The International Yacht Brokers Association (IYBA) has announced the launch of a comprehensive new database for yachts and boats of all sizes in a consumer-facing marketplace, Yachtr.com.

Powered by Yachtbroker.org, Yachtr gives brokers a new option to list their yachts, and potential buyers an intuitive platform to browse yachts and boats for sale worldwide. Yachtr is the result of several years of software development backed by industry associations and led by IYBA.

Once users visit the website, they can search verified listings that are for sale by category: motor yachts, cruisers, fishing boats or sailboats; by broker or by yacht manufacturer. The association’s From The Bridge blog contains a host of educational posts on topics such as: What is a Sea Trial and Why is it Important?, How to Hire the Right Captain for Your Yacht and Boat Insurance 101: Types of Coverage Every New Boat Owner Should Know. Users can also subscribe to have new articles sent directly to their email. Users interested in selling a vessel can be connected directly to professional brokers by searching either by name, city or zip code.

“Yachtr is taking control from private enterprise solutions and putting it back in the hands of the community,” said Paul Flannery, Chief Operating Officer, IYBA. “We have heard concerns from our members, and we believe that Yachtr addresses and solves the challenges that current listing sites present. We want to provide a platform that is accessible to all, and inherently fair in its approach to displaying listings. Yachtr is and always will be an industry resource, meant to better serve our community and the needs of the boat buying and selling public. We firmly believe that if the industry can be able to control their data that they will then be able to control their destiny and provide an enhanced consumer experience. Help us spread the word about a better way to buy and sell yachts where you’re always in control of your data.”

According to an IYBA spokesperson, Yachtr saw a 25 percent increase in listings during the first 30-day period. Currently, Yachtr offers over 14,000 listings from 285 yacht brokerages, with listings growing every day.

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Take a stroll down the docks at any boat show, and you’ll likely hear the classic quip: “The two happiest days in a sailor’s life are the day he buys the boat and the day he sells it.” While that might get a chuckle or two, for some of us, it’s more cringe than comedy. 

Boat ownership is like parenthood—exhilarating, but with challenges. Sure, the day you buy your boat feels magical, but the real hocus pocus happens when you launch it. I’ll always remember the day we took our 31-foot Hunter, Ragtime, off its mooring for the first time: engine purring like a contented cat, sails popping open and filling with life, wood creaking and rigging shifting as we heeled over on a close reach.

Our first shakedown cruise was up the Connecticut River to Hamburg Cove, where we anchored under the stars on a sheet of glass, my family and I sharing laughs and lobster bisque by the light of an oil lamp. It seems like yesterday. That, friends, is what boat ownership is all about. 

Now, selling a boat? That’s another story. When we finally waved goodbye to Ragtime more than 20 years later, it felt like parting with a family member. Every imperfection told a story—like the not-quite-white patch of cockpit nonslip where red wine was spilled one fuzzy evening on the hook in Fort Lauderdale, leading to a strict “no red wine aboard” policy. Ragtime was a floating scrapbook of memories. 

The infamous quip about the two happiest days probably came from someone who bought a fixer-upper and expected smooth sailing. Newsflash: Boats need TLC. A boat owner often has to channel their inner MacGyver to plug leaks, protect the gelcoat, keep the sails and rigging in good working order, and ensure that the engine runs smoother than a Steely Dan guitar solo.

Upkeep can be pricey if you’re not handy, and a boat’s initial charm can mask a lot of hidden issues. Excitement can quickly become frustration as maintenance costs soar. I get that. You probably do as well, which is why most of us learn to love the smell of marine grease in the morning and to find joy in every successful DIY repair. (If you know, you know.) 

If you’re already a boat owner, or are thinking of becoming one this fall boat-show season, the September 2024 issue of Cruising World has you covered—starting with marine industry veteran Ralph Naranjo’s guide to boat-show shopping, intended to help you navigate the often-overwhelming experience on the docks and ensure that you end up not just with a boat that you love, but also with one that meets your needs and dreams.

