Ep 18 - Considerations for buying a cruising yacht

Today I discuss the various options to consider when you first think about buying a cruising yacht.

I have owned two cruising yachts, my first a 39ft Cheoy Lee sloop, constructed from hand laid fiberglass, built in 1974, my current yacht is a 44ft Koopmans ketch constructed from alloy plate. I have looked at, worked on, and sailed dozens of different types of yachts including cats.

I have assisted many friends and people I know, find,  and purchase their dream yacht. Generally by steering them away from large, oversized and overpriced yachts that are not suitable for offshore cruising.

The single biggest mistake, most people make when buying their first yacht. Purchasing a yacht, too big, for their needs. Then they try to turn that yacht, into the house they just left. A sailor needs to think like a minimalist, purge your life and your boat of everthing weighing you down.  Why own a coffee machine, when a coffee plunger provides excellent coffee, at a fraction of the size and space on your yacht. Need more italian flare get a stovetop expresso like my Garrett Wade, minimalisim with style.

You leave behind one life in the the burbs, to explore another on the ocean, reduce your footprint in this world, embrace a simple clean sailing life,  for the life it is.

A yacht is your dream machine, it can take you to places most people will never see. Providing it stays light, lean and hungry for andventure. 

I believe the best cruising yacht, is only just big enough for your needs and no more, it must always be sea worthy, enough to endure and survive a storm at sea,  is fitted with sailing systems, that enable the solo skipper or short handed crew to sail it safely, and safely to me  is a 1000nm in gale force condtions, to the next safe port if required.