The Essential Features of All Good Cruising Sailboats

You could say there are just two basic types of sailboats; cruising sailboats and racing boats, plus perhaps those ‘cruiser-racer’ hybrids which hover on the borderline between the two.

Whereas racing boats willingly sacrifice pretty much everything in the quest for performance, cruising boats have to be more of a compromise.

An Allied Pricess 36 sailboat under sailThe Allied Princess - a heavy displacement cruising ketch

For a shorthanded crew – as many cruisers are – good handling characteristics are paramount. Poor sail trim contributes greatly to poor handling of course, but some sailboats defy all attempts to get them to handle in an acceptable manner.

Such tiresome vessels, despite any other wonderful attributes they may have, are the antithesis of good cruising boats.

But not only must offshore cruising sailboats handle well, they should also have a comfortable, easy motion underway.

Size of course, has much going for it as far as sea kindliness is concerned, as the bigger the sailboat the less it will leap about — you can’t really expect the motion of a weekender sailboat to compare favourably with that of a capable bluewater cruising boat.

And it’s an inescapable fact that when the sea gets up, heavier, narrow-beamed, deep-hulled offshore sailboats with longish overhangs will be more comfortable than beamy, flat-bottomed performance cruising sail boats.


What Do We Really Want from Our Cruising Sailboats?

I put this question to a group of my sailing pals clustered around the bar at my local sailing club on a wet and windy October evening.

Unsurprisingly perhaps, opinions were diverse – one skipper even insisting that a plumbed-in washing machine was essential on ‘proper’ cruising sail boats. Another felt that cruising should be closer to camping than a luxury hotel experience.

Incidentally, I was closer in spirit to him than his colleague, believing that too many perceived ‘home comforts’ in sailboats can actually detract from the sailing experience.

A Westerly 22 sailboat off Plymouth UKProbably not too many cruising comforts on this Westerly 22...


Too Much Complexity?

There’s a fine balance to be struck between complexity and convenience, or you’ll find yourself spending a lot more time (and money) maintaining all the kit than sailing the boat.

Although the gadgets are nice to have when they're working, they all consume electrical power putting additional strain on our power generation systems.

If you're fortunate enough to be fitting out a bluewater sailboat it's tempting to load it down with all sorts of 'useful stuff', but first ask yourself, " Do I really need it, or is just something else to go wrong and tie up my precious sailing time in maintenance and repair?"

But, back to our sailing club bar discussion. All the usual arguments arose — multihull versus monohull; heavy displacement versus light displacement; centre cockpit versus aft cockpit; sloop versus ketch; tiller or wheel steering, long keel versus fin keel, type of rudder etc, etc.

Hull material came into it too — GRP (fiberglass), ferrocement, aluminium, steel and cedar strip construction all having their passionate devotees. As did the number of hulls; monohull, catamaran or trimaran?

We couldn’t even agree on the ideal interior layout or the shape and location of the cockpit, although we all agreed on the benefits of an L-shaped galley at the foot of the companionway - but when I foolishly proposed the benefits of a water ballast system in a cruising boat no-one thought I was being serious.



The Essential Characteristics of the Best Cruising Sailboats

So consensus didn’t come easily, but after a heated discussion and a few more beers, we agreed that few experienced cruising sailboaters would argue against the following requirements:

  • easily manageable by a small crew;
  • comfortable motion underway;
  • good performance under sail;
  • high resistance to capsize;
  • sufficient internal volume for comfortable living aboard;
  • robust and easy to maintain;
  • affordable to own and operate;

It was clearly going to be impossible to agree any order of precedence within this list, but after yet another beer we did manage to condense the list into these four fundamental attributes:

  • Seaworthiness;
  • Performance;
  • Seakindliness;
  • Cost;

Finally though, we all conceded that you just can’t have it all in cruising sailboats, although the deeper your pocket the closer to it you can get.


Self-sufficiency

We all liked the idea of free power from the sun, so solar panels got everyone's approval, as did windchargers to a lesser degree - it was the noise associated with windchargers that marked them down.

In my view you need them both, as the sun isn't always shining -especially at night!

As a huge fan of windvane self-steering gears I would always choose this over an electric autopilot when under sail. Not everyone bought into this though, muttering about 'all that scaffolding cluttering up the back of otherwise attractive cruising boats'.

People Are Asking...

What size sailboat is best for coastal cruising?

For coastal cruising, a sailboat between 30 to 40 feet (9 to 12 meters) is generally considered ideal. Although there are plenty of sailors happily cruising our coastline with 25-footers, this size offers a good balance of comfort, stability, and maneuverability. Here are a few factors to consider:

  1. Comfort: A boat in this size range usually provides sufficient living space for a few people, with amenities like a galley, head, and sleeping berths.
  2. Maneuverability: These boats are easier to handle and dock compared to larger vessels.
  3. Draft: A moderate draft allows you to navigate shallower waters and explore various coastal areas.
  4. Performance: They offer good sailing performance and can handle different weather conditions.

Of course, the 'best' size also depends on your personal preferences, sailing experience, and how many people you plan to have on board.

What is a good cruising speed for a sailboat?

A good cruising speed for a sailboat generally ranges between 5 to 7 knots (approximately 6 to 8 miles per hour or 9 to 13 kilometers per hour). However, the actual cruising speed can vary based on factors like the boat's design, size, sail configuration, wind conditions, and sea state.

Here are a few factors that influence cruising speed:

  1. Hull Design: Displacement hulls, common in many cruising sailboats, tend to have a 'hull speed' limit, which is roughly 1.34 times the square root of the waterline length (in feet). For example, a boat with a 36-foot waterline might have a hull speed of about 8 knots.
  2. Wind Conditions: Favourable winds can help achieve and sometimes exceed the boat's hull speed, while light or adverse winds can slow it down.
  3. Sail Trim and Rigging: Properly trimmed sails and optimized rigging can significantly enhance a sailboat's speed and efficiency.
  4. Load and Balance: The weight and balance of the boat, including crew, provisions, and equipment, can affect its speed and handling.

Ultimately, cruising is about enjoying the journey as much as the destination, so comfort and safety are always top priorities.

What does 'cruising' mean in sailing?

Cruising in sailing refers to traveling by sailboat for pleasure, leisure, or adventure, rather than for competitive racing or professional purposes. Cruising can range from short day trips along the coast to extended voyages that span weeks, months, or even years. Here are a few key aspects of cruising:

  1. Exploration: Cruisers often sail to explore new destinations, islands, and coastal areas.
  2. Self-Sufficiency: Cruisers typically live aboard their boats, managing resources like food, water, and fuel for extended periods.
  3. Relaxation: Cruising emphasizes a relaxed pace, enjoying the journey as much as the destinations.
  4. Community: Many cruisers form a tight-knit community, sharing tips, stories, and support with fellow sailors.

It's all about the joy of the voyage and the freedom to travel at your own pace.

What are the three types of sailboats?

Sailboats come in a variety of types, each designed for different sailing conditions and purposes. Here are three distinct types:

  1. Monohulls: As the name might suggest these are single hulled sailboats, and are the choice of vessel for most cruising sailors. But it doesn't end there, as the can take the form of sloops, cutters or ketches.
  2. Catamarans: These are twin-hulled, shallow draft craft particularly popular with charter companies owing to their spacious accommodation and resistance to heeling. More on catamarans...
  3. Trimarans: These triple-hulled craft are very quick but with accommodation located in the centre hull only are relatively cramped below. 

Catamarans and trimarans are commonly grouped together as multihulls...

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