"Ventilators - how many should I have on a cruising sailboat?"
"You are the hero of your own story. Make sure it's a good one."
Tom Macnaughton
Making the Break
Lots of boat preferences to consider when Analyzing Your Needs and Preferences, among them Size, Speed, Simplicity, and Beauty.
Start by evaluating Performance and Seaworthiness. Then there are factors like Cockpit Location, Interior Layout, Berths and, of course, Construction Quality.
Sloop, Cutter and Ketch are prevalent? But what about a Schooner, or a Junk, Gaff, or Unstayed Rig?
Multihull Sailing, Motorsailing, and Beach Cruising all have different benefits and requirements from the average monohull experience..
The search for your dream cruising boat will probably involve Yacht Brokers, Owner?s Groups, Boat Shows, multiple listings and more.
Once you?ve found the boat for you, you may need a Yacht Survey, Boat Title and Registration Documentation, Financing, Marine Insurance, and maybe even Delivery by sea or by road.
There are plenty of ways to go cruising, such as Chartering, Sharing or Exchanging Boats, having one Custom Built, Building It Yourself, Fixing Up an old or damaged boat, or simply Crewing on others' yachts.