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The Best Motor Yachts by Length  in 2024

The motor yachts assembled here are ordered by length (LOA) and include a range from super cabin cruisers to superyachts.

This is a guide to the 15 most impressive motor yachts in different sizes and categories.

This review of motor yachts is a celebration of design in both form and function. Brands, model and size of motor yacht. These water vessels give individuals unlimited freedom and access to all the oceans, and lakes of the earth.

Motor yachts today are both rugged and highly sophisticated. They are large watercraft with impressive levels of functionality that provide safety, comfort, and privacy. They are the ideal haven to chill and unwind, especially if you love being on the water like we do.

We’ve been going to boat shows and hitching rides when possible to make this list.

Here are 15 of the best motor yacht brands to make it easy.

They are shown in order of size, increasing to the super yachts that require a large crew to run.

We have removed some models owned by associates of the Russian regime. The Lurssen Nord is just one example.

Top 5 Best Motor Yachts in 2024

All the motor yachts we've tested, tecnomar lamborghini 63 yacht.

Where to buy:

Where to buy tecnomar lamborghini 63 yacht:.

Lamborghini has big plans to commemorate the brand’s 60th anniversary. The iconic Italian automaker started manufacturing in 1963. Building 63 limited edition supercars, dubbed the Siàn, wasn’t enough. The carmaker also has teamed up with Tecnomar, part of the Italian Sea Group shipyards, to build 63 limited-edition yachts.

The result is the Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63. It’s 63 feet long and will do 63 knots flat out. That puts it on a short list of the world’s fastest motor yachts. To achieve such a feat, twin V12 MAN diesel engines are paired with a state-of-the-art hull design. The ride is fast but also smooth, comfortable, and sporty. It’s a nautical experience that is becoming of the Lamborghini name.

• Length: 63 feet (19.2 meters)
• Beam: 18 feet (5.5 meters)
• Dry displacement: 52,910 pounds (24 tonnes)
• Engines: 2x MAN V12-2000 twin-turbo, 24.24 liter, common-rail marine diesels
• Total power: 4,000 hp (2,942 kW)
• Total torque: 9,388 lb-ft (13,000 Nm)
• Max Speed: 63 knots (73 mph, 117 kph)
• Cruising Speed: 41 knots (46 mph, 74 kph)
• Fuel consumption (max): 212 gph (800 l/h)
• Fuel consumption (cruising) : 132 gph (500 l/h)
• Fuel tankage: 951 gal (3,600 liters)
• Water tankage: 159 gal (600 liters)
• CE Category: B-16

Things we like:

Things we don't like:.

Jeanneau US

Jeanneau Worldwide

Jeanneau Merry Fisher 1295

Where to Book:

Where to book jeanneau merry fisher 1295:.

All new for 2023, Jeanneau has introduced the Merry Fisher 1295 Fly, also called the NC Weekender 1295 Fly. At just over 40 feet, this true three-level yacht boasts three staterooms, two heads, tons of comfortable seating and lounge space, and enough storage to bring all your stuff with you.

Beyond helm features for easier docking, this cabin cruiser is designed to carry you and your family comfortably. There’s not really another 40-foot flybridge that offers as much as the 1295 for the same price point.

The spacious salon level features sliding glass doors that open onto the aft cockpit. The aft galley is fully appointed and allows for the perfect flow for socialization during meals and hanging out. The cockpit features a walkthrough boarding door to port and a large fold-down swim terrace to starboard.

Finally, the staterooms and heads are large and comfortable, with plenty of storage and headroom below.

• Length: (Overall/Hull) 41 feet, 2 inches/12.56 meters; 39 feet, 1 inch/11.92 meters
• Beam: 12 feet, 6 inches/3.80 meters
• Draft: 2 feet, 6 inches/0.76 meters
• Hull Weight: 18,031 pounds/8,181 kilograms
• Bridge Clearance: 16 feet, 5 inches/5.0 meters
• Fuel Capacity: 310 gallons/1,174 liters
• Engines: 3x 300 horsepower Yamaha outboards
• CE Category: B10/C12

Fleming Yachts

Where to buy Fleming 55:

The Fleming 55 motor yacht is stylish and designed for comfortable long range cruising and boasts a huge storage capacity with a total area of over 250 sq ft. The nautical design displacement hull has a range of 2,000 nm with an environmentally friendly low fuel burn of just over 10 gph.

The yacht is fitted with an aquadrive anti-vibration drive system for smooth cruising. The Fleming 55 aft deck is large and spacious and extends into the salon with loads of room for deck chairs and water gear. Interior has beautiful mood lighting.

It consists of 3 good size cabins so can overnight 6 – 8 adults in comfort, and it has 3 separate heads and a beautiful raised pilot house for the skipper or captain. The master cabin is set forward as a queen berth and the bed is remote and can retract. The aft bulkhead can be used as a remote work office. The salon has an L-settee, fitted icemaker, bar, cute coffee table and TV lift area and there is room for added entertainment system components.

Another awesome added feature is the fitted “dumbwaiter” that assists in getting refreshments up from the galley. The galley is fitted with a side-by-side fridge freezer set and an under-mount double stainless steel sink with a waste disposer. This yacht is a classic and is worth viewing.

• Length: 55’9"
• Dry Weight: 67,801 lbs
• Capacity: 6 - 8 people
• Motor: 2 x 500HP Cummins QSC Engines

Grand Trawler 62

Where to buy Grand Trawler 62:

The Grand Trawler 62 from Beneteau hits the mark all round and is super comfortable for both live aboard and long-distance cruises. Designed to overnight 6 to 8 adults on board this gorgeous motor yacht showcases one the largest flybridges on the market for its hull length. The crisp clean interior design reflects the superior quality and workmanship that sets Beneteau’s unmistakable brand apart from the rest.

Beneteau has absolutely hit the mark with the design on this motor yacht. It features an open flowing galley, huge lounge salon and raised cockpit. The transom has a unique sea terrace area, and the master cabin layout is private and beautiful and boasts a full size double bed. It provides soft smooth comfort on board if planning long range cruising with a gyro-stabilizer and the auto-glide trim tabs.

• Length: 62’
• Beam: 17’10"
• Dry Weight: 29,500 lbs
• Motor: MANi6 730 2 x 730 HPDiesel (2x537kW)

Leopard Catamarans

Leopard 46 Powercat

Where to buy Leopard 46 Powercat:

If you are seeking extra space for entertaining and separate private berths for the crew on long passages, then the Leopard 46 is a great alternative motor yacht option to consider when deciding on a brand. Awesome for cruising, docking and anchoring, the top deck offers a great 360-degree view for sundowners. The advantage of a cat-style motor yacht is the low hull depth it has making it easy to cruise, dock or anchor in low depth ocean waters.

The exterior and interior spaces flow into each other, so the use of space is maximized, giving great volume. There is a spacious 3 or 4 cabin en-suite configuration for this hull length, perfect for guests where privacy matters. Loads of deck space for everyone to spread out and enjoy. It is streamlined and neat in terms of layout, practical use of space, giving you a nice feeling of relaxation and a home away from home feel. Awesome size U-shaped settee caters for 8 guests to dine in comfort, so perfect for entertaining or unforgettable candle-light evenings.

• Length: 46’4"
• Beam: 24’1"
• Dry Weight: 36,945 lbs
• Capacity: 8 - 12 people
• Motor: 2 x Yanmar 52 HP

Back Cove Yachts

Back Cove 41

Where to buy Back Cove 41:

The Back Cove 41 is designed and constructed in Maine, USA. The 41 is the flagship of the Back Cove motor yacht range. The motor yacht is a perfect combination of traditional and modern in terms of its design. It is a very economical and comfortable classic for long range excursions.

The yacht is fitted with an efficient single diesel engine and straight shaft, thrusters, a generator set, and reverse cycle heat and air conditioning systems for more extreme weather conditions. With no fly bridge it is easy to captain and maneuver singlehanded and it can overnight up to 6 adults.

This elegant yet practical motor boat consists of two state cabins, two heads and a well-thought-out saloon. The interior is balanced and sensible with a dual stainless steel refrigerator & freezer set, a simple ceramic cooktop surface and a fitted convection microwave and a groovy U-shaped settee that converts into a dinette. Comfortable, stately and classic cruising yacht for all purposes.

• Length: 46’6”
• Capacity: 6 people
• Motor: Cummins QSC8.3 marine diesel engine

Nordic Tugs

Nordic Tug 54

Where to buy Nordic Tug 54:

These sturdy ocean vessels are made in the US in the original classic tugboat style, rugged from the outside and the best kept secret is that they are incredibly beautiful and comfortable on the inside. A perfect floating home away from home for a live-aboard adventure and capable of exploring and facing all types of oceans that may have more adverse weather systems.

This tug style motor yacht has both a pilothouse and lower deck, and then an open flow from the salon into the aft deck. The hull is made from solid knitted fiberglass reinforced plastic and fitted with solid stainless steel handrails. The design offers safety and absolute comfort and they are built to last for many years. For long range expeditions, it has 1,300 gallon fuel capacity in a dual set of tanks and 300 gallon water holding capacity and large black water holding tank at 130 gallon capacity.

This cruising motor yacht boasts classic teak interiors, a classic chart drawer and there is every attention to detail on the cabinets and draws throughout. It has 2 comfortable queen size berths below. Day – night shaded solid fitted windows are in the salon. The galley is beautiful and features a functional and spacious U-shaped solid surface countertop. Viewing this motor yacht interior is worth it. Solid lasting stainless steel finishes throughout and a functional extra stainless steel basin fitted in the aft deck. Split air heating and cooling system installed so perfect for all extreme weather conditions.

• Length: 56’1"
• Beam: 16’1"
• Dry Weight: 68,000 lbs
• Capacity: 4 - 6 people
• Motor: Volvo Penta – D11 – 670 HP Diesel

Bertram Yachts

Bertram 61 Convertible

Where to buy Bertram 61 Convertible:

The Bertrams 61 is a sporty bluewater fishing cruiser and is a perfect man cave that is fit for a king and perfect for a 6 person cruising or fishing adventure. Every attention to solid long lasting detail on layout, fittings and the hull design. The expansive 188 ft cockpit has a barbeque and has huge customized fish boxes.

The classic Amtico teak and maple wood interior is unreal and the saloon has a 360 degree view with large windows. It has 2 cabins, the master has a queen size double bed, and the second has 2 single beds (bunk bed option). The galley doubles up into a bar with shellacked wood stools. Well worth viewing in person, and definitely wet weather gear required with this one!

• Length: 61’1"
• Beam: 18’3"
• Motor: Caterpillar C32 ACERT diesels

Azimut Yachts

Azimut Magellano 66

Where to buy Azimut Magellano 66:

The Azimut Magellano 66 has a striking visual appeal. The innovative dual-mode hull on this motor yacht decreases the use of horsepower making this vessel super fuel efficient for long range distances.

This 66 foot motor yacht has a near 2,000 mile range, so all those secret hideaway coves and overnight destinations will be well within your reach. The progressive interior space allows for 6 – 8 adults to be in total comfort for cruising, docking or adventures on anchor.

Aesthetically balanced, this motor yacht interior is streamlined and contemporary with attention to every detail. The fly bridge is fitted with a barbecue for entertainment, and an outdoor shower for fresh water splashes after an early morning swim. The saloon offers a beautiful indoor entertainment space. The entire motor yacht is fitted with customised innovative cabinets for storage and neatness. Below deck are three spacious private staterooms. Well worth viewing the Azimut 66 in person, this is a very sought after motor yacht design.

• Length: 66’1"
• Dry Weight: 46,400 lbs
• Capacity: 6 - 10 people
• Motor: 425-hp Cummins QSB 5.9s

Prestige Yachts

Prestige X70

Where to buy Prestige X70:

Prestige Yachts X70 launches the unique compact motor superyacht that dreams are made of. Captains, owners and skippers are going to love the infinite cockpit area, it is super comfortable and spacious. A new feature is that the upper fly deck layout has a walk area on each side for ease of access. The maritime-angled window gives the classic yacht exterior shape a more çheeky sporty feel.

A refreshing spacious open plan layout that flows right throughout the yacht allows you to add small elements of comfort to match your personal taste. This motor yacht can accommodate 6 – 10 adults in total comfort for cruising, docking or vacations. The engine room workmanship and layout are worth a special mention and the yacht is driven by dual Volvo Penta 900-hp diesel engines.

The main deck is light and has a very open plan feel with comfortable seating couches that keep you close to the water. The galley is open plan and centrally positioned for serving meals and refreshments, and can be closed off for privacy. Below deck it has 3 ensuite cabins, and the master suite boasts a full size bed with en-suite and has it’s own private access portside. The aft swim platform is on the transom and it has a fitted retractable couch so this space can also be enjoyed. Definitely worth viewing this motor yacht in person.

• Length: 71’7"
• Beam: 17’6"
• Dry Weight: 73,634 lbs
• Motor: 2 x 1200 or 1350 hp Volvo Penta D13

Viking Yachts

Where to buy Viking 82:

Viking 82 is utter luxury and excellence combined. Modern with clean space and awesome layout. It is also compact, rugged and versatile for fishing or water sport activities. The motor yacht command station has full weather protection and is outfitted with custom designed navigation and entertainment systems.

Below deck are 4 ensuite cabins with walk-in showers and generous windows, the master suite has a king size bed, and enhanced lighting. The open bridge layout is spacious and has a full size dinette and electric grill and the galley has stone counters.

There’s a beautiful sun pad and lounge area and it comes with a wet bar. World class walnut cabinets throughout. The huge transom fish box can double up as stowage to fit extra water gear. This motor yacht offers the owner control and access to absolutely everything the ocean has to offer.

• Length: 84’9”
• Beam: 20’6"
• Dry Weight: 158,850 lbs
• Motor: MAN / V12 15500CRM 1550 MHP

Sunreef Yachts Eco

Sunreef 100 Eco

Where to buy Sunreef 100 Eco:

This twin-hull rose-gold superyacht with its beautiful grey metallic hull is a special one to look at. Sunreef yachts’ green-powered catamarans are next generation in ethical and responsible boating.

Green propulsion is the way to go, fitted with wind turbines, eco-aware materials, and solar skin lighting system this vessel is setting stage for the future of motor yacht design. If you are passionate about the environment and conservation then this motor yacht brand is leading the way with enlightened future sustainability.

The 42,65 ft beam gives you incredible space aboard. It can be customised and you can select decor for the vast relaxation areas. It has a full-beam bow terrace with a sunken lounge, huge flybridge, spa pool, gym area and of course a bar. Layout plan includes a huge aft storage locker that fits 2 jet skis and has a fitted hydraulic platform. There is super comfortable accommodation for up to 10 guests.

