buy a sailboat uk

Boats For Sale UK

World Launch

Beneteau Swift Trawler 54

View full line up

Beneteau Oceanis 37.1

Find out more

New and Used boats for sale

New beneteau power boats.

Beneteau Power's vast range of motor yachts encompasses superb performance and comfort for boaters of all levels. Ancasta has been a dealer for Beneteau Power for over 35 years.

New Beneteau Sailing Yachts

Beneteau sailing yachts offer thrilling experiences for all levels, from relaxing cruises to exhilarating day sails. Ancasta has been a Beneteau Sail UK Dealer for over 35 years.

New Bluegame Yachts

Bluegame motor yachts dare to be unconventional with innovative layouts, spacious outdoor living and performance hulls. Ancasta represents Bluegame yachts in the UK, Ireland and the Channel Islands.

New Lagoon Catamarans

Lagoon catamarans are crafted for serene bluewater cruising and offer exceptional comfort, stability, and reliability. Ancasta is the exclusive Lagoon dealer for the UK.

New McConaghy Boats

McConaghy Boats produces luxurious multihulls and high-performance sailing yachts with high levels of customisation. Ancasta is the sole UK dealer for McConaghy Boats.

New Prestige Yachts

Prestige motor yachts are renowned for their refined interiors and innovative layouts. Ancasta is the exclusive dealer for Prestige Yachts in the UK and Balearic Islands.

New Protector Boats

Protector Boats RIBs are among the most capable and durable utility vessels in the world. Ancasta represents Protector Boats in the UK and Europe.

Beneteau Swift Trawler Sea Trials – Mandelieu, France

Cannes yachting festival 2024, southampton international boat show 2024, yachts & motor boats for sale, europe’s largest yacht broker.

Buying a yacht with Ancasta is so much more than the initial transaction – it is the start of a loyal relationship. We want to make boat ownership stress-free and enjoyable with a lifetime of support.

Browse hundreds of new and used yachts for sale with Ancasta including boats from Beneteau Sail , Beneteau Power , Lagoon Catamarans , Prestige Motoryachts , Bluegame Yachts , McConaghy Boats , CNB Yachts , Protector Boats , and Scorpion RIBs .

Sell Your Boat

Experience. reach. results..

Ancasta is Europe’s largest yacht brokerage, specialising in new and used sail and motor boats . With 23 offices , 40 brokers, and 45,000 active buyers, Ancasta guarantees the highest level of both local and global exposure for your boat , working quickly and efficiently to secure suitable buyers.

Our multilingual team negotiates on your behalf, and we offer in-house legal support and access to yacht refit, repairs and servicing for seamless transactions.

Protector is the Chase Boat of Choice for America’s Cup Teams

Ancasta yacht services.

Ancasta Yacht Services offers a comprehensive range of yacht repair, refit and servicing. With a team of highly skilled craftsmen and excellent facilities in Hamble, Southampton, including under-cover workshops accommodating yachts up to 26m, our experienced and knowledgeable project management team ensure seamless coordination of every task.

Refit and Repair

Our experienced yacht refit and repair team can undertake repair work on all fibreglass and carbon motor boats and sailing boats.

Engineering

Our trained marine engineers have the technical expertise to carry out yacht engine servicing, full engine overhauls and rebuilds.

Maintenance

Whether your yacht requires annual servicing, pre-sailing preparation, regular maintenance, or ad-hoc repairs, our expert boat maintenance teams can help.

Commissioning

Our boat commissioning team make sure your brand-new yacht is ready for a seamless handover and is prepared to your personal requirements and specification.

When you buy a new boat from Ancasta, you'll receive comprehensive support from our New Boat Aftersales department.

Parts and Toys

The Ancasta Parts & Service team can source and order original boat parts for spares or repair, as well as boat safety equipment and yacht toys.

Yard Facilities

Ancasta Yacht Services boasts extensive yacht refit and repair facilities in Hamble, Southampton, including large undercover workshops.

Testimonials

My husband and I are the new owners of a Jeanneau 53 that was listed by Ancasta Barcelona. Starting in April 2025, we plan to sail 7 months out of the year in The Mediterranean and work 5 months here in The Netherlands. A hybrid sabbatical for a few years so to say.The boat was owned by Australians who we never met. Not something we’re used to here in The Netherlands. When we put our Dehler 39SQ up for sale last September, we met the interested parties during viewings (at their request) and we took them for short trial sails. We then spend half a day with the buyers when we handed over the boat.In the absence of that personal interaction, Josiane Sader handled all our questions in a swift manner, chasing and securing a quick turn around by the seller in Australia or the shipyard at some point. Her replies were always very professional and explanatory so that nothing got lost in translation in this three-way, remote selling/buying reality. Daily practice for you I’m sure, but a once in a lifetime experience for us most likely (we don’t expect to sell the boat in a few years while living on the other side of the world:).We put our own broker, on copy during the process, especially during the contract phase. Not once did Josiane give us the feeling that we were over-asking or being difficult. Her patient demeanor really made this a smooth process.I also want to take the opportunity to let you know that if it wasn't for Kostas Saltouridis, we would not have bought the boat at all. In my profession I know that good and genuine customer service can make a difference and Kostas definitely over-delivered.With a seller in Australia, we as buyers in The Netherlands and a broker in Barcelona, we started to doubt after the survey if buying that particular vessel was the smart thing to do. With no one on the ground in Greece we felt uncomfortable to try and find the right people remotely to work through the essential jobs that came out of the survey.Kostas noticed that however and stepped in. He offered to use his own expertise and local network of specialists to work through the most important repairs. After consultation with the seller we agreed to a plan and a timeline. By checking in with me daily and by sending through pictures and video's, he kept us informed on the progress. Last week I hopped over to Greece to go over all the jobs done by Kostas and his team. I had no comments so we made the last payment the day I got back.The seller in Australia isn't able to handover the boat to us so Kostas also took the time to explain all the electronics/equipment to me in detail which I video recorded for later "direction for use" references.We are waiting on some final paperwork after which we hope to launch the boat early August ready for new sailing adventures starting next year. Something my husband and I have been looking forward too for a long time. Ancasta has played an instrumental role in making that happen so a big thank you to your team in Barcelona!Best regards,

