medium sized yachts

Yachts For Sale

New and used boat and yacht sales with guidance every step of the way..

Our Bluewater yacht brokers have years of yachting expertise in the marine industry with in-depth knowledge of yacht sales, long standing relationships with shipyards and marinas and yacht crew alike.

Whether you want to purchase your first yacht, upgrade or sell your current vessel, our aim is to find your perfect yacht or the ideal buyer.

Bluewater’s expert brokerage services put buyers and sellers first, ensuring you are at the forefront of the fast-moving yacht sales market.

Bluewater prides itself on exceptional sales advice, market intelligence and sourcing the right yacht at the right price. No matter where you are based, you can benefit from listing or purchasing your yacht with our yacht brokers who are leading worldwide yacht sale experts in major yachting destinations such as the Caribbean, Fort Lauderdale and the Mediterranean.

We’re passionate about yachting and helping our clients by offering a full service and unrivalled support from start to finish – our commitment is defined as ‘One Company, One Complete Service’ with listings for a large selection of yacht brands such as Azimut, Benetti, Sunseeker and Princess Yachts, as well as departments dedicated to yacht charter, yacht management, yacht crew placement and crew training, to ensure we can cater for all of your yachting requirements.

Contact us today to find your dream yacht.

• €135,000,000

• €130,000,000

Endless Summer

• €2,950,000

Moonraker II

• €990,000

Jasmine Luna

• €5,500,000

• €39,900,000

SEAGULL MRD

• €27,900,000

• GUNDERSON MARINE
• €1,850,000

LANGKAWI LADY

• Sterling yachts
• €3,200,000

• Types of Sailboats
• Parts of a Sailboat
• Cruising Boats
• Small Sailboats
• Design Basics
• Sailboats under 30'
• Sailboats 30'-35
• Sailboats 35'-40'
• Sailboats 40'-45'
• Sailboats 45'-50'
• Sailboats 50'-55'
• Sailboats over 55'
• Masts & Spars
• Knots, Bends & Hitches
• The 12v Energy Equation
• Electronics & Instrumentation
• Build Your Own Boat
• Buying a Used Boat
• Choosing Accessories
• Living on a Boat
• Cruising Offshore
• Sailing in the Caribbean
• Anchoring Skills
• Sailing Authors & Their Writings
• Mary's Journal
• Nautical Terms
• Cruising Sailboats for Sale
• List your Boat for Sale Here!
• Used Sailing Equipment for Sale
• Sell Your Unwanted Gear
• Sailing eBooks: Download them here!
• Your Sailboats
• Your Sailing Stories
• Your Fishing Stories
• Advertising
• What's New?
• Chartering a Sailboat
• Cruising Yachts 30' to 35'

Popular Cruising Yachts from 30 to 35 Feet Long Overall Their Physical Properties & Key Performance Indicators

Welcome to this ever-growing gallery of some of the most popular cruising yachts between 30 and 35 feet (9.1m to 10.7m) long overall.

30'-35' Cruising Yachts featured on this page...

Medium sized cruising yachts like these are capable of serious offshore passage making, whilst being reasonably economic to maintain and operate.

And for competitive types, 30-35 foot cruising yachts are a popular size for club racing under handicap rating rules.

Behind each of the cruising yacht images there's a lot more information, including:

• Dimensions & Specifications; 
• Design Ratios;
• A summary analysis of the boat's predicted sailing characteristics in terms of performance, stiffness, heaviness, comfort in a seaway and resistance to capsize.

To see it all, just click on the relevant image...

Catalina 34

Westerly Discus 33

Wauquiez Centurion 32

Beneteau Oceanis Clipper 311

Pearson 303

Pearson 323

Allied Seawind MkII Cutter

Jeanneau Sun Light 30

Grand Soleil 343

Feeling 850

Westerly Tempest 31

Bavaria 31 Cruiser

Westerly Kestrel 35

Westerly Berwick 31

Dehler 35 CWS

Westerly Vulcan 34

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32-1

Elizabethan 33

Westerly Seahawk 35

Nicholson 32

Westerly Ocean 33

Hunter Channel 323

Island Packet 350

Corvette 31

Beneteau Oceanis Clipper 343

Hallberg-Rassy 94

Many thanks to Richard Stuckey for the great pic of his cruising yacht  'Tango II' , shown here  at anchor off Porqeurolles Island in the Mediterranean South of France.

Wauquiez Gladiateur 33

Jeanneau Attalia 32

Thank you Paul Wright , for submitting this pic of your cruising yacht 'Tallulah'.

The owner of 'Second Star' tells us...

"This one is my Hunter 33e (now Marlow-Hunter 33e) "Second Star".  The "e" stands for extended cockpit.  It has a drop-down, walk-through transom that opens up the cockpit significantly and serves as a helm seat when up.  I bought the boat new in 2014 and my longest cruise to date was from Annapolis MD to its slip in Alexandria, VA with my daughter. Of course, my intent is to take it on longer cruises like circling the DELMARVA peninsula, which would give me offshore time off the Delaware coast.  It's a very comfortable cruising yacht of moderate size."

Aphrodite 101

With their long, narrow and light hull and tall fractional rig these elegant sailboats have had many successful single and double-handed victories in distance races both coastal and offshore. 

The owner of 'Averisera ' tells us:

"She has a very narrow hull with two good sea berths amidships.  The galley is just aft of the berths, sink to starboard and cooker to port.  Step down from companionway just aft of galley; seating to change into or out of wet gear without making sleeping area wet. Head all the way forward is OK but not great.  Low free board means sink does not drain on port tack. Hull form is very, very sea kindly.  Beautiful sailor, easy to steer in wide range of conditions and points of sail.  For a small boat she is a competent cruising yacht."

Beneteau First 30E

Westerly 33

Have you got a cruising yacht in this size range?

If so, and you'd like to see an image of her on this page, please click here to send your pic to sailboat cruising.com and we'll do the rest.

Albin Nova 32

Contessa 32.

Nicholson 32 (Mark 10)

The Nicholson 32 Mk 10 cruising yacht in the pic is very dear to me;  'Jalingo 2' she's called - and I used to own her. Dick McClary, previous owner.

Westsail 32

Southern Cross 31

Thank you, Vern Bastable , for submitting this pic of your cruising yacht 'Mischief'.

Willard 30/8t

Vancouver 32

Nauticat 33

Thank you  Phillip Caputo , for submitting this pic of your cruising yacht ' See Life ' .

Allied Seawind 30

Recent articles.

Apla 42 Sailboat Specs & Key Performance Indicators

Aug 30, 24 02:51 AM

Ovni 445 Sailboat Specs & Key Performance Indicators

Aug 29, 24 03:44 AM

Catalina 34 Sailboat Specs & Key Performance Indicators

Aug 29, 24 12:14 AM

Here's where to:

• Find  Used Sailboats for Sale...
• Find Used Sailing Gear for Sale...
• List your Sailboat for Sale...
• List your Used Sailing Gear...

Our eBooks...

A few of our Most Popular Pages...

Just a headsail and a mainsail - simple and efficient. 

Read more...

A smaller headsail and a staysail makes sail handling easier.

A second mast with a mizzen sail, for greater versatility.

Copyright © 2024  Dick McClary  Sailboat-Cruising.com

• Yachting World
• Digital Edition

43 of the best bluewater sailboat designs of all time

• January 5, 2022

How do you choose the right yacht for you? We highlight the very best bluewater sailboat designs for every type of cruising

Which yacht is the best for bluewater boating? This question generates even more debate among sailors than questions about what’s the coolest yacht , or the best for racing. Whereas racing designs are measured against each other, cruising sailors get very limited opportunities to experience different yachts in real oceangoing conditions, so what is the best bluewater sailboat?

Here, we bring you our top choices from decades of designs and launches. Over the years, the Yachting World team has sailed these boats, tested them or judged them for European Yacht of the Year awards, and we have sifted through the many to curate a selection that we believe should be on your wishlist.

Making the right choice may come down to how you foresee your yacht being used after it has crossed an ocean or completed a passage: will you be living at anchor or cruising along the coast? If so, your guiding requirements will be space, cabin size, ease of launching a tender and anchoring closer to shore, and whether it can comfortably accommodate non-expert-sailor guests.

Article continues below…

The perfect boat: what makes an ideal offshore cruising yacht?

Choosing a boat for offshore cruising is not a decision to be taken lightly. I have researched this topic on…

European Yacht of the Year 2019: Best luxury cruisers

Before the sea trials began, I would have put money on a Hallberg-Rassy or the Wauquiez winning an award. The…

All of these considerations have generated the inexorable rise of the bluewater catamaran – monohulls can’t easily compete on these points. We have a full separate feature on the best bluewater multihulls of all time and here we mostly focus on monohulls. The only exceptions to that rule are two multihulls which made it into our best bluewater sailboats of 2022 list.

As so much of making the right choice is selecting the right boat for the venture in mind, we have separated out our edit into categories: best for comfort; for families; for performance; and for expedition or high latitudes sailing .

Best bluewater sailboats of 2022

The new flagship Allures 51.9, for example, is a no-nonsense adventure cruising design built and finished to a high standard. It retains Allures’ niche of using aluminium hulls with glassfibre decks and superstructures, which, the yard maintains, gives the optimum combination of least maintenance and less weight higher up. Priorities for this design were a full beam aft cabin and a spacious, long cockpit. Both are excellent, with the latter, at 6m long, offering formidable social, sailing and aft deck zones.

It likes some breeze to come to life on the wheel, but I appreciate that it’s designed to take up to five tonnes payload. And I like the ease with which you can change gears using the furling headsails and the positioning of the powerful Andersen winches inboard. The arch is standard and comes with a textile sprayhood or hard bimini.

Below decks you’ll find abundant headroom and natural light, a deep U-shape galley and cavernous stowage. For those who like the layout of the Amel 50 but would prefer aluminium or shoal draught, look no further.

Allures 51.9 price: €766,000

The Ovni 370 is another cunning new aluminum centreboard offering, a true deck saloon cruiser for two. The designers say the biggest challenge was to create a Category A ocean going yacht at this size with a lifting keel, hence the hull had to be very stable.

Enjoyable to helm, it has a practical, deep cockpit behind a large sprayhood, which can link to the bimini on the arch. Many of its most appealing features lie in the bright, light, contemporary, clever, voluminous interior, which has good stowage and tankage allocation. There’s also a practical navstation, a large workroom and a vast separate shower. I particularly like the convertible saloom, which can double as a large secure daybed or pilot berth.

Potentially the least expensive Category A lift keel boat available, the Ovni will get you dreaming of remote places again.

Ovni 370 price: €282,080

There’s no shortage of spirit in the Windelo 50. We gave this a sustainability award after it’s founders spent two years researching environmentally-friendly composite materials, developing an eco-composite of basalt fibre and recycled PET foam so it could build boats that halve the environmental impact of standard glassfibre yachts.

The Windelo 50 is an intriguing package – from the styling, modular interior and novel layout to the solar field on the roof and the standard electric propulsion, it is completely fresh.

Windelo 50 price: €795,000

Best bluewater sailboat of 2022 – Outremer 55

I would argue that this is the most successful new production yacht on the market. Well over 50 have already sold (an equipped model typically costs €1.6m) – and I can understand why. After all, were money no object, I had this design earmarked as the new yacht I would most likely choose for a world trip.