Also in the issue, off-grid adventurer Hilary Thomson’s “The Bricolage of Boating” delves into the art of DIY projects and how they bring sailors together as a vibrant cruising community. Cruising legend Jimmy Cornell, in “Chasing Perfection,” describes his five attempts to build the perfect cruising boat, giving us all a masterclass in perseverance and passion. And, with an active hurricane season upon us, sailing veteran David H. Lyman’s “Riders on the Storm” is a must-read firsthand account of surviving Hurricane Hugo that offers vital insights and a sobering reminder of the power of the sea.

While the adage about the happiest days might ring true for some people on the docks this season, it misses the heart of the matter. For die-hard sailors, the happiest days are the ones spent on the water.

My advice? The next time you hear that saying, just smile and keep your eyes on the horizon. Because for us boaters, the real happiness lies in the journey—not just the destination.

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Lagoon Yachts has launched a program called Neo that’s intended to help with environmental sustainability. The program will see Lagoon’s team renovate older catamarans at the Groupe Beneteau shipyard to give them new life, and then offer them for sale with a manufacturer’s warranty.

The first model to go through the Neo program is a Lagoon 620 from 2012. It’s called Firefly, and Lagoon repurchased it this past February. Its first dozen years on the water had been spent in private use and in charter.

Lagoon says the Neo process includes appraisal and evaluation of the individual boat, to establish the list of work to be accomplished; completion of that work with materials and software updates in a way that reflects today’s standards and expectations; the same rigorous testing that new Lagoon builds go through; and repurposing of more than 70 percent of uninstalled equipment.

“Leaving the shipyard, the boat will be like new, with a manufacturer’s warranty of two years,” the company says. “Three types of packs will be available, according to the level of refit desired by the customer.”

Those “packs” include a premium version that includes a full structural audit, up-to-date electrical equipment including a Seanapps monitoring system, and an interior refresh with new or refurbished main equipment.

Lagoon says it will take about four to six months to pass each boat through the Neo program. The resulting manufacturer’s warranty will be backed up by the company’s international dealer network, with more than 230 service locations throughout the world.

For a look at how things turned out on the Lagoon 620 Firefly, sailboat enthusiasts can attend the Occasions du Multicoque et du Refit Boat Show coming up in October in Canet-en-Roussillon, France. Firefly is expected to be there.

Is the Neo program part of Sailing for Change? Yes. Sailing for Change is a broader strategic project for the development of more sustainable cruising. It also includes certification of production facilities, innovation in the use of biosourced and recycled primary materials, research into alternative propulsion systems, environmentally responsible equipment, and partnerships with nonprofit organizations working to protect the marine ecosystem. Overall, Groupe Beneteau is aiming to reduce its carbon footprint by 30 percent by 2030.

Where to learn more: go to catamarans-lagoon.com.

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Most sailboat-show attendees have some sailing ­experience. Many own a boat, crew on boats, or have spent time in a sailing school or timeshare sailing program. They’ve mastered the basics and arrived at the show with a pretty good idea of what they want to buy.

In an attempt to appeal to these first-time buyers of cruising boats, there’s usually an armada of 25- to 35-foot fiberglass production sloops packed with sales brokers. Monohulls dominate this size range. Similar-length cats and trimarans tend to be lean and fast, with fairly spartan accommodations. There are some exceptions, but the heart of the multihull market trends larger.

For many shoppers, there’s a second round of boat buying that comes later. Its focus is a larger, more specialized cruising boat. By this point, sailors have decided whether they savor the time spent under sail, or the time in anchorages and ports, or the onboard entertaining, or a little bit of everything. But because cruising boats span from detuned race boats to motorsailers, shoppers have to wade through the gamut of genres.

And all of these shoppers are thinking about price. They know how much they have to spend, and they subtract 20 percent for customization or refit work. Mooring or slip-rental fees, insurance, and winter-storage charges also factor into the thinking.

Repeat buyers often recall how easy it was to pick their first 30-footer, while selecting the right 40-footer was much more of a challenge. Most agree that it helps to know whether your cruising plans entail a prolonged coastal meander, transoceanic passage or some of each. The difference significantly influences the required design and fit-out. 