I recently sold my sailing yacht via Kostas and Josiane. The service I received from them while selling my boat was truly exceptional. From the initial stages all the way through to completion, they made the entire process incredibly simple and hassle-free. Their communication was consistently clear, timely, and considerate, and they both exceeded my expectations by going above and beyond to assist me. Their dedication and commitment made the experience smooth and I can't commend them enough. All too often good service is taken for granted. I hope this note demonstrates that's not always the case! Regards,

We were looking for our next boat and had decided on a three-cabin flybridge. Ancasta Chichester was advertising a 1999 Princess 460 which looked like it could fit the bill, so we made an appointment to view. A long drive from our home in Essex to Chichester Marina to view the boat proved very fruitful, and after a fault-free sea trial and positive survey, we are now the proud owners of that vessel! From the first contact, Sam and Chris at Ancasta Chichester proved themselves to be the ideal intermediaries - well informed, responsive, flexible and friendly. We felt very welcome and supported at all stages of this process, our questions and concerns were addressed quickly, and we feel confident that we have secured a fair deal on an excellent boat. If you’re an owner thinking of selling, or a buyer considering a used boat, I’d be happy to recommend this Ancasta team.

We bought our boat from Ancasta Dartmouth and thank Nick Bishop for his help and patience during the process of arranging surveys and seatrials. Nick kept us regularly updated, liaising with the vendors whom we thank also.The offices and marina itself are a pleasure to visit.

We have recently purchased Dentino II from Sam Peters.  We initially contacted him through the website asking for more details, photos and videos about the boat. Sam was obliging and pleasant to deal with from the start.  There was nothing that seemed too much effort and he always replied to my messages and phone calls, even on weekends and after hours.  The offer did not go to plan but with Sam’s help and smart negotiation, we were able to put another offer forward.  The offer was accepted and we are now proud owners of the boat.  I will be seeing Sam next week to pick up the keys and paperwork before the boat is brought through to Christchurch. I feel in the current times we live in people are always quick to complain, but we feel that this is one situation that praise needs to be given to Sam. Hope you all have a great safe summer in Falmouth. Kind regards

Great service from Geraint and the rest of the team when selling our yacht. This was a long process requiring patience and diligence, but the whole team pulled together to push the sale though and no stone was left unturned when it came to sorting out unexpected issues.So many thanks for all your hard work - much appreciated.

We found Ancasta, Leo, Rupert and the team at Port Solent office, incredibly helpful, pleasant and knowledgeable. This was our first boat and we uncertain about the process, with their help it was simple, any questions we had, and we had a lot, were answered quickly.Collection of the boat was made simple, all paperwork was provided and importantly, explained to us, the boat was inspected, Leo’s knowledge of the operation and explanations of this boat were helpful and for myself a must.The bottle of champagne he brought for us was so appreciated, this together with the assurance that we could still contact Ancasta for any help / advice after we sailed was away, again very reassuring.With our thanks to Ancasta.

Excellent team effort. Lots of good advice and guidance through the sale process

Hi Veronika and TeamThank you for a fantastic day on Friday. Everything was perfect and ran like clockwork! We’re delighted with the boat and very pleased we chose the GT41 - it’s going to be perfect for us. We were also very touched by the gifts - a really kind gesture!The trip down to Plymouth went very smoothly and was a real experience, at about 20-24 knots most of the way, and we’re now safely moored in Plymouth for the year. Tim Ball was brilliant.Thank you all for helping us through the purchase process from start to finish - we’re really pleased we bought our new boat from Ancasta.All the best

After several months of looking and two failed surveys, I have just completed the purchase of my first boat, a Jeanneau Merry Fisher 795. As a newcomer to boating I have to admit my first impression of boat brokers was pretty poor (compared to other industries I deal with) - descriptions were definitely on the optimistic side, boats were untidy, dirty and generally poorly presented. No excuses, just very poor sales and I would be careful who to list my boat with in the future. Then I came across Ancasta (Leo Walters) who shone bright like a beacon. The description of the boat was accurate, minor faults highlighted and extra pictures provided on request. Communications with Ancasta have been excellent, the boat was very well presented for inspection and after sales Ancasta remained interested to ensure my experience was positive. I wouldn't hesitate going to Ancasta for another purchase and if you are thinking of selling a boat, consider using Ancasta, you will get better service and value for money than many other brokers out there. And as a buying customer I would feel confident buying through them so you would be more likely to sell to me!

Bonjour à tous Un carton plein (mais pas rouge) pour le courtier d'Ancasta Benoit SIZUN. Professionnel , présent quand il le faut, de bon conseil, à l'écoute, un suivi parfait...le top!Hello everyone A solid card (but not red) for Ancasta broker Benoit SIZUN. Professional, present when needed, good advice, attentive, perfect follow-up...the best!

The Ancaster team at Dartmouth have gone above and beyond in assisting with a somewhat less than straight forward international sale and they have managed to keep their professionalism and attention to detail at the forefront throughout. A BigThank you to you guys

Featured Used Boats For Sale

Sunreef 60 eco sailing.

Your account cannot save boats.

