Once you know exactly how, where and when to use your dream boat, the next question to be answered is "what are the characteristics a boat more suited to what I'll sail the boat? I think this question is best answered through five dimensions: the type rig, sail plan, keel type, the interior accommodations and hull design in general. Many great books are available to discuss these considerations in any detail you want. Here is a quick summary.

Rig type and sail plan go hand in hand. Typically, there is a trade-off between ease of sail handling and safety and flexibility. For example, a cat rigged boat with a large candle and no headsail (think laser) is very easy to handle by one person, since there is only a candle. If you sail day in a small lake or near the coast where you can protect yourself if things heat up, this is a great platform for simple, easy to use and quick to install. However, it is very flexible design, because the sail can not curl into big hits. A Marconi sloop rule is a step up in flexibility by adding a second (head) candle that can be resized to accommodate the wind speed changes. In addition, these platforms offer today, almost invariably roller furling Genoa, at least, if not the two candles, making progress simple and easy adjustments. This is definitely a platform with the flexibility to more wind strong.

The disadvantage is that they have now added a candle second handle, change, and furl. Moreover, the warning is still quite limited in terms of changes you can make plans to sail. The cutting device is the next step in the flexibility with 2 sails fore and usually a much smaller mainsail. This configuration allows for significant variations in the configuration of the mainsail and a much broader spectrum of wind range in which the ship can navigate comfortably. The disadvantage is a third candle handle. Finally, double-masted designs yolas-ketchs and provide the greatest level of flexibility and therefore greater speed range wind to sail comfortably through. The obvious drawback is complication-2 masts, 4-6 candles. For me, the sloop wins Bay, Great Lakes and navigation coastal, and I would like at least one mower deck for ocean passages, with the boat and yawl to be much better.

Fins are the next consideration two main issues-the depth and what kind. Deep keels allow for greater stability (heel) and angles over time (in the wind), but restrict the places you can surf safely without running aground. For me the issue is easy to runners should opt for deeper keel practices for your area navigation, the difference in windward legs can be dramatic. I would recommend anyone to deep keels spend much time fighting to windward (whoever that is). For everyone else, the shallower the better, cruising grounds, anchorages safer and less chance of hitting something on the fly. In terms of type, if you are making passages at sea or even in the long coastal passages, I recommend a full keel boat tracks better and get much better "exploitation" deep keel. Alternatively, if you make a lot of maneuvering Close Quarters, I would not have a full keel and instead opt for the keel.

Inside accommodations range from almost nothing in the tanks of race, to full blown luxury (microwave, flat screen televisions, DVD players). The simple rule is to match the type of candle inside type. My guess is for everyone, but the core driver, the budget is dictated here (more on this in Part III).

Finally, consider the type of helmets in general. I examine two dimensions: SA / D (sail area to displacement ratio) to estimate the speed general and D / L (shift-length ratio) for global stability and maneuverability. Neither is a perfect measure, and manufacturers have a tendency to distort the numbers (but that is a different article) but a good general reference.

In summary, the first step in buying a sailboat that will make happy is to know exactly and in great detail how to use the boat. The second step is to identify the characteristics of a boat that most of your usage and start looking for boats with those characteristics.

About the Author:

Capt Dave Bello is President of Fair Wind Sailing School, an ASA affiliate
sailing school
. This article is a continuation of
How to Buy a Sailboat – Part I
.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – How to Buy a Sailboat – Part II

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