Drive through an average marina and you see boats of every type, size, and description. From little day sailers and one designs on trailers, to medium sized racer/cruisers, to large blue water boats, they all have one thing in common: they give a tremendous amount of pride and pleasure to their owners. There is just something magical about boats, all boats. Regardless of the size boat you currently own and sail, what do you think the optimum size boat is? Smaller boats tend to be easier own and maintain, but may limit where and how you sail. As you move up the size ladder, boats become more expensive, but may extend your cruising or racing potential. And at the higher end of boat size there are very expensive boats that could probably go anywhere in the world, but may cost a fortune and require a major commitment of time and crew to own and sail. So, all things being equal, what do you think is the "best" size boat to own? Why do you think so? Share your thoughts on boat size here then take the Quick Quiz on the homepage. Discussion topic and quiz by Warren Milberg
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mid 30s
While the trend is to boats in the 40+ range, I think the mid 30's are the way to go. A mid 30s well built boat can take one around the world safely. Once in port, it is a lot easier findig space for a 35 versus a 45. Maintenance on a mid 30 is MUCH less than a 40. I will be overwhelmed by the over 40 crowd on this post.
While the trend is to boats in the 40+ range, I think the mid 30's are the way to go. A mid 30s well built boat can take one around the world safely. Once in port, it is a lot easier findig space for a 35 versus a 45. Maintenance on a mid 30 is MUCH less than a 40. I will be overwhelmed by the over 40 crowd on this post.
Best boat to own, let me count the ways
there too many to count, and they change often. For me the best boat to own is one that keeps me interested and I can still afford. Without interest it becomes someone elses best boat. John
there too many to count, and they change often. For me the best boat to own is one that keeps me interested and I can still afford. Without interest it becomes someone elses best boat. John
36 feet
36 feet because there are so many out there both new and used. Also, beyond 36' slip space becomes a promblem.
36 feet because there are so many out there both new and used. Also, beyond 36' slip space becomes a promblem.
Agree with 36 feet
My 2003 H356 still seems to be the right size for me and my wife. We spend about 80 days a year aboard and live in it like a second home. Easy to single hand, easy to manuever in the marina, plenty of tankage for our needs and in a blow is not too difficult to handle. We've looked at the H41, but think we'll keep the 356!
My 2003 H356 still seems to be the right size for me and my wife. We spend about 80 days a year aboard and live in it like a second home. Easy to single hand, easy to manuever in the marina, plenty of tankage for our needs and in a blow is not too difficult to handle. We've looked at the H41, but think we'll keep the 356!
How You Sail
For pure sailing fun it's hard to beat 14-18' daysailers. But as you move away from sailing towards the other aspects of boating mid 30's come to the front. But my vote for the person interested in "sailing" with the ability to sleep over some would be for 22-26'. The advantage of this size range is that you can sail year round and have a cabin to get into if you get cold. Something like a Chyrsler Buccaneer 18' is more fun to sail but will turn turtle which could be a disaster in cold water. Also with the Buccaneer there is no place for the wife to go potty.
For pure sailing fun it's hard to beat 14-18' daysailers. But as you move away from sailing towards the other aspects of boating mid 30's come to the front. But my vote for the person interested in "sailing" with the ability to sleep over some would be for 22-26'. The advantage of this size range is that you can sail year round and have a cabin to get into if you get cold. Something like a Chyrsler Buccaneer 18' is more fun to sail but will turn turtle which could be a disaster in cold water. Also with the Buccaneer there is no place for the wife to go potty.
I agree with Tom ...to a point
We currently have a Catalina 25 standard rig and sail on Grand Lake in OK. The 25 is great for lake sailing and it is relatively easy to maintain. The costs are less than a longer boat since the slip is priced by the foot. However, there are 2 or 3 things that will be behind my moving up in size. The first is the V berth size. On the C-25 it looks really comfortable and cozy until you actually try to sleep in it. Then you find out how small it really is. Second is the headroom... I am only 5'10", but I feel like a have a permanent slouch after spending the weekend on board. And 3rd is the galley area ...in the 25 it is quite small, and the original alchohol stove has been replaced with one of those portable cooktops that use butane canisters. Oh...oops just thought of a 4th... the area of the head is also quite small. I will admit that these items are more annoying that anything else. They will not keep us from enjoying ourselves in the least. I am even designing a set up where we can use a queen size aerobed in the cabin. HOWEVER, I am already trolling the internet sites in search of a 28-30 footer that has: An enclosed head, galley with a stove/oven, a V berth that holds 2 comfortably, or an aft berth that will accommodate 2 normal sized adults, and head room enough that I can stand up in the cabin.