Aquastar 57

Fairline targa 44 gt, beneteau gran turismo 45, hallberg rassy 43 mk i, beneteau gran turismo 36, beneteau swift trawler 35, nimbus 365 coupé, fountaine pajot cumberland 44, x-yachts xc50, fairline squadron 50, sealine t51, sunseeker predator 56.

Lost Password?

Don't have an account? Register

Privacy Overview

• Daily Deals
• Help & Contact

• Watch List Expand watch list Loading... Sign in to see your user information
• Recently Viewed
• Bids/Offers
• Purchase History
• Saved Searches
• Saved Sellers
• Collect & Spend Learn more
• Expand Basket Loading... Something went wrong. View basket for details.
• Sailing Boats

Shop by category

• Boats & Watercraft
• Narrowboats/Canalboats
• Other Watercraft
• Power Boats
• Water Scooters
• All listings
• Time: ending soonest
• Time: newly listed
• Price + postage: lowest first
• Price + postage: highest first
• Distance: nearest first
• Gallery view
• Hull Material
• Featured Refinements
• Buying format

VINDO 32 sailing boat for sale

1988 jeanneau tonic 23 for sale, dufour arpege 30 sailing boat - great condition, new listing lovely prelude 19 sailing yacht, inc honda outboard with cheap mooring available, new listing motor sailers, catamaran sailing boat, copland harrier sailing boat, sailing boats for sale, new listing sailing boat - macwester 26, moody 27 yacht sail boat with in board engine, sailing boat 30ft hunter horizon 30 cruiser, sleeps 6, will deliver, vat paid, fisher 34 motor sailer yacht, 37ft sailing boat liveable now - project to get onto water, rival 32 sailing yacht, launched in 1975, 22ft swinranger motor sailer, macgregor 26x boat with trailer, jaguar 22 sailboat (catlina 22 in us), motorsailer, newbridge corribee 21 (mk 2) twin keel sailing boat yacht, classic wooden sailing yacht - 28 foot 6 inch: golden hind # 5 boat, macgregor 26x - 1998 cruiser / cabin / motor / yatch, 1978 telstar 26 mk 2 trimaran, yachts for sale, sailing boat with trailer and mooring in the lower exe estuary, sailing boat yacht for sale seamaster sailer 815, achilles yacht 24ft, snapdragon 24 sailing yacht, prelude 19 yacht, trailer and outboard. relisted with additional items additions, anderson 22 - project boat needs completing, fountaine pajot athena 38 catamaran, boat, yacht, jeanneau sunfast 37 in north wales, boats for sale uk, albin scampi 30ft yacht in exelent condition 100% ready to sail, moody 346 sailing yacht, catamaran sailing boat, cornish crabber 24 mk1, moody 376 yacht - insurance write-off, 46ft bluewater sailing yacht / ketch, westerly longbow 31' yacht, 2004 maxim 380 catamaran (mk2), folkboat 25 sailing yatch , mahogany, van de stadt 34 yacht, boats for sale uk. whaly 435 with 30hp engine, seafarer sailing yacht/boat mariner 4 four stroke - petrol, sailing boat yacht, oyster sailing boat, st ives herring drifter pioneer pz277, classic wooden fishing vessel, a boat - fibreglass & wood collection from enfield n london - deliver to canal, vancouver 27 yacht available, westerly (westerley) renown yacht/sailing boat - perfect live aboard, yachts for sale cobra 850 (28ft), 35 ft steel gaff cutter, with lifting keel., fairline 45 - 1/6 boat share in spain - full 1/6 ownership with 8 weeks per year, sailing boat, fisher 25 motor-sailer, possibly px, snapdragon 747 yacht, classic ocean racing yacht, pegasus 800 sail boat yacht sailing new volvo engine, wooden sailing boat - open to offers, you may also like.

Alternatively,

• Register with Facebook
• Register with Google

Why Boatshed?

View all of your boats statistics in real time

Create a virtual "watch" on boats you're interested in

Refer a boat and earn up to 20% of the brokers commission

Language & Currency

Search our catalog, go direct, enter a boat reference, sail boats for sale search by keyword, my selections, refine search.

