A short guide to buying the yacht of your dreams

Indeed, choosing a yacht takes a lot of time. Experienced yachtsmen have an easier time in this matter: they already know what they need from a new yacht. But even if you are just deciding to buy a yacht, it’s okay. Our Interparus team has prepared a checklist of aspects that you need to pay attention to. 

Hull type of your future yacht

Our regular readers and simply experienced yachtsmen know that there are basically two types of yachts: single-hull and multi-hull. As the name suggests, monohull yachts are boats with just one main hull. At the same time, multihull yachts or multihulls have at least two hulls. 

Multihulls, including catamarans and trimarans, are usually chosen by family yachtsmen for their large and spacious cabins. Multihulls offer orders of magnitude more space than monohulls of the same length. Monohulls are usually chosen by active yachtsmen who prefer performance over comfort. Monohulls are often more maneuverable and can reach higher speeds.

This does not mean that catamarans handle worse or better than monohulls. It is important to understand that the choice of the number of buildings is a purely individual matter and the question is not in the plane: “Which is better?” Monohulls and multihulls are different approaches to life on board. 

Ultimately, a lot depends on the personal preferences of the owner. If you prefer catamarans, follow your preferences and confidently look for a catamaran that will meet all your requirements. Same thing with monohulls. The most important thing is that you personally like your yacht or catamaran.

One keel, two or a lifting centerboard?

The question is of the same nature as choosing the number of yacht hulls. The number of keels and their types is strictly a personal choice of each yachtsman. The keel and centerboard have their own characteristics that are worth knowing about. 

One long keel adds maneuverability and stability to the yacht due to ballast and a shifted center of gravity. This is the best average option that is suitable for almost any yachtsman, regardless of his needs. However, such a keel will complicate movement in shallow water, preventing you from getting too close to the shore. 

Double keels are quite rare on new yachts today. However, such keels are quite functional. They will not only allow you to get close to the shore due to the reduced draft, but also simplify docking of the yacht for the winter or at low tide. On the other hand, a double keel is not as heavy as a regular keel. Because of this, the stability of the yacht while moving through the water may suffer.

A lifting centerboard is an excellent solution for those who find two keels unreliable and a traditional keel too bulky. The centerboard simplifies access to shallow water, and also simplifies transportation and storage of the yacht in a dry dock. But the lifting centerboard requires regular additional maintenance. Another disadvantage is that the centerboard is not heavy enough to provide the same stability to the yacht as a traditional keel. In strong winds this can lead to excessive heel.

Are we going to sea?

It's important to consider how you plan to spend your time on the water. Perhaps a very small boat will suit you and will take you around the lake on the weekends. Why not? 

If you do not plan to cross oceans and seas and prefer short-term cruises, pay attention to small-sized yachts. Such yachts can be transported on a special cargo trailer. Please note that the maximum dimensions for transporting such a yacht independently are about 7-8 meters. Anything that exceeds these dimensions is already suitable for going to sea. 

The optimal length for a small size is about 5 meters. With this length you shouldn't have any problems with transportation.

A fair wind carries across the sea...

Let's say that you still want to go to sea. Well, then it’s worth thinking about how far you are going to go. Anything within 20 miles of shore is considered coastal cruising. These are not yet distant expanses of sea, but they are already a decent distance to which you can move away from the shore. 

In such conditions you are unlikely to encounter all the dangers of the open sea. Anchorages and protected marinas will be relatively accessible. For this reason, we are unlikely to need an expensive aluminum expedition yacht for coastal yachting. 

An excellent option would be yachts with a length of about 11-12 meters, for example Dufour 41. Such boats are fast and maneuverable enough to quickly return to a sheltered harbor in case of bad weather. On the other hand, a 12-meter yacht is comfortable enough for a pleasant cruise.

Crossing the ocean on a yacht

Yachts that are certified for offshore sailing stand apart, i.e. sailing more than 20 miles from the coast. Such yachts are strong, reliable and durable. They are created specifically for harsh marine conditions and are able to withstand them. 

Offshore yachts are also called Bluewater, which is synonymous with the phrase “long-distance voyage.” Offshore yachts usually have much more equipment for living on board than coastal yachts. 

Such yachts are usually equipped with desalinators, powerful generators, full-size freezers, solar panels, and satellite communications. In general, everything that will make the yacht as autonomous as possible. Expedition boats can also be classified as this type of yacht.