The Sunreef Eco 100 motor yacht gives the discerning and progressive owner exceptional comfort and peace of mind. The perfect blend of luxury and sustainability make this brand stand out. Hybrid green yachts are the progressive next step.

• Length: 100’
• Beam: 42’65"
• Capacity: 10 - 14 people
• Motor : 2 x 1300 HP engines [2 x 180kW - 2 x 360kW]

Conrad Shipyard

Conrad C144S

Where to buy Conrad C144S:

The Conrad C144S is just above and beyond. Already took the top place at the 2019 World Superyacht Award ‘Viatoris’. This superyacht is just above and beyond. So far there are only 2 of these babies on the water so far. Whether or not this yacht is within your reach, it is worth taking a sneak preview at this timeless and prestigious straight hull design. Go big or go home.

4 VIP ensuite guest cabins, 4 crew cabins, beach club, 4 lounge zones, 2 beautiful bar areas, 2 dining spaces, full cinema – you can probably modify this space into a gym or remote office, the world is your absolute oyster here. Best you get cracking and sign off on your order today as this timeless superyacht needs at least 24 months pre-production time.

• Length: 145’
• Beam: 29’2"
• Dry Weight: 472 ton
• Capacity: 16 + people
• Motor: 2 x CAT C18 ACERT

Related Reviews

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The World of Motor Yachts: Luxury, Performance, and Freedom

Motor yachts offer a unique combination of power, comfort, and freedom on the water. Designed primarily for pleasure cruising or racing, these impressive vessels put the world at your fingertips.

A Spectrum of Sizes: Finding Your Perfect Motor Yacht

Motor yachts come in different sizes, catering to every desire. From compact and maneuverable models around 33 feet (10 meters) to sprawling luxury palaces exceeding 131 feet (40 meters), there’s a perfect fit for every dream.

Pricing Considerations:

• Smaller motor yachts (33ft – 50ft) typically range from $500,000 to $3 million.
• Mid-size yachts (50ft – 80ft) can fall between $3 million and $15 million.
• Superyachts (over 80ft) enter a whole new pricing category, reaching into the hundreds of millions and beyond, depending on size, customization, and features.

Power and Maneuverability: Taking Control on the Water

Motor yachts usually have two or more motors. This has several advantages:

• Better Maneuverability: Two engines allow captains to better deal with challenging weather conditions. Thanks to vessel control software systems, it also provides some advantages when docking.
• Fuel Efficiency and Range: With dual engines and customized fuel tanks, extended cruises at constant speeds with lower fuel consumption are possible. This is where the explorer yacht, designed to roam, even cross the Atlantic, thrives.
• Shallow Water Access: Unlike deep-keel sailboats, motor yachts have a shallower draft, allowing them to explore beautiful coves and hidden bays inaccessible to other vessels.

The Flybridge Advantage: Elevated Yachting Experience

Many motor yachts, particularly larger models, will also have a flybridge. This offers captains better visibility for navigation, docking, and it provides passengers with higher vistas. Flybridge boats, like the smaller Merry Fisher , have that additional social space, featuring seating areas, wet bars, and sundecks.

Beyond Ownership: Exploring the Charter Option

Chartering offers a fantastic alternative for those seeking a taste of the motor yacht lifestyle without the full commitment of ownership. Chartering allows owners to offset some of the cost of their boats.

In 2020, an estimated 15,000 yachts were exceeding 79 feet available for charter worldwide.

Charter yachts often involve annual maintenance costs of around 15% of the yacht’s value. For vessels valued over $3 million, that’s almost a half million a year!

Our boating editors recently checked out the Miami boat show to understand this decadent market. We found many owners who don’t even get to use their yachts as much as they’d like, so the chartering world makes sense for everyone.

Entering the Realm of Superyachts: Luxury Redefined

The “Commercial Yacht Code” categorizes motor yachts exceeding 79 feet (24 meters) as superyachts and those surpassing 131 feet (40 meters) as mega-yachts. These behemoths represent the pinnacle of luxury yachting, with meticulously crafted interiors, advanced technological marvels, and crew quarters to cater to the owner’s every need. Naturally, these vessels come with exceptionally high construction standards and price tags.

Buying a Motor Yacht

Once you have made a decision to purchase a motor yacht, the next step is to determine exactly what make of motor yacht will best fit your requirements. There are so many different motor yachts, give yourself time to find the right one and ask yourself this.

• Budget capacity?
• New or used?
• What type of user experience do you want out of the vessel?
• What hull size of motor yacht is best?

Once you have created a shortlist, you can then refine your search. Take time out to go and view in person. Book yourself an experience aboard and head over to your closest marina and speak to owners. Consider these points before purchasing a motor yacht.

• Pre-book buyer’s sea trials for your shortlist
• Select the perfect motor yacht
• Used – get a certified hull survey, safety comes first
• Get annual insurance quotes
• Calculate dockage – purchase or rent a slip or dock
• Calculate monthly upkeep and maintenance
• Calculate extra costs like navigational devices & fittings
• Draft your own checklist
• Draft & sign off sale & purchase contracts
• Draft & sign off a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
• Ensure satisfied 100%
• Execute payment and take transfer of ownership
• Register and insure the motor yacht

Frequently Asked Questions About Motor Yachts

These 5 questions give you some clarity on what to consider when purchasing a motor yacht.

• How many guests and crew (combined) are you comfortable with aboard? Privately registered motor yachts can carry no more than 12 passengers, so often this will define the length of the vessel.
• Then consider functionality and lifestyle. Decide upfront what you want out of the motor yacht, are you planning to use it for charter, private cruising, sport, remote office, family vacations or entertainment or all of the above?
• Do you plan to use it on inland water systems or oceans or both?
• Do you want to captain and skipper yourself or would you prefer a crew, so you have time to enjoy the experience?  Set a limit to your budget both in terms of purchase and then beyond that one has to consider the long term upkeep, storage, and monthly maintenance costs
• What is the best length for a Motor Yacht?

If you plan on becoming your own captain, the best hull size on average for a single-handed skipper would be between 32ft to 42ft.

The best motor yacht length is defined by both the objective and purpose of the vessel. Added to this one should consider both the budget and upkeep costs, including dockage fees, as these are most often calculated at a per foot rate. The next factor would be to select a good for the number of passengers you wish to have aboard (family, guests, crew), as the number of sleeping berths are limited on smaller hull sizes. As you increase your hull size, you need to consider that this will then add an extra headcount because you have to factor in additional space for crew.

They say the old golden unwritten nautical rule is that boat length is always defined by a person’s age. Whatever your age, double it, and that gives you a perfect hull length in feet (for example, if you are 40 years of age you should consider an 80ft hull length).

They can cost anywhere between $100,000- $10,000,000. The sky’s the absolute limit when it comes to what you can spend on a motor yacht. Used or new, the cost is often defined by the design, size and year of manufacture. Quality motor yachts are built to last and most often retain market related value if they are properly maintained and have an accident free history.

Motor yachts are generally between 33ft – 79 feet, super yachts are generally over 79 feet in hull length, and mega yachts are over 100 feet.

If you purchase a globally recognized brand, it makes selling the boat in the future much easier. The established global motor yacht brands offer a range of existing designs that can be customized to suit any individual requirement. These approved motor yacht designs are often updated with the latest technology and modifications over the years. A tip is that reputable international brands retain market value over the years so are considered a valuable investment.

There is never one best hull type for a motor yacht, there is rather a series or collection of yachts or vessels that are released and they often use the exact same hull design for different lengths in a series. There is a huge selection and variation of hull designs, and this is exactly what defines a yacht. Motor boat hulls are specifically designed to cut through water with the least possible resistance while remaining balanced in all types of weather and water conditions. Each year hull designs improve and often a new hull release is about using the latest carbon fiber molding techniques for structural strength, rather than a modification to the actual shape of the design.

Super yachts are power driven water vessels specially designed by yacht engineers and shipbuilders and are normally 71 – 99 feet in length. Super yachts that exceed 100ft in length are classified as mega yachts.

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Best Yachts – Top 15 Picks for 2024

Carver 52 Command Bridge

Hatteras M75 Panacera

Sabre 58 Salon Express

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a yacht? Probably those huge luxury cruisers reserved for the high society folks, right? Well, that’s true, but those are a special group of ships referred to as luxury yachts.

The questions you need to be asking are – What is a yacht? At what point is a yacht regarded as a ship? And, what exactly makes a yacht a yacht? Here’s a little boating lesson for you.

A yacht is any fast cruising watercraft used for pleasure or sport. Yachts can be classified into cruisers, superyachts, and mega yachts. The difference between them all boils down to their respective sizes.

Luxury vessels that are less than 12 meters long fall in the class of cabin cruiser yachts – or simply, cruisers. Those that measure more than 24 meters are classified as superyachts. Anything that’s 50+ meters long is a mega yacht. Anything larger than a mega yacht is generally referred to as a ship and generally describes a working vessel as opposed to something recreational.

So, as you can see, you don’t necessarily have to be swimming in a ton of money to become a yacht owner. The only difference will be in the size of the craft you get. Clear enough?

Without further ado, here are the 15 best yachts, as well as a few useful tips on how to choose the best one.

Top on our list of best yachts is the Carver 52 Command Bridge. Its unique design, spacious salon, expansive foredeck seating area, and well-thought-out amenities make this one the best yachts bar-none.

It comes with a master head, a spacious stall shower, and a full-beam master stateroom that even has its own private entrance. It doesn’t get any better than that.

 Carver  →

● Designed for long-range cruising ● Ample living space ● Comes with loads of convenience amenities

● Not ideal for use in icy waters

The Hatteras M75 Panacera yacht is the perfect embodiment of superior craftsmanship and timeless elegance. One look at it, and you can tell that it was built with impeccable attention to detail.

Everything from the galley layout and the open-concept deckhouse salon to the 360-degree panoramic windows and state-of-the-art amenities adds a completely new dimension to luxury yachting.

 Hatteras  →

● Ample space ● Exquisite interiors and exteriors ● Fully-customizable

● High maintenance

Yachts don’t exactly come cheap. So, the term “budget” yacht might be a bit of a stretch when referring to the price. Nonetheless, if you’re shopping for a watercraft that delivers excellent value for money, the Sabre 58 Salon Express is a great option to consider.

It has an open yacht design that seamlessly merges the interior with the exterior and has large windows that flood the interior spaces with lots of natural light. The Sabre also has three en-suite cabins, abundant storage, and several other great features that make it stand out from other boats in its class.

 Sabre Yachts  →

● Great value for money ● Spacious interior ● Ample storage

● Not ideal for use in the high seas

Tiara Yachts 53 Coupe

The Tiara Yachts 53 Coupe is the perfect family watercraft. It is designed for indoor and outdoor living. The bridge deck space and salon offer breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views of the ocean. It also has comfortable living quarters below deck that are guaranteed to give the entire family an exceptional cruising experience.

 Tiara  →

● Great for making memories ● Comfortable living quarters ● Offers panoramic views all round

● High maintenance costs

The 60 Cantius from Cruiser was built for long-distance passages. It has spacious living quarters both above and below deck, as well as lots of comfort and convenience amenities that allow you to spend extended periods out on the water.

You’ll particularly enjoy the retractable sunroof that allows you to bask in the sun while enjoying breathtaking panoramic ocean views as you cruise along.

 Cruisers Yachts  →

● Ideal for long-distance passages ● Beautiful, elegant design ● Spacious living areas above and below deck

● Pricier than other boats in its class

93 Motor Yacht

If you’re looking for a watercraft that can go the distance, it doesn’t get any better than the 93 Motor Yacht from Viking Yachts. First impressions: It is gorgeous.

Its beauty isn’t skin-deep either. The 93MY was built to navigate the rough, choppy waters of the high seas, making it the perfect vessel for anyone who wants to go on an ocean-crossing adventure of a lifetime.

 Viking Yachts  →

● Stunning exterior and interior design ● Built to navigate rough water conditions ● It is pretty massive

● Requires a small crew to operate it

Jeanneau NC 37

The Jeanneau NC 37 is an excellent beginner boat. Its fluid layout and ergonomic design make movement in this yacht a breeze. It comes with large panoramic windows with an open sunroof that bathe the living space in lots of natural light.

There’s an owner’s cabin, as well as a guest cabin that both offer ample standing headroom. Its well-proportioned interior alongside the multitude of comfort and convenience amenities it comes with makes it one of the best beginner yachts in the market today.

 Jeanneau  →

● Ample living space and storage ● Great value for money ● Open ergonomic layout

● Not ideal for ocean crossing

Regal 36 XO

If you’re looking for a yacht that combines both comfort and functionality, the Regal 36 XO delivers on both fronts. This beauty is powered by two outboard engines and offers multi-bow seating that also doubles up as casting decks.

It has a spacious cabin, open-air salon, seamless galley that integrates the aft seating area with the roomy saloon, and a windshield walk-through that provides easy access to the bow.

 Regal  →

● Versatile ● Spacious interiors and exteriors ● Fully-customizable

Back Cove 390

If you thought yachts were reserved for ocean-use only, that couldn’t be further from the truth. There are several models specially designed for lakes. The Back Cove 390 yacht is the perfect example.

Its smaller size makes it ideal for lake cruising. It has a fully-enclosed helm, as well as an owner and guest cabin below-deck, making it perfect for overnight stay.

 Back Cove Yachts  →

● Perfect size for lakes ● Ideal for entertaining ● Delivers optimal handling and maneuverability

● May not be ideal for a long extended stay

Formula 45 Yacht

The Formula 45 Yacht is the perfect liveaboard watercraft. It has all the comfort and convenience amenities you would expect to find in any standard land-based home. It is spacious with a well-thought-out practical layout that makes movement on the yacht easy. It has enough room to comfortably accommodate a small family of four.

 Formula  →

● Best yacht for the money ● Spacious interior ● Comes with lots of convenience amenities

Ocean Alexander 36L

If you’re thinking of venturing out into the rough seas, you’re going to need a yacht that can hold its own in the sloppiest of weather conditions. The Ocean Alexander 36L is built to do just that.

Beyond its stunning exterior and interiors, this yacht’s overall rugged construction is focused on giving passengers the smoothest ride possible regardless of the water conditions outside. Its deep V-hull design and its 324,500 lbs. displacement capacity are largely responsible for the exceptional stability it displays when cruising through the high seas.

