to mechanically service your boat can be devastating. The same can be said of not protecting your boat from the corrosive forces of nature. Water, wind and sun can destroy a watercraft in quick order. Taking just a little time and spending a reasonable amount of money can insure that your sailboat will bring you pleasure for many seasons as well as maintaining its resale value.