Is the sea calling you? Have you thought about selling everything and setting sail to conquer the Seven Seas? Are you eyeing retirement and ready to embrace the life of a wandering nomad?
If you have ever considered leaving land and buying a sailboat, there are many things to consider.
“What kind of boat?”
“What are my sailing goals?”
“What lifestyle do I want?”
Catamaran or Monohull?
One of the most significant decisions a buyer must make is choosing between a monohull and a catamaran. Cost, space, and lifestyle are the key considerations when selecting between these two choices.
This guide is a collection of six stories from boat buyers who navigated the boat-buying process. The boat buyers range in age from 40 to 70, from a diverse set of backgrounds. These opinions are unique to them but serve as a tool for your boat search.
At True North Yachts, we encourage you to conduct vigorous research and engage with sailors who have successfully found their boats. Below are six boaters: three who purchased catamarans and three who purchased monohulls.
Magnus, 40, Norway: 38’ Catamaran
There is a twinkle in his blue eyes when he describes what it felt like to solo sail his first boat: “Freedom. Independence. I can go anywhere, and it’s up to me.”
Magnus is an engineer in Oslo, Norway. His crisp, white shirt is in contrast with the black wall of his office tool shop. He is mechanically gifted, and this has been key to his entry into sailboat ownership, as he has done much of the boat refit. Magnus is wrapping up a work project that ends next month, then he heads to the Canary Islands to his boat.
Since becoming a nomad a year ago, Oslo no longer feels like home to Magnus. He has roots there, but his true home is a 38-foot catamaran called SV Icarus. Norway is warm for four months of the year, but Magnus is greedy and wants to chase endless Summer.
His choice of a custom small catamaran is as unique as he is. He was willing and capable of doing much of the mechanical work, so he bought the boat at a lower price point that allowed him to customize it to lifestyle and sailing needs.
Boat: 2009 Spirited 380, Craig Schionning design
Bought: 2022 after a couple of years of searching
Motivation to buy a sailboat? To escape, the best solution is to leave Norway by boat, taking my home with me to explore the world.
Three things you wanted: Space, speed, and as much boat as I can buy within my budget.
An issue you discovered that you wish had been addressed before purchase: he asked several times about the moisture level of the balsa wood core in the fiberglass sandwich (which comprises the hull), and later found out that many spots needed to be replaced, adding months to the shipyard period.
Three things I like about the boat: As a cat, it is more stable for a home office. It is very light compared to production boats, sailing more like a large dinghy, and sporty in the waves. To be honest, the handling is exhilarating(his past experience was mostly 40ft production boats- the speed is not as visceral).
Where have you sailed with the boat: In the past two years, I’ve sailed Norway to Denmark, through the English Channel to the Canary Islands.
Advice to sailboat buyers: “Be good at fixing stuff and learning to fix it or be rich… If you are neither, boats are not for you.”
Sean, 43, United Kingdom: 41’ Monohull
It would be the best of both worlds to buy the boat in front of him in the slip. He worked as a marine electrician for Sunseeker and was in the marina daily. Most of his family and friends lived in Poole. He envisioned weekends hosting friends and family, cruising the English coastline.
She was a lovely old boat, a bit neglected, but perfect for living aboard. SV My Lady is bright white with blue accents, and a leaping dolphin is painted below the wooden rubrail at the bow. A broad doghouse provides 360-degree views of the harbor.
Sean’s background as a marine electrician was instrumental in getting an aging boat in tip-top shape. His choice of solid, spacious monohull well below budget is perfect for his coastal cruising lifestyle.
Boat: Culvic Victor 40ft Ketch
Bought: Dec 2015 after a year or so search
Motivation to buy a sailboat: Local marine engineer, sold house, wanted a liveaboard in the marina. Wanted to host friends and family for coastal cruising trips.
Three things you wanted: WARMTH for UK winters, a functional engine, and lots of space (the boat is 40 ft long by 17.5 ft wide).
An issue you discovered that you wish was addressed before purchase: the blackwater pump leaked so the bilges got smelly, the doghouse windows let in a lot of cold air and needed insulation for winter. The past owner was 82, boat needed maintenance.
Three things I like about the boat: loved living in the marina, being in his hometown of Poole, enjoyed learning about the boat.
