Choosing a boat is a difficult task. There are many options to consider, and there is rarely the “Perfect” boat. We’ve prepared a Free Checklist that you can download and print!
The checklist lists common features available on Cruising boats (35 to 60 feet) and things to consider to help you decide which features are a priority and which you don’t want! If you are in the market for a day boat or a mega yacht, then this list is probably not for you.
Using the Checklist
Many features are boat-type dependent. Before using the checklist, you should have at least some idea of what type of boat you are looking for: Sail or Power. Single or Multihull. Cruiser or Trawler. If you have not yet narrowed down your choice of boat type, you will want to check out our article “Cruising Boat Types 101“.
Please read through the entire list before making selections, as many are dependent on each other. Once you are familiar with the choices, review the list and rate each feature as High, Medium, or Low importance. If it’s a feature that you absolutely do not want, mark it as a “No!“. We recommend using a pencil, as your priorities may change as you investigate specific boat models.
While we have included most of the major features, the options and variations on Cruising boats are enormous, so be sure to add any features that you are looking for that we didn’t include.
Once you’ve made your Checklist, use it when looking at different boats to see how closely they match your choices. Remember, for 99.9% of us, the “Perfect Boat” does not exist. It’s all about compromise. When we were looking for our boat, we had a separate shower as a “Must Have.” In the end, we compromised with a “Wet Head” as our Beneteau Swift Trawler 42 meets most of our other requirements. Now that we’ve had the boat for nine years, we actually look at a wet head as a feature. When we are done showering, we squeegee down the walls, and we’ve cleaned the bathroom every time we shower!
Happy Hunting!
Did we forget a common feature? What features are most important to you?
Let us know in the comments below! 
Here are Articles that cover specific features in more detail.
- Boat Types – Cruising Boat Types 101
- AIS Introduction – AIS Introduction
Leave a Comment