Cabins and free space

It's important to consider how you plan to spend your time on board. Will it be a cruise, or maybe you plan to go to sea alone once every couple of months? In any case, it is important to pay special attention to the amount of living space and storage space.

How many cabins could you theoretically need? If you are traveling with your family, it is advisable for children to have a separate cabin. This will not only reduce the noise level, but will also allow them to go to bed on time, and you can continue to do your business without fear of waking them up. 

Lockers are another important aspect that many people forget about for some reason. There are never too many lockers on board a yacht – and the more, the better. Storage space makes it easier to organize your life on board. Please ensure that the lockers are convenient and easily accessible. Having one huge locker instead of three or four smaller ones will only complicate your stay on the yacht.

Cockpit and yacht control

If you are a fan of family yachting, then pay attention to yachts with a large cockpit. The cockpit is where you will spend the lion's share of your time on board. As many yachting brochures say: “The cockpit is the most important place of social interaction on board.” And so it is. Make sure the cockpit is safe and comfortable enough for all crew members.

You should also carefully study those yachts where it is possible to control only one person. On such a yacht, all controls are located directly in the cockpit, which allows only the skipper to operate safely. 

However, if you want to sail, experience the sea and speed in the company of avid sailors like you, then a boat designed to be sailed by a crew of several people would be a good option. On board such a yacht you will be able to test your organizational skills and ability to work in a team. 

Used yachts

By deciding on the type of hull, sailing areas and expectations from the cabins and cockpit, you will form an image of the ideal yacht. Great! But where to buy it? 

New yachts from dealers are not cheap, but the used segment is attractive in terms of prices. In general, used yachts are a good option, but you need to be very careful. Firstly, it is advisable to take a yacht “hands-on” from a trusted person who handles his yachts with care. Secondly, a used yacht is in any case a “pig in a poke”. You will never know about any modifications or problems on board until something fails. 

Third, forget about buying a used charter boat or catamaran. Such yachts have seen so much in their lifetime that they are unlikely to be able to serve their new owner faithfully for a long time.

Buying a used yacht can be a sound decision. The main thing is to know who to buy from and have an idea of the real condition of the yacht. If you are a beginner, take a more experienced partner with you and look at the yacht in reality. Study the hull, equipment, sails. And most importantly, never make an offer to purchase until you see the yacht with your own eyes. We wrote more about the features of buying used yachts in this and this articles. We also strongly recommend that you read our video on this topic. In it, we comprehensively went through all aspects of buying a used yacht.

A new yacht especially for you!

A brand new and shiny boat straight from the shipyard can bring a lot of excitement to the owner. However, there are several nuances here too. The most important thing is pricing. Information about the cost of a yacht at exhibitions or in official price lists is usually lower than the actual percentage of the 20%. This is an unfortunate fact that anyone buying a yacht in 2024 should be aware of.

Also, you should not buy a yacht, spending all the money from the budget you have set aside for the yacht. In addition to the purchase itself, you will have to invest well in maintenance and commissioning. Therefore, it is probably worth choosing a slightly smaller yacht, but having additional finances on hand to fine-tune it and launch it. Here is another useful video on the topic buying a new yacht.

So what should you choose?

If you are tormented by the torment of choice and you cannot decide what exactly you want, then you should take a break and think. You probably already have some kind of budget set aside specifically for the purchase of a yacht? If yes, then we have great news!

There are basically two options for what your next steps will be. Option 1: you contact an experienced dealer, for example, the Interparus team! We can advise you which yacht should be chosen for you. In addition, Interparus also provides pre-sale maintenance services for a boat or catamaran.

Option 2: Go on a charter. So, in a relatively short period of time and a feasible amount of money, you can “touch” different yachts and understand what you like best. Or maybe charter will be the type of yachting that suits you best? 

In principle, the same algorithm of action should be chosen if there is no budget for a one-time purchase of a yacht. In any case, getting valuable advice from an existing dealer is a good start on the path to buying a boat.

New video on Interparus channel

Hello friends! We continue to show you what happened at the BOOT Show 2024 in Dusseldorf. This time we have made for you a kind of review of the new products that were presented at the exhibition. Sasha Goron, in his usual manner, will tell and show you the most interesting new products. Enjoy watching!

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10.02.2024