Where have you sailed with the boat: In 4 years, I sailed it up and down the coast, through the English Channel to Cherbourg, the north coast of France.
Advice to sailboat buyers: If you are not a pro, ask a pro for advice when boat shopping. Because you can get unstuck pretty quickly with their help.
Julie, 60, United States: 45’ Catamaran
A sun-kissed California girl, Capt Julie has always loved the ocean. She has sailed both the U.S. west and east coasts, Mexico’s Sea of Cortez, and the Caribbean. Julie had two successful careers: as a U.S. Naval Officer and then as a Medical Group Manager.
When it was time to leave the Rat Race, Julie wanted a blue water sailboat large enough for a steady rotation of guests in her new home base in the Caribbean.
Boat: 2013 Robertson Caine Leopard 44
Bought: 2021
Motivation to buy a sailboat: I wanted to finally do what I had been dreaming about since my 20s. I had the time, money, and the energy to be all in! My partner died at age 41, and I know life is short.
Three things you wanted: a good size and comfort to host friends and family, and blue water capability. I had sailed a monohull from California to Hawaii and decided a catamaran would be a better fit for my lifestyle.
An issue you discovered that you wish was addressed before purchase: A few engine issues.
Three things I like about the boat: The boat had everything: new lines, fenders, linens, new seat cushions, spare parts, tools and electrical supplies, watermaker filters, a sea kayak, and snorkel equipment, and more. This allowed me to focus on working on the boat instead of stocking it.
Where have you sailed with the boat: The Florida coast, and most of the eastern Caribbean.
Advice to sailboat buyers: 1) Ask for maintenance records 2) Focus on getting boat systems in full working order 3) Develop a good relationship with your broker. I met my broker at the Annapolis boat show. The broker, who lived in Florida, where I had purchased the boat, continued to advise me on specific details about the boat and served as a sounding board and coach.
Ivor, 65, Australia: 49’ Monohull
I’ve caught Ivor ten minutes before he is headed out to dinner. He is freshly pressed in a button-up shirt and brushes his ridiculously thick hair away from his forehead. He is on the move again, an Evaluations Geologist, he has just left mines in Colombia and is headed to Australia.
Ivor has traveled extensively through the vast Australian Outback for work. It can be an unforgiving desert testing his endurance and survival skills. The ocean is a different kind of desert, its expanse crossed only by bold sailors and well-equipped boats.
A digital nomad, Ivor wanted a turn-key ready boat that did not require major repairs or upgrades. He found a good balance in a well-equipped and comfortable production boat.
Boat: Beneteau 49
Bought: 2019
Motivation to buy a sailboat: I wanted to do some sailing in the Caribbean. I had worked on fishing boats for a few months and liked being on the water.
Three things you wanted: modern design, longer than 48 ft for comfort, and easy to sail with equipment and rigging running to the cockpit, rather than requiring trips to the mast.
An issue you discovered that you wish was addressed before purchase: Some electronics were not needed (stereo system). I wanted a watermaker and needed lithium batteries, so I replaced the outdated lead-acid batteries.
Three things I like about the boat: The prior owner left all his tools and spare parts, so this was a big bonus. The boat was well-maintained, comfortable to live in, and to sail.
Where have you sailed with the boat: The Caribbean
Advice to sailboat buyers: Don't get something that needs work, get it as done (turnkey ready to sail) as possible."
Guy, 70, United States: 42' Catamaran
The refreshing bite of the lime in his Cuba Libre hits perfectly. The laptop is open, showing his sail track to the Marquesas. The weather application indicates favorable winds for next week. Bands of purple to blue to green to yellow fill the screen. “Green means Go” and the winds will guide the boat westward to French Polynesia. Guy lights a cigarette and looks out past the marina, where cooler winds and Panama’s southern Las Perlas islands are beckoning.
He thinks back on the last nine years that have brought him to this point. An avid monohull sailor, he only considered a catamaran when mobility issues became a challenge for his wife, Carol. It made sense to get comfort and space for their circumnavigation by purchasing a catamaran. He found SV Dragonfly through a broker and toured her at the 2016 Annapolis boat show. The 42-foot Lagoon catamaran is blue water-ready, and an owner’s version with ample space for visiting guests and the boat’s First Mate, Sean.