• Coastal Cruiser 342
• Offshore/Blue Water Cruiser 216
• Cruiser/Racer 144
• Classic/Traditional 98
• Day Sailer 78
• Motorsailer 46
• Catamaran 30
• Performance Sail 26
• Trailer Sailer 26
• Ex-charter 17
• Commercial 12
• Sailing Dinghy 8
• United Kingdom 293
• United States 28
• Saint Lucia 20
• Gibraltar 11
• Virgin Islands (British) 9
• South Africa 7
• Trinidad And Tobago 4
• Antigua And Barbuda 1
• Netherlands Antilles 1
• Saint Vincent And The Grenadines 1
• 5 - 7 Meters 30
• 7 - 9 Meters 112
• 9 - 11 Meters 135
• 11 - 13 Meters 83
• 13 - 15 Meters 57
• Over 15 Meters 42
• £10,000 - £20,000 100
• £20,000 - £30,000 48
• £30,000 - £50,000 52
• £50,000 - £100,000 83
• £100,000 - £200,000 50
• > £200,000 43
• Long Keel 77
• Fin and Bulb 57
• Lifting Keel 32
• Multihull 32
• Wing Keel 13
• Shallow Long Keel 8
• Full-Displacement 6
• Shallow Long with Bilge keel 6
• Semi-Displacement 1
• 5 - 10 years 36
• 10 - 20 years 54
• 20 - 30 years 79
• > 30 years 295
• Composite 7
• Aluminium 6
• Wood Laminate 5
• Ferro Cement 3
• Foam Core 2
• Wood Strip Plank 1
• Beneteau 39
• Jeanneau 29
• Westerly 22
• Bruce Roberts 5
• Elizabethan 4
• Sparkman & Stephens 4
• Hallberg Rassy 3
• Parker Lift-Keel Yachts 3
• Southerly 3
• Character Boats 2
• Colvic Watson 2
• Cornish Crabber 2
• Cornish Shrimper 2
• Dragonfly 2
• Finnsailer 2
• Gasoline 35
• Gas 2 stroke 5
• Aft Cabin 80
• Live-aboard 76
• Center Cockpit 38
• Aft Deck 25
• Pilot House 19
• Deck Saloon 15
• Walkaround 6
• Flybridge 4
• Wheelhouse 4
• Cruiser Stern 2
• Trad stern 1
• Boatshed Wales 46
• Boatshed Essex 34
• Boatshed Cornwall 29
• Boatshed Suffolk 25
• Boatshed Portsmouth 23
• Boatshed Scotland 22
• Boatshed IOW 20
• Boatshed St Lucia 20
• Boatshed Greece 19
• Boatshed Plymouth 13
• Boatshed Port Townsend 13
• Boatshed Eastbourne 12
• Boatshed Gibraltar 12
• Boatshed 11
• Boatshed BVI 11
• Boatshed Brighton 10
• Boatshed Grenada 10
• Boatshed Hamble 10
• Boatshed Lancashire 10
• Boatshed Riviera 8
• Boatshed Southampton 8
• Boatshed Yorkshire 8
• Boatshed Costa Brava 7
• Boatshed Norfolk 7
• Boatshed Seattle 7
• Boatshed Sud Med 7
• Boatshed Texas 7
• Boatshed Barcelona 6
• Boatshed New Build Boats 6
• Boatshed La Rapita 4
• Boatshed Phuket 4
• Boatshed Poole 4
• Boatshed Torbay 4
• Boatshed Trinidad 4
• Boatshed Colombia 3
• Boatshed Kent 3
• Boatshed Midi Canals 2
• Boatshed Port Solent 2
• Boatshed Antigua 1
• Boatshed Florida Keys 1
• Sold / Unavailable Boats
• Boats with 360° Photos
• Boats with Videos

Boatshed Archive

View our full archive of over 20,000 previously listed boats.

Your filtered results: Reset

St francis 50, st francis 46, royal huisman custom, lagoon 46 flybridge, maxi dolphin 65, maverick catamarans 440 cruise ready custom, pilot house ketch - luxurious houseboat/blue water cruiser, lagoon 450 catamaran, fountaine pajot helia 44.

Results 1 - 15 of 460

Create Alert

Please enter a name for your alert

Sell Your Sailboat

Sell your gently used sailboat.

• New Sailboats

Browse New Sailboats

• Used Sailboats

Browse Used Sailboats

Sell your sails, sell your gently used sails, used sails for sale, browse used sails online, recently added sailboats for sale.

1946 Snipe, beautifully restored wood dinghy

Lippincott Lightning

Cal-Pearson Sloop 39

Morgan 32 Oswego Ny

Sailboats for sale.

Find a variety of new and used sailboats for sale. Sort sailboat listings by price, location, type, draft, number of cabins and more. 

SailTrader is the easiest and fastest way to sell your sailboat. As a sailboat marketplace dedicated to sailing, we make is fast and easy to sell your sailboat. Start by creating an account, and then just complete the listing information. It’s that easy!

Recently Added Sails For Sale

SPINNAKER 0.65 OZ AIREX 650 NYLON TRI RADIAL

New Cruising Mainsail – Get A Quote | Greiner Sailmakers

Pacific Seacraft 37 Yankee

Used Ullman Main for Pacific Seacraft 37

Sails for sale.

Browse used sails for sale from brands like North Sails, Quantum Sails, Doyle Sails, UK Sailmakers, Evolution Sails and more in our online marketplace. Search mainsails, headsails, spinnakers, code sails for racing and cruising sailboats.

At SailTrader, we know it’s important to find the right sail for your boat which is why it’s important our marketplace is custom designed for used sails. Sailors can shop for sails by luff length, sail material, luff attachment and more.

Regardless if your sail is nearly new or not, if it’s still usable it still has value. The selling process on SailTrader is easy, fast and designed specifically for used sailboat sails. This means you can list details specific to your sail to attract the right buyer. Start the selling process by creating a listing. From there, you will follow a simple step by step process.

Recently Added Sailing Reviews & Articles

New Mainsails: How Many Reefs Should I Order

The number of reefs you should add when buying a new mainsail depends on your sailing conditions and preferences. Here are some guidelines to help

Top 10 Sailboats For Sale Between 30 and 40 Feet

Sailboats offer a blend of adventure, relaxation, and the thrill of the sea, making them a beloved choice for both racing enthusiasts and families seeking

How Much Are Used Sails Worth?

Determining the dollar value of a used sail requires a nuanced understanding of several factors, as the worth of such an item isn’t simply based

Patagonia Sailing Gear Jacket & Bibs

Table of Contents Patagonia has recently launched a line of sailing gear aimed at offshore sailing. The newly released jacket and bibs comes is men’s

Tips For Buying A Sailboat With No Experience

Buying a sailboat without no experience can be both exciting and challenging. While it’s advisable to gain some basic sailing knowledge before making a purchase,

How To Tune Your Sailboat Rig

Table of Contents Sailing, with its perfect balance of adventure and tranquility, has enchanted mariners for centuries. Whether you’re cruising coastal waters or vying for

North Sails Roller Furling Genoa Sail Options Explained

Table of Contents North Sails’ new Roller Furling Genoas represent the epitome of sailmaking innovation and performance. Meticulously designed and crafted with precision, these genoas

Types of Cleats On A Sailboat

Table of Contents Cleats are essential fixtures on a sailboat used to secure lines (ropes) and control sail trim. They come in various designs and

The Sailor’s Marketplace for Sailboats and Sails.