 Ocean Alexander  →

● Exceptionally stable ● Packed with loads of comfort and convenience amenities ● Expansive interior and exterior

● Needs a crew to run it

Westport 112 Motor Yacht

As far as luxury yachts go, the Westport 112 Motor Yacht is in a class of its own. This 111 ft. 8 in. long watercraft is built to deliver extraordinary performance inside and out.

It has four en-suite staterooms that sleep eight individuals and can accommodate up to five crew members, including the captain. The interior oozes luxury, sophistication, and a timeless elegance that’s hard to come by these days.

 Westport Yachts  →

● Spacious indoor and outdoor living areas ● Exquisite interiors ● Suitable for cruising the high seas

● Expensive

Beneteau Oceanis 60

The Beneteau Oceanis 60 is by far the best sailing yacht we’ve come across. It is built on a hull that guarantees safety and unmatched performance at every turn.

This luxury sailing yacht has a unique deck plan that allows for single-handed maneuvering across the water. The glossy woodwork, cozy upholstery, and the spacious living quarters below-deck make it the perfect sailing yacht for your ocean getaway.

 Beneteau  →

● Exceptional fuel economy ● Spacious living areas ● Ideal for single-handed sailing

● May not be as fast as other non-sailboat yachts

Having a crew is great and all, but it’s also nice to have a yacht that you can operate on your own for that measure of added privacy when you need it. The Antares 9 is the perfect owner operator yacht.

It is modern, stylish, and compact, allowing you to run it on your own and discreetly slip away from the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life anytime you need to.

● Elegant design ● Can be operated solo ● Comfortable and safe navigation

● Not ideal for the rough, choppy waters of the high seas

Prestige 690

Let’s get to what yachts are best known for – hosting memorable parties. The Prestige 690 has everything you need to keep the party going all day and all night.

Its open design layout and its expansive deck make it the perfect yacht for entertaining. The elegant, timeless design of its exterior, alongside the breathtaking finishing, are just a few of the 690’s attributes that add to its appeal.

 Prestige  →

● Massive open deck ● Comes with lots of comfort and convenience features ● Sleeps up to 10 people

How to Choose the Best Yachts – Buyer’s Guide

A yacht is a pretty big purchase. So, you need to know what to look for when choosing the right one for your needs. Here are a couple of pointers that might come in handy.

Type of Yacht

The type of yacht you buy depends in large part on your intended use for it. Most yachts tend to fall into one of three categories – For water sports like wakeboarding , fishing motor yachts, or the overnight cruising variety. Once you know what kind of recreational activities you plan on engaging in, that should help narrow down your choices.

Next, you need to consider what size of yacht you should get. Do you have a young family that you intend to expand in the coming years? Do you plan to use the vessel for day cruising, or do you intend to spend a couple of nights on board from time to time?

Will the yacht be just for you and your significant other, or do you plan to frequently entertain several guests on board? This will advise whether you should buy a cabin cruiser yacht, a superyacht, or a mega yacht.

In a perfect world, you would have all the money you need to buy any kind of watercraft you want. Sadly, that’s not the reality we live in. Keep in mind that yachts don’t exactly come cheap. So, even if you’re planning to purchase a small yacht, you’ll still need to spend quite a bit of cash to get it.

The best thing to do would be to set a budget and compare the different models on offer from different manufacturers . Aside from the boat’s purchase price, you also need to think about the costs associated with owning a yacht. These include insurance, repairs, maintenance, cleaning, and the vessel’s general servicing.

Figure out what kind of comfort and convenience features are a must-have for you. How many cabins should it have? Do you need it to have a summer grill up top? Or will the one in the mini kitchen below-deck suffice? Ensure that the yacht you get has all the amenities you need.

Last but not least, before you sign any purchase contract, ensure that you schedule a sea trial with the dealer. That way, you get a true feel for the boat before you buy it.

Look Before You Leap

If you’re in the market for a shiny new yacht, any of the 15 vessels we’ve detailed in this guide will make an excellent choice. Do your homework beforehand, and make sure your desired craft has all the features and amenities you seek.

Use the tips we’ve outlined in this guide to help you choose the best yachts from all the different options that are hot on the market right now. Happy yachting!

In the meantime, if you’re looking for the best aluminum fishing boat , we’ve got you covered. Check out our review for our top picks.

About Chris

Outdoors, I’m in my element, especially in the water. I know the importance of being geared up for anything. I do the deep digital dive, researching gear, boats and knowhow and love keeping my readership at the helm of their passions.

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10 Great Used Motoryachts You Can Buy For $150K

January 16, 2017 1:45 pm

Consider this scenario: you’re in the market for a used motoryacht — probably nothing smaller than 40 feet — with a budget of $150,000, more or less. You want a boat from a good builder (preferably one of their more popular models), and you’re open to the layout as long as it’s comfortable. Everything else is on the table.

If that describes your boating future, you’ll be happy and perhaps a little surprised at the choices available to you in a used motoryacht or cruiser yacht .

To find out for ourselves, we spent two weeks researching this market on YachtWorld, boats.com, etc., and came away with a list of ten models that represent a cross section of what’s available for about $150,000. There’s a lot to choose from here — traditional aft cabin motor yachts, cockpit motor yachts, classic pilothouse yachts, and sporty sedan cruisers.

All of the ten boats profiled below were popular models during their production years which means (a) that a clean used model should be relatively easy to find, and (b) selling or trading up one day should be no problem.

At the end of the day it’s good to know $150,000 still buys a lot of boat. Assuming 20 percent down and a 15-year note, the monthly payment for one of these yachts can be less than $1,000. For many, that’s an affordable number, especially with strengthening home values and historically low interest rates. Food for thought as we approach the spring boat show season.

1. Carver 500/504 Cockpit MY Production Years: 1996–2000

At a Glance: A super-popular model for Carver, basically a condo on the water. This is a cockpit version of the Carver 455/456 Aft Cabin model produced during the same years.

Spacious two stateroom maple interior has a folding bulkhead in the forward VIP stateroom that conceals a small guest cabin/den to port with convertible bunks. (This feature was eliminated in 1999 when the interior was redesigned and the name changed to Carver 504.)

The large U-shaped galley is aft in the salon rather than forward as it is in most motoryacht floorplans. In the master stateroom, the walkaround queen bed faces aft to permit the installation of cockpit access door. Washer/dryer is in forward stateroom. Twin 450hp Cummins diesels cruise at 18 knots.

Best Feature: Huge interior, the result of moving the superstructure well forward in the hull (note the relatively short foredeck).

Pr ice Spread: From a low of about $150K up to the mid-to-high $200s for a newer model.

2. Carver 444 Cockpit MY Production Years: 2001 – 2006

At a Glance: The top-selling cockpit yacht in this class for several years. Basically a Carver 396 Aft Cabin with a good-sized cockpit. The 444’s huge full-beam interior — made possible by raising the side decks to eye level — comes as a surprise. With its panoramic views and nearly seven feet of headroom, the salon’s dimensions are those of a much larger boat.

To save space, the forward head is split with the shower stall to port and toilet compartment to starboard. A sliding glass door in the (smallish) master stateroom opens directly into the cockpit.

In 2004, an optional “Extended Salon” floorplan with a full-size dinette, enlarged galley and redesigned VIP stateroom became available. Twin Volvo 370hp engines cruise at 18–19 knots. Carver sold a ton of these stylish boats.

Best Feature: Enormous salon/dinette/galley area with panoramic outside views.

Price Spread: A random YachtWorld check will find several priced in the mid $100K range.

3. Meridian 411 Sedan Production Years: 2003 – 2008

At a Glance: Very popular (and very affordable) sedan cruiser — a winning blend of sharp styling and spacious accommodations — made the Meridian 411 one of the best-selling midrange boats in her class. Huge interior layout with galley and booth-style dinette forward, a step up from the aft salon area with entertainment center and facing settees.

Large salon windows bring the outdoors in. Modern decor with cherry cabinets, Ultraleather seating, and Corian counters. Master stateroom includes private en-suite head; guest stateroom has a double berth (tucked under the dinette) and access to the second day head. Extended swim platform leads to a large cockpit (with molded bridge steps) suitable for fishing and entertaining.

Lower helm was optional. Wide side decks make it easy to get to the foredeck sun pad.

Best Feature: A super-social flybridge with sun lounge, wet bar, settee, and aft sun pad.

Price Spread:  Low-to-mid $100s to over $300K.

4. Silverton 39 Motor Yacht Production Years: 2002 – 2008

At a Glance: This maxi-beam aft cabin cruiser — and her lookalike predecessor, the best-selling Silverton 372/392 Motor Yacht — is proof that a roomy interior trumps graceful styling almost every time. Elevated side decks on both sides of the house provide a huge full-beam salon as well as direct flybridge access to the foredeck.

The 39’s galley rivals many larger boats in storage and counter space. Both staterooms have queen beds, generous storage, and en-suite heads with stall shower. High-gloss cherry trim, Corian counters, and Ultraleather upholstery compliment the interior. Molded steps lead from the swim platform up to a roomy aft deck with wet bar, bench seating and hard top.

Note the triple helm seat on the flybridge. The 39’s high freeboard will test your docking skills on a windy day. Standard 380hp gas engines cruise at 16–18 knots.

Best Feature: Enormous two-stateroom interior dwarfs anything in her class. Excellent galley.

Price Spread: $150K to the mid $200s.

5. Bayliner 4788 Pilothouse Production Years: 1994 – 2002

At a Glance: Arguably the best big-boat value ever. Spacious, well appointed, and surprisingly fuel efficient. This is basically a restyled (and lengthened) version of the very popular Bayliner 4550/4588 Pilothouse.

Her three stateroom, two head interior features a full-beam salon with large U-shaped galley forward to port, wet bar, L-lounge seating, and large side windows. In the pilothouse, there is a settee aft of the helm and a companion seat to port.

Visibility from the pilothouse is excellent. Second guest stateroom with upper/lower bunks doubles as a den and opens directly to the master stateroom — very clever. An inflatable dinghy can be carried on the extended flybridge deck. The engine room is a tight fit. Forget all that talk about Bayliner quality — the 4788 is simply a lot of boat for the money.

Best Feature: Comfortable salon that opens to the large cockpit — perfect for entertaining. 

Price Spread:  Low-to-mid $100s for a 1994–95 model to $230 to $250K for a 2001–02 model.

6.  Sea Ray 550 Sedan Bridge Production Years: 1992 – 1998

At a Glance: Stylish 1990’s cruising yacht with three-stateroom interior and extra-large cockpit. The salon is impressive, a wide-open (carpeted) living area with cut-down galley, long leather sofa, entertainment center, and big wraparound cabin windows.

The forward master stateroom is huge with an island queen bed, two hanging lockers, vanity, and private en-suite head. Roomy guest stateroom has a full-size berth, and the second guest cabin has over/under bunks. Both heads have stall showers, but guest head is tight. Lower helm was optional. Center transom door is flanked by built-in bench seats in the cockpit.

In 1996, the flybridge ladder was replaced with molded steps and the helm was relocated aft. The 550’s straight sheer and drooping bow are distinctive. Detroit 625hp 6V-92 diesels cruise at 22–23 knots.

Best Feature: The large cockpit and party-time flybridge — great attributes for entertaining.

Price Spread: $150K to the mid $200s

7. Maxum 4600 SCB Production Years: 1997 –2001

At a Glance: Modern styling, an inviting two stateroom interior, and a very competitive price made the Maxum 4600 SCB one of the best motoryacht buys of her day. Maxum engineers packed a lot of value into this boat. The salon is exceptionally inviting with wraparound windows, a long leather sofa, cherry cabinets, and full entertainment center.

A raised dinette is forward to starboard, opposite the home-size galley with overhead glass storage and Corian counters. A lower helm was optional in place of the dinette. Note the tub in the master head. In the cockpit, a center transom door opens to an extended swim platform able to support a PWC.

The 4600 SCB is surprisingly fuel-efficient boat, a feature that stems in part from her relatively light weight. Cummins 370hp diesels cruise at 16–18 knots.

Best Feature: An affordable price — this is what brokers call a lot of boat for the money.

Price Spread:  From about $100K for an older model up to $200K-plus for 2001–02 model.

8. Sea Ray 450 Express Bridge Production Years: 1998 – 2004

At a Glance:   An innovative yacht when she was introduced in 1998. Not many 45-footers have three staterooms. The aft stateroom — accessed via a private entryway next to the salon door — includes a full-length berth with hanging locker and built-in washer/dryer.

Forward of that, the amidships stateroom features a double berth with partial standing headroom and an opening port. An island queen is in the forward stateroom. Both heads include separate stall showers. Aft of the galley is a breakfast bar with two swing-out stools. Small salon windows limit natural lighting below. Topside, the huge party-time flybridge has seating fore and aft of the center helm console. Note the unique staircase descending from the flybridge to the foredeck.

An extended swim platform was a popular option. Cummins 450hp V-drive diesels cruise at 20–22 knots.

Best Feature: Huge party-time bridge area.

Price Spread:  An early model might be found for $150K. Newer can easily exceed $200K.

9. Carver 440 Aft Cabin Production Years: 1993 – 1999

At a Glance: The largest model in the Carver fleet when she was introduced in 1993. A big 44-footer with an usually spacious salon, two double staterooms, two full heads, and a convertible dinette — sleeping accommodations for as many as eight adults.

The maple wood accents and carpeted salon are showing their age, but large cabin windows make the interior open and airy. Note salon entertainment center. Full-service galley includes double sink, upright refrigerator, washer/dryer, Corian counter and hardwood floor.

The aft deck is large enough for a table and chairs, and the flybridge has dual captain’s chairs with bench seating forward of the helm. Bow pulpit, fiberglass swim platform, and radar arch were standard. Carver sold a lot of these boats and used models are plentiful.

Best Feature: Very spacious layout with room to entertain a small neighborhood.

Price Spread:  From about $100K for an older model up to $200K-plus for 2001–02 model

10. Sea Ray 420 Aft Cabin Production Years: 1996 – 2002

At a Glance:   Sleek aft cabin cruising yacht incorporated European styling influences in an era when too many American-built motor yachts looked like floating condos. Well-appointed two stateroom galley-down interior sleeps up to eight — includes L-shaped sofa and raised dinette in the salon, walkaround queen berths fore and aft, two full heads, and stand-up utility room under the salon sole.

Full-size galley comes complete with separate Sub Zero refrigerator and freezer, convection oven, and lots of counter and storage space — a big plus. The aft deck is big for a boat this size. Molded steps make boarding from the extended swim platform easy and safe.

Built on a fully cored hull with prop pockets to level the engines. A good performer with 450hp Cummins diesels— cruise in the mid 20s (27–28 knots top.