Thus far, Guy has made the most of his blue water catamaran purchase, touring the eastern and western Caribbean, and is on the cusp of crossing the Pacific.
Boat: 2017 Lagoon 42 (hull #14)
Bought: 2016 after a year of searching
Motivation to buy a yacht: “I was newly retired and wanted to explore the world with my wife.”
Three things you wanted: “Good performance, Comfort, Blue water capability.”
An issue you discovered that you wish was addressed before purchase: “Basic warranty items: 4 failed bilge pumps, no hand rails, lousy fridge with one hinge (I had to sit on floor to open).”
Three things I like about the boat: “The sailing performance was better than expected, up to 14 knots. The boat is super comfortable, with excellent folding propellers and navigation equipment.”
Where have you sailed with the boat: “The Bahamas, the eastern and western Caribbean, and through the Panama Canal on our way to the South Pacific.”
Advice to yacht buyers: “1) Don’t be afraid to look at a lot of boats 2) Buy the most ‘Bristol’ boat you can find; it shows it was well-maintained 3) Get the longest waterline you can afford for speed and comfort.”
Dag, 69, Norway: 43’ Monohull
He watched the schoolboy envy on his friend’s faces as they eyed his shiny 12-foot orange dinghy. Dag’s father decided it was time for his son to learn sailing. With no instructions but two other 10-year-old boys as helpers, he unwrapped the mast, wire shackles, block, and rope for assembly. That summer, Dag and his friends sailed the Norwegian archipelagos, laughing and learning the hard way.
He recalls a difficult sail where it was “Not grounding or mast damage this time, but a real capsize. Suddenly, we are swimming around the dinghy, which is lying with its keel in the air and the mast far down in the depths. Around us are floating oarlocks, a petrol can, and lots of loose junk. The outboard motor is also underwater. I fear my father’s wrath over this…”
It has been many years and a few boats since he capsized his first dinghy. Dag loves his current boat, a blue beauty named SV Azzura, an Italian-built Grand Soliel 43. A seasoned sailing instructor and delivery captain, he can pilot most boats but prefers the feel of monohull sailing.
Boat: 2009 Grand Soleil 43
Bought: 2019
Motivation to buy a yacht: “Explore the vast archipelagos of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.”
Three things you wanted: “good sailing qualities, a good build and ample space below.”
An issue you discovered that you wish were addressed before purchase: “I took the seller's word for everything was in working order, in short, it was not.”
Three things I like about the boat: “The quality far exceeds my expectations on so many levels.”
Where have you sailed with the boat: “All over Scandinavia.”
Advice to yacht buyers: “1) Go for a boat built from 1990 to 2005. After that, they started to glue boats with silicone. Just terrible. 2) Look for a deep V shape front that flattens out behind the keel. Lead keel, and max beam midship, not on the transom.”
Top Tips
It didn’t matter if they were looking for monohulls or catamarans; all six buyers had these common tips:
1) Buy as much boat as your budget allows.
2) Be honest about your skills — or your wallet. Boats will always need fixing.3) Consider your sailing lifestyle. Will you be entertaining guests or taking on crew? Need an office area? If so, you’ll need the extra space.4)Don’t let a broker talk you into a boat beyond your budget, experience, or ability to maintain.
Take your time. Think carefully about your sailing goals, and be honest about whether your time, energy, and budget can support the lifestyle. Will this boat enrich your life — or become a burden?
Boat Talk
Have as many conversations with boat owners, boat brokers, and trusted advisors. You never know who has a story to tell or a boat to sell.
Looking for a trusted yacht broker in the UK? At True North Yachts, we cut through the noise with clear, honest advice — no hard sell, just straight answers. Contact us to find the right boat with confidence.
Wanda is a freelance writer and crew on yachts in the Caribbean and the Pacific. Follow her sailing journey at scenicroute.
About Wanda Dobson
Wanda went from boat ownership to crewing on both monohulls and catamarans throughout the Caribbean, Sea of Cortez, and the U.S. east coast and ICW. She is currently crossing the Pacific on her way to French Polynesia. Her blogs are first-hand experiences of being a liveaboard, blue water sailing and everything she learns along the way.