Indeed 55 number one Sanya, was fully equipped for a family’s world cruise, and left during our stay for the Grand Large Odyssey tour. Whereas we sailed Magic Kili, which was tricked up with performance options, including foam-cored deckheads and supports, carbon crossbeam and bulkheads, and synthetic rigging.

At rest, these are enticing space ships. Taking one out to sea is another matter though. These are speed machines with the size, scale and loads to be rightly weary of. Last month Nikki Henderson wrote a feature for us about how to manage a new breed of performance cruising cats just like this and how she coaches new owners. I could not think of wiser money spent for those who do not have ample multihull sailing experience.

Under sail, the most fun was obviously reserved for the reaching leg under asymmetric, where we clocked between 11-16 knots in 15-16 knots wind. But it was the stability and of those sustained low teen speeds which really hit home  – passagemaking where you really cover miles.

Key features include the swing helms, which give you views from outboard, over the coachroof or from a protected position in the cockpit through the coachroof windows, and the vast island in the galley, which is key to an open plan main living area. It helps provide cavernous stowage and acts as the heart of the entertaining space as it would in a modern home. As Danish judge Morten Brandt-Rasmussen comments: “Apart from being the TGV of ocean passages the boat offers the most spacious, open and best integration of the cockpit and salon areas in the market.”

Outremer has done a top job in packing in the creature comforts, stowage space and payload capacity, while keeping it light enough to eat miles. Although a lot to absorb and handle, the 55 offers a formidable blend of speed and luxury cruising.

Outremer 55 price: €1.35m

Best bluewater sailboats for comfort

This is the successor to the legendary Super Maramu, a ketch design that for several decades defined easy downwind handling and fostered a cult following for the French yard. Nearly a decade old, the Amel 55 is the bridge between those world-girdling stalwarts and Amel’s more recent and totally re-imagined sloop designs, the Amel 50 and 60.

The 55 boasts all the serious features Amel aficionados loved and valued: a skeg-hung rudder, solidly built hull, watertight bulkheads, solid guardrails and rampart bulwarks. And, most noticeable, the solid doghouse in which the helmsman sits in perfect shelter at the wheel.

This is a design to live on comfortably for long periods and the list of standard features just goes on and on: passarelle; proper sea berths with lee cloths; electric furling main and genoa; and a multitude of practical items that go right down to a dishwasher and crockery.

There’s no getting around the fact these designs do look rather dated now, and through the development of easier sail handling systems the ketch rig has fallen out of fashion, but the Amel is nothing short of a phenomenon, and if you’ve never even peeked on board one, you really have missed a treat.

Photo: Sander van der Borch

Contest 50CS

A centre cockpit cruiser with true longevity, the Contest 50CS was launched by Conyplex back in 2003 and is still being built by the family-owned Dutch company, now in updated and restyled form.

With a fully balanced rudder, large wheel and modern underwater sections, the Contest 50CS is a surprisingly good performer for a boat that has a dry weight of 17.5 tonnes. Many were fitted with in-mast furling, which clearly curtails that performance, but even without, this boat is set up for a small crew.

Electric winches and mainsheet traveller are all easy to reach from the helm. On our test of the Contest 50CS, we saw for ourselves how two people can gybe downwind under spinnaker without undue drama. Upwind, a 105% genoa is so easy to tack it flatters even the weediest crewmember.

Down below, the finish level of the joinery work is up there among the best and the interior is full of clever touches, again updated and modernised since the early models. Never the cheapest bluewater sailing yacht around, the Contest 50CS has remained in demand as a brokerage buy. She is a reassuringly sure-footed, easily handled, very well built yacht that for all those reasons has stood the test of time.

This is a yacht that would be well capable of helping you extend your cruising grounds, almost without realising it.

Read more about the Contest 50CS and the new Contest 49CS

Photo: Rick Tomlinson

Hallberg-Rassy 48 Mk II

For many, the Swedish Hallberg-Rassy yard makes the quintessential bluewater cruiser for couples. With their distinctive blue cove line, these designs are famous for their seakindly behaviour, solid-as-a-rock build and beautifully finished, traditional interiors.

To some eyes, Hallberg-Rassys aren’t quite cool enough, but it’s been company owner Magnus Rassy’s confidence in the formula and belief in incremental ‘step-by-step’ evolution that has been such an exceptional guarantor of reliable quality, reputation and resale value.

The centre cockpit Hallberg-Rassy 48 epitomises the concept of comfort at sea and, like all the Frers-designed Hallberg-Rassys since the 1990s, is surprisingly fleet upwind as well as steady downwind. The 48 is perfectly able to be handled by a couple (as we found a few years back in the Pacific), and could with no great effort crack out 200-mile days.

The Hallberg-Rassy 48 was launched nearly a decade ago, but the Mk II from 2014 is our pick, updated with a more modern profile, larger windows and hull portlights that flood the saloon and aft cabin with light. With a large chart table, secure linear galley, heaps of stowage and space for bluewater extras such as machinery and gear, this yacht pretty much ticks all the boxes.

Discovery 55

First launched in 2000, the Discovery 55 has stood the test of time. Designed by Ron Holland, it hit a sweet spot in size that appealed to couples and families with world girdling plans.

Elegantly styled and well balanced, the 55 is also a practical design, with a deep and secure cockpit, comfortable seating, a self-tacking jib, dedicated stowage for the liferaft , a decent sugar scoop transom that’s useful for swimming or dinghy access, and very comfortable accommodation below. In short, it is a design that has been well thought out by those who’ve been there, got the bruises, stubbed their toes and vowed to change things in the future if they ever got the chance.

Throughout the accommodation there are plenty of examples of good detailing, from the proliferation of handholds and grabrails, to deep sinks in the galley offering immediate stowage when under way and the stand up/sit down showers. Stowage is good, too, with plenty of sensibly sized lockers in easily accessible positions.

The Discovery 55 has practical ideas and nifty details aplenty. She’s not, and never was, a breakthrough in modern luxury cruising but she is pretty, comfortable to sail and live on, and well mannered.

Photo: Latitudes Picture Library

You can’t get much more Cornish than a Rustler. The hulls of this Stephen Jones design are hand-moulded and fitted out in Falmouth – and few are more ruggedly built than this traditional, up-for-anything offshore cruiser.

She boasts an encapsulated lead keel, eliminating keel bolts and creating a sump for generous fuel and water tankage, while a chunky skeg protects the rudder. She is designed for good directional stability and load carrying ability. These are all features that lend this yacht confidence as it shoulders aside the rough stuff.

Most of those built have had a cutter rig, a flexible arrangement that makes sense for long passages in all sea and weather conditions. Down below, the galley and saloon berths are comfortable and sensible for living in port and at sea, with joinery that Rustler’s builders are rightly proud of.

As modern yachts have got wider, higher and fatter, the Rustler 42 is an exception. This is an exceptionally well-mannered seagoing yacht in the traditional vein, with elegant lines and pleasing overhangs, yet also surprisingly powerful. And although now over 20 years old, timeless looks and qualities mean this design makes her look ever more like a perennial, a modern classic.

The definitive crossover size, the point at which a yacht can be handled by a couple but is just large enough to have a professional skipper and be chartered, sits at around the 60ft mark. At 58ft 8in, the Oyster 575 fitted perfectly into this growing market when launched in 2010. It went on to be one of the most popular models from the yard, and is only now being superseded by the newer Rob Humphreys-designed Oyster 565 (just launched this spring).

Built in various configurations with either a deep keel, shoal draught keel or centreboard with twin rudders, owners could trade off better performance against easy access to shallower coves and anchorages. The deep-bodied hull, also by Rob Humphreys, is known for its easy motion at sea.

Some of the Oyster 575’s best features include its hallmark coachroof windows style and centre cockpit – almost everyone will know at first glance this is an Oyster – and superb interior finish. If she has a flaw, it is arguably the high cockpit, but the flip side is the galley headroom and passageway berth to the large aft stateroom.

This design also has a host of practical features for long-distance cruising, such as high guardrails, dedicated liferaft stowage, a vast lazarette for swallowing sails, tender, fenders etc, and a penthouse engine room.

Privilege Serie 5

A true luxury catamaran which, fully fitted out, will top €1m, this deserves to be seen alongside the likes of the Oyster 575, Gunfleet 58 and Hallberg-Rassy 55. It boasts a large cockpit and living area, and a light and spacious saloon with an emphasis on indoor-outdoor living, masses of refrigeration and a big galley.

Standout features are finish quality and solid build in a yacht designed to take a high payload, a secure walkaround deck and all-round views from the helm station. The new Privilege 510 that will replace this launches in February 2020.

Gunfleet 43

It was with this Tony Castro design that Richard Matthews, founder of Oyster Yachts, launched a brand new rival brand in 2012, the smallest of a range stretching to the flagship Gunfleet 74. The combination of short overhangs and centre cockpit at this size do make the Gunfleet 43 look modern if a little boxy, but time and subsequent design trends have been kind to her lines, and the build quality is excellent. The saloon, galley and aft cabin space is exceptional on a yacht of this size.

Photo: David Harding

Conceived as a belt-and-braces cruiser, the Kraken 50 launched last year. Its unique points lie underwater in the guise of a full skeg-hung rudder and so-called ‘Zero Keel’, an encapsulated long keel with lead ballast.

Kraken Yachts is the brainchild of British businessman and highly experienced cruiser Dick Beaumont, who is adamant that safety should be foremost in cruising yacht design and build. “There is no such thing as ‘one yacht for all purposes’… You cannot have the best of all worlds, whatever the salesman tells you,” he says.

Read our full review of the Kraken 50 .

Wauquiez Centurion 57

Few yachts can claim to be both an exciting Med-style design and a serious and practical northern European offshore cruiser, but the Wauquiez Centurion 57 tries to blend both. She slightly misses if you judge solely by either criterion, but is pretty and practical enough to suit her purpose.

A very pleasant, well-considered yacht, she is impressively built and finished with a warm and comfortable interior. More versatile than radical, she could be used for sailing across the Atlantic in comfort and raced with equal enjoyment at Antigua Sailing Week .

A modern classic if ever there was one. A medium to heavy displacement yacht, stiff and easily capable of standing up to her canvas. Pretty, traditional lines and layout below.

Photo: Voyage of Swell

Well-proven US legacy design dating back to the mid-1960s that once conquered the Transpac Race . Still admired as pretty, with slight spoon bow and overhanging transom.

Capable medium displacement cruiser, ideal size and good accommodation for couples or family cruising, and much less costly than similar luxury brands.

Photo: Peter Szamer

Swedish-built aft cockpit cruiser, smaller than many here, but a well-built and finished, super-durable pocket ocean cruiser.

Tartan 3700

Designed as a performance cruiser there are nimbler alternatives now, but this is still an extremely pretty yacht.

Broker ’ s choice

Discovery 55 Brizo

This yacht has already circumnavigated the globe and is ‘prepared for her next adventure,’ says broker Berthon. Price: £535,000 + VAT

Oyster 575 Ayesha

‘Stunning, and perfectly equipped for bluewater cruising,’ says broker Ancasta International. Price: £845,000 (tax not paid)

Oyster 575 Pearls of Nautilus

Nearly new and with a high spec, this Oyster Brokerage yacht features American white oak joinery and white leather upholstery and has a shoal draught keel. Price: $1.49m

Best bluewater yachts for performance

The Frers-designed Swan 54 may not be the newest hull shape but heralded Swan’s latest generation of displacement bluewater cruisers when launched four years ago. With raked stem, deep V hull form, lower freeboard and slight curve to the topsides she has a more timeless aesthetic than many modern slab-sided high volume yachts, and with that a seakindly motion in waves. If you plan to cover many miles to weather, this is probably the yacht you want to be on.