Best Feature: Utility room with washer/dryer and pantry — a very unique feature in a boat this size

Price Spread:  From the low $100K range for a 1996–97 model up to about $200K for newer.

Ed McKnew  PowerBoat Guide Founder

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23 Most Affordable Entry-Level Boat Models

Our Boat Loan Calculator makes it easy to figure out just how much boat you can afford, and our Boat Finder will help you narrow the field to a particular type of boat. But it can be much more difficult to identify the specific models that fit both your budget and your desires.

The price range for boats is huge, of course, but average middle-class Americans looking to find their new dream-boat will each have their own budget, and their own definition of just what “affordable” means. That may mean looking for a boat that costs about as much as a new car, taking the family on a series of vacations, or putting in an in-ground pool.

Fortunately, there is indeed a boat for every budget. Here are some of the most affordable starter boats to keep in mind when you begin dreaming, listed in order of boat type from A to Z.

1. All-Purpose Fishing Boats: Lund 1650 Angler SS

In this category there are countless options, and luckily, many all-purpose fishing boats are relatively low cost because their focus on fishing means they aren’t loaded up with excessive amenities. While that simplicity may limit the boat’s appeal to only anglers, it also helps manufacturers keep pricing down—way down. In fact, in the smaller size ranges it’s possible to find an all-purpose fishing boat that can easily hold a family of four and fits in the garage, yet is priced in the $10,000 to $20,000 range.

Take the Lund 1650 Angler SS , for example. It’s rated for up to five people, has a 40 HP outboard, a trailer, a livewell, and a driver’s side console, and is an ideal platform for all kinds of freshwater fishing and trips on relatively protected saltwater bays. Yet listing at just $15,547, this package can be financed with payments under $150 a month.  Visit  Lund Boats  to learn more.

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2. Aluminum Fishing Boats: Tracker Topper 1542

Aluminum boats are like the ATVs of the boating world. They’re rugged, versatile, compact, easy to transport, and easy to afford. They’re also an excellent choice for people who have light-duty tow vehicles, thanks to their relatively light weight. True, they don’t usually have many luxury features nor integrated entertainment devices, but you’ll be so busy reeling in fish you’ll never notice in the first place. One sub-category of aluminum fishing boat with particularly wide appeal is the Jon boat , since it’s among the most affordable options on the water.

In fact, some smaller utilitarian models intended for protected waterways, like the Tracker Topper 1542 , can be powered with a small outboard or an electric motor and at $1,595 costs less than some high-priced cell phones. For many forms of fishing in protected waterways, a boat like this will more than do the trick. Visit  Tracker Boats  to learn more.

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3. Bass Boats: Ranger RT188P 

While we’ll stipulate that there are some extremely expensive bass boats on the market, there are also plenty of lower-cost bass boats out there that are very competent fishing machines. They may not have the bling of models that are triple the cost, but boats like the Ranger RT188P have it where it counts: in the bass fishing department. This boat-motor-trailer package offers 115 horses, a fishfinder, a bow-mount trolling motor, multiple rodboxes and livewells, onboard tackle stowage, and an onboard battery charger. Even with all these big-ticket goodies included, base price is just $27,095. Oh, and did we mention that it looks great, too? Visit  Ranger Boats  to learn more.

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4. Bay Boats/Flats Boats: Mako 18 LTS

Saltwater fishing is popular just about anywhere there’s a coastline, and anglers who ply bays, inshore waters, and back-country flats love their bay boats and flats boats . If you’ve been looking at offerings in this genre you’ve probably noticed there’s a very wide range of pricing, which is often related to the size of the boat. But an 18-footer like the Mako 18 LTS can still be had for well under the $30,000 mark. And note that although it’s relatively small and inexpensive, this boat can carry five passengers and has plenty of features ranging from flush-mount vertical rodholders, to an 18-gallon livewell, to cockpit courtesy lighting. Visit MAKO to learn more.

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5. Bowriders: Regal 1900 ES

As one of the most versatile, do-everything designs around, bowriders attract a lot of first-time boat-buyers. That means there’s a long list of boatbuilders who make bowriders, and they’re available in a huge range of shapes and sizes. You’ll want to do lots of comparison shopping before deciding which specific make or model is ideal for your needs, but if your budget comes in at $30,000 or under, one you’ll surely want to look at is the Regal 1900 ES . It can hold the entire family plus some friends (maximum capacity is nine people) and can be used for everything from watersports to day cruising . Visit  Regal Boats  to learn more.

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6. Cabin Cruisers: Jeanneau NC 795

Cabin cruisers naturally tend to be larger and more expensive than many other types of boats, but that doesn’t mean they’re out of reach for people who considers overnight cruising the ultimate family adventure. In fact, consider all the expenses you’d incur if you paid for all the gear, vehicles, lodging, and supplies to go on a trip to some exciting new place every weekend, all summer long. Then visit our Boat Loan Calculator and plug in the cost of a relatively affordable cabin cruiser, like the $80,750 Jeanneau NC 795 . You might be surprised to learn that you could actually do more for the dollar, by buying the boat. Visit  Jeanneau  to learn more.

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7. Center Consoles: Robalo R160

Traditionally most people have thought of center consoles purely as fishing boats, but in recent years more and more people have discovered that the center console design is also great for any number of boating activities.

Consider a boat like the Robalo R160 , for example, which starts at an uber-affordable $23,295 and comes ready to fish hard, trailers easily, and can pull the kids around on water-toys when the fish stop biting. You want a serious but affordable fishing machine? Then there’s a good chance a center console will fit the bill—but don’t think for a second that you won’t find countless other ways to enjoy family boating, as well. Visit  Robalo Boats  to learn more.

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8. Cuddy Cabins: Rinker 22MTX

If you like the idea of having a boat with a cabin and spending nights or weekends aboard is an option you desire—but spending big bucks on a yacht is not—a cuddy cabin will likely prove ideal. Cuddies have all the basics you need like a berth to sleep on, basic restroom facilities, and sometimes even a compact galley (kitchen), but they’re still small and simple enough to keep pricing down at reasonable levels. Just what’s “reasonable”?

While cabin boats do tend to cost a bit more than open models, some like the Rinker 22MTX will cost less than many nice cars (sticker price is $47,380). Yet boats like this come fully-equipped with everything you need for memory-making mini-vacations. Visit Rinker Boats  to learn more.

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9. Deck Boats: Bayliner Element Series

If you could figure out the cost-per-smile factor of any recreational vehicle in the world it would be seriously tough to beat a deck boat . These open, spacious boats are great for just about any waterborne activity and thanks to their simplicity they’re shockingly affordable. The Bayliner Element series is a perfect example. A beefy 21-footer with a 115 HP outboard, a trailer, and room for a crowd of 10 people lists for under $28,000. The 18-foot version barely breaks the $20,000 mark, and the 16-footer starts as low as $15,299—less than the cost of many new motorcycles, which aren’t exactly the ideal vehicles for family entertainment. Visit Bayliner to learn more.

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10. Dinghies: Walker Bay 10

Many people get dinghies to go with a larger boat, but they can provide lots of fun all on their own. In fact, for a couple of people who want to go out exploring or fishing in protected waters, a dinghy is one of the most cost-effective ways to get out there.

True, little boats like the Walker Bay 10 don’t have much in the way of amenities; but with the ability to hold three people, add a sail or outboard (up to three HP), and a list price of just $1,279, how can you beat the bang for the buck? Visit  Walker Bay Boats  to learn more.

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11. Fish-and-Ski Boats: Lowe FS 1700

Families who enjoy both fishing and watersports naturally gravitate to this design. Fish-and-ski boats are exactly what they sound like: fishing boats that are designed and equipped to do double duty when they kids enjoy watersports as much as they enjoy hooking walleye.

The Lowe FS 1700 is sure to draw plenty of attention, thanks to its aptitude as both a fishing boat and a watertoy-towing fun-machine. And its price tag is quite low, starting at a mere $20,495 with a 60 HP outboard and a trailer. Visit  Lowe Boats  to learn more.

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12. High Performance Boats: Donzi 16 Classic

When it comes to budget-conscious boat-buying, high performance boats probably don’t top most people’s lists. However, that doesn’t mean you have to spend a million dollars to get a boat that provides adrenaline-inducing thrill rides. Start small with a boat like the Donzi 16 Classic (MSRP: $61,900), which can be equipped with 200- or 250-horsepower, and you’ll soon be zipping across the water at speeds most boats only reach when they’re being trailered down the highway. Visit  Donzi Marine  to learn more.

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13. Inflatables: Sea Eagle 10.6sr

Inflatables are a rather unique class of boats, particularly in that many can be deflated, rolled up, and stored under a couch or in the closet of a studio apartment. So not only are they ideal as tenders and towboats, inflatables can also get urban dwellers into the boating game. And they can do so quite inexpensively.

Match up a boat like the Sea Eagle 14sr ($2,499) with a portable outboard, and you young urban dwellers have a boat capable of carrying seven people that takes just 25 minutes to inflate—and you could even add on things like swivel seats, a Bimini top, and fishing rod holders. Visit  Sea Eagle Boats  to learn more.

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14. Jet Boats: Scarab 165 G

Jet boats are quite popular among first-time boat-buyers, and other than the jet drive and some rather sporty and spectacular handling characteristics, most are more or less like other runabouts. They tend to share pricing characteristics, too, and one that’s eminently affordable is the Scarab 165 G . Even with its small $24,433 MSRP it delivers big on sporty fun, and has a surprisingly wide range of features like aft swim platform loungers, a ski-tow eye, and USB charging ports. Visit  Scarab Boats  to learn more.

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15. Motor Yachts/Power Cruisers: Sea Ray Sundancer 350 Coupe

No one’s going to argue that motor yachts and power cruisers are low-cost; but consider how much you have would to pay for a chic two-bedroom waterfront home with a full kitchen, living room, and bathroom, plus a deck with a grill, outdoor stereo, and retracting sunshade. Oh, and BTW, you can park this bungalow in any waterfront village you’d like, whenever you’d like. What do you think, a half a million dollars sounds about right?

For significantly less you can get boats like the Sea Ray Sundancer 350 Coupe , which not only have all of the above but can also hit speeds in the 40-mph range and feature perks like outdoor cockpit air-conditioning, a bow lounger, and a sunroof over the helm. Visit  Sea Ray Boats  to learn more.

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16. Multi-Hull Power Boats: World Cat 230CC

Ask a crowd of experienced boaters about multi-hull power boats , or "power cats" as they’re often called, and you may hear that they generally cost more than regular monohull powerboats . But when you compare different boats by their capabilities and useable space, that’s not always the case.

Consider a World Cat 230CC , for example. Yes, it has a sticker price pushing close to $100,000, which sounds like a lot for a 23-foot boat. But powercats like this have more interior volume because they’re wider in the bow—in fact, the 230CC has seating for a huge crew of 10. Plus, the smooth twin-hull ride can take on bigger seas than most monohulls in this class, and the boat has twin engines. So when you add capability and space into the equation this boat should really be compared to much larger monohulls. And for the value you get it’s actually far more affordable than it seems upon first glance. Visit  World Cat  to learn more.

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17. Personal Watercraft (PWC): Yamaha WaveRunner EX Series

Looking for a cheap thrill? You just found it. Few boats are as affordable as personal watercraft , and few can claim to be more fun. Grin-inducing wave-hops, G-force turns, and a face full of spray are just a few of the experiences that await you, and we dare you to try to go two minutes on a personal watercraft without smiling. Good luck, because it isn’t going to happen.

And, talk about affordable: the Yamaha Waverunner EX series lists at a mere $6,899 to start—less than a couple might lay out for a week-long trip to Europe. Yet it can carry up to three people and blasts off with a 1049-cc Yamaha TR-1 jet engine. Can you say “WOOHOO”? Visit  Yamaha WaterCraft  to learn more.

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18. Pontoon Boats: Godfrey Sweetwater 1886 C

One of the great things about pontoon boats is that most models are highly customizable, and you can get them just as simple and inexpensive or as gussied-up as you please. While that may mean foregoing the snazzy wine-chiller or the huge outboard engine to get a more affordable price, it certainly doesn’t mean foregoing the family fun a pontoon boat will provide.

Consider the Godfrey Sweetwater 1886 C , which seats 10 comfortable and comes with features like a 40 HP outboard, gobs of seating, a cocktail table, and a swim ladder. MSRP is just over $26,000, and you can add in a slew of features like a Bimini top, a stereo system, a pop-up changing room, and even a chilled cupholder at the helm, without breaking through the $30,000 barrier. Visit  Godfrey Pontoons  to learn more.

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19. Sailboats: Beneteau First 14

When it comes to economics, sailboats hold an advantage over powerboats since they don’t need the power provided by those big motors. You may be attracted to a small, simple boat that can be taken out single-handed or by a handful of people, like the $10,800 Beneteau First 14 . Or you may be more interested in a model that has a cabin and a berth, like the First 18 ($28,800). In any case, not only are boats like these eminently affordable, they also enjoy lower operational expenses than powerboats. You’ll love that new boat even more as you sail right past the fuel dock. Visit  Beneteau  to learn more.

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20. Ski Boats/Wake Boats: Four Winns HD 200 Surf

Towed watersports have exploded with popularity in the past decade, and it’s no wonder why. Whether you’re surfing the wakes or practicing slalom skiing, watersports make for fast-paced and exciting athletic action. If you’ve shopped for dedicated watersports boats , however, you may have noticed that they can be on the expensive side. That doesn’t necessarily have to be the case. New tech in drive units and boat designs has made it possible for many manufacturers to offer lower cost boats that work great for sports like surfing and water skiing.

The Four Winns HD 200 Surf is a great example, since it has everything needed in a serious watersports boat (like tow points, wake tabs, and ballast tanks), but it doesn’t edge too much above the $50,000 mark. Visit  Four Winns  to learn more.

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21. Sportfishing Yachts: Boston Whaler 345 Conquest

No, we’re not going to try to convince anyone that a sportfishing yacht is “inexpensive.” And affordability is entirely in the eye of the beholder. But consider this: if you chartered an offshore sportfishing yacht for a day of fishing, in most parts of the nation you’d pay somewhere between $1,500 and $2,500 per day. Once you spend that money it’s gone. But if you purchased a sportfishing yacht that retains a good deal of its value over time, like the Boston Whaler 345 Conquest (which goes for a little over a half-million dollars), you’ll have the asset of the boat itself for years to come. And on top of that you’ll have the unrestricted ability to go fishing or cruising in luxury whenever the mood strikes. Visit  Boston Whaler  to learn more.