We currently have a Catalina 25 standard rig and sail on Grand Lake in OK. The 25 is great for lake sailing and it is relatively easy to maintain. The costs are less than a longer boat since the slip is priced by the foot. However, there are 2 or 3 things that will be behind my moving up in size. The first is the V berth size. On the C-25 it looks really comfortable and cozy until you actually try to sleep in it. Then you find out how small it really is. Second is the headroom... I am only 5'10", but I feel like a have a permanent slouch after spending the weekend on board. And 3rd is the galley area ...in the 25 it is quite small, and the original alchohol stove has been replaced with one of those portable cooktops that use butane canisters. Oh...oops just thought of a 4th... the area of the head is also quite small. I will admit that these items are more annoying that anything else. They will not keep us from enjoying ourselves in the least. I am even designing a set up where we can use a queen size aerobed in the cabin. HOWEVER, I am already trolling the internet sites in search of a 28-30 footer that has: An enclosed head, galley with a stove/oven, a V berth that holds 2 comfortably, or an aft berth that will accommodate 2 normal sized adults, and head room enough that I can stand up in the cabin.
Non Retired Day Sailor
I bought my first boat a number of years ago and as with other purchases have learned more about what I prefer after the fact. My boat is a C&C 24 - a very easy to maintain sailboat for weekend sailing. After sailing for a number of seasons, I would have to say that it's a bit tight for me. Actually very tight. My prefence would be not in lenghth but amenities, meaning, I would like to find a boat that has standing headroom, a seperate restroom and two sleeping compartments. That said, I'm sure I can find something between 27 and 32. I would also like to find a boat that allows me to easily move between the aft bedroom and the galley. My boat isn't designed for this. As far as blue water sailing, well I don't do that yet and I dont think I'm going to do this any time soon, so why waste good money on a boat that's not going to provide return to you. Most of my sailing is overnight sailing, hence the rational behind the 27 - 32 foot range.
I bought my first boat a number of years ago and as with other purchases have learned more about what I prefer after the fact. My boat is a C&C 24 - a very easy to maintain sailboat for weekend sailing. After sailing for a number of seasons, I would have to say that it's a bit tight for me. Actually very tight. My prefence would be not in lenghth but amenities, meaning, I would like to find a boat that has standing headroom, a seperate restroom and two sleeping compartments. That said, I'm sure I can find something between 27 and 32. I would also like to find a boat that allows me to easily move between the aft bedroom and the galley. My boat isn't designed for this. As far as blue water sailing, well I don't do that yet and I dont think I'm going to do this any time soon, so why waste good money on a boat that's not going to provide return to you. Most of my sailing is overnight sailing, hence the rational behind the 27 - 32 foot range.
Now Have a Pearson 323
We now have a Pearson 323 and it's much more expensive than our old 26' boat both to purchase and maintain. I really love the Pearson especially in the ocean. BUT you can't trailer it!!! So if you want to go somewhere a few hundred away you can't just pull it down the interstate you have to sail. If I have time I'd much rather sail than tow. But realistically 100 miles/day in a sailboat is good speed sailing. So to cross the gulf from Panama City to Key west is roughly 400 miles = 4 days. Then 4 days back assuming good weather. With a trailerable boat you can be there in one long day and unless the weather is really bad it's not a factor. So that gives you 6 extra days in the "desired " area and on a two week vacation that's a lot of extra time. Especially for lake sailers the ability to trailer the boat to another lake or the coast is a great feature of a smaller boat. We towed our old 26' to a lot of lakes and even to Panama City and Charleston,SC. My Pearson is now on Wheeler lake in Alabama. To get it to Mobile I have to plan on at least a week of motoring down the Tenn-tom waterway. With my old boat I could tow it down Friday night sail all week and tow it back home the following sunday. Everything depends upon how you plan to use your boat!!!!
