Which sailboat should I get?

Question

I'm thinking of having a sloop, but I've just seen a cutter that would be perfect for me. which sailboat types are smaller? ketch? yawl? I will have someone with me, there will be two people on board, but just in case if something happens, I would still like if one person can sail it. and what is a fractional rig?

I want to sail near the coast. I dont wanna go out on the open ocean, but I would still like it if the sailboat can handle bigger waves. then I would feel more safer, cause the weather can suddenly change and weather forecast isnt always 100% sure. I dont wanna capsize on a bigger wave. and I'll make sure that I will sail in nice weather.

what about trimarans, are they good? I would also like it if the sailboat wont lean that much.

Answer 1

You can single hand each of the boats you listed. It requires some changes to where the lines (sheets and halyards) are led and that's about it. A fractional rig has the jib stay going only  partway up the mast say 5/8ths or 3/4, thus the fractional moniker. You can balance out a ketch or a yawl relatively easier than a cutter or sloop but it depends on the sailing conditions. You will either need an autopilot or vane steering to help you while you tend to other tasks.

The larger the boat the more of a hassle it is to sail alone, unless purposely built for shorthanded sailing.

We sailed throughout the Pacific for three years just my wife and I on a 40' Cheoy Lee yawl. I wouldn't trade that experience for anything. Crossing an ocean is no big deal just make sure you are prepared for it. Maybe try to sign on as crew for a voyage or two.

Answer 2

For a small (2-person) boat on near coastal waters I'd stick with a sloop.  You are likely to be sailing for shorter amounts of time and tacking more often.  This makes raising and managing more sails more cumbersome, especially with changing weather.   With a small boat, the sails will not be too large to manager.  

All boat types will can come in a large variety of sizes, but you tend to see more masts and sail configurations on larger boats to keep the sails down to managable size.

Relize the stability, comfort, and sailing characteristics of a boat have as much to do with other design features as the sail plan.   Heavy displacement, full keel boats will perform very differently than light-weight, fin-keel boats.   Clutches, lines led to the cockpit, self-tailing winches, lazy jacks, reefing systems, etc can have more do do with ease of sail handeling than the sailing plan as well.

Answer 3

Buy a Hunter

Answer 4

What about a catamaran? around the 35ft to 40ft size and an ideal boat for sailing and living on.