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22. Trawlers: Ranger Tugs R-23

Since most people think of trawlers as large and luxurious, you may find it a bit surprising to discover that there plenty of smaller, more affordable trawlers to consider, too. True, you won’t be crossing the Atlantic on a 23-footer like the Ranger Tugs R-23 . This little $115,000 pocket-yacht does, however, have sleeping space for a family of four, complete food-prep facilities, a private head compartment (that’s nautical-speak for bathroom), and an open cockpit you can use for everything from tanning to fishing. Visit  Ranger Tugs  to learn more .

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23. Walkarounds: Striper 200 Walkaround OB

Many people, especially parents with small kids, feel a cabin is a must-have whether they plan to go fishing, day cruising or spend a night or two camping aboard. And even the smallest of the walkarounds out there provide you with a place to sleep, protection from the weather, and somewhere to relieve yourself. Boats like the Striper 200 Walkaround OB check all those boxes. And listing an MSRP of $66,893, it’s certainly easier to afford than a cabin at the lake. Visit  Striper Boats  to learn more.

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And don’t forget people, while you could dedicate that boat budget to a car, vacations, or a pool, we think a boat has got all of those things beat—hands-down. Who would rather travel down the road, when open waterways beckon? Why restrict your recreation to short-lived vacations, when going boating is like taking a vacation each and every time you pull off the dock? Doesn’t choosing a pool seem rather limiting, when your boat will provide you with countless places to take the plunge? Find the perfect boat for you, your family, and your budget, and you’ll never regret it.

Read Next: Best Boats for Families

Editor's Note: Pricing is accurate as last date of publish, May 12, 2020. Please contact each boat manufacturers or your local boat dealer directly for the most updated pricing.

You Might Also Like:

• The Ultimate Boat Buyer's Guide
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6 Popular Boats For Full-Time Living (Affordable Options)

It’s a big investment to get a boat you can live in full time.

Here are some of the more affordable boats out there that we can fully recommend.

Hang with us as we guide you through some of the most popular and affordable boats for full-time living.

Table of Contents

Don’t Get “Sticker Shock”:

If you are choosing to live aboard a boat in you will need to brace yourself for the expense.

While this article is showing you “cheap” or “inexpensive” boats to live on, you should not be comparing them to other boats.

We are not talking about small boats here, but boats you can live on, remember.

Daily use boats do not afford the luxuries that a live-aboard boat can. This makes them more expensive. When looking at live-aboard boat prices, you will want to compare it to traditional living expenses. All choices for live-aboard boats are expensive and you will most likely be looking for a used, possibly even a “project” boat.

If you are looking for a new boat, or even a luxurious used boat you will need to be prepared to spend $100,000 or more depending on the size and type of boat you want.

An Affordable TRAWLER You Can Live On

A trawler is an inexpensive option that allows for generous space. Trawlers are also durable and can take large amounts of use. 

The wider hull of a trawler allows for roomy interiors that include bigger kitchens, more spacious sleeping areas and more room. This boat is also stable and accessible. This makes getting on and off the boat much easier.

They also have less draft than boats with deep hulls like sailboats and lower clearance on top for bridges.

Some cons of a trawler include noisy engines that are slower moving. They also consume large amounts of fuel.

Trawlers also will need maintenance just like any other vessel and can often be older, so they might require more maintenance up front.

1. Albin North Sea Cutter

North Sea Cutters made by Albin are large, spacious and elegant. These boats offer multiple comforts and sleeping areas.

Depending on the year you select, you could have multiple cabins and many places that convert into sleeping areas. You can purchase a used Albin boat that costs anywhere from $20,000 to over $200,000. These prices vary depending on space, age and amenities offered.

Models older than 2000 will often range between $20,000 to $80,000 and they can get more expensive from there.

An Affordable YACHT You Can Live On

2. beneteau swift trawler.

These boats can be swift, fuel efficient, and stable. They offer a spacious deck as well as spacious living quarters.

They often come with more than one cabin and enough room to move around and house more than one person.

The Beneteau Swift Trawlers are more expensive than the Albin models and will likely cost you more than $100,000.

If you are looking for a brand new Beneteau, you could be looking at a base price close to or even over $500,000.

So you definitely want to get a used model if you are looking for a cheaper alternative here!

2 Affordable SAILBOATS You Can Live On

Sailboats can be a relaxing option for your live-aboard vessel. Sailboats come with an open deck and oftentimes have plush cabins situated in their hull.

Some of the appeals of a live-aboard sailboat are that you will spend less money on gas. They are also quieter than their motorboat counterparts.

If you choose to live-aboard a sailboat, you will want to make sure that you have a motor available in case you do not have a cooperating wind.

3. Island Packet 35

These boats are smaller than the trawler options and are better suited to housing smaller families.  They have one main living and sleeping quarters so there is not a lot of privacy offered. These will be ideal for a couple. 

These are very popular choices among sailing cruisers and they were designed with sailing in mind. They are very user-friendly sailboats.

The prices on an Island Packet range close to $100,000.

You will be looking for a used vessel, though, as these were not manufactured after the mid-1990s.

4. Cabo Rico 38

Cabo Rico boats were designed with luxury in mind and it is reflected in their prices.

Older models from the 1980’s and 1990’s range between $80,000 and $100,000 while newer models that were made in the early 2000s can easily reach over $300,000.

The main goal of these boats was to increase the appeal of their aesthetic.

Like the Island Packet, these boats are more ideal for smaller couples. This boat also has an abundance of clever storage spaces that will help you maximize the space that you have. 

Affordable MULTI-HULL Boats You Can Live On

Multi-hull catamarans can be either double or triple hulled.

The benefit of a multi-hulled vessel is the stability offered as well as the possibility for separate living spaces.

A catamaran offers a wide and spacious deck, however, the living spaces in the hulls are generally smaller than they would be on other vessel types.

The major disadvantage of a multi-hull option will be price. Because the construction of these boats is similar to building two separate boats, you should expect to pay more. If you want to live on a multi-hull vessel you could be looking at spending $100,000 or more.

Like a sailboat, you might consider a used catamaran.

In addition to a higher purchase price, these boats also might require two slips in a marina which can make them more expensive.

5. Lagoon 380

The Lagoon 380 is a smaller catamaran which is not the most common. The Lagoon 380 is the smallest catamaran in the Lagoon fleet.

Unlike some other inexpensive options, these are still being produced which offers you the chance to buy new, which means that you will be more likely to customize your boat.

This boat comes with a full bath and a large queen-sized berth or the chance to instead get four cabins. Stowage on this boat is impressive and it comes with many lockers and storage space.

The boat truly is impressive for its small size and will be comfortable for living in. The price of this vessel can range from $170,000 to over $200,000 depending on the year and the options available.

Other Lagoon options can be more expensive but are also great live-aboard vessels.

6. Leopard 44

If you are looking for a more luxurious catamaran, then you will want to look at the Leopard 44. 

The most inspiring part of the design of the Leopard 44 is the inclusion of two cockpits. This allows sailors to change where they steer based on the position of the sun and adds additional comfort.

This boat also provides edging on the surfaces so that you can feel where the boat ends. Attention to detail was key when crafting the Leopard 44. 

Like most catamarans, this vessel is also spacious and provides comforts and amenities that will be useful when living on board.  These include multiple berths and cabins that are well suited to housing more people.

The average price for this vessel is higher than the Lagoon 38 can range between $280,000 and $400,000.

Affordable HOUSEBOATS You Can Live On

If you plan on living aboard a boat without doing a lot of traveling, a houseboat might be ideal for you.

These allow for plenty of space, but are bulky and are not very efficient so they are generally used for living while moored and never actually venturing out on the water.

The most common form of houseboats is built onto pontoon boats. These boats can even offer full enclosures on the deck with plenty of windows and light.

Another downside to a houseboat is their price. Because these boats offer the most space and comfort they are pricey.

Houseboats can offer anything from multiple rooms to decks. They are essentially a house that floats.

Houseboats are often custom designed and are not generally offered as a part of a fleet or boating line. Prices also range wildly and could be anywhere from $30,000 used to over one million dollars.

When looking at houseboats you also have to consider location as a decision that needs to be made.

Houseboats are not designed to move so in addition to the expense of the boat, you are also often looking for a permanent place to put it, and that can be more costly than a marina or other available options.

What About The Bigger Yachts?

Even more expensive than the multi-hull vessel is the luxury yacht.

This is not an inexpensive option. These are the most expensive choice as they are essentially floating hotels.

For this reason, we have opted out of listing options for the luxury yacht, but they are an option that is available for consideration.

So How Do I Choose The Right Boat?

It is most important to choose your boat based on desired lifestyle, budget, and skill level.

If you do not want to worry about learning to sail, then you should look into the power boat options. 

You also want to make sure you pick the appropriate size.

If you plan to go down rivers often, you might not want a boat that is too wide or too tall. This can make river navigation tricky and stressful.

You also want to make sure that while you are conscious about how the size of your boat is external, you allow for enough space internally.

No matter what type of boat you choose you will be giving up some luxuries and living a more minimalist lifestyle. You need to look at what your minimum size requirements will be and start there.

Another thing that is extremely important when choosing is the condition of the boat. Because these types of boats are so expensive, you will most likely be looking at used options.

This means that you will want to get your boat fully inspected before you buy it.

Much like you would get an inspector for your home, you are able to hire marine inspectors who can see things on your vessel that you can’t.

The most important places of consideration are the hull and the engine.

Even a tiny hairline crack in the hull can expand and get worse over time. These are also the most dangerous because you are less likely to see them and get them taken care of.

A marine inspector will also be able to give you a rundown on the vessel and this might help you plan for future expenses and even to negotiate a better price.

In addition to this, when buying a used boat you want to make sure you do not buy a boat that is exactly your budget. You will want to save at least %10 of your budget for possible issues and immediate maintenance needed.

Maintenance will be an ongoing expense that you will have to plan for in order to maintain the integrity of your boat.

Is It Possible To Live On A Boat Full Time?

Living on a boat full time is completely possible if you know what you are doing.

Where to Moor Your Boat:

One of your most major considerations will be where to keep your boat. Many places require marinas to have a liveaboard license and many of the places that do have long waiting lists that could last years.

If you know you want to live aboard a boat full time you will want to start checking into places right away. It would also be wise to not close a deal on a boat until you know you have somewhere to put it.

You will also want to consider the location of where you are mooring your vessel.

If you choose to dock your boat in a marina you will be more likely to have 24/7 access to both electricity and water. This is not true if you choose to live at anchor or on a mooring bay.

This can make a big difference in the comforts afforded while you are living on your boat.

Another consideration to make is the ease of getting on and off your vessel. If you do not moor in a marina you could be relying on a dinghy to get on and off your boat and this can quickly become a hassle, especially if you are transporting things with you as well.

Live-aboard marinas often provide more comfort to you, such as cable, Wi-Fi, or even laundry.

Marina’s do come with a higher cost, so you will have to decide if this is worth it to you.

Comfort Issues To Consider

One major challenge of living on a boat is space. Even with a spacious boat, you will always be living in close quarters to your boat-mates.

Depending on the size of boat you get, you could be asking your partner to move every time you want to move to a different room or area of the boat.

This can quickly get annoying and you will want to make sure that you and your partner both understand the reality of the situation.

Even if you plan to live alone you can be looking as small and confined spaces.

One good way to know if you can handle the day to day challenges of a liveaboard lifestyle is to try it out first. There are plenty of ways to rent a boat to test the waters before you take the plunge.

Another challenge is living without the comforts that most people have every day. Most liveaboards that are affordable do not have hot showers or laundry. 

They also usually have small kitchens and bathrooms with small amounts of storage space. If you are a person who likes to have everything and minimal living is not something that sounds appealing, living on a boat is likely not for you.

To keep your space comfortable, you might want to also consider a dehumidifier to keep your humidity in check.

Important Safety Considerations

One major thing to make sure you plan for is safety. Like all boats, you will need to have the proper life preservers and flotation devices. This is a legal requirement on all water vessels.

In addition to the proper flotation devices, you will want to make sure you have all other required safety equipment.

This includes a fire extinguisher, a carbon monoxide detector in all enclosed areas, a flare, an emergency kit, and a first aid kit.

You should also have anything needed to repair unexpected maintenance issues. Depending on where you are, you will want to make sure you can deal with any issues that might arise until you can get to help.

In addition to the standard safety precautions, living on your boat comes with a few more.

If you are planning to live on your boat, and travel, you will want to make sure you are confident in your abilities and your boat itself before you get too far away from shore. It is wise to spend a few months cruising near land and shores before you attempt any long trips.

You also need to ensure you have the proper communication equipment on board.

Depending on how far from shore you get, you might not be able to communicate using traditional methods such as a cell phone.

A cell phone will be less effective the farther away from shore and any cell phone towers you get.

You should be sure to have satellite communications, a marine radio, and a Ham radio on board.

You will also want to make sure you regularly get your boat inspected and perform any routine maintenance. A boat that is fully functioning and well maintained will be the safest.

How Much Will Living On A Boat Cost Me?

Despite the large upfront cost, living on a boat can be cheaper than living in a traditional manner.

Costs that come with a live-aboard boat can include, but are not limited to:

• Insurance: Just like with a home, car, or daily use boat you will need to pay for insurance. The live-aboard insurance rate will be higher than just recreational boating insurance. This insurance can sometimes compare to home insurance.
• Moorage: Like insurance, live-aboard moorage is more expensive than traditional insurance. You will also need to go to a marina that holds a live-aboard license.
• Mortgage Payments: If you cannot pay for your boat out of pocket, which is likely, you might have to make loan payments on it. Depending on what you spent on your vessel this could be costly.
• Maintenance Costs: After your initial purchase you will still need to spend money on boat maintenance. This expense will vary based on the age of the boat, how often you perform regular maintenance, and how you use the boat itself.
• Utilities: Based on how you have decided to live on your boat, you might have utilities or additional costs with the marina. This will likely still be less than you would pay in a traditional living situation.
• Provisions and Entertainment: Just because you don’t live in a traditional manner, you will still need to buy traditional items such as food, toiletries, and entertainment. If you live completely without the comforts you are used to, your experience will not be very pleasurable.

Most importantly while looking at expenses, you need to make sure you are budgeting and stick to it.

If you are not able to afford your lifestyle, you will not have a lot of immediate options.

If you choose to travel while you sail, budgeting will be even more important. Traveling often does not allow for a traditional job and you do not want to overspend if you do not have any money coming in.

If you know this is the lifestyle you want to live, you might consider going all in. Many people sell their homes in order to live this lifestyle.

What Boat Should I Get For Full-Time Living?

Before you buy a boat to live aboard, you need to be clear about your needs.