We now have a Pearson 323 and it's much more expensive than our old 26' boat both to purchase and maintain. I really love the Pearson especially in the ocean. BUT you can't trailer it!!! So if you want to go somewhere a few hundred away you can't just pull it down the interstate you have to sail. If I have time I'd much rather sail than tow. But realistically 100 miles/day in a sailboat is good speed sailing. So to cross the gulf from Panama City to Key west is roughly 400 miles = 4 days. Then 4 days back assuming good weather. With a trailerable boat you can be there in one long day and unless the weather is really bad it's not a factor. So that gives you 6 extra days in the "desired " area and on a two week vacation that's a lot of extra time. Especially for lake sailers the ability to trailer the boat to another lake or the coast is a great feature of a smaller boat. We towed our old 26' to a lot of lakes and even to Panama City and Charleston,SC. My Pearson is now on Wheeler lake in Alabama. To get it to Mobile I have to plan on at least a week of motoring down the Tenn-tom waterway. With my old boat I could tow it down Friday night sail all week and tow it back home the following sunday. Everything depends upon how you plan to use your boat!!!!
Newsailor......
If you really like your Catalina 25, then you will R-E-A-L-L-y LOVE a Catalina 30. Lots and lots of interior and living space. We went from a C-25 to a C-30. At the time, there was no question that i wanted a C-30. I had been in many unexpected storms in the C-25 and safety was never a concern, so the logical progression would be to a C-30. Probably the biggest 30 footer on the market. I had the Tall rig with the fin keel. Was a charm to sail solo and lots a fun too. We lived aboard it for almoat 5 years and loved every minute. Oh, yea, one more thing.....you can actually STAND and pee. We had central heat and air, stove /oven combo and lots of other amenities. Had it not been for Hurricane Katrina, we would still own her. Since we were looking for another boat, i always wanted a Ketch so i bought one. If Catalina made a Ketch, i would have bought it. Came really close to a Catalina 36 tho. As for the C-25, I'm 5-9 and GF is 5-2, we sailed many long trip vacations (800 mile round trip} and did just fine. We had a canvas person make us a piece that layed over the top when the pop top was up, it had velcro canvas window flaps with permanent screening. Took less than 5 mins to put up when at anchor or dockside. Wasnt practical to sail with pop-top up. Just thought i would throw that in in case anyone else might be interested to know. Obviously, I am a Catalina dedicated fan.
If you really like your Catalina 25, then you will R-E-A-L-L-y LOVE a Catalina 30. Lots and lots of interior and living space. We went from a C-25 to a C-30. At the time, there was no question that i wanted a C-30. I had been in many unexpected storms in the C-25 and safety was never a concern, so the logical progression would be to a C-30. Probably the biggest 30 footer on the market. I had the Tall rig with the fin keel. Was a charm to sail solo and lots a fun too. We lived aboard it for almoat 5 years and loved every minute. Oh, yea, one more thing.....you can actually STAND and pee. We had central heat and air, stove /oven combo and lots of other amenities. Had it not been for Hurricane Katrina, we would still own her. Since we were looking for another boat, i always wanted a Ketch so i bought one. If Catalina made a Ketch, i would have bought it. Came really close to a Catalina 36 tho. As for the C-25, I'm 5-9 and GF is 5-2, we sailed many long trip vacations (800 mile round trip} and did just fine. We had a canvas person make us a piece that layed over the top when the pop top was up, it had velcro canvas window flaps with permanent screening. Took less than 5 mins to put up when at anchor or dockside. Wasnt practical to sail with pop-top up. Just thought i would throw that in in case anyone else might be interested to know. Obviously, I am a Catalina dedicated fan.
Tony
Now that you've got a ketch and experienced the positives and negatives, would you do it again?
Now that you've got a ketch and experienced the positives and negatives, would you do it again?
No best boat ...
