Buy your first sailboat with confidence
| By: Douglas Malat Once you’ve experienced the feeling, you’ll know you’re meant to be a sailor. The only thing you need to decide, then, is which type of sailboat will suit you - a cruiser, racer, cruiser-racer, center cockpit or pilothouse. If this is your first time looking to purchase a sailboat, you are in luck! The prices are at their lowest in years and sellers are ready to make deals to move them. In order to determine the sailboat type that best suits you and makes you feel most comfortable, I would recommend attending a boat show. The boat’s appearance and how comfortable you feel both in the cockpit and the cabin will influence your decision. A very common boat for the first time buyer is the cruiser, ranging between 25- 30 feet, because they are not difficult for the inexperienced sailor to maneuver. Once you become more experienced, your choice of boat will, too, just like buying a second car. When you have experience under your belt, you may find you like cruising and opt for a larger model giving you more speed and comfort. For the more adventurous, racing is an incredible sport the whole family can enjoy. Joining a club can be helpful in learning sail handling. Throughout the year, they offer cookouts and activities. The racing machine sailboat offers a sparser interior and less weight, but far more speed. Year after year, a new line of sailboats has been improving in quality and performance, called the racer-cruiser. 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. Down below, the typical layout is a cabin consisting of a salon (living room), a forward stateroom (bedroom) and a head (bathroom). In the rear of the salon, there is usually another stateroom with an ensuite head. This area is a comfortable place to relax in privacy. In rainy weather, you’ll appreciate the pilothouse. While one cockpit is located aft, another is ahead in a raised cabin, giving you shelter from the elements. You’ll find sleeping areas in the salon and up forward. Choosing from the numerous options available is an exciting part of shopping for a boat. As soon as you’re ready to make your purchase, contact your local boat dealer or yacht broker who can help you find the best boat to fit your need. They will look out for your best interest, since they you’re your repeat business. About the Author: Captain Douglas Malat is a licensed captain and co-author of YachtAuthority.com, where you will find a great selection of new and used sailboats for sale in your area. Related Articles Longing for Salt Lake City Discover how to find great rates on details on the best Salt Lake City rooms A Heart Touching Journey To Jaipur On Palace On Wheels Sailing Tips Anchoring Experts Guidelines Helping You With Major Discounts Along With Excursion Trips On Embarking Baltimor Use the Internet to Find Cheap Flights in Greece Tour With The Best Tour Operator In Kolkata Tips For Locating Sanibel Island Boat Rentals Nile River Cruises Experience Of A Lifetime Solihull Within Reach Sought After And So Historical Sailboat Satisfaction with Boat Club Pinpoint That Perfect Thailand s Capital Pad Befitting For You Trip to City of Joy Kolkata The Botswana Wild Life Safaris Are The Most Famous In The World Get Affordable Hotel Deals in Montauk And Research On Important Watering Holes And Holidays Places Of Interest In Spain Guadalupe 3 Steps to Impressing Your Incoming Clients with Quality Denver Airport Limousine Service |