There are a lot of options to choose from and this is not a decision to rush through. One of the first things that you need to decide when picking a boat is whether you want a motorboat or a sailboat.

A Sailboat Or A Motorboat?

Sailboats are not just appropriate for ocean living, they are also good for lake, river, or bay living. Sailboats are quieter than motorboats and are generally more economical because they use less gas.

One issue with sailboats is that they require more skill to handle and they might not be ideal for a singular person.

Like any boat, you will want to ensure that you are choosing the right size. If you plan on using your sailboat in a river, you will want to think about the required clearance when it comes to bridges.

Motorboats with ample cabin space can also be ideal for full-time living on a lake, river or bay.

These boats are often very spacious and easy to handle. Unlike sailboats, you do not have to take classes or training to be able to maneuver or handle the vessel. Motorboats that you can live aboard can range from trawlers to yachts to certain types of catamarans .

Motorboats do not rely on the wind and this can make them ideal for a boat you want to do both living and traveling on.

The issues with motorboats is that you will need to consider gas and other expenses that come with running an engine.  They are also louder than sailboats and often their engines are placed close to living quarters. This can make sleep difficult if you are moving.

Below are some inexpensive boat options that would be perfect for full-time living .

What Are The Benefits?

Even though this all might seem very expensive, there is a large list of benefits as well. 

Living on a boat can be cheaper than living in a traditional home, especially in high priced areas.

The main reason that you should live on a boat is the freedom and adventure that comes with it.

You would be able to take your home on vacation with you or just pick up and go to a new location.

You are also more likely to meet adventurous and like-minded individuals who will most likely have interesting stories to tell. 

One of the best parts about living out on the water is the views that you will see. There is nothing quite as beautiful as waking up to a sunrise over the water.

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14 Great Pocket Cruisers in 2023

• By Victor Tan
• Updated: July 20, 2023

Pocket cruisers and mini yachts are generally vessels under 50 feet in length overall, and can include express cruiser designs, flybridge yachts as well as either monohull or catamaran hull forms. They are cruising boats easily handled by a small, or even shorthanded, crew. Pocket cruisers generally have wave-taming hull designs and have the ability to take on sporty seas, offer comfortable accommodations belowdecks with one or two staterooms for extended voyages, “homelike amenities,” and the ability to cruise as slowly or as quickly as an owner desires with inboard- and outboard-power options. These pocket-cruising boats have the range for longer voyages , can pull up in skinny water at the sandbar thanks to shallow drafts, and head over the horizon where cruising adventure awaits. Pocket cruisers are true multitasking yachts. When it comes to family and couples cruising, it’s hard to beat a well-built and well-equipped and pocket cruiser.

Best Cruising Boats Under 50-Feet

The following 14 pocket cruisers and mini yachts are all vessels we’ve seen, been aboard, and tested. They are listed in no particular order.

• Hood 35 LM: high-tech, family-friendly pocket cruiser
• Galeon Yachts 375 GTO: mid-size boat with plenty of below-deck space
• Aquila 42: sleek power catamaran ready to entertain
• Azimut Verve 42 : small, yet mighty yacht ready for open water
• Hinckley Yachts 35: luxury picnic cruiser with range
• Beneteau Gran Turismo 45: sleek cruising yacht with all the amenities
• Solaris Power 48 Open: eye-catching power yacht with 360-degree views
• Cruisers Yachts 42 GLS: luxury cruiser yacht with powerful outboard options
• Back Cove 34O: modern outboard power combined with classic Downeast styling
• Picnic Boat 40: speedy and fuel-efficient vessel with great looks
• Aquila 36: comfortably seat up to 20 guests for fun on the salt
• Boston Whaler 350 Realm: multitasker built for fishing and entertaining
• MJM 35z: sporty, aesthetically pleasing, cruising-conscious features and elegant lines
• Greenline 39: sturdy-looking lines and environmentally-friendly power

When Android co-founder, Rich Miner, wanted a new family-friendly pocket cruiser , he turned to a custom-penned C.W. Hood design and a Lyman-Morse-built 35-footer, which has a timeless Down East profile matched to seriously modern technology under the hood.

This yacht looks like a traditional, cold-molded Down East dayboat, but actually, it has everything, from Hamilton HJX Series water-jet drives to a planned Sea Machines autonomous command-and-control system . Top speed: 40-plus knots.

Quick Specifications

Galeon Yachts 375 GTO

Even the remnants of Hurricane Ian, couldn’t dissuade the Galeon Yacht 375 GTO from its cruising mission. The small yacht’s wave-splitting hull form is paired to torque-filled 600 hp Mercury Verado outboards , giving this fun-in-the-sun boat a 47-knot top hop.

The 375 GTO is a speedster, to be sure, but it’s also so much more. Just about every aspect of the main deck seating is transformable and multifunction, from the aft seating to the alfresco dining abaft the helm, and beyond. It also has a family-size and eminently cruise-worthy belowdecks space for four guests, all while providing a foredeck entertaining lounge too.

The Galeon Yachts 375 GTO ticks all the boxes for an easy-to-handle and sporty cruiser.

Aquila 42 Yacht Power Catamaran

Following the success of its 44-, 54- and 70-foot power catamaran models, Aquila has launched the stable-as-a-table, owner-operator-ready Aquila 42 Yacht Power Catamaran .

The Aquila 42 is the entry point into the builder’s yacht line and is noteworthy for its ability to accommodate anywhere from a two- to four-stateroom layout, depending on the owner’s cruising requirements. There are alfresco spaces to manage the sunset cruise with friends and family, including a foredeck lounge area that can be accessed via centerline steps from the flybridge. The Aquila 42 is available with several Volvo Penta diesel-engine options .

Azimut Verve 42

Want to cruise from Florida to Bimini in about an hour? The Azimut Yachts Verve 42 can do that thanks, in part, to triple 450 hp Mercury Racing outboards and a hull designed to dice-and-slice a seaway. Top hop: 45 knots. The Verve 42 also has style for miles with a fine entry, raked hardtop, and a razorlike sheerline accented by sweeping hull glass from bow to stern. It’s striking.

With accommodation for a family of four, the Verve 42 is also solid under the hull tokeep everyone safe on those passages. The Verve 42’s hull is built of fiberglass and uses vinylester resins for blister protection. The yacht’s deck and hardtop are comprised of carbon fiber for strength without added weight. This all means that the Azimut Verve 42 is built to CE Classification Type A , making it suitable for sea voyages where winds can exceed 45 mph and seas to 13 feet.

Hinckley Yachts 35

The Hinckley Yachts 35 takes everything that yachtsmen like about this pedigreed-brand’s classic profile and infuses today’s modern outboard power to create 40 knots of sheer fun wrapped in sheer luxury.

This 35-foot Hinckley is built on a Michael-Peters-penned hull form with a fine entry, wider-than-average chines and a moderate deadrise. While the boat is built to sprint when desired, it’s also a relatively economical cruiser. For instance, a comfortable 24-knot cruise the Hinckley Yachts 35 has a 276-nautical-mile range.

It also has a tech-build thanks to vacuum-infused carbon-fiber composites and epoxy resin. An integrated interior structure is infused with the hull adding rigidity. The hull is then post-cured in an 80-foot oven, further strengthening the structure.

Beneteau Gran Turismo 45

The Beneteau Gran Turismo is the flagship of the builder’s four-model GT series, which also includes 32-, 36- and 41-foot models.

The Gran Turismo 45 ’s cruise-centric layout includes two staterooms and two heads belowdecks, as well as a galley down. There is also a dinette for meals and a settee for rainy-day lounging. Entertaining guests and enjoying the sun is the primary mission of the main deck.

Solaris Power 48 Open

The Solaris Power 48 Open was the first powerboat from this longtime builder known for its sailing yachts, ranging from 40 to 110 feet length overall. The Solaris Power 48 Open is notable for its wave-slicing plumb-bow design, high freeboard forward and 32-knot-plus speed. Power is twin 480 hp Volvo Penta IPS650 diesels.

The high freeboard keeps the deck dry and help creates sizable volume belowdecks with an average 6-foot-6-inch headroom. This enables real estate for either one or two staterooms. With the single-stateroom setup, there is a forepeak master stateroom while an L-shaped settee converts to sleeping accommodations for family or occasional guests. Interior wood options are oak or walnut.

Cruisers Yachts 42 GLS

Outboard-power cruising aficionados will appreciate the triple-engine options for the Cruisers Yachts 42 GLS . The 42 GLS we got aboard had the triple 400 hp Mercury Verados , which produced a top hop of 45 knots, but triple 450 hp Verados are available. Triple 350 hp Mercury Verados are the standard engine option. No matter the power arrangement, this express cruiser can easily be used for wakeboarding and tube towing. The 42 GLS is designed to handle the rough stuff too, with a fine entry and 21-degree transom deadrise.

For cruising enthusiasts, the 42 GLS has a master stateroom with an athwartships and a nearly queen-size berth, and the lower salon’s U-shaped dinette converts to a queen-size berth for the kids.

Back Cove 34O

Combining modern outboard power with classic Downeast styling, the Back Cove 34O touts award-winning standards with cruising in mind. The 34O is equipped with twin 300 hp Yamaha outboards, engines that allow the Newport International Boat Show’s 2018 Best Powerboat Under 35 Feet winner to travel up to 214 nautical miles at 24 knots on a 250-gallon fuel tank.

Belowdecks, the 34O has an island double berth and a split-head arrangement with the toilet to port and a separate shower stall to starboard. On the main deck, a U-shape dinette to port accommodates four or more guests on the Back Cove Yachts vessel. The 34O’s galley is equipped with a Cuisinart microwave, a two-burner Kenyon electric cooktop and a Vitrifrigo fridge and freezer.

Picnic Boat 40

Hinckley Yachts unveiled its first Picnic Boat more than two decades ago. Now, after two previous, sub-40-foot models, the Maine-based boatbuilder has developed its largest and most advanced model to date: the Picnic Boat 40.

Twin 480 hp Cummins diesel engines paired to twin Hamilton 322 jet drives propel the yacht to a 30-knot cruising speed and 34 knots on the pins. With optional twin 550 hp Cummins diesels, cruise and top-end speeds jump to 35 and 38 knots, respectively.

There is an L-shaped settee with a table and a wet bar on the main deck to port. The helm station is forward and to starboard with a benchseat for two. There is also a companion seat across from the helm. Belowdecks, there is 6-foot-2-inch headroom, and the dinette table drops to form a California-king berth for overnights and weekending.

Aquila Power Catamarans started its line with 44- and 48-footers, and now the builder’s Aquila 36 takes the line into the midsize market.

The 36 features a single, main-living area from bow to stern, helped in part by the vessel’s 14-foot, 7-inch beam. The boat can comfortably seat up to 20 guests for fun on the salt. Several Mercury Verado engine options are available for the Aquila 36, including twin 250-, 300- and 350-hp four-strokes. With the 350s, the Aquila has a top-end speed of 37 knots.

Other notable features include a fiberglass hardtop, a dinette, a cooktop, a fridge, a sink and a smokeless grill. Belowdecks, there are two staterooms with nearly queen-size berths, en suite heads and 6-foot-6-inch headroom in each.

Boston Whaler 350 Realm

From fishing and entertaining guests to diving and overnight cruising, Boston Whaler ‘s 350 Realm is a multitasker. And it’s fast, too. It’s powered with either triple 300 hp or triple 350 hp Mercury Verados. The 350 Realm can reach a top speed of 46 knots.

At the helm, two Raymarine displays provide vital navigation data. The captain can take in the displays’ view from a doublewide helm seat. There’s a flip-down platform for standing when needed and a footrest when desired.

There is a V-shaped berth that converts into a double berth with a filler cushion. The separated head has a VacuFlush MSD and a hot-and-cold shower. Owners also have the option to add a microwave and a flat-screen TV.

The MJM 35z can reach a top speed of 44 knots and a cruising speed of 33 knots on its optional 350 hp Mercury Verado outboards; twin 300 hp outboards are standard on this MJM Yachts vessel. Additionally, the 35z can travel up to 304 nautical miles on its 250-gallon fuel tank.

The 35z has a flush-deck layout and to port is space for an electric grill, a baitwell, a sink, an ice maker and a fridge. There are two Stidd helm seats—one for the helmsman and the other for a copilot—that rotate to face the rest of the seating aft. In the cabin is V-shaped seating forward that can be converted to a berth.

Owners also have the option of adding a Seakeeper 3 gyrostabilizer and a full-length Bimini top to shade the cockpit.

Greenline 39

Greenline Yachts ‘ vessels are aptly named for their environmentally friendly means of moving about; the Greenline 39 is no different. The Slovenian yacht manufacturer produces two types of this model: hybrid and solar.

If owners opt for the latter, the 39’s four solar panels atop the salon power all of the vessel’s systems for three hours. With the power of the sun, the 39 can achieve a max speed of 6.5 knots and a cruising speed of 4 knots. The hybrid type uses those same panels to help power a 220 hp Volvo Penta D3 with a Mahle electric-drive system. Owners have the option of replacing the standard engine with a 370 hp Yanmar 8LV diesel.

Belowdecks, scissor berths provide accommodations for long weekends.

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10 Sailboats Under 50 Grand

• By Dan Spurr
• Updated: April 4, 2018

My wife used to subscribe to a magazine titled Budget Traveler, which features low-cost vacations and tips like turning your sport coat inside out to prevent wrinkles in the suitcase. I didn’t care for the name because it implied its readers were cheapskates. I know what I can afford and will be the judge of that. Would you subscribe to a magazine called Budget Sailor?I didn’t think so. You also know what you can afford. Not all of us earn six figures and can purchase boats that cost as much. As an interesting exercise, we decided to see what cruising boats one can buy for less than $50,000. Turns out, quite a few. I ought to know; I’ve never bought one costing more. Just a few years ago I set out to buy an older sailboat with just that budget — I mean max price.For this survey, the hundreds of choices were narrowed to a mere 10 affordable sailboats — no easy task. Our criteria: cruising priorities such as tankage, stowage, manageable rig, tracking, etc.; at least average or above-average quality of construction; enduring design; and resale value. Many good boats ended up on the cutting-room floor. And I will admit to my prejudices. For what it’s worth, here’s my list.

Boats built in the 1960s are getting long in the tooth, but if they’ve been maintained well, they are still serviceable. And many Bristol 40s date to later years.

Designed by Ted Hood and built by Clint Pearson after he and cousin Everett sold Pearson Yachts, early Bristols have many similarities in design and construction to early Pearsons. The dominant design rule then was the CCA (Cruising Club of America), which favored short waterlines (long overhangs) and modest beam. The rule-beating idea was that when heeled, the waterline lengthened, increasing speed. A narrow boat has less form stability than a beamier hull, but is less likely to remain upside down in a capsize. A long keel with attached rudder was the accepted underwater configuration for stability and tracking.