A coastal cruiser will benefit from shoal draft, bumped-up auxiliary propulsion, and an interior layout with comforts and conveniences. An ocean cruiser prioritizes vessel operation at sea, in everything from sailhandling to meal preparation to comfortable berths. 

Strength, stability and seakindliness matter to ocean cruisers, who take into account ISO category rankings and offshore Category A standards. Most monohull buyers in this group also prefer a stability index of 120 degrees or more, want to know how the keel is secured to the hull junction, and want to know how the rudder was made. Multihull sailors recognize the importance of form stability, which is heavily influenced by the buoyancy of the amas and the lateral separation between the center of buoyancy and the center of gravity. They also pay heed to windage, and they value ways to reef in a hurry.

Huge strides have been made in furling and reefing gear, reliable autopilots, bow thrusters, power winches, and ground tackle. But a crucial variable hasn’t changed: the importance of the crew’s capabilities. Cruising sailboats are larger, and tales abound of just two sailors handling a 60-footer. It’s a glorious experience on a smooth-water afternoon, but when a trade-wind squall or a cold front takes hold in the middle of the night, the towering mainsail erases all signs of tranquility. While shopping, be sure that the sail area you prefer is in keeping with the size, agility and capability of your crew.

Also, plan your show time. Start looking before you get there. Scrutinize online information about the sailboats you intend to visit. Jot down questions to ask at the show—about the build process, systems, and performance under sail. Each boat’s specs tell a story, including how much sail area it takes to push the boat through the water. 

Sloop and cutter rigs dominate the waterfront. This is partially because of innovative furling headsails, mainsails and power winches that facilitate shorthanded sailhandling. The net result has been rigs well over 65 feet in height with mainsail area of more than 600 square feet. Many of the larger cruising boats (with rigs over 65 feet) exceed Intracoastal Waterway bridge clearance and have to transit offshore, even if their draft is under 6 feet.

During every deck check and rigging scrutiny, boat-show shoppers should note where the mainsheet is attached, as well as the path the sheet tackle takes as it arcs across the cockpit during a tack or jibe. This is also a good time to note line leads and winch placement. Safety factors, such as areas to avoid during tacks or jibes, are obstacles that should be minimized on a cruising boat. Deck width and slope are important too, especially where inboard shrouds cause a crew to step outboard to clear the standing rigging.

Check to see if the bow roller will keep the anchor from hitting the gelcoat; if the nonslip decking leads to slick, shiny gelcoat and slippery hatch covers; if the cleats, chocks and line leads are in optimal locations; if the crew can reach cockpit handholds and prevent a fall to leeward if the transom/swim platform is easy to open and close (imagine being in a light chop); if the berths are designed to function efficiently underway, with adequate ventilation; if the galley is built for underway and at-anchor use; if there is good engine access to key machinery; and if the wiring and plumbing runs are labeled and accessible.

If you feel that you have seen the right boat, take another close look before closing the deal. Make sure you spend time at the helm, evaluating the ergonomics. If the dodger and/or Bimini top were not up the first time around, factor in their influence. Note how you will launch and stow the dinghy, and how a hoist for the outboard motor could be added.

Many brokers and sailboats remain available for a few days after a boat show, often providing demo sails. This can be a worthwhile experience, but be sure that you and your crew can match the sailing talents of the broker and the three lads from the local sail loft. 

A broker friend once told me that he was amazed by how many boat-show attendees rushed below to admire a ­sailboat’s interior but never looked aloft to see if the boat had a rig. For those seriously considering voyaging under sail, accommodations are important, but so is everything else.

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The brokerage team at Wellington Yacht Partners has listed the 1988 Hylas 47 Onegin for sale with an asking price of $195,000. 

The Hylas 47 is a center-cockpit sailing yacht renowned for its combination of performance, comfort and seaworthiness. Designed by the legendary Sparkman & Stephens and built by Queen Long Marine, this model has a well-deserved reputation as a capable bluewater cruiser.

