The Advantages of Owning a Smaller Boat
Seamanship Is Far More Important than Vessel Size
Oct 6, 2008
A major distinction between experienced sailors and their neophyte counterparts, is their beliefs in how big the boat should be to sail off into the sunset. A bigger boat means more comfort, more storage and more prestige, but experienced sailors also know that a bigger boat often means "no leaving the dock."
Advantages of a Smaller Vessel
Smaller sailboats (those under 40 feet) have several distinct advantages over larger vessels. To begin with, they are generally much more affordable. This means there will be fewer years spent trying to pay for the vessel before one takes off. (Money lenders just don’t like to see their investments go to sea.) Few people can pay cash for these vessels, although a good buy is far more likely to appear in the under 40’ range than among the more luxurious yachts.
Unfortunately, many times new boat buyers purchase large, expensive boats that take years to pay for. All too often in the intervening decades they lose their momentum, and interest, for the cruising life and taking that extended voyage.
Besides the initial price tag, smaller vessels are less expensive to equip than larger boats:
- Fewer and/or smaller sails are required
- A smaller engine will suffice
- Steering vanes and auto pilots for smaller vessels are less expensive
- Moorage certainly costs less
- Insurance is less
- Yearly haul-outs and maintenance is generally less
- Gear replacement is less expensive
- Anchoring gear is smaller, which means it can be pulled by hand if needed
- The boats are less conspicuous so they are less likely to be pirated
Smaller Vessels Don't Require Extra Crew
Another important benefit of a smaller boat is that it doesn’t take extra crew to handle the vessel.
Robin Graham was a sixteen year old boy who singlehanded his 26’ Dove; another famous, world cruising couple, Lyn and Larry Pardey’s first vessel was the 24’ Seraffyn, and Tom and Becky Coffield’s passage maker was the 34’ Cabaret. None of these small boats needed extra crew to help with extended ocean passages. Both Dove and Cabaret experienced severe storm conditions, yet both vessels survived.
Seamanship Counts More than Boat Size
Small boats are every bit as seaworthy as larger vessels, and there are those who say that the smaller vessels are more seaworthy than larger ones as long as their hulls are of a substantial strength to withstand the pounding that often occurs with errant waves. More than the boat, it’s the ability of the skipper that determines whether a vessel survives a severe storm.
Why do some boats sink and others ride the storm to safety? The more the boat has been used by the owner/sailor, the more familiar he/she is with the way the boat handles in all kinds of conditions. For many reasons, smaller boats leave the docks to go sailing far more frequently than larger vessels. Storm tactics can be learned and prepared for, but it’s not until the barometer falls and the storm hits that the true grit of boat and master becomes apparent. Boat and man must become one to successfully withstand the rigors of nature. Knowing the boat and how it handles is crucial. This can’t be learned by sitting at the dock.
Vessel Familiarity Is Crucial
Any vessel can capsize, turn turtle, broach or sink at sea. The boat that has been sailed extensively by an owner who has learned to maneuver and handle the vessel in all conditions will more readily survive. Smaller boats are, quite simply, safer because they are sailed more; the experience of the captain is what ensures the boat's safety.
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