Photo: Carlo Borlenghi

Besides Swan’s superlative build quality, the 54 brings many true bluewater features, including a dedicated sail locker. There’s also a cockpit locker that functions as a utility cabin, with potential to hold your generator and washing machine, or be a workshop space.

The sloping transom opens out to reveal a 2.5m bathing platform, and although the cabins are not huge there is copious stowage space. Down below the top-notch oak joinery is well thought through with deep fiddles, and there is a substantial nav station. But the Swan 54 wins for handling above all, with well laid-out sail controls that can be easily managed between a couple, while offering real sailing enjoyment to the helmsman.

Photo: Graham Snook

The Performance Cruiser winner at the 2019 European Yacht of the Year awards, the Arcona 435 is all about the sailing experience. She has genuine potential as a cruiser-racer, but her strengths are as an enjoyable cruiser rather than a full-blown liveaboard bluewater boat.

Build quality is excellent, there is the option of a carbon hull and deck, and elegant lines and a plumb bow give the Arcona 435 good looks as well as excellent performance in light airs. Besides slick sail handling systems, there are well thought-out features for cruising, such as ample built-in rope bins and an optional semi-closed stern with stowage and swim platform.

Outremer 51

If you want the space and stability of a cat but still prioritise sailing performance, Outremer has built a reputation on building catamarans with true bluewater characteristics that have cruised the planet for the past 30 years.

Lighter and slimmer-hulled than most cruising cats, the Outremer 51 is all about sailing at faster speeds, more easily. The lower volume hulls and higher bridgedeck make for a better motion in waves, while owners report that being able to maintain a decent pace even under reduced canvas makes for stress-free passages. Deep daggerboards also give good upwind performance.

With bucket seats and tiller steering options, the Outremer 51 rewards sailors who want to spend time steering, while they’re famously well set up for handling with one person on deck. The compromise comes with the interior space – even with a relatively minimalist style, there is less cabin space and stowage volume than on the bulkier cats, but the Outremer 51 still packs in plenty of practical features.

The Xc45 was the first cruising yacht X-Yachts ever built, and designed to give the same X-Yachts sailing experience for sailors who’d spent years racing 30/40-footer X- and IMX designs, but in a cruising package.

Launched over 10 years ago, the Xc45 has been revisited a few times to increase the stowage and modernise some of the styling, but the key features remain the same, including substantial tanks set low for a low centre of gravity, and X-Yachts’ trademark steel keel grid structure. She has fairly traditional styling and layout, matched with solid build quality.

A soft bilge and V-shaped hull gives a kindly motion in waves, and the cockpit is secure, if narrow by modern standards.

A three or four cabin catamaran that’s fleet of foot with high bridgedeck clearance for comfortable motion at sea. With tall daggerboards and carbon construction in some high load areas, Catana cats are light and quick to accelerate.

Sweden Yachts 45

An established bluewater design that also features in plenty of offshore races. Some examples are specced with carbon rig and retractable bowsprits. All have a self-tacking jib for ease. Expect sweeping areas of teak above decks and a traditionally wooded interior with hanging wet locker.

A vintage performer, first launched in 1981, the 51 was the first Frers-designed Swan and marked a new era of iconic cruiser-racers. Some 36 of the Swan 51 were built, many still actively racing and cruising nearly 40 years on. Classic lines and a split cockpit make this a boat for helming, not sunbathing.

Photo: Julien Girardot / EYOTY

The JPK 45 comes from a French racing stable, combining race-winning design heritage with cruising amenities. What you see is what you get – there are no superfluous headliners or floorboards, but there are plenty of ocean sailing details, like inboard winches for safe trimming. The JPK 45 also has a brilliantly designed cockpit with an optional doghouse creating all-weather shelter, twin wheels and superb clutch and rope bin arrangement.

Photo: Andreas Lindlahr

For sailors who don’t mind exchanging a few creature comforts for downwind planing performance, the Pogo 50 offers double-digit surfing speeds for exhilarating tradewind sailing. There’s an open transom, tiller steering and no backstay or runners. The Pogo 50 also has a swing keel, to nose into shallow anchorages.

Seawind 1600

Seawinds are relatively unknown in Europe, but these bluewater cats are very popular in Australia. As would be expected from a Reichel-Pugh design, this 52-footer combines striking good looks and high performance, with fine entry bows and comparatively low freeboard. Rudders are foam cored lifting designs in cassettes, which offer straightforward access in case of repairs, while daggerboards are housed under the deck.

Best bluewater sailboats for families

It’s unsurprising that, for many families, it’s a catamaran that meets their requirements best of increased space – both living space and separate cabins for privacy-seeking teenagers, additional crew or visiting family – as well as stable and predictable handling.

Photo: Nicholas Claris

Undoubtedly one of the biggest success stories has been the Lagoon 450, which, together with boats like the Fountaine Pajot 44, helped drive up the popularity of catamaran cruising by making it affordable and accessible. They have sold in huge numbers – over 1,000 Lagoon 450s have been built since its launch in 2010.

The VPLP-designed 450 was originally launched with a flybridge with a near central helming position and upper level lounging areas (450F). The later ‘sport top’ option (450S) offered a starboard helm station and lower boom (and hence lower centre of gravity for reduced pitching). The 450S also gained a hull chine to create additional volume above the waterline. The Lagoon features forward lounging and aft cockpit areas for additional outdoor living space.

Besides being a big hit among charter operators, Lagoons have proven themselves over thousands of bluewater miles – there were seven Lagoon 450s in last year’s ARC alone. In what remains a competitive sector of the market, Lagoon has recently launched a new 46, with a larger self-tacking jib and mast moved aft, and more lounging areas.

Photo: Gilles Martin-Raget

Fountaine Pajot Helia 44

The FP Helia 44 is lighter, lower volume, and has a lower freeboard than the Lagoon, weighing in at 10.8 tonnes unloaded (compared to 15 for the 450). The helm station is on a mezzanine level two steps up from the bridgedeck, with a bench seat behind. A later ‘Evolution’ version was designed for liveaboard cruisers, featuring beefed up dinghy davits and an improved saloon space.

Available in three or four cabin layouts, the Helia 44 was also popular with charter owners as well as families. The new 45 promises additional volume, and an optional hydraulically lowered ‘beach club’ swim platform.

Photo: Arnaud De Buyzer / graphikup.com

The French RM 1370 might be less well known than the big brand names, but offers something a little bit different for anyone who wants a relatively voluminous cruising yacht. Designed by Marc Lombard, and beautifully built from plywood/epoxy, the RM is stiff and responsive, and sails superbly.

The RM yachts have a more individual look – in part down to the painted finish, which encourages many owners to personalise their yachts, but also thanks to their distinctive lines with reverse sheer and dreadnought bow. The cockpit is well laid out with the primary winches inboard for a secure trimming position. The interior is light, airy and modern, although the open transom won’t appeal to everyone.

For those wanting a monohull, the Hanse 575 hits a similar sweet spot to the popular multis, maximising accommodation for a realistic price, yet with responsive performance.

The Hanse offers a vast amount of living space thanks to the ‘loft design’ concept of having all the living areas on a single level, which gives a real feeling of spaciousness with no raised saloon or steps to accommodation. The trade-off for such lofty head height is a substantial freeboard – it towers above the pontoon, while, below, a stepladder is provided to reach some hatches.

Galley options include drawer fridge-freezers, microwave and coffee machine, and the full size nav station can double up as an office or study space.

But while the Hanse 575 is a seriously large boat, its popularity is also down to the fact that it is genuinely able to be handled by a couple. It was innovative in its deck layout: with a self-tacking jib and mainsheet winches immediately to hand next to the helm, one person could both steer and trim.

Direct steering gives a feeling of control and some tangible sailing fun, while the waterline length makes for rapid passage times. In 2016 the German yard launched the newer Hanse 588 model, having already sold 175 of the 575s in just four years.

Photo: Bertel Kolthof

Jeanneau 54

Jeanneau leads the way among production builders for versatile all-rounder yachts that balance sail performance and handling, ergonomics, liveaboard functionality and good looks. The Jeanneau 54 , part of the range designed by Philippe Briand with interior by Andrew Winch, melds the best of the larger and smaller models and is available in a vast array of layout options from two cabins/two heads right up to five cabins and three heads.

We’ve tested the Jeanneau 54 in a gale and very light winds, and it acquitted itself handsomely in both extremes. The primary and mainsheet winches are to hand next to the wheel, and the cockpit is spacious, protected and child-friendly. An electric folding swim and sun deck makes for quick fun in the water.

Nautitech Open 46

This was the first Nautitech catamaran to be built under the ownership of Bavaria, designed with an open-plan bridgedeck and cockpit for free-flowing living space. But with good pace for eating up bluewater miles, and aft twin helms rather than a flybridge, the Nautitech Open 46 also appeals to monohull sailors who prefer a more direct sailing experience.

Made by Robertson and Caine, who produce catamarans under a dual identity as both Leopard and the Sunsail/Moorings charter cats, the Leopard 45 is set to be another big seller. Reflecting its charter DNA, the Leopard 45 is voluminous, with stepped hulls for reduced waterline, and a separate forward cockpit.

Built in South Africa, they are robustly tested off the Cape and constructed ruggedly enough to handle heavy weather sailing as well as the demands of chartering.

Photo: Olivier Blanchet

If space is king then three hulls might be even better than two. The Neel 51 is rare as a cruising trimaran with enough space for proper liveaboard sailing. The galley and saloon are in the large central hull, together with an owner’s cabin on one level for a unique sensation of living above the water. Guest or family cabins lie in the outer hulls for privacy and there is a cavernous full height engine room under the cabin sole.

Performance is notably higher than an equivalent cruising cat, particularly in light winds, with a single rudder giving a truly direct feel in the helm, although manoeuvring a 50ft trimaran may daunt many sailors.

Beneteau Oceanis 46.1

A brilliant new model from Beneteau, this Finot Conq design has a modern stepped hull, which offers exhilarating and confidence-inspiring handling in big breezes, and slippery performance in lighter winds.

The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 was the standout performer at this year’s European Yacht of the Year awards, and, in replacing the popular Oceanis 45, looks set to be another bestseller. Interior space is well used with a double island berth in the forepeak. An additional inboard unit creates a secure galley area, but tank capacity is moderate for long periods aboard.

Beneteau Oceanis 473

A popular model that offers beam and height in a functional layout, although, as with many boats of this age (she was launched in 2002), the mainsheet is not within reach of the helmsman.

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 49

The Philippe Briand-designed Sun Odyssey range has a solid reputation as family production cruisers. Like the 473, the Sun Odyssey 49 was popular for charter so there are plenty of four-cabin models on the market.

Nautitech 441

The hull design dates back to 1995, but was relaunched in 2012. Though the saloon interior has dated, the 441 has solid practical features, such as a rainwater run-off collection gutter around the coachroof.