• Cruising Sailboats
• Racing Sailboats

Sails For Sail

Sail manufacturers.

• North Sails
• Quantum Sails
• Doyle Sails
• UK Sailmakers

Sailing Reviews

• Sailing Line
• Safety Equipment
• Sailing Accesories

As an Amazon Associate SailTrader earns from qualifying purchases.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience possible. 

• Boats for Sale

New and Used Sailboats For Sale

Sailboats have cruised the world’s lakes and oceans for centuries and remain popular among many skilled and dedicated watermen and women. They require a degree of skill and an awareness of the wind and weather while offering a traditional and exhilarating boating experience. Search for new or use... learn more about Sailboats

Receive new listings in your email

Manufacturer

4,551 New and Used Sailboats

ST. FRANCIS 44 MKII

Saint Augustine, Florida (United States of America)

OFFERED BY:

Sunshine Cruising Yachts

PRICE IMPROVEMENT! NOW IN ST. AUGUSTINE FL IN A HURRICANE SAFE STORAGE YARD--READY TO GO BACK IN THE WATER, READY TO BE VIEWED! Majestic is a true bluewater cruising boat, bui...

Beneteau Oceanis 390

Clearwater, Florida (United States of America)

Preferred Yachts

Accommodations The interior layout includes a Full V Berth Stateroom Forward and two aft stateroom with double berths. Storage on the Portside En-Suite Full Head with Shower...

Nautitech 46 Open

Lorain, Ohio (United States of America)

Clipper Marine Limited

¡¡¡¡¡Just reduced!!!! Amazing Nautitech 46 open NEW TO THE MARKET, this boat has a magnificent sailing pedigree and proven sailing performance. She also has an amazing list...

Beneteau 42

Mystic, Connecticut (United States of America)

Brewer Yacht Sales

Accommodations Forward you have the Master head with separate stall shower followed aft to starboard by a queen size bed and a settee to port. A ventilation Hatch and opening ports provide p...

ILIAD Catamarans 53F

Dania Beach, Florida (United States of America)

Atlantic Yacht & Ship Inc

Featured Atlantic Yacht and Ship, specialists in Catamaran, is proud to offer this 53' 2025 ILIAD Catamarans Catamaran for sale in Dania Beach, Florida. Take a look at these images and videos,...

Nonsuch Auxiliary Sail

Accommodations Forward you have a queen sized bed to port with a large hanging locker to starboard with a vanity.. Aft to starboard is the enclosed head with separate stall shower. Aft to th...

Nautor Swan 391

Marion, Massachusetts (United States of America)

Berthon International

This Swan 391 is one of the nicest we have seen. She has lived a pampered life in New England and has always been stored indoors during the winter months. Her decks have been replaced, she has ...

Catalina 34 TRWK

North Beach, Maryland (United States of America)

Integrity Yacht Sales

Step aboard ideal boat for exploring the Chesapeak Bay. This Mark I model has the keel stepped Tall mast for the bay's light winds and a shoal draft for the thin water anchorag...

O'day Boats 35 Shoal Draft

Branford, Connecticut (United States of America)

The O'Day 35 offers contemporary styling, spacious accommodations and good sailing performance. " Sound Advice" has new Z sails, halyards and sheet lines, a Harken Electric 40.2ST electric winc...

Brewer Kaiulani

Boston, Massachusetts (United States of America)

When you step aboardKaSonderayou willappreciate the love and craftsmanship that went into her design and construction. This 1988 Kaiulani 38, a Ted Brewer design, built by Kai...

ILIAD Catamarans 62

Featured Atlantic Yacht and Ship, specialists in Catamaran, is proud to offer this 62' 2025 ILIAD Catamarans Catamaran for sale in Dania Beach, Florida. Take a look at these images and videos,...

San Pedro (United States of America)

Shoreline Yacht Group

ELECTRONICS DEPTHSOUNDER (RAYMARINE) RADAR/PLOTTER (RAYMARINE C80, C90w) AUTOPILOT (RAYMARINE ST70) LOG/KNOTMETER (RAYMARINE) WP/WS (RAYMARINE) COMPASS (RITCHEE) RADIO W/COCKPIT SPEAKERS...

Charleston, SC, (United States of America)

The Multihull Company

2015 Lagoon 52 Owners Version catamaran for sale listed exclusively with The Multihull Company. 5 cabin / 5 head Owner’s Version layout that sleeps 10 Laminate flooring Recently refinished teak ...

Antares PDQ 42

Saint Augustine, FL, (United States of America)

Yeya is a beautiful example of the PDQ Antares 42, which was produced for a couple years prior to being officially rebranded as the Antares 44.The PDQ Antares 42 includes all the same design fea...

Lagoon 450F

The VPLP architects, together with Lagoon and the Nautadesign office, succeeded beautifully in developing a new 45 catamaran to replace the famous Lagoon 440. Of course, the irreplaceable qualit...

Leopard Robertson & Caine 40 Owners' Version Never Chartered

Annapolis, Maryland (United States of America)

OWNER'S VERSION! FIRST OWNER CURCUMNAVIGATED THEN RETURNED TO CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA, SO THAT SHE COULD UNDERGO A COMPLETE FACTORY REFIT. SECOND OWNERS PURCAHSED HER IN 2022 A...

Balance 442

Supergirl is the very first Balance 442 to hit the pre-owned market! Frigomar 48V Aircon 1 x 16,000 BTU and 3 x 10,000 BTU Mattresses – 150mm (6″) thick and custom headboards for each cabin All ...

