Best sailboat on Reddit
124 reviews from r/sailing, r/Seattle, r/longisland and 4 more subreddits
124 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Catalina
4.8
(6)
"A Catalina 22 is what I've soloed on many times."
"Catalina 22 is a great boat."
"Catalina 22 also a good starter"
"Catalina 25 Prob the Perfect Starter Boat."
"Catalina 25 would be a good choice."
"A catalina 22 could also be a good starting point for weekending."
#2
Sailboat
3.4
(5)
"Whatever you get, make sure it has good ventilation, like dorades, that will vent, while under way."
"If you intend to do more travel than the loop, like travel the world, do a sailboat and deal with the overhead issues on the loop."
"Trash sailboats are fun if u don’t give a shit about them…do nothing to them except try to keep them afloat."
"My parents owned a 15ft boat day sailer that was ~5-10k$ per year in upkeep and slip cost."
"I do have one tip for you though in case he takes it and you guys realize what a mistake you've made."
#3
Sunfish
4.0
(4)
"Normally I'd say sunfish/laser but its cold, so maybe a 420/470."
"I have sailed a Sunfish from about age 15 to 20, then rarely."
"I'd say find a used one and go for it!"
"A sunfish is a fun boat to sail but you’ll have to be ready to get wet."
#4
Hobie
5.0
(3)
"Used Hobie Getaway w/ wings. This is the answer for you."
"Beach catamarans like the Hobie 16 are easy to get started with."
"Hobie 16 is a blast to learn on for 2 people."
#5
Sailing Club
4.3
(3)
"You might try a sailing club. Sometimes they end up being less expensive."
"I would look into a sail club in the area and use their boats for a year."
"May I suggest sailing with a club or renting for 6 months to a year?"
#6
Wayfarer
4.3
(3)
"I grew up on a wayfarer. I'd take it out in small craft warnings often."
"I really like the Wayfarers."
"Wayfarerer, is stable, capable and responsive."
#7
Flying Scot
4.0
(3)
"Flying Scot"
"Flying Scot. It's got a ballasted centerboard."
"Flying Scot or a Lightning are good boats for that lake."
#8
Freedom Boat Club
5.0
(2)
"I am a member of the Freedom Boat Club and absolutely love it for all the reasons that people talk about the horrors of boat ownership."
"I am a member of the Freedom Boat Club and absolutely love it for all the reasons that people talk about the horrors of boat ownership."
#9
Gunboat
5.0
(2)
"I'd say 'Gunboat' For a story that is the ultimate in luxury and performance."
"Gunboat."
#10
Rustler 44
5.0
(2)
"Rustler 44."
"Rustler 44"
#11
Windworks
5.0
(2)
"He should look into joining Windworks to take out different sailboats and try them out."
"He should look into joining Windworks to take out different sailboats and try them out."
#12
Tradewinds
5.0
(2)
"Take lessons first. Don't even think about buying until you have at least done basic keel boat."
"I'd get started with classes at Tradewinds or Cal Sailing Club."
#13
Tiwal
4.0
(2)
"Tiwal"
"Also worth looking into Tiwal and Reverso"
#14
Sailing Dinghy
4.0
(2)
"If he won’t give up on the idea of owning a sailboat, try and convince him to buy a dinghy."
"Have him buy a sailing dinghy."
#15
Compac
4.0
(2)
"I recently upgraded to a Compac 27. Same builder, but with standing headroom and an enclosed head."
"This looks like a great first boat for sailing the Columbia."
#16
Local Sailing Club
5.0
(1)
"Buy him a membership to a local sailing club"
#17
CYC
5.0
(1)
"He should look into crewing on a race boat. CYC is a good place to start."
#18
BVI
5.0
(1)
"We've done the BVIs a few times and love it."
#19
Spinnaker
5.0
(1)
"I had a great time at spinnaker in Redwood City, learned a lot."
#20
Yanmar
5.0
(1)
"Something at or near 40', monohull... refrigeration, loads of solar power w/ large battery banks, water maker, Yanmar or Volvo diesel."
#21
Hallberg Rassy
5.0
(1)
"Probably a Bestaevar (sp?) aluminum boat or a Hallberg Rassy."
