Chiama Ora
How to choose between sail boat or motor boat
In this article the differences between sail boat and motor boat will be highlighted. Both of them, of course, are your first aim when you think about a boat. But which are the main differences? Which one is the most suitable for you? Continue to read to discover it. If you have the intention to start to practice the sailing as your hobby, you will ask to yourself which kind of boat is more suitable for your need and expectations. There is no right or wrong answer to this question because any kind of boat is great in his own way. With this article we will help you to better know the pros and cons of each kind of boat, so that you can choice the most suitable for you. First before 10 mt lengths and without navigation licence we have the pleasure craft (sail or motor), from 10 mt to 24 and with navigation licence we have pleasure boats (we are Italian…..lows could change in different countries). Concerning licence the power of the engine is to be considered: for a sail boat or motor boat whose engine has up to 40 hp of power no licence is needed and you can sail up to 6 nm from the coast. The matter of licence, anyway, will be treated in a suitable article.
What is a motor boat?
A motor boat works thanks to an engine that is mainly alimented by gasoline or diesel fuel. The most used kind of motor boats are the rubber dinghy (RIB if fitted with rigid keel), generally used for small navigation and cruises. This is highly recommended for its reliability, manoeuvrability, stability and ease of handling. The open boat, with central console, huge spaces around it, suitable for water sports. The cruiser (sometimes fitted with fly: a console placed in the highest point of the boat that gives an all around view), with bow cabin and that is suitable for longer cruises. The fisherman boats that are completely designed to meet the needs of the person that like practising sport fishing.
The engines can be inboard outboard o semi inboard. The final advice for those who are choosing their first boat is the rubber dinghy because of its stability, safety, ease of handling and management. The main difference between sail boat and motor boat is that the motor boat is easier to handle and manage.
What is a sail boat?
The sail boat is a boat that makes user of sail and, consequently, the power of wind for its propulsion. Sail boat are generally used for fun and pleasure, races and cruises. The most common sail boat is the pleasure sail boat (suitable for those who practice sailing for sport and fun, not too difficult to handle and with much space inside), race sail boat (suitable for regattas, with very small spaces inside, not so comfortable, fast but more difficult to be handled). Further types of sail boats are dinghy, sailing ships, megauyacht, motorsailer which will be not analysed in this article.
Those who are buying a sail boat as first experience, of course, are advised to buy a pleasure sail boat (cruiser). When the sail boat is very small a gasoline outboard engine is fitted while for bigger boats inboard diesel engine are fitted. When sailing, a combination of sail and engine is possible with important spare of fuel especially with favourable wind.
What is a catamaran?
The catamarans are multihull boats with two parallel hulls but, sometimes, can even be three, with engine or sail. Catamarans offer better stability e much more space inside. The stability is given by the fact that the hulls are distant between them. The spaces of a catamaran make it seem like a floating house. Thus, together with the better stability, the reliability of the 2 engines (with two separate and independent systems) is very important when you aim to sail for very long routes. Moreover the performance of the catamarans are very respectable. Catamarans give the possibility to enjoy the sea and sailing without renouncing to the comforts of a modern house. They are having a huge success in the last years. Strongly recommended for those who intend to spend long period at sea.
Sail or motor? Pros and cons
Sails make the sail boat slower but cheaper compared with a motor boat. Motor boats allow to reach distant places with few time.
Concerning maintenance we can say that the sail boat is a little more expensive than motor boats (sails, rigging, stoppers, ropes, circuits, etc.), while the motor boat is a little more comfortable thanks to the absence of many systems. Motor boats are easier to be managed and handled compared to the sail boats so they are the best choice as first experience at sea. The maintenance of the engines is due for sail boats and motor boats but, generally, the engines of sail boats are longer smaller than the ones of motor boats so their maintenance is easier. Sail boats and catamarans are an ecologic way to live the sea, where the most important aspect is the interpretation of the rules that affect navigation and not speed. Generally motor boats are the means while sail boats and catamarans are the final aim. Reaching a destination using only the power of wind, without any environmental impact is cool.
How to choose between sail boat and motor boat?
This depends on your targets, anyway, we’ve already advised those who are at the first experience. We’ve spoken about boats listing priorities to be taken into account when choosing when you’ve no experience. The most important aspect that those who are approaching the world of navigation must take into account before any other consideration: SAFETY SAFETY AND SAFETY.
Last advice: before considering the different type of boats you have to study safety at sea in general. This matter will be treated in the next articles.