...because as mentioned previously, it depends on how you use it. My lady and I recently bought an older Hunter 27. We keep it at Lake Lanier (Atlanta) and vary between daysailing and weekending. It's pretty easy to handle (she is a complete novice, so that's important). Some days we don't even take it out, but use it as our condo on the lake, meaning we have lunch and/or dinner and a glass of wine, then we watch the sunset and go home. The cabin is spacious for a 27' and she thinks it's warm and cozy because it has a good bit of teak in the interior. The head is private and has a seperate sink. The galley, although small, is functional especially since we added a microwave. The large fold down table is perfect for meals, or playing cards or chess. We are under six feet tall, so standing headroom is not an issue at all. The v-berth is also just right for us. I am really partial to the older Hunters because I don't like Hunter's modern approach of the open cabin. If we were on the coast, we would have opted for a 32+ footer. Maybe not a Hunter but it's hard to say since that size wasn't in our criteria when we bought.
...because as mentioned previously, it depends on how you use it. My lady and I recently bought an older Hunter 27. We keep it at Lake Lanier (Atlanta) and vary between daysailing and weekending. It's pretty easy to handle (she is a complete novice, so that's important). Some days we don't even take it out, but use it as our condo on the lake, meaning we have lunch and/or dinner and a glass of wine, then we watch the sunset and go home. The cabin is spacious for a 27' and she thinks it's warm and cozy because it has a good bit of teak in the interior. The head is private and has a seperate sink. The galley, although small, is functional especially since we added a microwave. The large fold down table is perfect for meals, or playing cards or chess. We are under six feet tall, so standing headroom is not an issue at all. The v-berth is also just right for us. I am really partial to the older Hunters because I don't like Hunter's modern approach of the open cabin. If we were on the coast, we would have opted for a 32+ footer. Maybe not a Hunter but it's hard to say since that size wasn't in our criteria when we bought.
Doug : in a word...YES !!!!!!
For daysailing, its not any different than a sloop, except it tales about 5 mins to take sailcover off annd raise mizzen, if that long. As a matter of fact, raising the mizzen is really not all that important, but i think it looks cool. Coming across the Gulf from Fl. to Tx is where she really shined. there were times we were in 30-35 kts , i dropped the main completely and just sailed with the jib and mizzez. This is known as "jib and jigger" . It goes back to the old days when the furthest mast to the rear was called the jigger. Anyway, she was great in the rough stuff sailing that way. She sailed just fine and the boat stood up instead of healed way over. When the air was light , we had the main, mizzen and jib. When really close hauled, we dropped the mizzen since iit didnt seem to do any good except create a little drag. I have talked to other jetch owners and Im going to have a cruising spinnaker and a 'mizzen staysail' made this year. One owner of a sister ship to mine said he rarely ever used the main. If the air was light he would use the cruising spinnaker, mizzen staysail and the mizzen. When winds got past 20 K , he just went jib and jigger. So far, i really love it and have not found any negatives yet. I was a little hesitant before purchase because i was on another site and asked about a ketch rig and was told all sorts of BS , by people that never sailed one. Its like they all read the same book and were regurgitating it back. Anyway, I'm definately a ketch person. when the sails were balanced, it was scarey at first, i kept thinking that the steering went out because it was so light. If you set the mizzen just right, you can steer with it. From what i read, the smaller ketch's were not well balanced, etc etc etc, Keep in mind that the first fiberglas boat to circumnavigate was a 32ft( i think) ketch. The one thing in addition to looking cool, was that most cruisers that i knew all had ketch rigs
For daysailing, its not any different than a sloop, except it tales about 5 mins to take sailcover off annd raise mizzen, if that long. As a matter of fact, raising the mizzen is really not all that important, but i think it looks cool. Coming across the Gulf from Fl. to Tx is where she really shined. there were times we were in 30-35 kts , i dropped the main completely and just sailed with the jib and mizzez. This is known as "jib and jigger" . It goes back to the old days when the furthest mast to the rear was called the jigger. Anyway, she was great in the rough stuff sailing that way. She sailed just fine and the boat stood up instead of healed way over. When the air was light , we had the main, mizzen and jib. When really close hauled, we dropped the mizzen since iit didnt seem to do any good except create a little drag. I have talked to other jetch owners and Im going