Smart Boating PR Sail V Power Comparison

by Deb Jeffreys on 28 Apr 2011 Can't decide between a sail or power boat share?

Here are some great facts to help you make the decision.

Let's start with cost.

It's hard to believe but... when you compare equity boat share schemes in Australia... the purchase price of a share in a yacht is roughly half the price of an equivalent share in a similar length power boat.

For a yacht you pay around half the monthly maintenance fees, the yacht is more spacious and more comfortable and in many schemes you don't pay extra for fuel.

Or putting it another way...

For around the same price as a twelfth share in a 33ft motor cruiser which sleeps 3 on converted sofas... you can have a tenth share in a 44 foot yacht which sleeps 6 in total luxury.

That's over 10 feet of extra space and more days on the water for less money!

Or course the advantage of a power boat is speed; you can cruise along at 20 knots and reach your destination quickly.

But speed comes at a cost.

Sailing yachts and catamarans are designed to smoothly glide through the water. This means they use very little fuel even when the sails are not up.

Power boats on the other hand plough through the water and are much less fuel efficient.

The fuel for each day out in your power boat can easily cost you a few hundred dollars on top of your monthly maintenance fees - maybe more if carbon tax is introduced.

And depreciation?

Power boats depreciate much more than yachts. After the common three year term many of yacht syndicate owners are pleasantly surprised how much they get back.

Here's a common question...

Are Yachts or Power Boats Easier to Manage?

Despite what you might think, yachts are much easier to manoeuvre and handle in tight spaces than power boats. A motor boat has no keel and tends to skid across the water. Whereas the large rudder and deep keel on a yacht give you much more control.

This is great news when you're parking in the marina.

And if you don't know how to sail?

To be honest, if you have enough skills to manage a motor boat it would take very little to gain the extra knowledge you need to manage a yacht. A learn to sail yachts course would quickly get you up to speed and most boat share companies are happy to arrange private lessons for you.

And talking of sailing it's worth considering how relaxing sailing is.

Here's a fact most boaties realise after a while. Eventually the noise of your power boat's engine begins to annoy you.

Your day becomes about getting to your destination and relaxing once you get there.

On a sailing yacht or catamaran, as soon as the engine goes off and you're being blown along by the wind you can visibly see everyone chill out in front of you.

The journey to the secluded bay is as relaxing as the time you spend there. In fact it is often said Sailing is about the journey and Power Boating is about the destination.

And talking of relaxing...

Because yachts have a deep keel they are stable and more comfortable to sleep on. Catamarans are even better. Power boats tend to roll in the slightest swell - not great if you want a good night's sleep.

And of course if you want to cross oceans or head down the coast for a few days... your yacht is more than capable of taking you where you want to go.

For details of what’s launching this year in Australia's largest yacht share fleet go to www.boatshareaustralia.com

Smart Boating is home to Australia's largest catamaran and yacht share fleet.

SmartBoating, 1714 Pittwater Road, Bayview, NSW 2104. Phone 02 9997 5344

SmartBoating website