Boats to Consider for Offshore Cruising

Many types of boats--both sailboats and powerboats--are manufactured specifically for offshore cruising. Over the years, the term "cruiser" has become synonymous with luxury. Types include cabin cruisers, catamarans, trimarans and super yachts. The type of "cruiser" you should consider depends on factors such as personal preference, crew size and budget. Boats made specifically for offshore cruising are usually at least 20 feet in length.

  1. Cabin Cruiser

    • Cabin cruisers are generally 20 to 40 feet in length. As noted at Sailingahead.com, various styles have emerged since the 1960s. Traditional cruisers are narrow and often made of wood, while family cruisers take the largest market share and are built for safety, with roomy and comfortable interiors. Trailer cruisers have masts that can be easily dismantled to fit on a boat trailer, while racer-cruisers are lighter and built with speed in mind.

    Super Yacht

    • Restricted to the super rich due to their astronomical price tags, super yachts are pleasure cruisers that are either sail boats or powerboats and are generally over 100 feet long. Yachts resemble floating five-star hotels and have become increasingly popular assets of some of the world's wealthiest people.

      Super yacht owners employ professional crews to run the boats. Super yachts may be available to charter, but the cost can run into hundreds of thousands of dollars per week.

    Catamaran

    • A catamaran is a sailboat with two parallel hulls held together by a single deck. The style is popular for pleasure cruising. Catamarans may be able to travel at higher speeds than single hulled boats. As noted at CatamaranSite.com, the performance of a sailing catamaran depends on three factors: length, sail area and weight. The longer, lighter and more sail area the boat has, the faster it will go.

    Trimaran

    • Trimarans fall into the cruiser-racer category. These have three side-by-side hulls, the center of which is usually larger with crew accommodations. Trimarans are more stable than mono-hulled designs and are able to sail in shallower waters; however, trimarans are harder to maneuver. Some smaller trimarans are designed to be accommodated on a trailer.