Purchasing a Cruising Yacht

Whose eyes don't light up at the thought of a shiny new boat? Just being able to purchase a new yacht is an accomplishment in itself; however, there's no sense in buying a yacht you ultimately won't be able to use-even if you can afford it. That's why it's best, before you make a purchase, to consider the yacht's type of construction as well as its rigging and available options.

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS

Glass-Reinforced Plastic

Most contemporary yachts are constructed of glass-reinforced plastic (GRP), also known as glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP). GRP is a durable, strong and easily reparable material. It's only weakness? Sensitivity to osmosis. The resulting blisters can be costly to repair.

Steel

Steel is probably the strongest material used by boat builders. Steel boats have been known to run into banks or reefs with only a few scratches to show for it. Despite its strength, however, steel is susceptible to rusting; therefore, owners must make sure that all surfaces are primed and painted to avoid potential rust damage.

Aluminum

Aluminum construction is rare among cruisers; however, it's extremely popular for top quality, custom-built yachts. If you do purchase an aluminum-constructed yacht, make sure that is was built by a professional rather than an amateur builder, as poor craftsmanship can cause owners major headaches in the future.

Wood

Wood, the traditional building material for yachts, has a lot to offer in terms of style and durability. If a yacht is constructed of the right type of wood, it can last as long as one crafted of other materials, such as GRP. Maintenance costs, however, are very high with wood and, especially for those who plan to do their own painting, very time-consuming and labor intensive.

Ferro-cement

An inexpensive material, ferro-cement has been used for quite some time in yacht construction and was particularly popular in the 1970s. If the concrete hull is correctly fashioned, it can be extremely strong and durable.

RIGS

The most popular choice of yacht rig is the sloop, followed by the cutter and then the ketch. Although sloop rigging has a very simple design, ketch and cutter rigs are easier to manage because they split the sail plan into smaller areas. While cutter rigs can sail under a simple twin headsail with a downwind option, ketch rigs can sail under mizzens and headsails solely.

OPTIONS: ESSENTIAL OR DESIRABLE?

Yachts today feature many wonderful options, and knowing the difference between the ones you can't do without and the ones it would be nice to have will certainly impact your final bill. Before you begin shopping for a yacht, make a list of those features you consider essential, and then look for models that meet those specific requirements. Why buy a yacht filled with expensive options you don't really need when you can get one that meets your exact wishes with just a little planning?

In fact, it's best to plan your budget before you shop, as yachts can be very expensive. You may have to save up for one. If so, plan-and shop-carefully. Being a yacht owner with cash to spare is better than being one without!