Flash Poll: Best Cheap Boats
What boats offer most bang for the buck?
Folks new to sailing—especially younger people—often don’t have much money and are looking for the best boat they can afford. The good news is that we regularly see potentially great sailboats selling for bargain-basement prices.
Of the following, which category do you think offers new sailors the best chance of finding a diamond in the rough?
• Classic fiberglass keelboats (1960s–80s). Thousands were built during the heyday of fiberglass production. The hulls last almost indefinitely, owners eventually age out, and marina fees often become worth more than the boats themselves. The result? Some real bargains. Pearson, Cal, Columbia, Ranger, and many others.
• Trailer sailers (1970s–90s). Produced in tremendous numbers, these lighter boats may not be as heavily built as traditional keelboats, but they’re easy to store, inexpensive to own, and enjoy outstanding parts availability and owner support. Catalina, O’Day, Venture/MacGregor, Chrysler, and more.
• Wooden boats. Perhaps the riskiest category—but sometimes the most rewarding. Look beyond the famous classics and you may discover unfinished projects, lightly sailed gems, or quality boats whose owners simply want the garage space back. Restoration can be incredibly satisfying, provided you avoid major structural rot or other serious problems.
• Twin- and bilge-keel cruisers. One of our favorite overlooked categories. These rugged little cruisers won’t win many races, but they’re often surprisingly roomy, capable, and heavily built. Because twin-keelers remain relatively obscure in North America, they can represent exceptional value. Westerly, Fantasie, Alacrity, Vivacity, and others.
What’s your favorite category for finding an affordable hidden gem? Let us know in the comments. — Eds.
Boats like the Siren 17, Montgomery 15 or compac 16 etc are excellent values now and fun
I vote for All of the Above. Seriously. Here in California, some of the boat deals Potter Yachters I know have made over the past few years were, in a word, extraordinary. One purchased a late model Capri 18 in very good condition for about 3K, trailer included. Another paid about the same for a Sage 15 on wheels, no kidding. A third obtained one of the last Potter 19s ever built for under 4K from a guy who's sailed in only in fresh water and stored it indoors. It was immaculate.
Perhaps California is an outlier, but I suspect not. The confluence of Baby Boomers aging out of sailing, high fuel costs, housing prices, etc. have made this the best buyer's market for used boats any of us are likely to see in our lifetimes. Don't delay!
George Wehrfritz
Vice Commodore
The Potter Yachters