#22
Crealock 37
5.0
(1)
"For a beautiful, extremely solid, well-thought-out blue water singlehanded boat, try the Crealock 37."
#23
Hinckley 70
5.0
(1)
"I'd take a hinckley 70, or a big baltic, or a halberg rassey."
#24
Oyster 495
5.0
(1)
"Oyster 495"
#25
Garcia Exploration 52
5.0
(1)
"The Garcia Exploration 52 is about as perfect of a boat for me as I can think of."
#26
Swan 48
5.0
(1)
"Swan 48"
#27
Contessa
5.0
(1)
"A Contessa; check out Erik Aanderaa’s videos on YouTube."
#28
Amel 50
5.0
(1)
"Amel 50. Comfortable passage making."
#29
Nonsuch 30
5.0
(1)
"Absolutely bulletproof boat, single sail cat/wishbone rig."
#30
Outbound 46
5.0
(1)
"Outbound 46"
#31
Island Packet 485 Aft Cabin
5.0
(1)
"Island Packet 485 Aft Cabin"
#32
Nor'Sea 27
5.0
(1)
"A Nor'Sea 27 would fit. Small yet extremely sturdy."
#33
Morris M36
5.0
(1)
"For day sailing and more, Morris M36."
#34
Black Marlin trimaran
5.0
(1)
"I'd go for the Black Marlin trimaran."
#35
Brewer 44
5.0
(1)
"Brewer 44, but I'm a fan of Brewer."
#36
Kraken
5.0
(1)
"A Kraken, easy choice."
#37
Gunboat 48
5.0
(1)
"Arguably you could solo the Gunboat 48."
#38
Facebook Marketplace
4.0
(1)
"I’ve done well with Facebook marketplace just make sure you avoid the usual scams."
#39
Old Boat
4.0
(1)
"This boat looks fine for $2500. I bought one for $2000 from a farmer's field and got it fixed up easy."
#40
Production Boat
4.0
(1)
"If you want some modern conveniences a 10-25 year old production boat with a swim platform, shower, etc is a good choice."
#41
Santana 35
4.0
(1)
"Not the shock 35 but the tamer Santana 35"
#42
C&C 27
4.0
(1)
"A keel boat is a completely different beast than a dinghy."
#43
Pacific Seacraft 31
4.0
(1)
"I know of a couple elderly couple that made the crossing in a 31-foot Pacific Seacraft."
#44
Oyster Bay
4.0
(1)
"You can rent a small sailboat in Oyster Bay."
#45
Mighty Swedish Fish
4.0
(1)
"He bought the boat for $2500 and spent a year and another $10K outfitting it."
#46
Ranger
4.0
(1)
"We had a ranger 26 for the longest time. With 2 tiny kids and a dog."
#47
RS Sailing
4.0
(1)
"Still can capsize, but much more stable than a Vago."
#48
Macgregor
4.0
(1)
"I have 2 kids under 3, and have a Macgregor 25."
#49
West System
4.0
(1)
"Fiberglass work isn’t rocket science and can be done well if you take it seriously."
#50
GetMyBoat
4.0
(1)
"You could try something like this and ask the captain if you can sail the boat."
#51
Hallberg-Rassy
4.0
(1)
"I'll probably be selling my Hallberg-Rassy Rasmus 35 next year."
#52
Hansa
4.0
(1)
"Something like a Hansa Jolle?"
#53
Nautical
4.0
(1)
"Even if I had the money I would say an nautical 441 with a nice refit."
#54
Jeanneau
4.0
(1)
"We have gone from a 18 ft ensign Pearson to a ranger 26 to a Jeanneau 42."
#55
Amel
4.0
(1)
"An Amel is automated enough despite being pretty huge."
#56
RM
4.0
(1)
"For a production boat maybe an RM is a better match."
#57
Latitude 38
4.0
(1)
"Check out 'Latitude 38' or 'Longitude 121' magazine."
#58
Pacific Seacraft 37
4.0
(1)
"For me I'd be quite happy with a Pacific Seacraft 37."
#59
Catamaran
4.0
(1)
"If money were no issue probably a catamaran."
