How To Choose Sailing Yacht

There are more than 126,000 new and used boats for sale from 2,533 brokers at the Yacht World website. That is enough to make anyone searching for a sailing yacht feel a little intimidated. What style should you look for? What brands are well known? Which sail boats best fit your particular needs? The prices for new and used sailboats range from $897 for a 10-foot 2003 Hunter Liberty to $148,476,500 for a magnificent 2006 three-sail, 289-foot Maltese Falcon. Here are a few reviews of popular sailboats to help you make a wise selection.

The Feeling 55 is a large offshore-cruising monohull sailing yacht offered by Alliaura Marine that caught the eye of Sail Magazine editors. The twin 55-horsepower diesel engine picks up when the sail-drives lack the wind power to fly. There is good maneuverability for such a wide boat, which houses a large cockpit and a garage-sized saloon with 360-degree sea views, not to mention opulent accommodations. The gorgeous interior houses a wood-finished bar area with sinks and counter space, comfy bench seating and master suites with lots of storage space and a quaint reading lounge. It is no surprise that many luxury yacht charters have added The Feeling 55 to their repertoire. Visit www.williamsandsmithells.co.uk or www.alliaura.com for more information.

The Broadblue 500 catamaran sailing yacht stands at 50 feet in length with a 28-foot beam. Sail Magazine editors say that the size does not go to waste, with a "large bridge deck saloon with room for a U-shaped settee, a separate sitting nook, a forward-facing navigation station with a 360-degree view and a good-sized galley." The light wood lets in a lot of sunshine, as do the multiple skylights and windows. There are three or four large sleeping cabins. The exterior is particularly sleek with its dark bottom, light top and stream-lined speedy appearance; everyone will be jealous when you pull up in this mid-sized beauty! Prices start at $995,500 although you may find a few brokers offering fractional ownership too. Visit www.broadblueusa.com for more information.

Island Packet Yachts offer impressive-looking exteriors that have evolved over the years, giving consumers what they like with subtle tweaks to each model. The solid construction and ivory gel coat contributes to the stability and durability of this sailing yacht. There is a large aft deck for sunbathers and plenty of room around the side decks for enjoying the view, rather than cluttering with gear. The galley, state room and navigation center look akin to the bigger, more expensive luxury yacht charters so you are getting a lot packed into this modest vessel. The Island Packet 485 offers lots of space and a high grade interior. You can look at brochures, photos and read information about their sail boats at www.iyp.com.

More about sailing yacht

Yacht Brokers

In Sausalito, California, retail yacht brokers like Sandy Carney (Newport), Angela Connery (Salem) and Mary Crowley (Ocean Voyages) are looking over dozens of crewed yacht charters for just the right captains, crews, chefs and boats for their clients. These helpful concierges of the sailing charter industry are more than accommodating, suggesting calm waters for the seasick, customizing menus, redecorating boat interiors and interviewing crew members to find a good personality fit.

Yacht Charters

Booking a corporate event on a yacht is a great idea. Yacht charters do not even have to leave port or if they do it can be for a few hours allowing the guests to have a good time and mingle.