Is there any better feeling than the freedom of sailing with the warm sunshine and briny breezes? If you’ve caught the bug, you’re not alone. As of 2023, more than 135,000 Aussies were members of a sailing club.1
Buying a sailboat is exciting but as with any significant outlay, it calls for careful planning. This can range from figuring out your budget and requirements to working out how you’ll transport and store your new vessel. You may even wonder whether you should take out boat insurance.
To learn more about what to consider before you purchase a sailboat, we spoke to Max Nichols, President of the Victorian arm of the Australian Sharpie Association – the governing body for Lightweight Sharpie Sailing in Australia.
Types of sailboats
The feel-good term “sailboat” covers a big haul of boats, from dinghies to mega ocean-going vessels.2 These can be classified as either off-the-beach boats – smaller vessels that can be launched from the shore – or keelboats – larger sailboats, also known as yachts.3
“I sail a three-person, off-the-beach dinghy called a Sharpie,” says Nichols. In keeping with other off-the-beach vessels, Sharpies typically require more continuous physical work to sail, making them a good pick for those who want to get hands-on on the water, says Nichols. They also tend to come with smaller price tags, he adds.
“But, if you’re looking for something in which you can take friends and family out for a cruise instead, you’re probably better off with a keelboat,” Nichols notes.
Sailboats are further distinguished by features such as size, keel type, number of sails, hull configuration and purpose.2 For example, multihulls such as catamarans have a wide beam and lightweight design that helps them remain flat and stable, even when sailing at speed – rarely heeling more than 5 to 10 degrees.4 This makes them significantly faster than monohulls of similar length, often achieving speeds 25-30% higher.4 In contrast, monohulls generally handle better during manoeuvres like tacking and can make sharper turns in narrow waterways.4
Single-handed International Laser Class Association ILCA dinghies, also known as Lasers, are among the most popular sailing boats in Australia, according to Nichols. “Lasers are a good beginner class because of their simple design – they’re easy to rig, there are lots of other people sailing them who can help you, and you can normally find a reasonably cheap boat second hand,” he explains.
However, your ideal sailboat fit, Nichols says, will depend on multiple factors, including your sailing goals, your planned use and, of course, your budget.
What to consider when choosing a sailboat
To help narrow the search for that dream boat, Nichols suggests giving careful thought to the type of vessel that will best fit your lifestyle.
In particular, he recommends considering whether you want to go out for a few hours on a Sunday, or for weeks on end – and whether you plan to sail solo or with a dozen mates.
Additionally, researching as widely as possible before buying a sailboat can help you make useful comparisons between vessels. Some factors you may wish to consider include:5
- Boat type and size
- Construction materials
- Engine and/or sail options
- New vs used
- Price
- Trailer and tow weight.5
How much does it cost to purchase a sailboat?
If budgeting to buy a new sailing boat, remember to factor in both upfront and ongoing costs, says Nichols.
Upfront costs
“There’s the initial cost of purchasing the boat, along with sails, fittings, sheets – that’s sailing slang for ropes – and spars, and potentially a trailer to transport it,” Nichols says.
You'll also need to purchase essential safety equipment for your new sailboat, including an anchor, a compass and charts, fire equipment, flares, a marine radio and lifejackets for the number of people you're planning on having on board.6
Ongoing costs
The cost of ownership doesn’t stop once you buy a boat. Regular upkeep of any sailboat will also typically involve ongoing costs, including operating costs, storage and maintenance.7
“Boats need a lot of love, regular maintenance and replacement of sails, fittings and sheets,” says Nichols. “A lot of keelboats will need a mooring or berth somewhere, and if not, you’ll need somewhere to store your boat on land.” This might entail dry stack storage or keeping it at home in your garage or even on the street.8
Will you need sailboat insurance in Australia?
Another ongoing cost may be boat insurance. Nichols says this is an important consideration for any potential sailboat owner, as accidents can happen while sailing, especially in heavier winds.
"And if you're playing around with bigger yachts, you want to make sure you're adequately covered as these boats could cause significant damage to other vessels if things go wrong."
Marni Jackson, Youi’s Head of Product for Watercraft insurance, says it’s important to make sure your policy covers everything you plan to do.
“For instance, sailboat racing isn’t always covered as standard, so you may not be covered if you damage your boat in a race,” Jackson explains.
“You’ll also want to check that your insurer covers your watercraft type. At Youi, for example, we cover sailing yachts, catamarans and trimarans, but we don’t cover houseboats or any watercraft longer than 12 metres in length.”9
New vs used sailboats
Just like a new car, there’s nothing quite like that “new boat” smell. However, buying a second hand sailboat may come with advantages too.10
Buying new means getting the latest designs, features and gear, along with the added comfort of a warranty, but you may end up paying more and having to wait on build, shipping and delivery.10
On the other hand, a used sailing boat may offer value for money. “A used but well-maintained boat can still serve you perfectly well at a better price point,” Nichols says. “I’ve seen some fairly old boats still out competing with brand new ones.”
Used boats also have a slower depreciation rate, but older models may require more maintenance.10
“If you don’t know how well it’s been looked after, you may inherit a few things to fix up and will more likely than not be looking to replace some of the gear on the boat,” Nichols adds.
Licensing and registration
Of course, before you can get out and about in your very own sailboat, there’s paperwork to get in order – and each state and territory in Australia has its own registration and boat licensing rules. Here’s where you can find information about the specific requirements where you live:
- New South Wales: Registration and Licensing
- Victoria: Registration and Licensing
- Queensland: Registration and Licensing
- Western Australia: Registration and Licensing
- South Australia: Registration and Licensing
- Tasmania: Registration and Licensing
- Australian Capital Territory: Registration and Licensing
- Northern Territory: Registration and Licensing
Avoiding common pitfalls
When you buy a sailboat for the first time, inexperience and a lack of clarity on exactly what you want and need in terms of use, size and engine power can sometimes lead to costly mistakes.11
Another common mistake new owners make, Nichols adds, is getting a boat without first understanding how to rig it up or sail it.
If you’re buying a used sailing boat, Nichols says “it’s a good idea to get advice from the previous owner or even to get them to take you out and teach you the ropes if possible.”
Otherwise, he recommends brushing up on your skills by checking out learning to sail courses and exploring sailing days at your local sailing club.
If your search for that perfect-fit sailboat is over and you’re now looking for watercraft insurance that’s a bit more you-shaped, consider starting a quote with us or get in touch to speak to one of our team.
1 Source: Australian Sailing – Annual Participation Report 2023
2 Source: Discover Boating – Boat types
3 Source: SheSails – Sailing Options
4 Source: Rightboat – Multihull vs Monohull. The Great Debate
5 Source: Discover Boating – Boat buyer checklist
6 Source: NSW Government – Essential safety equipment
7 Source: Discover Boating – Cost of boat ownership
8 Source: boatsales – What’s better than parking your boat on the street?, July 2021
9 See the Watercraft Insurance TMD for full details.
10 Source: Discover Boating – New vs used
11 Source: boatsales – Top 5 things to consider when buying a new boat, April 2021