Atlantic 42

Chris White-designed cats feature a pilothouse and forward waist-high working cockpit with helm position, as well as an inside wheel at the nav station. The Atlantic 42 offers limited accommodation by modern cat standards but a very different sailing experience.

Best bluewater sailing yachts for expeditions

Bestevaer 56.

All of the yachts in our ‘expedition’ category are aluminium-hulled designs suitable for high latitude sailing, and all are exceptional yachts. But the Bestevaer 56 is a spectacular amount of boat to take on a true adventure. Each Bestevaer is a near-custom build with plenty of bespoke options for owners to customise the layout and where they fall on the scale of rugged off-grid adventurer to 4×4-style luxury fit out.

The Bestevaer range began when renowned naval architect Gerard Dijkstra chose to design his own personal yacht for liveaboard adventure cruising, a 53-footer. The concept drew plenty of interest from bluewater sailors wanting to make longer expeditions and Bestevaers are now available in a range of sizes, with the 56-footer proving a popular mid-range length.

The well-known Bestevaer 56 Tranquilo  (pictured above) has a deep, secure cockpit, voluminous tanks (700lt water and over 1,100lt fuel) and a lifting keel plus water ballast, with classically styled teak clad decks and pilot house. Other owners have opted for functional bare aluminium hull and deck, some choose a doghouse and others a pilothouse.

Photo: Jean-Marie Liot

The Boreal 52 also offers Land Rover-esque practicality, with utilitarian bare aluminium hulls and a distinctive double-level doghouse/coachroof arrangement for added protection in all weathers. The cockpit is clean and uncluttered, thanks to the mainsheet position on top of the doghouse, although for visibility in close manoeuvring the helmsman will want to step up onto the aft deck.

Twin daggerboards, a lifting centreboard and long skeg on which she can settle make this a true go-anywhere expedition yacht. The metres of chain required for adventurous anchoring is stowed in a special locker by the mast to keep the weight central. Down below has been thought through with equally practical touches, including plenty of bracing points and lighting that switches on to red light first to protect your night vision.

Photo: Morris Adant / Garcia Yachts

Garcia Exploration 45

The Garcia Exploration 45 comes with real experience behind her – she was created in association with Jimmy Cornell, based on his many hundreds of thousands of miles of bluewater cruising, to go anywhere from high latitudes to the tropics.

Arguably less of a looker than the Bestevaer, the Garcia Exploration 45 features a rounded aluminium hull, centreboard with deep skeg and twin daggerboards. The considerable anchor chain weight has again been brought aft, this time via a special conduit to a watertight locker in front of the centreboard.

This is a yacht designed to be lived on for extended periods with ample storage, and panoramic portlights to give a near 360° view of whichever extraordinary landscape you are exploring. Safety features include a watertight companionway door to keep extreme weather out and through-hull fittings placed above the waterline. When former Vendée Globe skipper Pete Goss went cruising , this was the boat he chose to do it in.

Photo: svnaima.com

A truly well-proven expedition design, some 1,500 Ovnis have been built and many sailed to some of the most far-flung corners of the world. (Jimmy Cornell sailed his Aventura some 30,000 miles, including two Drake Passage crossings, one in 50 knots of wind).

Futuna Exploration 54

Another aluminium design with a swinging centreboard and a solid enclosed pilothouse with protected cockpit area. There’s a chunky bowsprit and substantial transom arch to house all manner of electronics and power generation.

Previous boats have been spec’d for North West Passage crossings with additional heating and engine power, although there’s a carbon rig option for those that want a touch of the black stuff. The tanks are capacious, with 1,000lt capability for both fresh water and fuel.

If you enjoyed this….

Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams. Build your knowledge with a subscription delivered to your door. See our latest offers and save at least 30% off the cover price.

• BOAT OF THE YEAR
• Newsletters
• Sailboat Reviews
• Boating Safety
• Sails and Rigging
• Maintenance
• Sailing Totem
• Sailor & Galley
• Living Aboard
• Destinations
• Gear & Electronics
• Charter Resources
• Ultimate Boating Giveaway

Excess 12: Best Midsize Cruising Catamaran

• By Herb McCormick
• Updated: December 9, 2019

Excess. Or does it? That was the primary question to be answered when determining the top boat among this trio of nominees in the Midsize Cruising Catamaran division. The Excess 12 was the first highly anticipated model to debut in the United States from a new brand recently created by the French boatbuilding giant Groupe Beneteau. It was up against stiff competition from a pair of long-established, well-entrenched French cat builders: Fountaine Pajot, with its new Elba 45, and Lagoon Catamarans—also part of the Groupe Beneteau colossus—with a fresh 46-footer. Who would emerge victorious in this rousing cat fight?

Judge Ed Sherman was impressed with the Elba 45 right from the get-go. “During our motoring test, it was immediately evident that this was one of the quietest boats in the fleet,” he said. “At 70 decibels in cruising mode, that was extremely low. And even when we kicked it up to high speed, at 2,800 rpm, it was still recording just 72 dB in the main cabin area while doing 9.2 knots, which is excellent. And the entire boat—the ­deckhouse, the interior layout—the way it was ­s­­tructurally engineered, was solid. It indicated to me that this was a strong boat that’s going to last for a while.”

As it turned out, the judges weren’t finished grading or ­discussing the Elba 45.

The panelists then turned their attention to the two Groupe Beneteau contenders, which perhaps significantly, were sea-trialed in some of the most extreme conditions in the long history of Boat of the Year .

The Lagoon 46 is laid out with the steering station and sail controls situated well aloft in a raised, flybridge-type configuration, which for judge Ralph Naranjo, took a little getting used to. “If you’re down below and the boat’s on ­autopilot, and something ­happens where you need to blow the traveler because a thunderstorm’s coming, you’re going to have to hurry,” he said. But Naranjo’s opinion of the boat also changed for the better during the stiff sail tests, which the 46 handled with aplomb. “I came away liking the boat more after sailing and motoring it than I did during the dockside inspections,” Naranjo said. “Under power, she was lovely to maneuver. Even in the big breeze, you could hold station using ­forward and reverse.”

Of course, both the Lagoon and the Fountaine Pajot will be used both by private owners and in charter fleets, and needs to satisfy the requirements of each. Whereas the judges considered the 38-foot-6-inch Excess 12 a purer sailboat, one that could be operated by a couple and serve as a fine, fast cruiser, which is why they ultimately named it the Best Midsize Cruising Catamaran .

“I like having the sail controls and the main living space on the vessel all on the same level,” Naranjo said. “You have that nice continuity between the main saloon and the cockpit, so the off watch is only a few steps away from the helm and all the action. And I liked the overall workmanship. It really performed in the heavy air. I think she’s a great boat.”

“We gave the Excess 12 a ­structural ­workout, and it did very well. It felt very solid.”

“One of the strongest features is the removable Bimini over the cockpit,” judge Dan Spurr said. “When it’s retracted, you have really good visibility of the sails. When you don’t need that visibility, when it’s raining or you’re motoring, you can pull it back and have some shade and sun protection. The kind of convertible option is nice. On a lot of cats with a fixed hardtop, you can’t see anything and have to go to one side or the other to check sail trim.”

“I really liked her as well,” judge Ed Sherman said. “At one point sailing, we saw 43 knots of apparent wind. And it just remained relatively quiet and in control. So we certainly gave it quite a structural workout, and it just did very well. It felt quite solid. I like the helms aft. I think they’re really onto something here. I was very impressed.”

So, to once again pose the question from the top of this write-up, does nothing succeed like this Excess? Aw, c’mon. You know the answer.

See All Winners:

2020 Boats of the Year

Other Winners:

• Overall Boat of the Year
• Best Performance Cruiser
• Best Midsize Cruiser Under 45 feet
• Best Full-size Cruiser
• Best Full-size Cruiser Over 55 Feet
• Best Midsize Cruising Catamaran
• Best Full-size Multihull
• Best Charter Boat
• Most Innovative
• More: boty , boty 2020 , Sailboats
• More Sailboats

Sailboat Preview: Elan GT6 Explorer

For Sale: 1984 Camper & Nicholsons 58

Alubat Updates OVNI Models

For Sale: Little Harbor 63 Ketch

From Paradise to Medical Emergency: A Bahamas Nightmare Turns Lesson Learned

Free Medical Advice: The Unwarranted, Unprofessional Edition

Gatekeepers of the Waterway

Rigging Redo: Our Switch to Synthetic

• Digital Edition
• Customer Service
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Email Newsletters
• Cruising World
• Sailing World
• Salt Water Sportsman
• Sport Fishing
• Wakeboarding

20 Different Types of Fishing Boats (Small, Mid-Sized and Large Options)

Posted on Published: April 13, 2022  - Last updated: August 12, 2022

We just bought a fishing boat to ferry us to our boat access cabin and to use for fishing .  It’s a Hewescraft 180 Pro V with a hardtop cabin to be specific.  It’s a mid-sized fishing boat with a pilothouse. 

Before choosing and buying the Hewescraft, I spent a lot of time researching boat options online and at boat dealers.  There are many, many different types of boats to choose from.  Moreover, there are many different types of fishing boats to choose from. Buying a boat for fishing is one of the most popular reasons for getting a boat.

Related: Types of Fishing Boat Accessories

Choosing the best fishing boat for you depends on the following

• Your budget: Obvious budget plays a huge role.  $10,000 vs. $500K budget makes big a difference as to your options.  See my boat costs article .
• Where you’ll use it:   River, lake or ocean.  Protected waters or open ocean?
• Where you’ll store it: Will you be towing and launching it for each outing or store it at a marina?  If towing and launching, you’re restricted to a certain size.
• How long you’ll use it per outing:   If you’re planning multi-day outings, you’ll need a fishing boat with sleeping quarters.

The above considerations aren’t always easy to answer.  Our budget shifted upward once I started getting serious about buying a boat.  Once you have a boat, you might want to venture out to different fishing locations.  In other words, things change so it’s hard to anticipate how and where you’ll use it, especially if it’s your first fishing boat.

At the end of the day, there are many boats that can function as fishing boats.  Heck, you can fish from anything that floats really but if fishing becomes your thing, it helps to get a boat designed with fishing in mind.  There are also many ways to categorize fishing boats such as lake vs river vs ocean, aluminum vs fiberglass, hull type, size, and so on. 

We decided to categorize fishing boat options by size since most people have a size in mind as a starting point.

We classify by boat size as follows:

• Small fishing boats: Up to 20′. Most are 12′ to 16′.  No cabin or pilothouse.  Some skiffs and Jon boats exceed 16′ yet those would be small fishing boats.
• Mid-sized fishing boats: 16′ to 28′ in length.
• Large fishing boats: Longer than 28′

Related: Types of Fish Finders and Sounders | Types of fishing weights

A. Small fishing boats

What qualifies as a small fishing boat?  Small fishing boats are lightweight and easily towable by pretty much any car, don’t have a cabin or pilothouse, and are very small.  Let’s say small boats go up to 20′ (some Jon boats can also get longer but I consider them still a small fishing boats).

These manual-powered boats are used for fishing on lakes all over the world. It’s about as simple as it gets and not expensive to buy (relative to motor-powered boats).  The best of these for fishing, IMO, is a rowboat because it offers more onboard space and is more stable than a kayak or canoe.