Onegin‘s spacious interior features a three-stateroom layout, offering ample accommodations for guests and crew. The master cabin, located aft, has a centerline island berth, a comfortable settee and an ensuite head with a vanity and full-sized mirror. The main salon is a welcoming space with comfortable seating, teak cabinetry and a dining table. A double bunk guest cabin is located forward to port, while the guest head with a separate shower is opposite. The spacious V-berth, also forward, offers plenty of storage options.  

Aft of the companionway, you’ll find a well-equipped galley to starboard and a large storage area to port leading to the walk-through aft head. This layout provides easy access to essential amenities and promotes a comfortable cruising experience.

The hull design features a deep forefoot, long fin keel, and full skeg hung rudder, which provides excellent stability and seaworthiness. This, combined with its balanced directional performance and speed, makes Onegin an ideal choice for both coastal cruising and bluewater voyages.  

With a ballast-to-displacement ratio of approximately 43 percent, this Hylas 47 offers exceptional stability and resistance to rolling, making her a comfortable and safe vessel for long-distance sailing. The shallow draft of 6 feet allows Onegin to navigate shallow waters, such as those found in the Bahamas, while its air draft of 64 feet also makes it suitable for cruising along the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW). 

Onegin has always been privately owned and has never been chartered, ensuring a well-maintained and cared-for vessel. The boat has been cruised extensively by its experienced owners, exploring the diverse waters of Europe, South America and the Caribbean. This cruising history demonstrates her versatility and seaworthiness, making it well-suited for both coastal cruising and long-distance voyages. 

Upgrades include all new standing rigging (2019), new electronics including autopilot (2023), a new tender and outboard (2020), and a completely rebuilt Yanmar diesel engine (2019).   

Onegin is currently located in Newport, Rhode Island, and is ready to embark on its next adventure with a new owner. Her combination of classic design, modern amenities, and recent upgrades make her an ideal choice for those seeking a reliable, comfortable, and capable bluewater cruiser.

Take the next step: Click over to wellingtonyachts.com.

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The brokerage team at David Walters Yachts has listed the Camper & Nicholsons 58 Roxy for sale with an asking price of $319,000. 

The 1984 model Nicholson 58 is located in Annapolis, Maryland, and has been well-maintained and upgraded by her owners. The model sports beautiful lines reminiscent of ’80s yacht design, and the interior is chock full of high-quality joinery that was built to last.

The boat has three large cabins to sleep six or seven; a large galley; salon space for a roomy, relaxing liveaboard lifestyle; and a well-appointed cockpit.

Roxy is 58 feet long with 15.5 feet of beam, a 13-foot draft and a displacement of 53,025 pounds. The boat is powered by its original Westerbeke 115 hp diesel engine with 4,200 engine hours.

From the broker’s host site: “All of this belies a very quick-sea going vessel that will get you where you want to go. She’s clocked countless 250-mile days in her time, but with her 55,000-plus pound displacement, she does it with grace and ease, and with comfort for the crew. In an era where the phrase ‘bluewater cruiser’ is thrown around willy-nilly, Roxy [is] an example of the real deal.”

Hand-built to high marine engineering standards at the Camper & Nicholsons yard, Roxy’s hull is solid fiberglass and kevlar. According to the listing broker, British sailor Sir Robin Knox-Johnson chose this hull with a few modifications for his fleet of eight adventure yachts to race around the world.

The owner’s suite has a queen-sized berth with an ensuite head and separate shower. The salon offers two comfortable seating areas, a large dining table and a 2022 flatscreen TV with stereo and DVD/Blu Ray player.

The galley is equipped with a freezer/refrigerator, a four-burner stove, a microwave and a toaster, plus the gas grill astern. The deck was refinished with Awlgrip in 2022.

The yacht’s main mast measures 79 feet and 10 inches with an in-mast powered furler that was rebuilt in 2023. Questionable stays were replaced during a full rig inspection in 2019. Roxy’s sail plan includes 2021 North 3DI mainsails and new 2023 North Dacron mizzen sails.

More details about the Camper & Nicholsons 58 Roxy, as well as detailed equipment specs and a virtual video tour can be found here.

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The brokerage team at Wellington Yacht Partners has listed the Little Harbor 63 Ketch Karuna for sale with an asking price of $590,000. 