#60
Catalina 25
4.0
(1)
"My wife and I started on a Catalina 25 with one child at 2 years old."
#61
Island Packet
4.0
(1)
"Although I do think that Island Packet has one."
#62
Minneys Used Sails
4.0
(1)
"When you need sails or cheap gear, look at Minneys Used Sails."
#63
Fulcrum Speedworks
4.0
(1)
"Rocket 🚀 by Fulcrum Speedworks."
#64
J/Boats
4.0
(1)
"A J/35 that’s had a total refit and been rigged for single-handing."
#65
Moody
4.0
(1)
"For a liveaboard, I'd probably go with a moody DS, Bluewater cruising I'd go for a HR."
#66
S2
4.0
(1)
"IMO, an S2 9.2c with some modifications."
#67
Spray
4.0
(1)
"Anything with classic lines .. like a Spray 40’ - 60’preferably steel or aluminum .."
#68
Sirius
4.0
(1)
"Mine is Sirius 35ds or Garcia Exploration Series. Those are a little too big for one person though."
#69
Sadler
4.0
(1)
"Sadler 34 easily in your budget, no seperate shower and not that heavy though."
#70
Dufour
4.0
(1)
"Here are some but god only knows condition: https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1982/dufour-31-2286529/ and https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1984/catalina-30-3751886/"
#71
Snipe
4.0
(1)
"My first boat was/is a Snipe. It’s designed to be a double handed racing dinghy."
#72
Thistles
4.0
(1)
"Thistles and Lightnings are great boats but can get dicey if you are planning on solo sailing a lot."
#73
West Sail
4.0
(1)
"West Sail - Sturdy and (relatively) Cheap."
#74
Morris 46
4.0
(1)
"Something along the lines of a Morris 46, a Spirit, or a Leonardo Eagle."
#75
Potter 15
4.0
(1)
"A Potter 15. I'll sell you mine for 2k"
#76
Kraken 50
4.0
(1)
"A kraken 50 comes to mind, but most people wouldn't want more than 40 ft for solo."
#77
Contessa 32
4.0
(1)
"“New” Contessa 32"
#78
Garcia 45
4.0
(1)
"Garcia 45 or JPK 39FC depending on if they wanted to hit the high latitudes."
#79
Balboa 1978
4.0
(1)
"1978 Balboa the best money can buy."
#80
Custom made aluminum adventure vessel
4.0
(1)
"Custom made aluminum adventure vessel like Seal or Pelagic."
#81
West Wight Potter 19
4.0
(1)
"West Wight Potter 19."
#82
Catalina 27
4.0
(1)
"I'm selling my Catalina 27 that I've been outfitting for cruising."
#83
Rhodes 19
4.0
(1)
"Southern Yacht Club has a fleet of Rhodes 19's. Those can be sailed solo, with two, or three."
#84
Windhippie Grinde 27
3.0
(1)
"That Windhippie girl is currently crossing the pacific in a Grinde 27."
#85
Coronado 32
3.0
(1)
"I see a 1978 Coronado 32’ for $2k."
#86
San Juan 24
3.0
(1)
"A 1972 San Juan 24’ for $2500."
#87
Ericsson 29
3.0
(1)
"A 1973 Ericsson 29’ for $2500."
#88
Ranger 26
3.0
(1)
"Ranger 26 for $2500."
#89
Ericsson 27
3.0
(1)
"I see an Ericsson 27 for $3."
#90
Hunter 26
3.0
(1)
"I got my 26 ft hunter for 3k."
#91
Adventure 40
3.0
(1)
"Adventure 40. It doesn't actually exist yet except on paper."
#92
Seawind 1600
3.0
(1)
"Seawind 1600 with the engines converted to OM606."
#93
Ericson 27
3.0
(1)
"I looked very seriously at an Ericson 27. I passed because it had very, very little storage."
#94
Alberg 30
3.0
(1)
"Look around for a "fixer upper" Alberg 30 or Pearson Triton."
#95
Pearson Triton
3.0
(1)
"Look around for a "fixer upper" Alberg 30 or Pearson Triton."
#96
Sailboat 36 foot
1.0
(1)
"A boat is just a hole in the water into which you throw money."
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