The rowboat comes in several lengths, ranging from approximately 4 ½’ to over 32’. The most expensive versions are made of wood and can cost well over $20,000.00, while an inflatable rowboat can cost under $100.

Some rowboats are explicitly designed for fishing, such as the drift boat. It’s perfect for river fishing over either shallow or deep water. Most rowboats hold their own well on deeper water such as lakes, though oceans and fast waters can cause them to swamp and sink. Fishing from rowboats can be done, though, on moving water, one person will need to power the oars or motor to keep the boat in line while the others aboard fish.

Modern rowboats range from simple inflatable rubber flat-bottomed boats to fiberglass V-shaped hulls and several types in-between. Aluminum, wood, and even glass builds are available to purchase. Several options will allow the installation of a trolling motor or larger outboard motor, though oars are always an option.

The kayak is quickly moving up the ranks as a go-to fishing platform. It is available in several lengths, ranging from 6’ to 16’. Fishing kayaks are generally between 9’ to 13’.

Shorter kayaks are more maneuverable, while longer ones are typically faster. Fishing generally requires maneuverability over speed. A decent fishing kayak will also provide a spot to install a trolling motor, which takes away the issue of having to paddle and fish simultaneously.

It can be challenging to manage the rod and net while landing a fish on a kayak.

Kayaks are optimal for rivers, lakes, ponds, and oceans. They come in different designs for different water types. Fishing kayaks are typically built for calmer waters, both shallow and deep.

Price ranges vary widely for kayaks depending on materials and length. Build materials such as wood, polyethylene, and composites like graphite are factored into the price, along with any kayak propulsion systems, such as a pedal drive. All these factors add up to a price range that starts from around $100 for a used model to well over $3000 for a sea kayak.

Canoes are simple to take on the road, making them an excellent option for fishing. Ponds and lakes of any depth are the ideal options for canoes. Several lengths are available, though shorter canoes tend to be better for fishing. Inflatable canoes start in the 8’ range, while fiberglass and wood canoes can get up into the 23’ field. The ideal fishing range is between 8’ – 13’.

Shorter canoes can handle rivers, though they aren’t great at rougher rapids. Class 1 is okay, but anything rougher should be avoided. As for price, shorter canoes are anywhere from $150 used up to $700, while a full-length canoe can be $2000 or more. Hand-crafted canoes will run higher.

The fishing canoes work well, provide a stable platform, and will stay in one place on lakes and ponds. Equip a trolling motor and avoid having to constantly use oars. The biggest pitfall to fishing from a canoe is losing balance, which can happen easily when multiple anglers are in the same boat.

4. Rigid Inflatable Boat (i.e. Zodiac)

Often referred to as Zodiacs (brand of RIB boat), these can serve very well as a small fishing boats.  Some of these can be quite large.

Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats, or RHIDs, are quickly growing in popularity, and there’s an excellent reason for that. The unique build of these vessels allows you to get creative with them. Hull design options include flat, modified V, V, planing, and more due to the solid hull build. Plus, they make for great fishing boats. I’ve used one of these personally and have enjoyed the ability to get out on the water in a hurry, bait up (i.e. worms ), and be fishing in no time.

The boat tends to sit where I put it with no need for significant adjustments with the motor once stopped. That’s a huge plus when dealing with a smaller vessel of any type. It sits deep enough in the water to feel stable yet doesn’t weigh as much as a bass boat or other type of fiberglass hull.

The price range is between $500 for a used model in the 10’ range to well above $100,000 for a top-of-the-line professional model that will seat 32. The only real downside to this boat is its relatively short 10 – 15-year lifespan. It doesn’t navigate the open ocean like a full solid boat. They’ll do the fun stuff closer to shore but avoid deep-sea fishing.

The skiff is a great fishing boat, particularly for flyfishing for bonefish in southern Florida. I’ve been on a few of these, and they’ve all been solid, sturdy boats that performed well for what they do. Typically made from either wood or fiberglass or some combination of both, skiffs have hulls with either a V shape, modified V, or a flat hull design.

The price ranges wildly on these boats. It’s possible to download a set of plans to build your own for around $600.00 or buy one used starting at about $1850.00 and running up to $80,000.00. New boats start at around $4500 and run up to $85,000. The length varies from 12’ for a small model to a giant 34’ model.

I’ve been on skiffs equipped with powerful outboard motors, and they handled well, though for most models’ power isn’t necessary. You can make it just fine with a smaller outboard and a trolling motor.

6. Jon boat

Jon boats are among one the most popular fishing boats out there. The reason is threefold: Price, ease of use, and transportability. These simple boats are typically made of aluminum, have a flat or almost flat bottom, and weigh next to nothing. I’ve helped fellow anglers load them into the bed of trucks before. Put it in the water, attach a trolling motor, and you’re ready to go.

Some models are fiberglass or polyethylene, though none of them are very complex. Seating is typically two benches, and maintenance is almost nonexistent. Jon boats are great for lakes, ponds, and bigger rivers. I wouldn’t take one through rapids, but they are a solid boat. Bay fishing is an option, though near-shore fishing isn’t recommended.

7. Deck boat

Deck boats are designed to have enough deck space to spread out and be comfortable for a day on the lake. With enough room aboard, anglers can fish comfortably without having to crowd around the back. These boats work well on lakes and oceans.

Hull options include a modified V, V, and deep V. The deep V is preferred for ocean use. Typically built of fiberglass, they tend to be sturdy, well-crafted boats.

Deck boats run from 15’ to over 26,’ and a used range will cost anywhere from $5500 to $25,000, while new models range from $14,000 for basic models to over $100,000 for fully loaded boats. I like the ability to choose between an inboard or an outboard on several models. Many have options for live wells, which are perfect add-ons for deep-sea fishing and tournament bass fishing.

The only drawback to deck boats is the size. They aren’t suitable for smaller waters, leaving them only for bigger lakes, bays, and oceans. Deeper water is necessary for these to operate properly.

8. Runabout

If you’re searching for a boat that can handle multiple activities equally well, a runabout might be a good choice for you. The options to choose from allow you to customize it to fit your personal recreational needs, so if you’re an angler, gear it towards fishing. The runabout isn’t explicitly designed for angling, so it has an abundance of seating which is a hindrance to fishing.

I’ve used runabouts that had inboard drives that had a large swimming platform on the back, which doubled as a great fishing platform. Outboard motors are available as well and cost less.

The body is generally made of fiberglass, and they typically have a modified V hull, which gives them a shallower depth in the water. Some models are made of wood and are significantly more expensive. They aren’t built for rough water, so lakes, bigger ponds, inshore waterways, and bays work well.

Prices for used runabouts range from $4500 for an older model to over $200,000 for a well-equipped newer model. New boats range from $15,000.00 to well over $225,000.00.

9. Bass boat

Bass boats are, by design, created specifically for fishing. They are perfect for ponds, lakes, larger rivers, and bays. There are certain models that can go offshore as well. I’ve used them many times and have enjoyed every time on the water. The slight V shape to the hull allows them to gain speed and get you out to the fish fast, while the flat design gets you into ultra-shallow water.

Hook up a decent outboard motor and a trolling motor, and you have all the power needed to get to your favorite fishing spot in a hurry.

Aluminum or fiberglass options are available, and the prices reflect those. Prices range from around $10,000 for a low-cost new aluminum 16’ boat, while a fully-loaded 26’ offshore boat can run over $110,000.

While these boats are designed for fishing, they aren’t ideal for all types of fishing. If you target trout or salmon more than bass, this may not be the boat for you.

B. Mid-sized fishing boats

What’s a mid-sized fishing boat?  16′ to 28′ is a mid-size fishing boat.  Basically any boat larger than the small boats above and that you can safely tow on the public roadways.  I’ve read that some folks will tow boats up to 32′ but I suspect most people wouldn’t.

10. Bay boat

Bay boats are great for those that live near the ocean. Bays and inshore areas are the perfect targets for a bay boat. They sit high in the water and are designed with anglers in mind. Ranging in length from 16’ to 28’, bay boats are popular in the gulf area. They handle the waves, and depth changes well and offer plenty of room for four anglers to fish comfortably.

The hull build is typically fiberglass, though there are fiberglass/wood combinations out there. Prices for used models range from $9800 for an older model to over $200,000 for a full-sized high-end model. New boats start at $13,600 for a 16’ stripped-down model, while a fully decked out 26’ boat can cost closer to $395,000.

Bay boats use outboard motors and handle high-speed wells. They use a modified V hull design that allows them to get into 10” – 12” of water. While these vessels make great inshore fishing boats, the smaller boats don’t offer much room for more than three or four anglers. A 16’ boat is a tight squeeze for four people if flyfishing.

11. Power Catamaran

Power Catamarans, or power cats, are rapidly gaining popularity among anglers, and for a good reason. They provide an excellent platform to cast from due to the dual V hulls. These boats are typically made of fiberglass or a wood/polyester combination. The wood combination creates a lighter boat with added strength since most builders use balsa as the wood of choice.

Used power cats vary widely from shorter, 20’ models at $23,000.00 to full-blown 70’ yachts over $3.5 million dollars. The shorter 20’ to 25’ models are great for fishing and can handle rough waters both inshore and while chasing marlin in the deep sea. They are too big for most lakes and rivers but will work if the water body is large enough.

The shorter-length models usually feature one or two outboard motors, while the bigger boats have engine rooms. A drawback for anglers with the bigger boats would be that you just can’t fish off them. Of course, you could always launch the runabout that’s tucked away inside for a day of fishing, so maybe that’s not really a drawback.

12. Center Console

Center console boats vary in size. Some would qualify as a small fishing boat but most are longer so we slotted them in the mid-sized fishing boat.

The center console boat is nearly perfect for the angler looking for river, bay, and ocean fishing in a mid-twenty-foot boat. Center consoles range in length from 18’ – 40’, and you can buy a used one from $9500.00 that will get you on the water, up to $900,000 that will get you and 25 of your friends out on the water as well. I’ve been on charters that use center console boats in the 35’ – 40’ length with 20 – 25 anglers and didn’t feel crowded.

Center console boats are offered in several materials ranging from fiberglass to balsa/vinylester resins to create durable, lightweight structures. Outboard motors power them, and the larger the boat, the more outboards you can expect them to require.

The smaller center console boats falter in one area. For a boat over 20’, they don’t have much overnight capability. You’d need to get into a bigger size to get a cabin. You could get another type of boat that’s far more equipped for the price.

13. Pilothouse

We have a fishing boat with a pilothouse.  Basically, it’s a fishing boat with an enclosed area but it’s not living quarters. Our enclosed area is for the driver and five passengers.

Pilothouse boats make boats for areas where the weather is a factor. However, they have certain drawbacks as well. The pilothouse gets hot unless you have air conditioning.

It also takes up a lot more room than a center console, leaving less room for anglers to fish. Visibility can be affected, leaving blind spots. That said, I’d rather have a pilothouse than be standing out in the weather during a rainstorm off the coast of Maine in November.

Pilothouse boats are typically made of aluminum up to the mid-20-foot length, then move into wood/resin combinations. The hull generally is a V or deep-V, which works well for getting through the bigger waves that a rough winter ocean will stir up.

Outboard motors power most pilothouse boats, though some of the larger models have inboard motors or even engine rooms. Prices for used models range from $10,500.00 for a well-used model to well over 5.5 million for a giant ocean trawler. New boats start around the $13,500 range and can get as high as &8.7 million for ocean trawlers. Lengths range from 16’ to 118’.