Located in Thomaston, Maine, and named after the Buddhist principle of compassion, this popular 1987 model is upgraded with a newer engine, teak decks, electronics, sails and rigging.

The listing broker describes Karuna as a comfortable boat that’s “as fantastic to sail as it is beautiful.” Its layout sleeps up to eight guests in three staterooms with three ensuite heads, a “sea galley” and salon, all with visually-stunning woodwork interiors.

Karuna has a 63-foot LOA with a beam of 17 feet, 3 inches, a 12-and-a-half foot draft, and a displacement of 70,000 pounds. It’s powered by a 2004 Yanmar 4LHA-DTP diesel engine with 158 horsepower clocked at 2,200 engine hours.

There is generous storage space in the forepeak, and the aft cockpit is ideally arranged for fishing, swimming, sunbathing and showering. The large center cockpit makes for a great area to relax while sailing or entertaining. This main cockpit has a bimini top and a spray hood with a fold-out centerline table, surrounding bench seating with cushions and the ship’s helm and controls.

18 opening ports, 9 hatches and two companionways with electric Hella fans throughout provides excellent light and ventilation on board. Starting from the bow, the forepeak is spacious and houses the hydraulic motor for the furling gear, the 24V Maxwell 3500 anchor windlass, 225 feet of half-inch HT chain (newly installed in 2022) for the primary 176 pound Bruce anchor and 250 feet of rode for the secondary 60 pound CQR anchor.

The salon includes a starboard dining area that comfortably seats six for a formal dinner, plus custom-built storage and display cabinets with hand-cut beveled glass for the ship’s glassware and flatware, and a built-in wine rack. Along the port side is a large settee with a cocktail table.

Entertainment in the living space includes bookshelves, a mounted 32-inch flatscreen TV and a Fusion stereo/CD player with a sound bar. Located aft to starboard is a galley that includes kitchen appliances, a stainless steel sink, an icemaker, and a washer and dryer. To port is a nav station which includes a computer at the chart table with storage and comfortable seating.

Karuna has upgraded Hydranet main, genoa and mizzen sails, installed in 2018 by Vermont Sailing Partners. It includes a North Sails cruising spinnaker with sock, a North Sails Dacron staysail that’s never been used, Harken System 3 hydraulic roller furling, genoa sails and more. A ketch rig configuration with in-mast roller furling main and mizzen sails is also included with new motors from 2021.

More details about the Little Harbor 63 Ketch Karuna as well as detailed equipment specs can be found here.

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Listed for sale for $299,000 by Swiftsure Yachts, Arctic Raven, a Saga 48 designed by renowned naval architect Robert Perry, is a testament to exceptional craftsmanship and bluewater cruising capability. Launched in 2004 and awarded Cruising World’s “Best Full-Sized Cruiser” that same year, this yacht continues to impress with its elegant design, spacious interior, and robust systems.

Designed for comfortable shorthanded sailing, Arctic Raven boasts a well-appointed cockpit with dual helms and power winches. The raised salon, flooded with natural light, offers a warm and inviting atmosphere, ideal for navigating in inclement weather. Belowdecks, the spacious layout includes a luxurious master stateroom with ensuite head, a guest head, and a dedicated workshop area. The galley is fully equipped for extended cruising, and ample storage is found throughout the vessel.

The yacht’s construction is of the highest quality, featuring steamed American cherry woodwork, solid wood doors, and premium materials. Attention to detail is evident in every corner, from the meticulously crafted joinery to the thoughtful placement of lighting and ventilation.

Arctic Raven has undergone significant refits between 2019 and 2022, ensuring that her systems and components are up-to-date and reliable. The vessel is equipped with state-of-the-art electronics, including radar, chartplotters, autopilot, and communication systems. A powerful Westerbeke diesel engine provides propulsion, complemented by a hydraulic steering system and a carbon fiber rudder.

