| Buying your first cruising sailboat should be done with | | | | water cruising and the other is inland lakes or near |
| careful consideration to a few key elements. Doing | | | | shore cruising. There's a distinct difference in the type |
| your homework and taking your time will pay off in the | | | | of boat you should purchase for each. Blue water |
| long-run and ensure you have the right boat for your | | | | yachts are typically stronger built and thus more |
| style of cruising. Many times, people think they've found | | | | expensive and are fitted with things like solar power |
| that exact one for them after only looking at a couple | | | | generation, dingy davits, and tons of storage for |
| of boats and not evaluating how they're going to use | | | | supplies. Weekend lake cruisers don't have to be built |
| the boat. | | | | quite as strong since most conditions inland aren't as |
| Here are some things to think about: | | | | much of a strain on the boat. Thus, their costs are |
| Buying A Boat More For Racing Than Cruising - You | | | | typically quite a bit less. |
| may be interested more in racing your boat than actual | | | | Ask Yourself The Right Questions - Buying any cruiser |
| cruising. Sailboat racing is very popular all over the | | | | should involve asking yourself questions like how many |
| United States with just about every area having clubs | | | | people are typically going to sail with you, will there be |
| that host races. Visit the clubs in your area and find out | | | | much spray in the area I sail and will I sail in colder |
| what type of boats club members are racing. More | | | | weather which would require a dodger on the boat? If |
| often than not, these club members are looking for | | | | swimming off the boat is something you'll be doing a lot |
| crew to help on the boat during races so take | | | | of, consider a boat with an open transom and swim |
| advantage and get a first hand look at both the racing | | | | platform. If you're going to be doing a lot of single |
| and the boat. One-design racing fleets are those in | | | | handed sailing, look for a boat with all lines led aft and |
| which clubs host races for certain make/model boats. | | | | winches in easy reach of the helm. Rolling furlings on |
| Ask questions and get to know all the different racing | | | | headsails are popular today and sure beats the hank |
| formats available in your area. This will better give you | | | | on type both for ease of take down and ease of |
| an idea of the type of boat that interest you and you | | | | reefing. More and more boats are being built with |
| can then narrow your search to that type of boat. | | | | in-mast or in-boom main sails however the cost is |
| Although most newer designs can be raced and used | | | | considerably more. |
| as pleasure cruisers, certain boats will give you an | | | | Again, do your homework. Ride on different boats. |
| edge when racing and if that's your passion, look more | | | | Take good long sea trials in those you're interested in |
| for a boat built for speed then creature comforts. | | | | and even bring an experienced sailor with you if you |
| Buying A Boat More For Cruising Than Racing - | | | | can to help evaluate. Buying the right boat up front will |
| Cruising consist of two types, one is the ocean | | | | add to your pleasure on the water and after all, isn't |
| voyage, long distance cruising better known as blue | | | | that what sailing's supposed to be - pleasurable? |