to have a cruising spinnaker and a 'mizzen staysail' made this year. One owner of a sister ship to mine said he rarely ever used the main. If the air was light he would use the cruising spinnaker, mizzen staysail and the mizzen. When winds got past 20 K , he just went jib and jigger. So far, i really love it and have not found any negatives yet. I was a little hesitant before purchase because i was on another site and asked about a ketch rig and was told all sorts of BS , by people that never sailed one. Its like they all read the same book and were regurgitating it back. Anyway, I'm definately a ketch person. when the sails were balanced, it was scarey at first, i kept thinking that the steering went out because it was so light. If you set the mizzen just right, you can steer with it. From what i read, the smaller ketch's were not well balanced, etc etc etc, Keep in mind that the first fiberglas boat to circumnavigate was a 32ft( i think) ketch. The one thing in addition to looking cool, was that most cruisers that i knew all had ketch rigs
Bigger by 4 Feet
This months Seaworthy had an interesting article on bigger boats. They did a study that indicated as people move into bigger boats they generally increase the size in 4 foot increments. We started out with a Venture 22 and within 2 years went to a Macgregor 25. After moving to Connecticut we purchased a used 1985 Catalina 30 Tall Rig which was spacious. A year later we made the "mistake" of going to the Newport Boat show at about the same time our 3 kids got out of college and traded tuition payments for mortgage payments on a new 2003 Hunter 356. We really enjoyed the 356 but also found out that we like to go coastal cruising usually with another couple and while the 356 was OK, having two heads would make life a lot more comfortable. We have recently purchased a Hunter 44AC and I can reasonably assume that this is as big as it will ever get, though we did say that about the Catalina 30 and the Hunter 356!
This months Seaworthy had an interesting article on bigger boats. They did a study that indicated as people move into bigger boats they generally increase the size in 4 foot increments. We started out with a Venture 22 and within 2 years went to a Macgregor 25. After moving to Connecticut we purchased a used 1985 Catalina 30 Tall Rig which was spacious. A year later we made the "mistake" of going to the Newport Boat show at about the same time our 3 kids got out of college and traded tuition payments for mortgage payments on a new 2003 Hunter 356. We really enjoyed the 356 but also found out that we like to go coastal cruising usually with another couple and while the 356 was OK, having two heads would make life a lot more comfortable. We have recently purchased a Hunter 44AC and I can reasonably assume that this is as big as it will ever get, though we did say that about the Catalina 30 and the Hunter 356!
C25 owners
We had #2459 for 11 years. Loved that boat. In order to get what newsailor06 described, a C34 would really fit the bill. I agree, mid 30's seem appropriate answer to the original question. In addition to what's already been said, generally the longer boats have more freeboard, thus making it harder to singlehanded when docking. Other than that, singlehanding a larger boat, with the systems available these days, is relatively easy, and no different than our C25 or C34 - we bare boated a B50 years ago with in-mast furling - what could be easier?
We had #2459 for 11 years. Loved that boat. In order to get what newsailor06 described, a C34 would really fit the bill. I agree, mid 30's seem appropriate answer to the original question. In addition to what's already been said, generally the longer boats have more freeboard, thus making it harder to singlehanded when docking. Other than that, singlehanding a larger boat, with the systems available these days, is relatively easy, and no different than our C25 or C34 - we bare boated a B50 years ago with in-mast furling - what could be easier?
Time to move up
What a timely topic and quick quiz. I currently have a Hunter 35.5 that we are will be entering our fourth season with (once Spring comes again.) We moved up from a Hunter 26 before that, and then a Hobie 16 before that. I had kind of assumed that this would be our last jump. Size-wise, it has worked well for us, the kids are growing, but they won't be under my roof forever. And then recently, I came across a 40.5 that really caught my interest. Now I don't know for sure if I'll be able to pull the deal together for that, but I know I certainly wasn't looking when I ran across it. Now, I'll admit, having read through some of the posts in this thread, it has gotten me thinking about whether I really should move up. Pros and cons, more boat, more expense, more ammenities, more maintenance. I'm up in the air right now for where that "sweet spot" is for me. The 35 that I'm happy with now? Or possibly the 40? Will I follow through and make this happen? Stay tuned, we'll see. T J ps - And I am open to any input from anyone who strongly feels that I should go one way or the other.