14. Pontoon boat

Pontoon boats are fun. I’ve rented them several times on my favorite lake. They offer easy access to fishing and can hold several people. The typical build is aluminum, though more expensive models have fiberglass upper bodies.

They offer two or three pontoons and are very stable when stopped. The cost range for used boats starts at $1250 for a 15-footer up to $350,000 for a 30’ behemoth. New boats start at close to $18,000 and can go as high as $450,000.00.

Outboard motors power pontoon boats and additional trolling motors help with slower movements. The hull is just the two pontoons and a flat deck, so the boat itself sits out of the water. The unique design makes it ideal for lakes, larger rivers, and bays.

The pontoon boat works well as a fishing boat, though it isn’t quite versatile enough to cover deep-sea fishing or smaller bodies of water. It can move quickly but isn’t ideal for water sports either.

15. Cuddy cabin

These boats offer plenty of deck space which is great for fishing. These boats are often manufactured specifically for fishing and can be totally decked out.

Cuddy cabins are a good boat for the leisure angler that likes to boat with the family. It has a cabin in the front and a room in the back for fishing. The build is usually fiberglass and wood or foam.

Cuddy cabin boat’s average lengths range from 16’ to 28,’ and a used boat will start at around $12,200.00 for a decent 16-footer up to $55,500.00 for a like-new 28-footer. New models can run much more, with 16’ boats starting around $18,000 and 28’ boats ranging up to $90,000.00 for standard models or over $500,000 for high-end models.

These boats can come with outboard or inboard motors. They are usually built with a V or deep-V hull, and the longer boats can handle a day at sea with no problem. Inshore and bay fishing are ideal for a 20-footer, while anything shorter should stick to bays, rivers, and lakes.

Fishing off the back of the boat is excellent, but the sides can be tricky. If the craft has an awning or shade, the sides are almost too difficult to fish from at all. The cabin can become unbearably hot and stuffy during the day if there’s no air conditioner.

C. Large fishing boats

A large fishing boat is any fishing boat larger than 28′.

16. Flybridge sportfishing boat

The flybridge sportfishing boat is all about fishing. Its price point is a significant drawback for most anglers, but if you’re a professional guide, you might be able to get past the price tag. Used boats start out at $7,500 for an ancient boat to $2.5 million for a well-equipped newer model, while a new boat starts out at around $110,000 and can reach as high as $6.5 million.

The length ranges from 28’ to 115’. You can choose between outboard and inboard motors, as either will give you the power you need to get out to deep water quickly. The hull design is usually a deep-V, though you can opt for a V or a modified V if you want to stay closer to shore.

These boats are big, meaning they aren’t built for freshwater. You’re going to be fishing in the ocean for tuna or marlin with these, and sitting upon the flybridge, you’ll be able to spot them from a reasonable distance. Everything about the flybridge sportfishing boat is geared toward fishing, which makes it a fantastic boat for anglers who can afford the cost and want to spend a lot of time fishing the deep sea.

17. Convertible

Convertible boats are high-end boats for saltwater fishing and cruising. They start out used for around $90,500.00 for a smaller model and can run as high as 6 million or more. New boats are available starting at $110,500.00 up to 8 million or more.

These boats are made from wood, steel, fiberglass, and all types of proprietary resins. I’d love to take one on a trip someday. Lengths range from 28’ to over 60’.

Outboard motors or inboard motors can be selected, and the boat can reach around 30mph on the ocean. The hull options are a V or deep-V, and most are large enough to support you and the family for at least a weekend excursion, if not a week or two on the water. These boats are so large they aren’t meant for anything other than saltwater.

The main drawbacks are the price and the inability to use freshwater. Other than that, it works remarkably well for whatever you need it to do.

18. Express Cruiser

Express cruisers are a good option for those looking for more maneuverability on deck than a convertible. There isn’t the issue of bridge ladders getting in the way when going around the deck. You can also operate the boat with a captain and an angler.

There’s no need for a mate along to help with gaffing. Deep-sea fishing is the main target with these boats, though the smaller 25’ size can do large lakes. The sizes range from 25’ to 45’.

Outboard motors are an option, though most offer inboard or stern drives as the boats require the power provided by a big diesel engine. The hull is typically built of fiberglass, wood, and resin and will stand up to the constant battering of the ocean well. It comes in a deep-V or V design, with the deep-V being the preference for deep-sea fishing.

The price range for used boats is crazy. You can find a used 32’ for $1200.00, though the seaworthiness might leave you in doubt. There are other used boats in the $380,000.00 range. New boats range between $85,500.00 to over $6.5 million, though for most, the average is around $250,000.00.

These boats make great deep-sea fishing vessels. They have several rod holders, offer live wells, and all the electronics you can imagine. The downside is the cost and size of the area to fish on the boat.

19. Cabin Cruiser

Cabin cruisers let you get out on the water and stay there indefinitely. I’ve had the opportunity to spend time in one on a fishing trip before and found it to be almost perfect. The only drawback I found was the stateroom I had was a little stuffy.

The deck was big enough to allow six adults plenty of room to fish off and on for four days. The price tag was steep, but the boat was terrific. The price for a used model starts at around $8500.00 for a decent 19’ boat and soars to over 1.5 million for a fully decked out 75’. New boats start in the $29,999.00 range and go up to $5.5 million or more.

The hull is typically made of fiberglass or a wood/resin combination. The hull design is a deep-V, and with the inboard motors or dual inboards, it can get up and go fast.

20. Trawler

Trawlers range from 20’ to 110’ in length and can be made specifically for fishing. The larger ships can go out to sea for weeks at a time and can handle any type of deep-sea fishing you’d want to undertake. A used trawler costs $10,000.00 on the low end and can run as high as $3.5 million for a high-end model.

New models range from $19,500.00 to over $4.5 million. Several styles are available, though most come with a deep-V hull or a V hull. A modified V hull is an option as well. These ships are very stable and can travel far across the ocean.

The hull is made of fiberglass in shorter boats, while larger boats use a mixture of fiberglass and steel. The outfit diesel or gas engines in the engine room on larger boats, while smaller 19’ – 25’ boats use inboard/outboard motors, inboard, or stern drives. The downside to a boat like this is its inability to fish in shallow waters.

Best Type of Fishing Boat for Various Bodies of Water

Here are the best types of fishing boats for various bodies of water and some examples:

Bass Fishing

It’s about as precise as a freshwater fishing vessel can get, with a primary focus on largemouth bass. Therefore, they feature huge release wells, various rod containers, and cutting-edge electronics that are ideal for championship bass fishing. 

They’re also built to perform quickly. There is no way to successfully fish for walleye from the bass boat having downriggers in open water because they are not as versatile as other types of boats. However, no other tool is as well-honed for catching largemouth bass as this one.

All-purpose Fishing Boat

These boats are primarily designed for fishing, but their adaptability ensures they can be used for a wide range of boating activities. You’ll have so many possibilities once you select the greatest all-purpose fishing vessel for the family that it may be difficult to decide what you’ll do on the weekend.

Aluminum Boats

Fishing boats made of aluminum.

Many aluminum fishing boats can be used for freshwater fishing, and there is a wide variety to choose from. Jon boats are the most basic and least expensive option; they are also the easiest to acquire, repair, and carry. Many, on the other hand, aren’t suited to rough seas. 

Aluminum fishing boats with modified V-bottoms and deep-V bottoms are also available, and they perform better in turbulent waters. If you’re interested in freshwater fishing, getting an aluminum boat is virtually always available for your needs.

River fishing

Riverboats known as Jon Boats are a regular sight. For shallow water, they have a flat bottom and could be made from an array of products, like wood or fiberglass, but aluminum is the most common.

While a Jon Boat is similar in shape to a punt, it’s usually wider and shorter to provide for greater stability when standing – most commonly for fishing. Outboard motors are increasingly being installed in Jon Boats, which were initially designed to be paddle-powered.

Deck boats are a great choice for families who enjoy fishing and other water activities, such as hosting and sports. Deck boats keep their entire width for the most part, even as far as the bow, maximizing the available deck area. More people can join you on the water because the boat doesn’t get slimmer as you travel ahead on it.

Boats with swim platforms and watersports equipment, as well as fishing amenities including rod holders as well as live wells, are readily available on the market, so you may pick one that caters to your family’s specific interests.

Bay fishing

Flat and bay boats.

It’s common knowledge that flat and bay boats are mostly utilized for saltwater fishing. That belief is valid to some extent. However, they’re included since they’re still effective for freshwater fishing in huge, wide bodies of water. In addition, they frequently have the same high levels of achievement as a bass boat.

Even so, both bay and flat boats are worth taking a look at for fishers who plan to spend one-weekend fishing off the coast, then head to a reservoir or lake for the next.

Offshore fishing

Game fishing boats.

Deep-sea anglers are a big fan of this sort of fishing boat. Depending on the manufacturer, these vessels can range in length from 26 feet to 100 feet. Outboard motors are also commonly used to help them go over and around heavy offshore waves.

Center Console Boats

The center console boat’s helm sits in the middle of the vessel. They come in many shapes and sizes, and many contain a small cabin for resting beneath the deck. With a powerful outboard motor, a center console boat has the benefit of speed, sturdiness, and handling, while still allowing the captain to stroll the entire length of the boat.

Centre Console boats are ideal for rescue, exploration, and sea fishing since an individual can stay on either side of the vessel.

Lake fishing

Walk around.

While most people connect walkarounds with saltwater fishing, they are also common in larger, open bodies of fresh water where rough sea conditions are typical. For anglers who prefer to fish during inclement weather or families with young children, a cabin may make a world of difference in terms of comfort and safety.

Pontoon Boat

Fishing from a pontoon boat is a great way to spend a relaxing day on the water, fishing. Although most pontoon boat models come with no fishing facilities, almost all of the manufacturers offer fishing options or packages that include live wells, rod holders, and pedestal-mounted fishing seats. Those cozy couches, wet bars, and expansive swim platforms are still there.

Even though pontoon fishing may not be the first choice of most serious anglers, it has its advantages.

A Complete Guide to Yacht Types and Sizes

• by yachtman
• August 28, 2023 June 22, 2024

Yachts, symbols of luxury and leisure, provide a stunning escape. From motor yachts to sailing yachts, the world of yachting is both diverse and captivating. Journey with us as we explore the different types and sizes of yachts, uncovering their secrets.

Climb onboard a superyacht , the queen of the seas. These floating palaces boast remarkable dimensions, with amenities such as swimming pools, helipads, and even submarines. Ideal for those seeking indulgence, superyachts are the epitome of yachting excellence.

For a more intimate experience, try a luxury motor yacht . With powerful engines, they let you visit multiple destinations quickly. Enjoy the lap of luxury as you cruise across the sea, appreciating every moment on board these vessels.

Sailing lovers will appreciate classic sailing yachts . Watch their silhouettes gracefully cut through the waves, powered by wind. Feel the passion for sailing, and the freedom, on an adventure akin to ancient seafarers. Uncover your inner explorer while savoring unparalleled serenity.

Catamarans are ideal for sailing with precision and finesse. With twin hulls offering stability and space, catamarans offer great comfort. Enjoy vibrant sunsets to tranquil anchorages, and bliss on water, with these versatile vessels.

