Sailboat or Motor Yacht?

[jandw]

My husband and I are considering selling our house and purchasing a boat to live aboard. I am looking for advice regarding living aboard a sailboat vs a motor yacht. We love the idea of a sailboat and being able to do long trips without the huge cost of a motor yacht, but my gut tells me that a motor yacht might be a better choice for us because living space and an open, light living quarters is important. I am not sure, as we are not retired, how many long trips we will make and I want to make sure we are comfortable on a daily basis. Any feedback would be very welcomed!

[markpierce]

A lot (accommodations, fuel efficiency, capability, etc.) depends on the individual boat.

After examining numerous examples of sailboats and motorboats and you can't decide, consider a motorsailer.

Fuel is a minor cost unless one travels extensively.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by jandw

My husband and I are considering selling our house and purchasing a boat to live aboard. I am looking for advice regarding living aboard a sailboat vs a motor yacht. We love the idea of a sailboat and being able to do long trips without the huge cost of a motor yacht, but my gut tells me that a motor yacht might be a better choice for us because living space and an open, light living quarters is important. I am not sure, as we are not retired, how many long trips we will make and I want to make sure we are comfortable on a daily basis. Any feedback would be very welcomed!

Any trips your likely to make will be more or less harbour/island hopping... something with a 2000 mile range you could even cross the Atlantic... go for a good trawler... without a flybridge

[SaltyMonkey]

I am a sailor, but if i had $ i would be tempted to get one of these and stay dry and warm:

Welcome to Nordhavn.com - Power Thats Oceans Apart
Welcome to Nordhavn.com - Power Thats Oceans Apart

[tom1263]

Welcome to CF...

The question Sailboat or Motorboat allows wide range of personal arguments from different people with a different background. I'm not sure if this is purposeful. In my opinion it's a good choice to visit an exhibition, to see the difference.

But have you an sailing experience?

[markpierce]

Originally Posted by boatman61

... go for a good trawler... without a flybridge

Something like this?



And she is diesel-electric powered.

[boatman61]

[SaltyMonkey]

There is nothing, I repeat nothing, like a stand up and clean engine room...aaaaahhhhh

[zeehag]

try all and see what you like then decide.....isnt difficult once you have tried stuff to figger out which would make you happier....we cannot tell you what you will like...

[Cheechako]

Nothing like a trawler for light open space. Or a true pilotouse maybe as a compromise. A trawler can give you near sailboat fuel usage...ie: 1.5-2 gal er hour.... and are probably cheaper on a living space basis. a 34-36 ft trawler probably has the living space of a 40-48 ft sailboat. If not on a budget then a cat is the answer!

[SaltyMonkey]

Buy me papa:

Model 56 MS

[D&D]

Some good responses here. Further thoughts might include...

• We echo the query about your sailing experience. If you're not sailors (as in wind sailing!) don't buy a sailing vessel until you've been on a few and enjoyed it, at least...and ideally learned as much as you can about the process.
• Try both before you buy. Charter...test sail...as much as you possibly can...every chance you get...
• Don't be in a hurry. The more time you take looking, the more you'll learn about both your choices and the market.
• Trawlers are indeed good fuel economy for a motor vessel, but not for sailboats; the latter may use 3 litres an hour per engine, BUT the engines should be off MOST of the time! We use very little fuel...and, speaking of range, we crossed the Pacific with one fuel stop and it was a top-up only.
• Finally and noting the OP's remark that "living space and an open, light living quarters is important", we fully endorse Cheechako in saying "a cat is the answer"...and we should certainly put forward our own choice (also heavily influenced by light and space) in the L440.
• Whatever your preferences, both our choice and our experience confirm that comfort is VERY important for a live aboard vessel.

Good luck in your search!

[barnakiel]

Hi,

Both sailboats and motorboats can be very comfortable to live aboard. It is mostly the function of their size and design.

I think a good start is to visit a couple of boats that you do like and see what they are like inside. Talk to their owners about all the pros and cons.

There is this class of craft called motor-sailer too. Check them out.

b.

[shadow]

I think the combination of the two, trawler/sailboat is best. I always love the option of having endless options with sail along with huge tanks when needed.. I would recommend a pilot house type of sail boat so you have the best of both worlds.. Like a nauticat, etc.. But, if you love a certain sail boat, just make sure you fit it out with extra huge petrol tanks..

Everyone has their own comfort zones and likes, so good luck with your search and purchase..

[Teknav]

If going for short distances, where you'll always be seeing land while cruising, then go for a motor boat. If sailing the seven seas, then go for a sailboat. I hope this narrows down your choices. Let us know about your progress! Good luck!

Mauritz
Knows and sees all...you know the rest...