Construction is standard for the time: mat-and-woven roving. Over time, leaky portlights and hull/deck joints became commonplace, but they can be fixed by a handy owner.A Bristol 40 won the 1983 Marion-Bermuda Race that featured close-reaching in moderate winds, which shows it’s capable of a decent day’s run. Performance also depends on rig — sloop, cutter or yawl — and keel or keel/centerboard configuration.

Early Bristol 40s were fitted with the venerable Atomic 4 gas engine for which parts may still be obtained from Moyer Marine . A Westerbeke diesel was optional; others have been re-powered with a Yanmar diesel.

Narrow beam and short waterline translate to a comparatively small interior, albeit retaining the essential separate cabins, sea berths, closed head and divided galley aft.

Roger Hewson founded Sabre Yachts in South Casco, Maine, and launched his first model, the Sabre 28, in 1970. Whatever his qualifications as a yacht designer, he did a respectable job with the 28. The proportions are correct (beam versus waterline length, cabin height versus topsides, etc.), the deck-stepped rig conservative, the layout standard and construction quality above average. Periodic refinements were made during its 16-year production run, notably in 1976 (Mark II) and 1983 (Mark III), but the basic structure remained the same. Later models gained a few hundred pounds, which might mean the company finally got around to actually weighing a boat off the line. More than 500 were built.

At 28 feet, it’s on the small side for cruising, but of course that depends on one’s ambitions. A good indication of hull volume is the displacement/length ratio (D/L), which for this Sabre is a moderate 278, meaning decent stowage and, combined with an average sail area/displacement ratio (SA/D) of 16.6, decent performance under sail. Not exciting, but no surprises either. This is an easily handled boat despite the foretriangle being somewhat larger than the mainsail.

Some potential buyers might be skeptical of the swept-back externally ballasted keel, which at the time was thought to be more efficient than a vertical appendage. I’m sure there are Sabre 28 owners who can tell how it takes the ground and if it’ll sit upright on its keel (it depends on the center of gravity, which is not shown in the drawings).

Construction is standard hand-layup mat and woven rovings. Glass finish work is very good, and there’s a lot of teak below. Through-hulls have bronze seacocks. Early boats had Atomic 4 gas auxiliaries, and later models small Volvo or Westerbeke diesel engines.

Cape Dory 30

Andy Vavolotis founded Cape Dory Yachts in 1962 with a couple of dinghies. He commissioned Carl Alberg, a Swedish-born U.S. Coast Guard naval architect, to design most of his subsequent larger yachts, including the Cape Dory 30, introduced in 1976.

This is a small 30-footer, owing to its relatively narrow beam and short waterline; the lovely, long overhangs take space from below. Vavolotis once told me that with every new model he begged Alberg to add a few inches of beam. Alberg would give him an inch or two and then say, “If you want more, find another designer. I don’t think it’s right.” That went for fin keels and spade rudders too.

Yes, it’s the full keel with attached rudder and attendant advantages (stable tracking, safety in grounding and collisions with underwater objects) that recommend the design for cruising. The downside? Increased wetted surface area translates to slower speeds, and the fat keel won’t point as high as a foil. But it’s about the journey, not speed, right? The original 30 was designed as a ketch; later renditions offered cutter and sloop rigs.

The other reason folks love Cape Dorys is robust construction. Nothing fancy: solid single-skin hull, balsa-cored deck (Aren’t they all? Well, no.), heavy bronze hardware from Vavolotis’ Spartan Marine foundry and generous exterior teak that once upon a time signified a classy yacht. Hard to believe, but true.

The Cape Dory 30 is not without a few shortcomings. The hull/deck joint is not continuously through-bolted, and some deck hardware does not have backing plates. If you’re set on a Cape Dory, I’d look for the Cape Dory MK11 updated by Clive Dent, or the 33 or 36. The latter generally sells for more than $50,000, but not by much, and it’s a roomier, more powerful design.

Island Packet 31

Boatbuilder and naval architect Bob Johnson shares a distinction with Cape Dory’s Andy Vavolotis as being two of the only company bosses to have offered traditional full-keel cruising boats in small sizes.

Island Packet is located in Florida, and the designs are geared for those waters, meaning shallow. To compensate for shoal draft (a 4-foot keel and 3-foot keel/centerboard were offered), the 31 has a wide beam of 11 feet 6 inches, which gives it good form stability (but not if it capsizes). Boats with wide beam and shallow draft are more likely to achieve inverse stability than narrow boats with deep keels. Ballast of iron ingots set in concrete doesn’t help. This hull form isn’t great upwind. That said, the 31 does not heel quickly and is ideally suited to Florida and Bahamas cruising grounds.

Construction is generally good. The hull is solid glass (no core), and the deck is an exception to the usual end-grain balsa core; a mixture of polyester resin and microballoons called PolyCore forms a chemical bond between the two skins of the “sandwich,” eliminating the possibility of rot and delamination. Like many builders of series-produced boats, Island Packet incorporated a large molded liner or pan that forms the cabin sole, berth flats, galley and other “furniture” features. It saves labor costs but can cause condensation, increase noise and vibration compared to plywood, and make access to parts of the hull potentially difficult. What it does do is discourage radical customizing, which may be a good thing, given the weird stuff some guys cobble together (think a Barcalounger in place of a saloon settee).

It’s too bad more of these able cruisers haven’t migrated farther from their origin on the West Coast. While rather plainly finished, construction is solid and the pilothouse with inside steering is unusual. The sweeping sheer, flush cambered deck and low-profile pilothouse make what could be an ungainly profile actually quite handsome.

As with so many models produced over a decade and longer, changes were made to the Gulf 32 over its 400-unit run, in part because it was built by two different companies: Gulf Marine Products and Capital Yachts. For example, the drawings show an offset double berth forward, while others were delivered with the more conventional V-berth. While the interior features a lot of warm wood finishes, including bulkheads, the large interior liner is startlingly evident in places such as the forward cabin. Noteworthy is the sail area/displacement ratio of 11.6 and displacement/length ratio of 563. These are motorsailer numbers.

Prospective buyers should carefully check the cored side decks for delamination; this is a good time to state unequivocally that a boat with extensive deck delamination is probably not worth repairing. The cost to have a yard perform the repairs is very likely more than the boat is worth. A competent DIY repair is difficult; drilling numerous holes in the top skin and injecting epoxy over a large area is unlikely to do the job. The radical alternative is to remove the inner skin and core and then replace the core and skin, all while working upside down. I know of a person who tried this, using spring-loaded curtain rods to hold backing panels in place — they don’t call him “Resin-head” for nothing.

Islander 36

Once upon a time in Costa Mesa, California, the mecca of early fiberglass boatbuilding, Islander Yachts was a worthy competitor of Columbia and Cal. Australian designer Alan Gurney drew this fast, International Offshore Rule-influenced hull with pinched ends, fin keel and skeg-mounted rudder. A word about skegs: It’s widely believed that they protect the rudder, but the degree to which they succeed depends on the internal structure of the skeg. If it’s simply a piece of molded glass tabbed to the hull, it will likely tear away on impact. If, however, it has, say, a metal backbone well connected to the hull, that’s stronger. In either case, a skeg also is a simple means to provide a lower bearing for the rudder, add some lateral surface for tracking and reduce bending moment. The IOR hull type goes upwind well, but can be squirrelly off the wind, especially with a spinnaker. Rig dimensions varied over the years.

Construction is conventional: solid fiberglass hull but plywood in the deck, as opposed to the more common end-grain balsa wood. It’s heavier and more prone to rot. Different engines were offered. Tankage for fuel and water is on the small side, so consider adding a bladder tank for longer periods aboard.

With the Islander 36, naval architect Robert Perry credits interior designer Joe Artese with revolutionizing sailboat accommodations — no longer a “boy’s cabin in the woods.” Artese took advantage of the boat’s wide beam to increase sole area; drew a wide, low companionway; designed a foldaway table; and specified contemporary fabrics. Somewhere close to 1,000 were sold.

Endeavour 37

The design of this boat is a great example of the ingenuity and craftiness of the fiberglass boatbuilding industry. Endeavour founders Rob Valdez and John Brooks, both of whom had worked for Vince Lazzara at Gulfstar, got started when Ted Irwin gave them the molds for the Irwin 32. The Endeavour 32 sold well, so in looking for their next model, they found the derelict mold of the Creekmore 34 on the Miami River, cut it in half, added 3 feet and voilà! The Endeavour 37!

And there is a sort of Frankenstein look to the boat. Most were sold as sloops, though a ketch rig was offered. It’s a heavy, slow boat, but comfortable and solidly built, with single-skin hull and plywood interior components (no fiberglass pan). Workmanship is generally quite good. If a previous owner hasn’t switched the gate valves on through-hulls to seacocks, add it to your work list. Ballast is internal. The standard engine was the workhorse Perkins 4-108 diesel.

Two interior plans were offered: the A layout, with convertible dinette forward and two aft cabins, and the B layout, with V-berth forward and a single aft cabin. Having slept in one of them I can say that they are not easy to get in and out of. Better to consider them larger-than-usual quarter berths.

Upwind sailing performance is poor — it doesn’t point well — making you appreciate the strong diesel auxiliary. Motion is comfortable; like the Gulf 32, the D/L and SA/D are motorsailer numbers.

Designer Robert Perry is proud to tell fans that during George Day’s circumnavigation in the 1990s, the former Cruising World editor said he saw more double-ended Tayana 37s “out there” than any other model. It’s no wonder: some 650 were built, and it is indeed a strong, well-designed cruiser.

The first boats produced in Taiwan were called the CT 37, changing to Tayana 37 around 1979; Perry says they are the same. Early Taiwan yards were never into racing yachts, but rather heavy, low-tech cruising boats. The Tayana 37 has a solid fiberglass hull and balsa-cored deck. The potentially leaky hull/deck joint is a hollow box section that forms the bulwark.

As with nearly every model produced over a long period of time, there were variations in accommodations, rig, deck and more (many were never officially documented in literature, so don’t be surprised if what you see in brochures is not what you behold in real life). Builder Ta Yang offered free or inexpensive customizations of the 37.

While Perry specified the 90-gallon (341-liter) fuel tank to be located amidships, early boats placed them under the V-berth, which, combined with heavy ground tackle, can trim the boat down by the bow.

The high-aspect-ratio rig, aided by a bowsprit to increase foretriangle area, gives the boat plenty of power. It was offered as a ketch or cutter, and most owners opted for the latter.

As with most boats from Taiwan, the interior is richly executed in teak, built up in plywood. Much of the hardware are knockoffs of U.S. and European products, and of varying quality. All in all, the Tayana 37 is a well-built world cruiser.

Tartan Marine has built three 37-footers over the years, the first in 1965 designed by Ted Hood; the 3700 designed by in-house designer and then general manager Tim Jackett; and the most numerous, the Tartan 37 designed by Sparkman & Stephens, of which nearly 500 units were sold. It’s a handsome boat with perfect proportions. Somewhat influenced by the IOR, the ends are narrow and the transom is small and V-shaped. That’s about all that hasn’t withstood the test of time.

Construction quality is excellent: balsa-cored hull and deck, teak trim and teak-veneer plywood, external lead ballast. The bulkheads are tabbed to the deck, which is worthy of comment. Boats with molded fiberglass headliners cannot have the bulkheads tabbed (several layers of fiberglass tape or strips that overlap the deck and bulkhead). Instead, there are usually grooves molded into the headliner into which the bulkheads fit and are then variously bolted or glued — or not. This is considered less desirable than tabbing, which locks in the entire structure and eliminates the possibility of slight movement or working of those with molded fiberglass liners.

Most 37s were delivered with the keel/centerboard option; the deep keel performs better but may limit where you can go. Performance Handicap Racing Fleets around the country rate it at 132 to 144; for comparison, a J/30 rates 144, as does the Islander 36 described above. So, the Tartan sails fast and handles well, leaning more toward a club racer/cruiser than all-out cruising.

C&C Landfall 38

Hull design and construction for coastal cruising may certainly favor higher performance models, and few companies knew the recipe better than C&C Yachts. In many ways, C&Cs exemplify the racer/cruiser genre. The few Landfall models, including the 38 here, tipped the scales more toward cruising, while retaining excellent sailhandling and speed.

A few years into production, 1,700 pounds were added, but performance is still sparkling, and similar to the original 38. The fin keel has a flat bottom that can be considered a cruising fin for its moderate surface area and ability to sit on the bottom. As for the spade rudder and the criticism it takes for vulnerability, note that circumnavigator and boatbuilder Steve Dashew says it gives superior control hove-to in a gale. Something to think about.

C&C was a pioneer in composite construction, that is, end-grain balsa coring in the hull and deck to increase stiffness and reduce weight. Other notable features: through-bolted deck hardware with backing plates, bronze seacocks and, in the 38, a keel-stepped mast that doesn’t sit corroding in bilge water. Yanmar diesels were standard.

Albeit modified from the IOR-influenced C&C 38, the Landfall 38 still has a large foretriangle; a 150 percent genoa measures 580 square feet, which can be a handful for a couple. Big self-tailing winches will help when trimming the beast.

The interior, elegantly finished in teak, is somewhat unusual; like the Endeavour 37, it incorporates a double-berth aft cabin, but think of it more as a wide quarter berth.

Compared to heavy full-keel designs, the Landfall 38 will point higher, reducing the number of tacks between points A and B, which, combined with greater boat speed, means getting to port faster.

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The World’s Best Yacht Brands

19th jul 2024 by samantha wilson.

Even to those in the industry, the definition of the term “ yacht ” often falls in a gray area. What one defines as a yacht, another may refer to as a boat. This ambiguity is an accepted oddity within the yachting world and while there are some broad definitions, there are no firm rules. 

Where the industry generally unites is in defining that recreational vessels over 80 feet are classed as superyachts, although even there, some will hold out for 100 feet. Boats below 80 feet become more difficult to define. A luxury sportfishing boat is unanimously considered to be a yacht, as are modern luxury trawlers. But in many quarters, most boats over 30 feet are classified as a yacht if they have a quality, “yacht-like” finish. This can include small motoryachts, cabin cruisers, well-appointed center consoles,  and express or open sportfishing models . Sailboats are also widely referred to as yachts when even shorter than 30 feet, perhaps because cruising sailors are frequently known as “yachties.” Virtually all larger sailboats with cabins and galleys are called yachts.