For those keen on exploration, expedition yachts are perfect. Built tough and with advanced tech, they are designed for explorations to remote areas. Discover untouched landscapes, encounter wildlife, and make memories in the far-flung corners of the world.

Types of Yachts

Sailboats to mega-yachts – there’s a large choice of yachts. Let’s delve into the types and sizes that meet different needs.

Take a gander at the table below for an overview of yachts:

A guide to yacht anchor types and sizes is vital for understanding the different types and sizes available in the yacht industry. For more information, check out a guide to yacht tenders .

Sailing yachts are graceful and use wind power. Motor yachts are speedy and powered by engines.

Catamarans stand out with their steadiness and roominess – great for a leisurely cruise. Trawler yachts are great for long-distance trips because they’re fuel-efficient and have comfy living areas.

Adventurous souls should check out expedition yachts . Flybridge yachts have an extra deck level for entertainment and relaxation.

Sports fisher yachts are designed for fishing, with special gear and amenities.

Don’t miss out on your dream yacht – find the perfect one and go on amazing sea experiences. Start your journey now!

Sizes of Yachts

Yachts come in plenty of sizes, each with its own unique features and capabilities. To discover the perfect yacht for your needs, let us explore the sizes of yachts via a table showcasing their specifications.

Here’s what the table looks like:

Moreover, take into account that certain yachts have stability systems, others prioritize speed, and some are customized. I once met a yacht owner who wanted a retractable roof! With the help of creative builders, his dream was fulfilled and he got to enjoy a unique experience on the open seas.

Factors to Consider in Choosing the Right Yacht

Making the right yacht choice involves many key points to think about. These include size, type, budget, use and preferences, like amenities . To decide wisely, assess each factor and see how important they are. Here’s a table of the main considerations when choosing a yacht:

In addition, there are unique details you should consider, like if you plan to charter your yacht when not in use, go for a popular model. If privacy is important, choose a yacht with separate crew quarters. So, here are some tips for making the right choice:

• Get expert advice from experienced yacht brokers or naval architects.
• Choose respected brands that hold their value in case you resell.
• Visit boat shows and yacht exhibitions to explore different models and talk to professionals.

By taking all factors into account and following these suggestions, you can find the perfect yacht that fits your needs. Whether for leisure or adventure, the right yacht will give you amazing memories on the sea.

So many options! In this guide, we explore yacht types and sizes, helping you find the perfect vessel. From sailing yachts to motor yachts , each one offers a unique experience. Plus, you can customize your yacht for a truly special journey.

Let me tell you about James . He dreamed of a yacht that matched his adventurous spirit. So, he found a builder who specialized in customization. The result was amazing – a sleek motor yacht with state-of-the-art diving gear, space for fishing equipment, and luxurious comforts. On his customized vessel, James cruised beautiful coastlines and made memories that will last forever.

When you search for your yacht, remember that customization is key. You can have a tranquil sailing experience or a thrilling adventure. Dive into the ocean of possibilities – your imagination is the only limit.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ 1: What are the different types of yachts?

There are various types of yachts, including motor yachts, sailing yachts, catamarans, trimarans, superyachts, and expedition yachts. Each type offers unique features and advantages.

FAQ 2: What is the difference between a motor yacht and a sailing yacht?

A motor yacht, as the name suggests, is powered by an engine and offers more speed and convenience. On the other hand, a sailing yacht relies on wind power and provides a traditional sailing experience with a slower pace.

FAQ 3: What is a superyacht?

A superyacht is a luxury yacht with high-end amenities and extravagant features. These yachts often offer spacious cabins, multiple decks, swimming pools, helipads, and other luxurious facilities.

FAQ 4: What is the average size of a yacht?

Yachts can vary greatly in size. The average size of a yacht ranges from 30 to 60 feet. However, larger yachts, known as superyachts, can measure over 100 feet in length.

FAQ 5: What is the advantage of a catamaran or trimaran?

Catamarans and trimarans provide more stability due to their dual or triple hull design. They offer spacious interiors, increased deck space, and enhanced fuel efficiency compared to traditional monohull yachts.

FAQ 6: What is an expedition yacht?

An expedition yacht is designed for long-range cruising and exploring remote destinations. These yachts feature robust construction, advanced navigation systems, and ample storage for supplies and equipment.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Articles and Guides

How Much Does a Yacht Cost?

11th jul 2023 by samantha wilson.

We hear the question, “How much does a yacht cost?” on a regular basis, and it’s a difficult one to answer. Much the same as with houses, the prices vary in a surprising way depending on size, style, age, and finish (not to mention location). We’re talking millions of dollars in price difference for yachts, as well, because there are yachts of many different sizes with all the same variations. But first, let’s tackle the more fundamental question, “What is a yacht?’

What Classifies as a Yacht?

To begin with, a yacht can be a sailing yacht or a motor-powered yacht. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines it as “any of various recreational watercraft: such as a) a sailboat used for racing; b) a large usually motor-drive craft used for pleasure cruising.” Size is not technically part of the definition, but in modern practice, size has a whole lot to do with it.

Many in the industry classify a boat as a ‘yacht’ from 40 feet up to 70 feet, although there are others who will include vessels as short as 33 feet. Not too many years ago, yachts as small as 80 feet (24 meters) were considered superyachts, but with the proliferation of much larger yachts, 130 feet (40 meters) is a more common yardstick. Beyond that are megayachts, variously defined as beginning at 165 feet (50 meters) or 200 feet (60 meters). 

The point is, there are no hard-and-fast rules, and what may be one person’s pretty little 20-foot sailboat may be another’s luxury sailing yacht. And any shiny, private vessel 40 feet and up will be called a yacht by almost everyone.

While size is the main determining factor in labeling boats as yachts, amenities aboard also play a role. For example, yachts frequently have cabins and heads below allowing for overnight stays, as well as a galley, and plenty of deck space for leisure. 

The term ‘yacht’ has become synonymous with luxury, especially with the boom in huge superyachts across the world. But a yacht doesn’t have to be fancy. A sprightly 30-foot trawler yacht might look to some like a luxury palace, but Jeff Bezos and the guests aboard his brand new $500 million sailing yacht Koru would probably see it differently. 

Cost of Buying a Yacht

Looking for an average price across all types of yachts isn’t helpful either, with sizes of yachts varying from 30 to 300 feet. And that doesn’t take into account whether a boat is new or used.  Broadly speaking, in the United States you can often buy a small used sailing yacht for $15,000 or less, and you can expect that figure to go up to $50,000 or $100,000 for a small motor yacht. A larger motor yacht, or even a new 40-foot day boat, can easily run up to $1 million or more. Superyachts, of course, will cost multiple millions of dollars. 

Cost of Owning a Yacht

The cost of owning a yacht goes far beyond the initial purchase price, and even if you’re in the market for a small yacht, you’ll need to factor in the annual costs which include:

• Marina fees: These will vary depending on your location and the size of the boat. Expect to pay from $5,000 for a yacht at the smallest end of the scale up to tens of thousands for larger yachts.
• Insurance: As a general rule, you can expect to pay around 0.5 percent of the value of the boat annually. Check out our guide to boat insurance for more information. 
• Maintenance and repairs: As a rough estimation you can expect to spend around 10 percent of the value of the boat on upkeep each year. This might be lower if it’s a new yacht.
• Fuel: This will vary depending on how far you cruise and how large the yacht is.
• Crew: Yachts up to 70 or 80 feet often don’t require a crew, but the larger the yacht, the more crew it will need. Crew salaries range from $3,200 per month for junior crew to $10,500 per month for captains and chief engineers. In general, a yacht of 80 to 100 feet in size will require a crew of between two and eight, while yachts between 100 to 200 feet will require between 8 and 20 crew members.
• Depreciation: Brand new boats depreciate the most and the quickest, with most depreciating by 40 to 50 percent of their initial price over the first 8 to 10 years.

Read more about the Real Costs of Boat Ownership as well as Top Tips to Lower the Costs . 

Types of Yachts per Cost

When we talk about yachts and their values, we usually refer mostly to the length of the yacht as that tends to be the identifying factor, but the style, engine size, and finish also play a huge role in determining how much they cost. Here we take a look at the average price differences between new and used yachts in the United States at varying sizes. 

How much is a small yacht? (25 to 40 feet)

A small yacht around 40 feet (often referred to as a cabin cruiser) is often considered an entry-level yacht, but a big step up from much smaller day boats. These are likely to have cabins, heads, and a small galley, and most offer the chance to spend weekends onboard. Prices will vary widely depending on whether it’s a used or new boat, and depending on the model, finish, and engines. New and recent-model yachts around 38 to 40 feet may cost anywhere from $250,000 to over $1 million, while the price of older models is often substantially lower. The average price in the United States for all new and used yachts sold between 36 feet to 45 feet was $238,000 according to the Boats Group Market Index of 2022.

When we’re looking at smaller yachts around 25 to 30 feet, these are unlikely to have cabins and so are considered day cruisers. Motor cruisers between 25 and 30 feet range from $70,000 for an almost-new model to well over $100,000 for a brand new one. Of course, yachts with smaller engines and simpler layouts will have considerably lower price tags, but those with premium finish and accommodations may cost much more—for example, a new Ranger 29 (pocket trawler) starts at over $350,000. See our guide to the different types of boats for a better understanding of what is available and what might be right for you. 

How much is a medium-sized yacht? (40 to 70 feet)

Mid-sized yachts that fall within the 40- to 70-foot category vary in price from around $250,000 to well beyond $4 million, a figure that depends on the size, model, finish, engines, and extras, as well as whether it’s a brand new boat or used. According to the Boats Group Market Index of 2022, the average yacht price in the United States of vessels 46 to 55 feet was $467,899 with 2,273 boats sold, while the average price for yachts in the 56 to 79 foot category was $1.18m with 997 sold in 2022. 

Yacht prices vary a lot depending on whether the yacht is new or used. As an example, the base price for a new Viking 58 is $4.1 million, a three-year-old model can be purchased for $3.5 million for, and a 10-year-old model for $600,000. Check out our new and used luxury yachts for sale on Rightboat for more comparisons. 

How much is a sailing yacht?

Long before the combustion engine was invented, yachts (or sailboats) graced our oceans for centuries. While these days we tend to think of yachts as the luxurious motor vessels that far outnumber their sailing counterparts, sailing yachts have their own class. As we’ve seen with motor yachts, the size, age, and finish of a sailing yacht will determine the price tag, with prices ranging from $5,000 to several million dollars—and much more for superyachts. The largest sailing yacht in the world is Sailing Yacht A , which cost an estimated $600 million and measures 470 feet in overall length. 

When referring to larger sailing yachts—and by larger we are talking about 100-foot yacht prices—there is a “rule of thumb” estimate of $1 million per 3 feet in length. So a 100-foot yacht may cost in the region of $30 million. But sliding back down the length ladder, it’s possible to pick up a small, used sailing yacht for a fraction of that. A 55-foot yacht that has been sailing for a few years may sell for around $700,000, whereas a new one could easily retail for $2 million or more. An older (30 to 40 years) sailing yacht of 30 to 35 feet might cost only about $25,000 while a brand new one might cost $250,000 and more. See what you can get for your money with our sailing yachts for sale on Rightboat. 

How much is a luxury yacht or superyacht?

