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Bluewater yacht information

Not really a category in its own right: which yacht makes the right bluewater and long-distance cruising yacht is often a matter of attitude, of the skipper's age and of how much comfort you expect.

Which is the ideal bluewater yacht?

It's clearly one of the most frequently asked questions among blue-water cruisers. And yet there is no spontaneous answer that is truly satisfying. The demands placed on a bluewater yacht or long-distance cruiser that really does its job well are simply too closely tied to the expectations and plans of its owners.

Key questions for long-distance cruising yachts

So if you're looking for the right yacht for a cruise lasting months or years into more or less exotic regions, you should first be clear about a few fundamental points.

• Is the boat really seaworthy (see also: CE marking)? Look for the relevant certificates (CE design category A, at least B).
• Pay attention to the length! How many people will live on board permanently? How many guests will join for shorter periods? Single-handed sailors rarely cope with 60-foot yachts, and a family of five will have little fun on a 7-meter boat. Forget one-size-fits-all tips such as: one foot of yacht length for every year of the skipper's age.
• Which passages does the boat already have in its wake? Has it proven itself in extreme situations?
• Go for sturdy yachts. Remember: delicate and lightweight may be fast, but it has little to counter the elements.
• Does the yacht sail well? Focus more on the boat's performance than on current trends.
• Put comfort behind sailing performance, but ahead of speed. Remember: fast yachts that were also built for racing are often uncomfortable because they land too hard in the waves. On the other hand, don't do without a certain basic level of comfort: good, hot meals thanks to a functional galley, a good night's sleep in comfortable berths and places where the crew can retreat are extremely important on long passages.
• Children on board need a disproportionate amount of space and, all the more so, places to retreat to while sailing on the open sea.
• Don't be afraid of classics. Their construction (such as a long keel) is often better suited to a long passage than some modern designs.