How to choose your first boat (or your next one)
Choosing a boat is a very personal decision that depends on how you want to use it, where you navigate, how many people will join you, and your budget. There is no perfect boat, but there is a perfect boat for you.
Before looking at specific models, ask yourself these questions:
- What do I want it for? Coastal outings, multi-day cruises, fishing, water sports, racing
- Where will I navigate? Coastal waters, open ocean, rivers and lakes, offshore passages
- How many people? Couple, family with children, groups of friends
- Where will I keep it? Marina, boatyard, trailer
- What is my real budget? Purchase + annual maintenance
Sailboats
Characteristics
Sailboats use the wind as their primary source of propulsion, supplemented by an auxiliary engine for harbor maneuvers and calms. They are designed for efficiency and the pleasure of sailing.
Types of sailboats
Fixed-keel cruisers: - The most common for recreational sailing - 26 to 50+ feet (8 to 15+ meters) - Livable with a cabin, galley, head, and berths - Ideal for coastal cruising and passages
Swing/lifting keel sailboats: - The keel retracts into the hull - Can sail in shallow waters and beach themselves - Less stability than fixed-keel boats when under sail
Racing sailboats: - Design optimized for speed - Less comfort than a cruiser, more performance - From 16-foot one-designs to 60+ foot maxis
Advantages of a sailboat
- Low fuel consumption (you sail with the wind)
- Virtually unlimited range (ideal for long passages)
- Silent and eco-friendly sailing
- Active sailing community (racing, rallies)
- Better resale value (depreciates less than powerboats)
Disadvantages
- Requires sailing knowledge
- Slower than a powerboat (5-8 knots cruising vs 20-30)
- Heeling can be uncomfortable for unaccustomed passengers
- Additional maintenance for the rig (sails, rigging, mast)
Ideal for
Sailors who enjoy the act of sailing as much as the destination. Families and couples who want multi-day cruises with low operating costs.
Powerboats
Types of powerboats
Open boats / bowriders: - No cabin, open deck with seating and cockpit - 16 to 30 feet (5 to 9 meters) - Ideal for day outings, swimming, and water sports - Easy to maintain, some trailerable
Cabin cruisers: - With a livable cabin (berth, basic galley, head) - 23 to 40+ feet (7 to 12+ meters) - For day and overnight trips, weekend getaways on board - Good balance of performance and livability
Motor yachts (flybridge / sport cruiser): - 40 to 80+ feet (12 to 25+ meters) with multiple cabins - Flybridge: upper helm station with sofa and bimini - Maximum comfort and space - High fuel and maintenance costs
Fishing boats: - Purpose-built for sport fishing - Center console, live well, rod holders, and stern platform - Deep-V hulls for rough seas - 16 to 40+ feet (5 to 12+ meters)
Advantages of a powerboat
- Speed: you can cover long distances quickly
- Ease of use: no sailing skills required
- Optimized deck space
- Easy water access (swim platform)
Disadvantages
- High fuel consumption (the biggest operating cost)
- Less range than a sailboat
- Greater depreciation
- Engine noise and vibrations
Ideal for
Families seeking coastal outings, swimming, and water sports. Anglers. Those who prioritize speed and convenience over the sailing experience.
Catamarans
Characteristics
Catamarans have two parallel hulls connected by a bridging platform. This configuration gives them superior stability, space, and speed compared to a monohull of the same size.
Types
Sailing catamarans: - The most popular for charter and cruising - 33 to 60+ feet (10 to 18+ meters) - Huge living space: saloon, galley, 3-4 cabins with private heads - Exceptional stability (almost no heeling)
Power catamarans: - Lower fuel consumption than an equivalent monohull powerboat - Very stable at anchor - 33 to 50+ feet (10 to 15+ meters)
Advantages
- Maximum stability (ideal for families with children and those prone to seasickness)
- Enormous living and deck space
- Shallow draft (can anchor very close to the beach)
- Two engines = greater safety (if one fails, the other gets you to port)
Disadvantages
- Higher purchase price than an equivalent monohull
- More expensive berthing (they occupy double the beam)
- Inferior sailing performance upwind compared to a monohull
- More difficult to maneuver in tight spaces
Ideal for
Large families, groups of friends, charter. Sailors who prioritize space and stability. Cruising in tropical destinations or anchorages with shallow water.
Inflatables and RIBs (rigid inflatable boats)
Characteristics
RIBs combine a rigid hull (fiberglass or aluminum) with inflatable tubes. They are versatile, lightweight boats with excellent sea-keeping ability.
Types
Pure inflatables: - Fully inflatable, packable in a bag - 6 to 13 feet (2 to 4 meters), small engine - Used as a dinghy (tender for a larger boat) or for short outings
RIBs (rigid inflatable boats): - Rigid hull + inflatable tubes - 13 to 33+ feet (4 to 10+ meters) - From basic center consoles to models with a cabin
Advantages
- Excellent power-to-weight ratio (fast and agile)
- Very safe (tubes are independent watertight chambers)
- Versatile: cruising, fishing, diving, water sports, rescue
- Smaller models are easily trailerable
- Affordable to buy and maintain
Disadvantages
- Limited comfort (no cabin on smaller models)
- Tubes degrade in the sun (need replacement every 8-12 years)
- Less usable space than a rigid boat of the same size
- Not suitable for overnighting (except large models with a cabin)
Ideal for
Divers, anglers, water sports enthusiasts. Anyone looking for an affordable and easy-to-transport first boat. A tender for a larger vessel.
Trawlers and displacement boats
Characteristics
Trawlers are motorboats designed to cruise at low speeds (7-10 knots) with minimal fuel consumption. Their displacement hull makes them extremely efficient and capable of long range.
Advantages
- Very low fuel consumption (2-5 L/h versus 30-80 L/h for a fast powerboat)
- Long range (ocean crossings possible)
- Extremely comfortable: spacious interiors, full standing headroom
- Smooth and stable ride
Disadvantages
- Slow (do not exceed 10-12 knots)
- High purchase prices for larger models
- Slow to maneuver in port
Ideal for
Retired couples who want to live aboard or undertake long cruises. Boaters who are in no hurry and value efficiency and comfort over speed.
Summary comparison table
| Type | Speed | Space | Fuel consumption | Purchase price | Maintenance | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | Cruising sailboat | Low | Medium | Very low | Medium | Medium-high | | Open powerboat | High | Low | High | Low-medium | Low | | Cabin cruiser | High | Medium | High | Medium-high | Medium | | Sailing catamaran | Medium | High | Low | High | High | | RIB | High | Low | Medium | Low | Low | | Trawler | Low | High | Low | High | Medium |
Final tips for choosing
1. Try before you buy
Charter or take a day trip on the type of boat you are interested in before buying. What looks perfect in photos may not feel right on the water.
2. Think about actual use
Be honest: if you sail 20 days a year, you do not need a 50-foot ocean-going sailboat. If you only do beach outings, a RIB may be all you need.
3. Start small
If it is your first boat, start with something manageable and affordable. You can sell it easily and buy something bigger once you have experience.
4. The berth rules
Berth cost depends on length and beam. A 40-foot catamaran can cost twice as much to berth as a monohull of the same length. Factor this into your budget.
5. Talk to other owners
Yacht clubs and sailing forums are the best source of real-world information. Owners will tell you the pros and cons of their boat with total honesty.