Which brings us to the other definition of a yacht, and that is the level of luxury it possesses. A simple, mid-sized fishing boat that’s a little rough around the edges is unlikely to ever be graced with the name “yacht”; the finishings, the furnishings, the electronics, the decks, the cabins, galleys, and general outlook of the boat play a significant role in it being given the title of yacht. 

Let’s take a look at the many different types of yachts on the market today and look at some of the best yacht brands building them. It’s important to remember that there are a huge number of luxury boat brands all across the world, and this is just a small selection. 

Best Motor Yachts

The term motor yacht can describe any luxury recreational vessel from 30 feet up to the largest superyachts, but is typically used for mid-sized cruisers from 30 to 80 feet in length. They’ll have cabins, galleys, saloons, and heads; they’ll have a high-end finish, plenty of space for sun lounging, and be geared towards families and weekend cruising.  

Best Motor Yacht Brands

Sunseeker: With its origins in the 1960s, this British brand of motor yachts has an extensiveline-up (and even more models on the used market). Models range from mid-sized to superyacht scale, and they have both a luxury finish and a sleek, distinctive appearance. Sunseeker boats for sale

Riva Yachts: The Riva Yachts brand has a long history and for decades has been synonymous with fine Italian craftmanship. Today it is owned by Ferretti Group and offers a range of sleek, elegant motor yachts that honor its classic heritage. With a current range including Sportfly, Flybridge, and Open models, it remains one of the most prestigious brands in the industry. Riva boats for sale

Princess Yachts: Another British brand, Princess Yachts builds fine motor yachts from midsize to superyacht size. The company was founded in the 1960s and operates out of a huge, 1.1 million square feet shipyard. Its luxury motor yachts are some of the most technologically advanced for their size in the industry.  Princess boats for sale

The term motor yacht covers a wide range of sizes and styles of vessels, but is usually used for motor boats between 30 and 80 feet. Princess photo.

Best Sailing Yachts

In an era where motor yachts dominate the waters, it’s easy to forget momentarily that sailboats were the very first yachts. Over around 30 feet they fall into the yacht category, with cabins, galleys, and heads making them suitable for longer-range cruising. The rigging and sails tends to make little difference to sailing yacht classification, but rather the vessel’s ability to cruise farther and longer and in more comfort and luxury.  Sailing yachts for sale

Best Sailing Yacht Brands

Hallberg-Rassy : The long-standing Swedish brand Hallberg-Rassy has an impressive line-up of quality ocean-going sailing yachts that offer sturdy blue-water capabilities and comfortable, elegant interiors. The brand has a range of models from 34 to 69 feet that are excellent long-distance cruisers.  Hallberg-Rassy boats for sale

X-Yachts: Offering top performance in both their competitive and cruising models since 1979, the Danish X-Yachts brand has long been admired on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean for quality boats and excellent sailing capabilities. While best known for their racing models, the X-Yachts team now offers bluewater performers up to 56 feet overall in length.  X-Yachts boats for sale

Jeanneau : Jeanneau has been building capable, innovative ocean-going sailing yachts for over 60 years and has gained a great reputation for innovative design and good sailing performance. The brand’s current range includes large yachts, small ocean racers, and 35- to 49-foot cruising models that are cleverly designed, perform well, offer excellent handling, and are relatively affordable.   Jeanneau boats for sale

Beneteau: While Groupe Beneteau owns and builds an array of both motor yachts and sailing yachts (including Jeanneau, above), its flagship Beneteau brand is known for building and selling more sailboats every year than any other brand. The company offers spacious, modern cruising and luxury models 30 to 60 feet in length, and well-respected performance models 14 to 53 feet. Beneteau boats for sale

The classic sailing yacht offers home comforts, cabins, and long-range capabilities. Hallberg-Rassy photo.

Best Luxury Yachts

The term luxury yacht can define any vessel that offers an exceptionally high-quality finish, luxury furnishings, and is generally a cut above the rest. The term luxury can apply to all styles of boats that we look at in greater detail on this list, including cruisers, modern recreational trawlers, sportfishing yachts, superyachts, motoryachts, and sailing yachts.   

Best Luxury Yacht Brands

Azimut: The Italian Azimut|Benetti Group brought together two of the top brands in Europe in 1985 and has grown to be one of the most respected luxury brands in Europe and the US. While Benetti builds superyachts exclusively now, Azimut builds seven lines of models ranging 42 to 125 feet and outboard-powered to hybrids, flybridge speedsters to trawlers and larger motoryachts.  Azimut boats for sale

Sunreef: Builder of power and sailing catamarans in Gdansk, Poland, Sunreef Yachts started as a yacht charter agency and then began building luxury, ocean-going, flybridge-equipped catamarans in 2003. Today, with a new, dramatically larger factor and heavy investment in energy-independent technologies, Sunreef power and sail models range from 44 to 100 feet, and a superyacht range is well underway. Sunreef boats for sale

Sanlorenzo: The Sanlorenzo shipyard has been building high-quality motor yachts since 1958 and offers a range of sophisticated, custom luxury yachts. Its Yacht Series ranges from 78 to 120 feet in length, while the Superyacht Series offers yachts up to 220 feet. Sanlorenzo boats for sale

Luxury yachts can be of many types and sizes including cruisers, modern recreational trawlers, sportfishing yachts, superyachts, motoryachts, and sailing yachts. Sanlorenzo photo.

Best Superyachts

Superyachts are generally categorized as yachts (both motor and sail) over 80 feet, and they are typically the largest and most luxurious vessels in the world costing millions of dollars. The heart of the superyacht manufacturing industry is in Europe, with many of the world’s top brands based in Italy, France, the Netherlands and Germany, but with builders in the United States, United Kingdom, and Asia also making big waves. Superyachts set the bar for the boating industry, pushing the boundaries of innovation and engineering. 

Best Superyacht Brands

Lürssen: German brand Lürssen have their finger on the pulse of innovation, and their huge luxury yachts pave the way for the industry as a whole. Lürssen has built some of the largest and most expensive luxury yachts in the world including 511 feet-long Dilbar . 

Feadship: Dutch brand Feadship is a major player in the superyacht world, and has built some of the largest luxury vessels including Anna at 360 feet. It was founded over 70 years ago as an alliance of several shipyards and continues to challenge itself to create ever-more daring and innovative vessels.  Feadship boats for sale

Oceanco: Another Dutch builder, Oceanco, focuses on superyachts in the 80 meter range, with their largest being Infinity at 374 feet featuring seven decks and luxuries including a spa, sauna, gym, and yoga studio.

Superyachts are the largest and most luxurious of all the vessels and can range from 80 feet to more than 300 feet in length. Oceanco photo.

Best Small Yachts

Pocket yachts offer the best of both worlds, with clever use of interior and deck space providing versatility, overnight stays, and comfort for family and friends aboard. And all in a compact and often more affordable package. Larger doesn’t always mean better, and these brands are proving just that with their small yachts. 

Best Small Yacht Brands

Hinckley Yachts: Dating back almost a century as a sail and power yacht builder, Maine-based Hinckley Yachts now produces elegant pocket cruiser yachts. Its Picnic Boat range of models 37, 39 and 40 feet in length combine classically beautiful lines, cutting edge technology, and a finish of rich woods and plush seating. The jet-powered boats provide a quiet, smooth, and fast ride, as well as exceptional comfort both inside and on deck.  Hinckley boats for sale

Chris-Craft: For those wanting to buy a boat with true yacht looks and power, you can’t go wrong with the all-American brand Chris-Craft. While its range of models are smaller in size than many others on this list, its 34-foot Catalina and 35-foot Calypso certainly fit in the yacht category with small interior cabins and heads.  Chris-Craft boats for sale

Small yachts, or pocket cruisers, offer the chance to experience the yachting lifestyle in a more compact package. Hinckley Yachts photo.

Best Affordable Yachts

Yachts are a luxury asset, and whenever we talk about affordability it ultimately comes down to a buyer’s personal budget. Of course, buying a used boat is always going to be more cost effective than a brand new one, but there are also yacht brands that focus on quality and value-for-money affordable yachts including:

Best Affordable Yacht Brands

Ranger Tugs: Ranger Tugs is one of the most affordable yacht brands, with a great choice of family-friendly pocket yachts and long-distance cruisers. The R-23, in particular, has been built with price at the forefront and allows buyers to purchase an excellent trawler boat at well under the price of most competitors.  Ranger Tugs boats for sale

Cutwater Boats: While Cutwater describes its vessels as boats, we feel the size range and finish of their cruising trawlers qualifies them for yacht status. They are functional, reliable, and affordable, with a quality finish and plenty of home comforts making them good value-for-money.  Cutwater boats for sale

There are brands which offer excellent value-for-money yachts, with high quality workmanship and finishes at lower cost than the competition. Cutwater photo.

Best Sportfish Yachts 

The sportfishing yacht market is booming in the United States, with the popularity of these mean fishing machines growing year on year. Sportfishing yachts are characterized by their speed and reliability, as well as offering plenty of fishing amenities, comfort, and a great driving experience. There are many brands out there to choose from, with some of the major players including:

Best Sportfish Yacht Brands

Scout Boats: Scout’s center console sportfishing yachts are some of the most luxurious in the industry. With models ranging from 17 to 67 feet, they offer accommodation, large horsepower, as many as four outboard engines, spacious flybridges, and all manner of fishing accessories. These sportfishing yachts combine cruising comfort with serious offshore angling to create a multi-functional cruising yacht.  Scout boats for sale

Boston Whaler: No list would be complete without Boston Whaler on it, so popular is this all-American brand and its stellar reputation. In its current line-up the Conquest, Realm, and Outrage ranges offer models which easily fall into the over 30-foot luxury yacht category, with multiple, hefty horsepower engines, all the offshore fishing equipment you can imagine, and a beautiful finish.  Boston Whaler boats for sale

Viking: Head-turning, luxurious, and seriously powerful, Viking Yachts’ range of sportfishing yachts is one of the best in the industry. The family-run brand has a huge line-up, with nearly 20 models ranging from 38 feet to a whopping 90 feet including convertibles and enclosed flybridge yachts, each one finished to an incredibly high spec.  Viking boats for sale

Sportfishing yachts combine comfort and high speeds with exceptional offshore fishing capabilities. Viking Yachts photo.

Best Trawler Yachts

The slow, sturdy trawler has had one of the most impressive makeovers of any vessel. Once considered a fishing boat workhorse, today they are one of the most sought-after long-distance cruising yachts on the market. These impressive ocean-going yachts offer luxury, comfort, space, speed and fuel-efficiency in one highly capable and attractive package. Today’s trawler yachts are differentiated by their iconic silhouette resembling a mini superyacht. 

Best Trawler Yacht Brands

Nordic Tugs: These American-built trawler yachts are the epitome of what today’s trawlers can be: luxurious, long-range and spacious. They’re anything but a tug boat, and built with meticulous attention to detail creating reliable, adventure-bound cruisers.  Nordic Tugs boats for sale

Outer Reef Yachts: Designed to suit their owners, these semi-custom long-range cruisers have been built in Taiwan for Outer Reef in the US for more than 20 years. Interiors display extraordinary craftsmanship, whether the yachts are 58 feet or more than 100 feet long. Outer Reef boats for sale

Grand Banks: One of the pioneers of the cruising trawler, Grand Banks have brought these hugely popular yachts to superyacht levels in a compact package. They have six decades of boat building under their belt, offering reliability, customer service and forward-thinking ideas.  Grand Banks boats for sale

Nordhavn: Nordhavn produces well-engineered, high-performance trawler yachts ranging from 41-foot pocket cruisers to 120-foot superyachts. Yet each one always retains its trawler image, which has been Nordhavn’s signature look for several decades.  Nordhavn boats for sale

Modern recreational trawlers are long-range spacious yachts which make good liveaboards or for off-grid explorations. Nordhavn photo.

Best Sport Yachts

The sport yacht (or sports cruiser as it is also commonly referred to) brings speed, adventure, versatility, and comfort to the table in huge measures. They range from around 30 feet all the way up to 80 feet and, while there’s no hard and fast criteria to define them, are usually sporty-looking powerboats with an open cockpit, a forward cabin forward, and no flybridge. 

Best Sport Yacht Brands

Axopar: Finnish brand Axopar simply exudes adventure with its range of hardy yet elegant sports boats. With distinctive angular styling and a forward-thinking multifunctional and modular concept, its boats allow owners to travel farther and do more. Its largest 37-foot and 45-foot models offer everything from watersports to overnight trips, navigating inclement weather, transporting on-land adventure sports equipment and more.  Axopar boats for sale

Sea Ray Boats: Sea Ray has been building some of the best sport cruiser yachts in the US since its founding in 1959. Today it remains one of the most popular, with a strong focus on customer service and satisfaction, as well as attention to detail. While most of its current models are smaller (and more affordable) than others on this list, its hugely popular Sundancer series offers models up to 37 feet with outboard and stern-drive configurations and a strong emphasis on interior and deck space.  Sea Ray boats for sale

Tiara Yachts: Tiara Yachts was founded in 1974 and is highly regarded as one of the premier sport yacht builders in the industry. Its models range from 34 to over 60 feet, with a choice of inboards and outboards. Features such as huge side swim platforms, rotating cockpit seating and dinettes, impressive fishing accessories, and accommodations for up to four people, they are as sporty as they are luxurious.  Tiara boats for sale

Racy looking sports yachts offer speed, adventure, versatility, and comfort. Sea Ray photo.

This article was published in March 2023 and updated in July 2024. 

Written By: Samantha Wilson

Samantha Wilson has spent her entire life on and around boats, from tiny sailing dinghies all the way up to superyachts. She writes for many boating and yachting publications, top charter agencies, and some of the largest travel businesses in the industry, combining her knowledge and passion of boating, travel and writing to create topical, useful and engaging content.

More from: Samantha Wilson

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If you find yourself wandering the charming streets of Tomsk Oblast, you're in for a treat when it comes to affordable dining options. This vibrant city is not just known for its rich history and stunning architecture, but also for its diverse culinary scene that caters to every palate and budget. From mouth-watering pizzas to crispy fried chicken, Tomsk offers a delightful array of cheap eats that will satisfy your cravings without breaking the bank.

As you explore the local eateries, you'll discover a mix of beloved chains and hidden gems that promise delicious meals at reasonable prices. Whether you're in the mood for a quick bite at KFC or a cozy family dinner at Maya Pizza, there's something for everyone. The Wanderlog team is passionate about uncovering the best food spots, and we can't wait for you to dive into the flavors of Tomsk. So grab your appetite and get ready to explore the city's best cheap eats!

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