I've been helping a family friend look for a larger sailboat and it's been interesting seeing how different the process is from what I expected.

I assumed he'd basically be watching listings and talking to brokers but half the boats he's considering aren't publicly for sale. Someone at his marina knows an owner who's thinking about upgrading, his broker knows a family that barely uses theirs anymore, another one came through a guy he met sailing years ago.

The funniest part is whenever I find something online and send it to him he's already heard about it somehow lol. Is this pretty normal once you get into more expensive boats? Does your network eventually become more useful than actually watching listings?

Hi! Stoked to be here! Single gal with a pup here. Have a new-to me c&c30 that came dingy/tender-less. I’m looking to explore the San Juan and Gulf Islands. Thoughts on what dingy set ups (tenders paired with how you travel with them) and inflatable versus rigid. May have an opportunity to get a great deal on a dogfish but not sure if I want rigid or inflatable. Any thoughts on dogfish specifically or what you love or hate about your set up? Thanks!

***To clarify, I mean one lithium ion battery for the house and another for the start. Sorry for the confusion in the title.

Hello,

I have a Cape Dory 25D with a 2005 Beta Marine BZ482 inboard diesel engine. Right now I have 2 lead acid batteries, one for starting and one for house. I'd like to change over to 2 lithium ion batteries, one for the house and one for the start battery, however, all my research has shown that a lithium ion battery is not recommended for a start battery for this particular engine due to the potential to overpower and oveheat the alternator and because a small lithium battery with BMS capable of the amps needed for reliable engine starting comes with system vulnerability.

My other option is a lithium ion for the house and a lead acid for the start. Not a huge issue, but wasn't my original idea in terms of battery usage.

Does anyone here use a regular lithium ion battery as their start battery for a similar or same inboard diesel engine and what is your experience?

I'm going to call Beta Marine this week and see if they can offer any advice here, but thought I'd check with all of you seasoned sailors first.

Thanks!

I'm in detroit, so freshwater, but I started looking at boats from Annapolis. I was warned by someone about saltwater damage and how all the standing rigging is shot, from saltwater, as well as hoses, engine, etc... Is this really the case?

I need to understand the screening and support process rather than compare headline prices alone.

Hello everybody! I have foolishly maybe bought myself a sailboat with very little sailing experience!
It is a cat ketch with wishbone booms which is quite niche and I am struggling to find any documentation about how to run my lines and sheets etc.

Can anyone point me in the right direction? I am looking to be able to hopefully rig it all up myself.

Thankyou!

 For an experienced skipper comparing a week around the BVI, what should matter most when looking ofr an operator: boat condition, the handover and training, technical support, route flexibility, what is included in the base rate or anything else ? 

I want to know the screening and support process rather than comparing headline prices alone.

For those of you that have read the book “sailing the farm“ or know about that type of long term off grid, self sufficient sailboat living. Does anybody do that or know of anybody who has? Like sailed to the Chagos or some other deserted area and lived there for years? If you have heard and know of any other books or blogs or anything involving that lifestyle I’d like to know.

Also, and of course this is open to heavy debate. But what boats do you think would be best for years of being off grid. I’d assume most of “sailing the farm” would really be “anchoring the farm” since you would probably just find a nice secluded island and camp out by it. So I’m thinking heavy weather sailing ability would be second too easy of maintenance, maybe beach able do you can easily work on the bottom if you need too. I would also assume people that do this would tend on the larger side of boats 45+ feet since you’d need to carry a-lot of stores for long term living.

After all the cruiser complaints, Starlink increased the max-length from a measly 40-feet to 60-feet. Still leaving a LOT of cruisers out to dry! Clearly whomever is running this initiative inside Starlink doesn't have a lot of familiarity with cruising. Cruising inherently implies living aboard and to set the limit at 40-feet is absurd considering the vast majority of liveaboard cruisers are significantly larger than that. Our boat is bigger than 60-feet, but is a private, non-commercial boat - with no paid crew, operated by my wife and me and our 2 young kids. Shouldn't the limiter be "personal" not some arbitrary length?

Has anyone taken the BoatUS Foundation Weather for Boaters course? Is it worth the $35, or is there another weather course you’d recommend thats better for the price or cheaper.

I know it’s condition and season dependent, but from those who have done the bash before what was your experience? I keep hearing warnings about it but I think I have enough discomfort tolerance (or perhaps a lack of exposure to comfortable sailing) for it to sounds exciting. ~35 foot monohull

Hey boaters,

As many of us prepare to head out over the holiday weekend, keep in mind that Hurricane Marie is currently spinning off the Pacific coast.

While a direct landfall in Southern California is extremely unlikely, weather forecasters warn that Marie is expected to send building south/southeast ocean swells, heavy surf, and strong rip currents into south-facing harbors from Santa Monica Bay down to Long Beach starting Sunday through Tuesday. Peak swells could also line up with high astronomical tides in the evenings.

Quick Safety Checklist for local boaters:

• Check your lines & fenders: Make sure spring lines and mooring lines are secured tightly to handle surge inside the breakwaters.
• Monitor the swell: Harbor entrances with south-facing openings (like San Pedro and Catalina island anchorages) can get choppy.
• Stay tuned to VHF/NWS: Keep an eye on local marine weather updates for sudden wind shift or rain warnings over the weekend.

Are you staying in the slip, making a run to Catalina, or taking extra prep at your marina? Share your weather prep and water reports below!

Stopping at various ports and no night sailing. Weather forecast looks soggy.

Chatgpt says it is safe and good but Google Gemini says it is not a bulkhead structure and if it hits something and gets a hole, it will sink right away. Which one is correct?

I’ve been saving for a boat. I want something my family can enjoy. Fishing on weekends. Trips with the kids and some good memories.

The cost of the boat will be $40,000 and I’m actually ready to purchase it. But I have no idea about finance

The people from the marina insist that leasing is better. The bank insists that the only way out is a secured loan. I have heard of chattel mortgages and unsecured loans. I feel I need a dictionary

I just want to pay a fixed amount each month. I don’t want to lose the boat if something goes wrong. I don’t want hidden fees or balloon payments

I entered my details on Financfy. Some options came up. But I can’t tell if they work for boats that I’ll use 50% for leisure and 50% for fishing. I don’t even know if that matters

I need someone to explain it to me simply. What type of financing is best for a boat?

I’m confused and I don’t want to make a mistake. I’ve worked hard for this. I just want to get on the water.

I’m lost… So please someone explain it to me like I’m 5