With her spacious accommodations, robust construction, and extensive equipment, Arctic Raven is perfectly suited for both coastal cruising and extended offshore voyages. This meticulously maintained yacht represents an exceptional opportunity for discerning sailors seeking a comfortable, capable, and stylish vessel.More details about the Saga 48 Arctic Raven, as well as detailed equipment specs, can be found here.

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The brokerage team at Wellington Yacht Partners has listed the Dufour 500 GL Madame Geneva for sale with an asking price of $350,000. 

Located in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, the classy 2015 model, christened Madame Geneva, is described by Wellington Yacht Partners as a thoroughly modern sailing yacht chock full of innovative features and options.

Madame Geneva has an LOA of 50 feet, a 15-foot 8-inch beam, and a 6-foot 3-inch draft. Its fiberglass hull displaces 33,609 pounds, powered by a 75 hp Volvo D4 diesel with 1,836 engine hours.

Designed by Umberto Felci, the Dufour 500 GL has been recognized for a “best-in-class” cockpit design with twin wheels and a fold-down transom. Its roomy three-cabin layout with a full-beam galley, two heads and a utility space is ideal for extended cruising.

Owners will appreciate the yacht’s two-position nav station with a gimballed nav table. A high-low expandable salon table drops down to convert into a lounge with sliding salon seats. The salon also has a wine cellar for full-size bottle storage.

Madame Geneva has an oak interior with Bonanza Moon (orange) cushions and LED recessed lighting. The forward cabin has a cedar-lined and well-lit hanging locker to starboard, a large locker with built-in shelving to port and access to the starboard shower and sink.

The port galley offers both top- and side-loading refrigeration with a freezer compartment, plus a three-burner, gimballed stove/oven combo and a microwave. The starboard-side galley area has double stainless sinks with a saltwater foot pump.

On deck, Madame Geneva has a fold-out stainless anchor roller with a windlass system. Its bowsprit is extendable for Code Zero sails. According to the listing broker, Wellington Yacht Partners, the boat has been “well-loved and cared for,” including a recent haul out with annual maintenance at Safe Harbor New England Boatworks in August 2023. She is now back in the water and fully commissioned: “ready to go and priced to sell.”

More details about the Dufour 500 GL Madame Geneva, as well as detailed equipment specs and video tours, can be found here.

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The brokerage team at Swiftsure Yachts has listed the Tayana 48 Viking for sale with an asking price of $379,000. 

This 2005 model is located in Seattle, Washington, and rocks the norse name Viking. She was penned by yacht designer Robert Perry.

Described by the brokerage team as a blend of expertise in cruising sailboat design and construction, the Tayana 48’s fin keel and skeg-hung rudder provides great performance. Electric genoa furling, staysail on fixed furler and Leisure Furl boom with an electric main halyard winch allow for easy sailing by a shorthanded crew.

Viking is 48 feet long with a 14.5-foot beam, a 6-foot draft and a displacement of 35,000 pounds. It’s powered by a Yanmar 4JH3-TE engine with 75 horsepower reading 5,042 engine hours.

Below deck, teak joinery creates a bright and homely atmosphere. The three-stateroom, two-head layout provides privacy and separated living spaces. Opening ports, large deck hatches, dorade vents and cabin fans allow for plenty of ventilation.

Forward is a guest cabin with a separate head finished in white fiberglass and a teak accent trim. The central living space salon has a roomy 6-feet, 6-inches of headroom and a J-shaped dinette to starboard. A navigation station is starboard of the companionway ladder and open to the salon and galley for socializing.

A passageway galley with Corian countertops, tall fiddles, toe kicks and overhead lighting is to port. The galley sports a range of kitchen appliances including a stove/oven, microwave, fridge and freezer boxes and storage shelves.

The large, private master cabin includes an ensuite head with a shower stall.

Other specs highlighted by the listing broker include: new standard rigging in 2021, bow thruster, full cockpit enclosure, Webasto hydronic heat with heated cockpit, recent Raymarine electronics, a SSB radio and Iridium Go satellite phone, low hours Northern Lights generator and more. All upgrades by the current owner were undertaken with offshore sailing, sail handling and security at anchor in mind.
More details about the Tayana 48 Viking as well as detailed equipment specs can be found here.

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