C & C 61

Anacortes, Washington (United States of America)

Seattle Yachts

SPECIFICATIONS Price: $359,500 Boat Name: KOH-I-NOOR Make: C&C Model: 61 Year: 1974 Condition: Used Category: Cutter Construction: Fiberglass Length: 61 ft Display Length:...

Catalina 320

Newport, Rhode Island (United States of America)

Latitude Yacht Brokerage

TFIN is a 1996 Catalina 320. She has been loved and cared for by the same family for the last 18 years. This is the type of boat that I would recommend to a family member or friend. The moment ...

Beneteau Oceanis 311 Clipper

Cutchogue, New York (United States of America)

United Yacht Sales

The Beneteau Oceanis 311 is a fast and comfortable pocket cruiser. Designed to sail, she makes an excellent day sailor with the capability of weeklong cruises. She was built in France and retai...

The Multihull Company Solar arch consists of 4 410W LG solar panels. Current owner is sourcing 2 200W solar panels to mount on the fly bridge hard top. 4 270AH BattleBorn GC3 LifePO4 batteries. ...

Bavaria Cruiser-Racer

Stamford, Connecticut (United States of America)

The HOLD FAST is a 2020 model BAVARIA 37 Cruiser as produced by BAVARIA YACHTBAU of Giebelstadt, Germany. Designed by Bruce Farr and introduced in 2013, the new "37 CR" was immediately successf...

Custom 50 Ketch

Sister Bay, Wisconsin (United States of America)

PRICED TO SELL! NOW AT OUR MARINA IN SISTER BAY WISCONSIN...EASY TO SEE! AS IS WHERE IS Custom-Built Bruce Roberts-Goodson Freshwater Ketch Rebuilt 88 HP Yanmar 4JH4-TE Diesel w/300 hours Fu...

Stuart, Florida (United States of America)

Manatee Pocket Yacht Sales

2000 Hunter 410 Sloop We are proud to be presenting this unique opportunity to the market."KnotFlyin'" is a Hunter 410 that had a lightning strike while in a Stuart mooring field.She...

Hinterhoeller Niagara

Indiantown, Florida (United States of America)

35' Hinterholler Niagara Classic We are pleased to present this35' Hinterholler Niagara Classic with a proven sailing history. With her traditional looks and modern appeal the Niagara 3...

Tavernier , Florida (United States of America)

Pier One Yacht Sales

Walk Through Stepping aboard "Pro Se" for the first time,one is met with a clean and orderly craft that is ready to go to sea. Moving around the main deck there are no ...

Nor'Sea Aft Cabin

Placida, Florida (United States of America)

New Garmin Depth finder New Garmin Auto Pilot New Cushions New Flooring in Cabin Mahogany Woodwork in Cabin Solar Panel Wind Vane Bottom sanded to barrier, sheer stripe ...

"Soul's Calling" is an immaculately cared for 3-Cabin Owners Version Lagoon 500 Catamaran for Sale exclusively for sale with The Multihull Company. 3 Cabin / 3 Head layout with 3 double berths p...

* Price displayed is based on today's currency conversion rate of the listed sales price.

ABOUT SAILBOATS

Sailboats have cruised the world’s lakes and oceans for centuries and remain popular among many skilled and dedicated watermen and women. They require a degree of skill and an awareness of the wind and weather while offering a traditional and exhilarating boating experience. Search for new or used sailboats for sale in your area in all sizes and prices to begin your journey.

Main Characteristics of Sailboats

A sailboat is classified as any boat that harnesses the power of the wind for propulsion. In real terms, this covers a huge variety of vessels, from small sailing dinghies to daysailers, single-masted boats, twin-masted boats, racing sailboats, and sailing superyachts. Depending on the size of the sailboat, it might have cabins, a galley, one or more heads, or more simply a small covered space for storage. 

Sailboats were traditionally constructed of wood, and it is still possible to find brands producing classic wooden hulls. However, these days most sailboats are made from materials such as fiberglass, aluminum, and even carbon fiber. 

When it comes to sails, rigging configurations are widely varying and are used to further classify sailboats into their relevant categories. Likewise, the keel of a sailboat can vary, from a full keel to a fin keel, or catamarans which have twin hulls with or without significant keels or daggerboards.

Types of Sailboat

Sloops make up the largest segment of sailboats and are characterized by a single mast rig that commonly has a triangular mainsail and a headsail. They are popular with beginners who find their rig simple to handle, but also with sailing pros who enjoy their ease of maneuverability. They are also frequently seen as racing boats thanks to their speed and good windward performance. They can be of any length from an 8-foot pram to a 258-foot superyacht and are often versatile with regards to their layout and ability to cruise in many conditions. 

Although similar in appearance to the sloop, a cutter has markedly different rigging with two headsails (a headsail and a staysail). This allows for good control and stability, especially in adverse weather, although it makes it a little more complicated to sail. Cutters also commonly have a spar extending from the bow known as a bowsprit. 

Large schooners have been around for centuries and are characterized by their multiple masts. They were originally designed for fishing or offshore voyages and able to handle even the roughest of sea conditions but often require more crewmembers to handle the complex rigging. 

Ketch and Yawl

These two-masted sailboats are similar in their appearance as they have a mainmast in front that is taller than the mizzenmast behind it. The difference lies in the positioning of the mizzen—behind the rudder post on the yawl and forward of it on the ketch . In general they are not as fast upwind as a sloop sailboat, but because of their shorter masts and smaller sails they often better suited to handling rough sea conditions. They can vary in size and often make good long-range sailboats. 

Daysailer and Dinghy

The smallest sailboats are dinghies and daysailers , which are ideal for beginners or fun days out on protected waters. They are easily trailerable and simple to rig and handle. Dinghies are 8 to 18 feet in overall length, while daysailers can be small or quite a bit larger, accommodating more passengers. Both have a single mast, although the rigging can vary widely.  