Superyachts are some of the most luxurious vessels on the sea, and they don’t come cheap. As mentioned, yachts above 78 feet (24 meters) are accepted by many as superyachts; when they range up over 165 or 200 feet, some in the industry refer to them as megayachts. This term is still debated in some quarters, so you may hear yachts over 300 feet referred to as superyachts too.

Superyachts require a full time crew to manage them, and this adds considerably to the overall cost of running such a large vessel. Given that, how much does a superyacht cost? The costs vary, with some estimates of up to $1 million per foot of length to build a new top-of-the-line custom superyacht. Used superyachts will cost less than a new build, and you may be able to buy a 10-year-old, 90-foot superyacht for around $2.5 million—although most owners will engage in a significant and costly refit every 10 years. Models less than five years old will be closer to the $4 million mark, while a brand new one will cost around $9 million. Check out our listings for superyachts for sale all across the world. 

How much is a megayacht?

When we reach megayacht status, prices skyrocket along with the length of the vessels and the volume of the interiors. The largest megayacht in the world is currently Azzam, 590 feet long at a cost of $600 million to build. Yachts in this class are the most luxurious in the world, and feature large swimming pools, helicopter pads, huge guest and crew accommodations, beach clubs, and much more. The upkeep of vessels of this size can run to $20 million or more for the crew fees, fuel, mooring fees, insurance, food, and maintenance. If you want to set eyes on the world’s most astounding superyachts and megayachts check out our superyacht travel guide to where you might find them, or use our search to discover megayachts for sale . 

Written By: Samantha Wilson

Samantha Wilson has spent her entire life on and around boats, from tiny sailing dinghies all the way up to superyachts. She writes for many boating and yachting publications, top charter agencies, and some of the largest travel businesses in the industry, combining her knowledge and passion of boating, travel and writing to create topical, useful and engaging content.

More from: Samantha Wilson

Related Articles and Guides

27th Jul 2024

Boat Survey: What It Is, Who Pays, Do I Need to Spend the Money?

7th Jun 2024

Best Boat Brands for Beginners: Power, Sail, Pontoon & Fish

25th May 2024

Boat Inspection Checklist: How to Inspect a Boat Before Buying

4th May 2024

Do You Need a License to Sail a Boat in the US?

• Explore Rightboat
• Boats for Sale
• Boating Articles
• Buyers Guide
• About RightBoat
• Sell Your Boat
• Boat Selling Advice
• All manufacturers
• All categories

Enter your email to keep up to date with the latest news

Join for free

Sign up now for free and discover how easy it is to keep up to date with THE latest boats for sale. Find your right boat, and tailor your voyage to finding your next boat.

Benefits of becoming a member:

• Set up tailored alerts
• Personalise your experience
• Download full specifications and broker details
• Keep tabs on your favourite boats

Are you a broker? Join as a Broker

Rightboat - join for free.

Do you have an account already? Login

Save this search

Save your search and receive new boats in your email..

You can unsubscribe from your alerts whenever you like. By pressing the button you accept the Legal Terms and conditions

Wave to Wave is a performance boating magazine, featuring opinions, technical articles and restoration stories.

• Classified Classics
• Project 150
• Project Activator
• Project Chaudron Miami
• Restorations
• Technical Articles
• Jared Powell

Nov 5 The Best Midsize Sport Boats on the Water

This is a stellar category. Single engine sport boats in the 25’ to 27’ range. I love a single engine sport boat as they have enough size for pretty serious open water, can hold a bunch of people effortlessly and yet they go really fast with a stock engine. This makes them some of the most cost effective boats around. Because this is a popular category, the list could be seriously long. We tried to cover many bases and include boats that are mainstream and some that are more custom. And, we have some great choices from the west coast and the east coast, with a couple manufacturers in between. If you’re torn between a family boat and a pure go fast, some of these offer the perfect compromise. Most of these boats can be bought for between $90k and $120k with stock power. In no particular order.

Nordic 25 Rage ( Website )

The 25 Rage will be the smallest boat here technically, just shy of a full 25’ but it doesn’t compromise much. If anything, it will be among the fastest on the list, a stock 8.2L (430 HP) MerCruiser will push this around 73 MPH. The hull is light, full composite construction, excellent fit and finish. Nordic does beautiful rigging and the gelcoat work is very nice; what you would expect from a top custom California builder. Although the boat is available in different configurations, we like the closed bow version, true performance boats are closed bow.

The design has stood the test of time. Nordic's are built strong and light, making it one of the fastest ones here.

With a pad bottom and notched transom, the Nordic can be powered up and push past 80 MPH easily. Super stable at speed, with a 22 degree deadrise, the 25 Rage can handle some decent chop. The interior layout is standard issue for a real performance boat, the cabin has a nice simple lounge arrangement and is minimalist in a good way. This is an excellent mid size performance boat from a leading manufacturer. With the Nordic, you can’t go wrong, incredible value and it looks amazing.

Lavey Craft 26 NuEra ( Website )

The Lavey Craft 26 NuEra is everything that is great about Lavey Craft in one of the most well rounded boats on this list. One advantage is that it is actually a 27’ and has a deep 24 degree deadrise hull, making for a legitimate wave crusher that can handle big power. With the sharp deep V, ventilated steps and deep full length running strakes, this hull can run hard anywhere in any water. Although Lavey Craft is a west coast builder, the 26 would be great on the east coast as well.

With a 24 degree V and built for the rough stuff, the Lavey Craft is probably one of the best all around midsize sport boats. 

Lavey Craft builds custom race boats and has been building everything from small outboard Mod-VPs and drag boats to factory racing with the 26, 2750 and 28 Evo. The 26 NuEra can be customized with many options. Lavey Craft uses a vacuum infused, hand laid balsa core construction, with vinylester resin. Colors and graphics are custom in the gel. Cockpits are fiberglass lined. All interior work is exceptionally done, custom seats and top of the line upholstery, custom to order. With a 600 HP engine, you are going to be in the low 80s.

Hustler 266 Classic ( Website )

Old school, in a good way. Hustler has always represented a solid entry level offshore option in sizes from 26 to 38. This design is timeless. A narrow 8’ beam and deep 24 degree hull follows the “classic” formula for a competent mini-offshore hull. Exactly 26 in length with a generous 40” freeboard, makes the boat seem bigger than others in this class. Probably the best hull on this list if you’re going to be running consistently in big water. Like most small builders, you can choose from many engines but I think the best bet is the 8.2 430 HP MerCruiser, it makes it a very reliable performance boat.

Narrower and deeper than the rest, with a traditional build, the Hustler is more suited to big water but doesn't need big power to go fast. 

Construction is traditional but solid. Hustler uses wood stringers fully encapsulated where any through bolting is fully inset with glass to seal it. Some are turned off by wood stringers but when done right, it is a proven method. The rest is vacuum bagged composite, no balsa, so the hull is strong and not too heavy. Pre 2000, the 266 was balsa. Cockpit has non skid floor and features Mcleod bolsters. If you’re running in big water and you really like a true deep traditional offshore boat, this is probably the best one on this list.

Howard 25 Bullet ( Website )

As far as the mid size single engine categories goes, you could use the Howard as the one to measure all others against. In this size range there will be a compromise for something but the 25 Bullet doesn’t compromise much. State of the art build, rigged to perfection, custom to order with maybe the nicest finish work around. Howard uses fiber reinforced foam stringers encapsulated in glass, making it incredibly stiff and light. The hull has probably the best high speed potential on this list. You can load this with serious power and it will deliver a competent ride into the triple digits. Some of the boats here will get a little squirrelly getting around 90 MPH plus. The hull design is from the Howard 28 Bullet, which is a ventilated step design. Even though the 25 Bullet is light at 3,800 pounds, the balance makes it super stable.

Aptly named, the 25 Bullet is the gold standard for this class. Super fast with any power, stable and top of the line build quality. 

If the compromise is that it’s not a true offshore capable boat, then that is the only one. This hull has 22.5 degree of deadrise which is not quite like true offshore hulls but when the hull is as well built and designed as the Bullet, it can run just fine in big water for its size. Some boats with deeper V hulls get hard to handle pushing the limit and need big power to go fast. With the Howard, expect to be in the mid 70s with a stock 8.2 430 HP. You won’t find a better built more stunning looking boat in this size range, in my opinion.

Checkmate Convincor 260 ( Website )

If there is a bang for the buck boat here, this is it. Designed from scratch in 2012, with a really low profile deck on top of a deep 24 degree hull with generous freeboard. The Convincor 260 feels like a bigger boat, the 8’6 beam and 4,300 pound weight contribute to that. With checkmate you get really nice in the gel colors and graphics, solid standard equipment list like manual drop-out bolsters, digital instrumentation, and a 4 person rear bench.

Bang for the buck, the Convincor 260 does everything pretty well at the right price. 

All Checkmates are fully balsa cored. With the standard 380 HP 8.2, you will be in the mid 60s and be under $100k for a well equipped good looking mid size sport boat.

Hallett Boats 255-S CB ( Website )

When it comes to design, the Hallett standouts out in a few ways. The 255 has the Hallett look, long, low and lean with a black inset windshield. With the 255-S, details like the moulded in fairing inset for the windshield and the long dashboard give it more style than many of the boats on here, which is saying a great deal because most of the boats on here are head turners at any dock anywhere. What I like about the Hallett 255 beyond the looks is the fit and finish, performance and value with standard features and stock power in this segment. For lakes and rivers this is near the top.

Just a beautifully designed boat. Great value and well equipped from the start. 

Nordic has recently acquired Hallett and it will be interesting to see what changes happen in the construction of the hulls and if they will continue with all the models. Hallett has a bit of a log jam in this size range, with three versions of the 255-S, a 260 AC open bow, and the 270-S which also has 3 configurations: open bow, closed and mid cabin. The 260 AC is very neat, with a mod-vp style hull, center pod, deep outside sponsons, but it only comes in open bow; I hate open bow boats. On top of that, the 255 competes directly with the Nordic 25 Rage, as they are very similar in size and offerings. The Nordic is faster, partly because of the newer construction methods, Hallett is a little old school in construction. For rivers and lakes, the choice between the 255 and the 25 Rage comes down to personal preference.

Every boat on this list comes with quality standard equipment and great rigging. 

If it was me, I’d have it with stock power, an 8.2 430 HP, you get turn key warrantied performance right out of the box. Hallett provides a generous standard equipment list, so you can get on the water at a really good price. With it’s straight 20 degree traditional V-hull, you can be just shy of 70 MPH. Hallett builds a fully balsa cored hull, making the end result a 3,800 pound boat, exactly 25’6 long and the beam is 8’6. A very nice cabin makes this a really good family boat. Nice additions include a moulded foot rest for the passenger and the floor is a traditional teak, with a snap out carpet.

Tough to beat sitting facing forward in a well padded seat. Standard rear bench beats everything.

Standard dash equipment, Livorsi gauges and offshore style levers and dropout bolsters. Checkmate Convincor 260. 

Nordic 25 Rage - At 80 MPH

Nov 9 Building the Ultimate Sutphen 21 SSX

Oct 26 Big Racing, Small Boats

Related posts.

Aug 16 California Dreaming: West Coast on the East Coast

Sep 25 The Fastest Single Engine Outboard Boats You Can Buy Right Now

Apr 23 The Best Bargains on the Water: Midsize Sterndrive Sportboats