What a timely topic and quick quiz. I currently have a Hunter 35.5 that we are will be entering our fourth season with (once Spring comes again.) We moved up from a Hunter 26 before that, and then a Hobie 16 before that. I had kind of assumed that this would be our last jump. Size-wise, it has worked well for us, the kids are growing, but they won't be under my roof forever. And then recently, I came across a 40.5 that really caught my interest. Now I don't know for sure if I'll be able to pull the deal together for that, but I know I certainly wasn't looking when I ran across it. Now, I'll admit, having read through some of the posts in this thread, it has gotten me thinking about whether I really should move up. Pros and cons, more boat, more expense, more ammenities, more maintenance. I'm up in the air right now for where that "sweet spot" is for me. The 35 that I'm happy with now? Or possibly the 40? Will I follow through and make this happen? Stay tuned, we'll see. T J ps - And I am open to any input from anyone who strongly feels that I should go one way or the other.
sailortonyb
sailortonyb - I hear what you are saying about the pop top. I am probably going to install the pneumatic lifters for the hatch this year and begin using it. We spend quite a bit of time docked for the night anyway. You are right abouit the handling, I really enjoy sailing her. We added a harken furler with a 150 genoa this last August when it was so hot here. I was able to get out in September and October, but the most fun was the Friday after Thanksgiving. It was 72 degrees and 8-12 kts of wind and it was in just the right direction. We tacked up the lake for about 3 hours and then hit a run all the way back to the cove without a single tack. One other thing to consider on this lake is the bigger the boat, the smaller the lake seems. I think the C28 MKII or the C-30 would be perfect sizes. Still have to get our money's worth out of the 25 though.
sailortonyb - I hear what you are saying about the pop top. I am probably going to install the pneumatic lifters for the hatch this year and begin using it. We spend quite a bit of time docked for the night anyway. You are right abouit the handling, I really enjoy sailing her. We added a harken furler with a 150 genoa this last August when it was so hot here. I was able to get out in September and October, but the most fun was the Friday after Thanksgiving. It was 72 degrees and 8-12 kts of wind and it was in just the right direction. We tacked up the lake for about 3 hours and then hit a run all the way back to the cove without a single tack. One other thing to consider on this lake is the bigger the boat, the smaller the lake seems. I think the C28 MKII or the C-30 would be perfect sizes. Still have to get our money's worth out of the 25 though.
I too like the...
30 to 35 foot range. Looking at boats in that range right now. Not for purchasing purposes but for reference. There are few nice ones in my area. I think for my skills and abilities right now, I could single handle a boat that size. And, it is not much of a step above my Lance 27. Maybe in 2008 I might be ready to move up. Anything about 35 feet I'd feel a little intimidated. I'm sure I could handle it with others but as a solo sailor, I'd be somewhat apprehensive. Good question.
30 to 35 foot range. Looking at boats in that range right now. Not for purchasing purposes but for reference. There are few nice ones in my area. I think for my skills and abilities right now, I could single handle a boat that size. And, it is not much of a step above my Lance 27. Maybe in 2008 I might be ready to move up. Anything about 35 feet I'd feel a little intimidated. I'm sure I could handle it with others but as a solo sailor, I'd be somewhat apprehensive. Good question.
Mid 30's
We sailed an O'Day 240 for 10 yrs then moved up to a Hunter 340 It is an ideal size for the bay with the shoal draft and can be single handed. Easy to back into a slip and plenty roomy with another couple for a week end plenty of room for week or two cruises i notice that mid 30 boats go out alot more than mid 40 boats and i think md 20 boats beat us both anyway any boat beats no boat t
We sailed an O'Day 240 for 10 yrs then moved up to a Hunter 340 It is an ideal size for the bay with the shoal draft and can be single handed. Easy to back into a slip and plenty roomy with another couple for a week end plenty of room for week or two cruises i notice that mid 30 boats go out alot more than mid 40 boats and i think md 20 boats beat us both anyway any boat beats no boat t
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