Motorsailer

The motorsailer uses a combination of wind power and engine power. While these are less common than sailboats and motorboats thanks to their higher price, they can offer the best of both worlds with the space and ability to power against the wind like a motor boat and the wind power of a sailboat that can increase its range and even invite its sailors to turn off the engine when conditions are right. They are popular for long-range cruising and long-term living. 

Catamaran Sailboat

Catamarans are double-hulled vessels with a shallower draft than monohull sailboats. Small catamarans are fun and fast, sailing right off the beach. Larger catamarans provide much more deck and interior space thanks to their wide beam, and larger models have cabins in both hulls with a spacious living area above the waterline. They don’t heel or tip the way monohulls do and are typically more stable except in extreme windy or wavy conditions

Best Sailboat Brands

Listing the best sailboats brands is no easy feat as there are hundreds of excellent builders to choose from. There are brands currently producing new sailboats as well as those many that are no longer in operation but whose boats are available on the used market.

Some of the top brands of sailboats include long-time builders such as Catalina , Jeanneau , Tartan , Beneteau , and Hallberg-Rassy , the latter who are known for their blue water yachts. 

Other brands worth mentioning are Hobie and their ultra-popular dinghy catamarans, Lagoon Catamarans , Hinckley Yachts , and Dufour to name just a few. 

Why Choose a Sailboat?

Sailboats give sailors the quintessential boating experience. They offer the chance to learn new skills together as a family, whether it’s on a small dinghy-sized sailboat for beginners, or a larger yacht that you might one day sail you around the world. Sailboats can be purchased for very different price points and styles to suit all skill levels. 

MANUFACTURERS IN SAILBOATS

Sailboats by make, sailboats by country, sailboats by state.

• Sailboats in California (97)
• Sailboats in Connecticut (104)
• Sailboats in Delaware (5)
• Sailboats in Florida (269)
• Sailboats in Georgia (23)
• Sailboats in Hawaii (7)
• Sailboats in Kentucky (9)
• Sailboats in Maine (10)
• Sailboats in Maryland (91)
• Sailboats in Massachusetts (37)
• Sailboats in Michigan (15)
• Sailboats in New Hampshire (20)
• Sailboats in New Jersey (4)
• Sailboats in New York (36)
• Sailboats in North Carolina (20)
• Sailboats in Oregon (6)
• Sailboats in Rhode Island (56)
• Sailboats in South Carolina (32)
• Sailboats in Texas (17)
• Sailboats in Virginia (43)
• Sailboats in Washington (42)
• Sailboats in Wisconsin (7)

RELATED SEARCHES TO SAILBOATS

Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

UK Edition Change

• UK Politics
• News Videos
• Paris 2024 Olympics
• Rugby Union
• Sport Videos
• John Rentoul
• Mary Dejevsky
• Andrew Grice
• Sean O’Grady
• Photography
• Theatre & Dance
• Culture Videos
• Fitness & Wellbeing
• Food & Drink
• Health & Families
• Royal Family
• Electric Vehicles
• Car Insurance Deals
• Lifestyle Videos
• UK Hotel Reviews
• News & Advice
• Simon Calder
• Australia & New Zealand
• South America
• C. America & Caribbean
• Middle East
• Politics Explained
• News Analysis
• Today’s Edition
• Home & Garden
• Broadband deals
• Fashion & Beauty
• Travel & Outdoors
• Sports & Fitness
• Climate 100
• Sustainable Living
• Climate Videos
• Solar Panels
• Behind The Headlines
• On The Ground
• Decomplicated
• You Ask The Questions
• Binge Watch
• Travel Smart
• Watch on your TV
• Crosswords & Puzzles
• Most Commented
• Newsletters
• Ask Me Anything
• Virtual Events
• Wine Offers
• Betting Sites

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in

Giant masts, moon pools and pole explorer pods: How the world of yachts got supersized

The sinking of mike lynch’s ‘unsinkable’ sailing vessel was not only a heartbreaking tragedy, but also gave us a rare glimpse into the superyachting fraternity. here, boat international’s lucy dunn looks at a group that is both secretive and innovative, and asks how such a high-spec sailing yacht could have sunk at all..., article bookmarked.

Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile

L ast week’s sinking of the 56-metre yacht Bayesian and the tragic deaths of British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and his guests and boat staff have given the public a glimpse into the rarefied world of superyachts.

From the sheer size of the mast (74 metres, roughly the size of seven two-storey houses stacked on top of each other) to the expense ( Bayesian was put up for sale in 2014 with an asking price of $30m, which is around £23m), to the sheer luxury (the interiors were by Remi Tessier, the designer behind Claridge’s new penthouse), it’s a world few people normally get to see. 

There are currently 12,626 superyachts on the water around the world with 1,166 superyachts in build or on order. If you have been to a Greek island this year, or maybe the Amalfi coast, you may have glimpsed them coming in and out of harbours and wondered who owns a yacht like that. Or who can afford to charter a yacht like that – which have an average price of around £180,000 a week.

While you may think of glossy influencers and A-listers, the superyachting fraternity is where millionaires are sorted from the billionaires from the centi-billionaires; the 0.001 per centers. Rarely will you find a celebrity with the financial clout to afford a yacht owned by Lynch, these are generally under-the-radar industry titans who don’t have household names. 

So, what exactly makes a superyacht super? According to Boat International , where I work, it can be applied to any boat, motor or sailing yacht which is over 24 metres in length. Size, in the superyacht world, is everything – and yachts are getting bigger all the time. Indeed, our data arm BoatPro shows that the average length of a new-build yacht is now 39.2 metres, up from 38.5 metres last year.

