New Sailboat or Used Sailboat? That is the question. EP146

• January 31, 2026 by BoatFools Sailing |
• Language: EN
• Play Time: 00:28:09
• SAILING YOUTUBERS

#boatfoolssailing #boatoftheyear #usedsailboats #sailing

New Sailboat or Used Sailboat? That is the question. EP 146

Every year, the sailing world celebrates the Boat of the Year winners — innovative designs, cutting-edge technology, and eye-watering price tags.

But here’s the question most sailors quietly ask: do you really need a brand-new boat to go sailing?

In this episode of BoatFools Sailing, we take five 2026 Boat of the Year winners and compare them—loosely and honestly—to used sailboats you could buy for roughly half the price.

This isn’t about bashing new boats. Many of them are excellent.

It is about showing what smart money can buy in the used sailboat market—and why proven designs, solid refits, and real-world ownership often deliver more sailing for fewer dollars.

We compare:

-A modern performance cruiser vs a proven coastal cruiser and a legendary one-design

-A high-performance trimaran vs fast monohull alternative and a use trimaran

-A cruising catamaran vs serious monohull passagemaker and a used Cat

-A serious mid-range cruiser vs its used doppelgänger

-A luxury bluewater yacht vs a Maine-built classic

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro - 5 Boats of The Year vs Their Half-Price Used Counterparts
01:30 The First 30 VS Oceanis 323 and Melges 32
06:35 The Dragonfly 36 VS J122 and Dragonfly 35
12:43 The Excess 13 VS Tartan 4700 and Fountaine Pajot Lipari 41
18:39 The Jeaneau 415 VS The Jeaneau 419 and the Bristol 47.7
21:51 The Wauquiez 55 VS The Lyman-Morse 65
25:45 Final Thoughts - which would we pick? Which would you pick?


Along the way, we talk about value, ownership reality, depreciation, maintenance, and why keeping good boats sailing matters—not just for your wallet, but for the future of sailing itself.

💬 Which would you choose—new boat hype or smart money? Tell us in the comments.

Real boats, real people, real fun! Sailboats for the Rest of Us! Join us for full boat tours, expert insights, and sailing adventures—all with a touch of humor.

See you next time!
-BoatFools Sailing Team

SAIL Top 10 Best Boats of 2026 (Highlights):
Dragonfly 36 has been recognized as a top-tier performance cruiser
Pegasus 50: A standout bluewater sailing yacht designed for short-handed, long-distance voyages.
Beneteau Oceanis 52: Recognized for its light helm, performance, and comfortable, modern, 8th-generation design.
Excess 13: A catamaran praised for blending high-performance sailing with spacious, comfortable, and, voluminous accommodation.
Dufour 54: Noted for its spacious, refined, and comfortable long-range cruising capabilities.
Sirius 35 DS: A German-engineered deck saloon designed for serious, all-weather cruising.
Balance 580: A fast, lightweight catamaran featuring advanced, carbon-reinforced, and eco-conscious construction.
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 415: A versatile, and user-friendly cruiser, blending design with, comfort.
Ha'Penny 20: A, charming, traditional, pocket-cruiser focusing, on simplicity and joy.

BoatFools Sailing

Ahoy! With a reputation for being slightly dangerous enablers of dreams, this is BootFools. If you wander into our waters, we have a suspicious feeling you may be a BoatFool too. Through inspirational, educational, and often hilariously entertaining storytelling and boat tours we journey into the world of exceptional used sailboats. By offering real intel on classic, wood, and fiberglass boats - that are actually worth your time, money and imagination - we inspire people to get out onto the water and behind the helm of their own sailing vessel. This community is made up of real boats, real people, and life-changing fun. It's the place that will remind you why you fell in love with sailing in the first place. 🚨New episodes weekly. Subscribe to get on board and join the adventure, one boat at a time. (And join our Substack community for even more useful tidbits and general Boatfoolery.)

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