Currently, the largest yacht in the world is the motor yacht Azzam – at 180.6 metres, almost two football fields in length and triple the size of Lynch’s Bayesian . For owners, yachts can be bought “semi-custom” (a bit like a new-build house off-plan but on a much grander scale), or “fully-custom” – meaning they’re built from scratch to the owner’s exact specifications.

And it is not a quick process either: it can take up to four years from design stage to completion, with 300 people or more working on each project. All of which might go some way to explaining the mind-boggling price of them.

While this changes according to market fluctuations and demand, a fully custom 100-metre with all the bells and whistles is around £200m. And that’s just for starters. Depending on the size and age of the yacht you’ll need to spend at least 5-10 per cent of the purchase price every year on the cost of maintaining and operating it (so, in this case, £20m on crew, fuel, tax, insurance, harbour fees). 

Some owners like to recoup some of their running costs by turning their yacht into a mini hotel business and chartering it out. A commercially successful boat (neutral interiors, jacuzzi, lots of executive toys) will pick up several charters a year, covering the traditional charter beats of the Med in summer and the Caribbean in winter.

The 85-metre yacht Bold , for example, is equipped with an outdoor cinema, helipad, teppanyaki grill, inflatables, water skis – a snip at £665,000 a week. 

While many prefer to keep a low profile, other yacht owners like fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger aren't so shy, and love to use their yacht to entertain (in Hilfiger's case, Kris Jenner of Kardashian fame). But more often than not, owners are super-private. (Lynch was one of these owners who liked to keep things low-key.) Often even the building of the yacht can be wrapped in a cloak of secrecy, and the engineers and craftspeople working on them won’t know who the owner is. 

Unlike a car, yachts don’t depreciate in value quite as sharply. The caveat to this is that you need to keep it in pristine condition. This takes work: one thing that is true on Netflix hit Below Deck – crew really do clean cracks between floor tiles with toothpicks.

Keep on top of maintenance and your yacht will last 70 years or more. Christina O , the iconic superyacht once owned by shipping giant Aristotle Onassis and wife Jackie O, is still going strong at 81 years old. She was recently listed for sale for €90m (£68m).

You will need at least a crew of 20 for your 100-metre yacht. Not made-for-TV crews, but ones with professional qualifications, who you would trust to handle your multimillion-pound bit of kit.

Good captains are very sought after and can name their price. Sailing guests to exotic parts of the world is just a tiny part of the job: you have to plan safe routes, book berths in marinas (you’re looking north of €117,000 – around £99,000 – for the Monaco Grand Prix week), manage crew, handle copious paperwork and organise repairs and yard visits.

It’s not just a case of popping it into a local garage for a service – which explains why guests must take off their shoes before stepping on board to protect the precious teak decking. 

And unlike other status symbols like supercars or precious watch collections, you can’t just moor a superyacht and forget about it until your next fancy holiday. They need constant attention – as the US government found to their cost when they seized Amadea , a 106-metre superyacht owned by a Russian oligarch and discovered they needed to pay out $7m (£5m) a year in maintenance. 

This is why superyachts become such passion projects, beyond whether they are worth it or not. Owners don’t just own them, they put their hearts and souls into them. And this is where the fun happens.

Because despite the tacky “gold taps and bling” reputation that blights the industry, many owners are, on the contrary, super-creative with their superyachts: cue underwater “Nemo” lounges, indoor gardens, waterfalls, snow rooms, padel courts, IMAX cinemas… imaginations have no limits. 

Innovation is at the heart of the industry and is very bespoke according to need. Some owners prefer the cut and thrust of sail over motor and a closer experience of the sea.

Some want a vessel that can circumnavigate the globe so they can really see the world. Bayesian , for example, was built to go places and her sistership Rosehearty (an almost identical yacht built by the same yard) has been taken around the globe multiple times in all weathers without a hitch. 

Some owners get their yachts built with sturdy “ice class” hulls so they can visit the Poles. These are called “explorer yachts” and they have laboratories for visiting scientists, personal submersibles, James Bondesque “moon pools”, openings in the hull for subs to dock, and so on.

Sometimes an explorer yacht is not big enough to handle everything an adventurous owner wants to do – which is where support vessels (secondary yachts used to store kit such as seaplanes and snowmobiles) come in. 

Why have one yacht when you can have two?

Some forward-thinking owners put their cash behind investigating greener alternatives to traditional diesel engines. The world’s first hydrogen-powered superyacht, Project 821 , which is 119-metres long, reportedly hit the water this June. Project Zero , a “zero fossil fuel” sailing yacht with the ability to harvest wind, thermal and solar energy launches in 2025. 

There has been a lot of speculation about what caused the tragedy with Bayesian . Superyachts have been known to have accidents, but rather than sink in storms, they run aground or catch fire (lithium batteries have been cited as a culprit in some cases). Often, due to the length of time passed and complex technical reports released by investigators, we never find out the cause.

It’s now over to investigators to discover how an “unsinkable” yacht sank last week. The facts are: Bayesian was built by Perini Navi, a respected shipyard specialising in sailing yachts based in Italy, which is the world epicentre of shipbuilding. Day in and day out an army of 30,000 engineers, architects and designers that work in these yards pride themselves on unparalleled craftsmanship, using sophisticated naval architecture technology to push boundaries and produce incredible feats of engineering. 

The world of superyachts may be a world you and I will never be part of, but as this week’s tragic news has shown, there is so much more to it than you think…

Boat International Media is a luxury lifestyle publishing company. Find out more here

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.

New to The Independent?

Or if you would prefer:

Hi {{indy.fullName}}

• My Independent Premium
• Account details
• Help centre