Best Bluewater Sailboats Under $100k
You can find many sailboats to buy, but the choice becomes harder when you have a budget constraint. So, what are the best bluewater sailboats under $100k?
You can find many sailboats to buy, but the choice becomes harder when you have a budget constraint. So, what are the best bluewater sailboats under $100k?
Bluewater sailing is a passion that many share but never fulfill because of the hefty prices of sailboats. Renting a sailboat is an option, but the experience of sailing your own boat is second to none. However, a budget limiting your choices can force you to give up on certain features. If you ask other sailors, their preferences might not align with yours, which makes buying your sailboat even more complicated.
To give you a simple answer to your question, the best bluewater sailboats under $100K include the Allied Princess 36, Cabo Rico 38, Celestial 48, Freedom 36, Corbin 39, Tayana Vancouver 39, Nordic 40, Hans Christian 38, Hinckley Bermuda 40, Prout Snowgoose 37, and Valiant 40.
Bluewater sailing needs the best sailboats — these need to be bigger, well-equipped, and most importantly, stable enough to withstand the roughness of the water. Smaller sailboats are a good start to getting acquainted with the water for longer periods, but they won’t stand the test of being away from the shore for days. Besides that, you will need a bluewater sailboat if you’re looking to go on the voyage with your family or friends.
As bluewater sailing enthusiasts, we have been sailing across waters for decades. Using our experience and research, we have compiled a list of the best bluewater sailboats under different price points, but well under $100K, so you can choose from a wide range of features and sizes.
The Best Bluewater Sailboats Under $100k
Allied Princess 36
The Allied Boat Company built the Allied Princess 36 from 1972 to 1982. Given that it has been almost 40 years since the last Allied Princess 36 was manufactured, and it is still one of the best budget sailboats, you can imagine the reliability and robustness it boasts.
The Princess is a sober yet comfortable boat that only cruisers would appreciate.
Its keel measures only four feet and six inches, but the overall design makes the Princess one of the most stable options out there.
That’s why it is a long-standing favorite among sailors of all generations and against sailboats such as the Luders 33, Seawind 30, and Seabreeze 35.
Although the Princess 36’s design is slightly bland according to the manufacturing period, it is sufficient and not considered unattractive.
The Allied Princess 36 has a 40hp Westerbeke motor, a generator and Bilge Pump, and basic amenities such as the battery, anchor, and fire extinguisher. With two cabins, three berths, and a shower, the Allied Princess 36 is a comfortable sailboat.
Depending on the model year, Allied Princess 36’s price ranges from $30,000 to $60,000. You can buy Allied Princess 36 from Yacht World for $34,000.
Specifications
- LOA: 36 ft.
- LWL: 27.5 ft.
- Beam: 11 ft.
- Draft: 4.5 ft.
- Displacement: 14,400 lbs.
- Ballast: 5,000 lbs.
- Sail Area: 632 sq.ft.
- Engine: Westerbeke/Perkins, 40hp
- Fuel Capacity: 40 gallons
- Water Capacity: 80 gallons
- Year Introduced: 1972
- Year Ended: 1982
- Designer: Wright/Allied Yachts
- Builder: Arthur Edmunds
Cabo Rico 38
Cabo Rico 38 is one of the best sailboats you can get under 100K. This sailboat depicts luxury from every angle, which is hard to find under this price range.
Cabo Rico 38 has a long-keel cutter rig design which helps it maintain a reputation of a soft motion and stout offshore performance. This boat is built in Costa Rica, boasting a Bill Crealock design.
She has a sleek design with a bowsprit mounted foresail that results in acute cutting abilities. Moreover, the sailboat is perfect if you do not want any noise to be a part of your voyage.
With 38 of its models produced over the years, there are 200 Cabo Rico 38s manufactured to date with a combination of several features to make your ride comfortable.
A solid design crafted from Balsa woods ensures the boat’s longevity, while the low swinging sheer line is sweet and keeps the ride steady. The older models are undoubtedly cheaper than the newer ones but are slightly noisier since the engine is more upfront.
The Cabo Rico 38 is not for winning races but for experiencing a comfortable and smooth sail. Moreover, the large water capacity of this sailboat makes it one for long voyages.
You can get the 1984 Cabo Rico 38 from Yacht World for $72,950.
Specifications
- LOA: 41 ft.
- LOD: 38 ft.
- LWL: 29 ft.
- Beam: 11 ft.
- Draft: 5 ft.
- Bridge Clearance: 50 ft.
- Displacement: 20,000 lbs.
- Ballast: 7,800 lbs.
- Sail Area: 738 sq.ft.
- Engine: Perkins
- Fuel Capacity: 55 Gallons
- Water Capacity: 150 Gallons
- Year Introduced: 1977
- Year Ended: -
- Designer: William I. B. Crealock
- Builder: Cabo Rico Custom Yachts
Celestial 48
Does a large size sailboat rank high on your priority list? If your answer to that question is a resounding yes, check out the Celestial 48 sailboat, the largest sailboat you can get under 100k.
With a 50 ft. overall length, the Celestial 48 is one of those boats that makes you feel superior among others in the water.
One outstanding feature of this boat is its tall cabin height. The cabin is six feet and two inches tall, about six extra inches than the average human height, 5.7 ft.
Even if you are taller than the average, the extra headroom space will make your cabin experience much more comfortable than other sailboats.
Celestial 48 offers fine handling with the fin-keel and shoal-draft design, plus the 62 hp engine makes this sailboat a powerful sailboat that performs exceptionally offshore.
Besides that, the large size of Celestial 48 allows you to stay in the waters for extended periods as you can haul 250 gallons of fuel and an equal amount of water.
However, there are only a few Celestial 48 in the market. So if you wish to buy this sailboat, you better start using it every minute from now.
The price range of Celestial 48 reaches well over $100k; luckily, it starts just under your budget. You can buy the 2000 year Celestial 48 from Yacht World for $90,000.
Specifications
- LOA: 50 ft.
- LWL: 36.58 ft.
- Beam: 13.50 ft.
- Draft: 6 ft.
- Displacement: 27,000 lbs.
- Ballast: 12,000 lbs. (lead)
- Sail Area: 803 sq.ft.
- Engine: Yanmar, 37hp
- Fuel Capacity: 250 Gallons
- Water Capacity: 250 Gallons
- Year Introduced: 1977
- Year Ended: -
- Builder: Ziamien Celestial Yachts Ltd.
Freedom 36
This sailboat’s unusual but attractive design makes sailors want to have it despite its small size. Space is one of the top priorities of sailors because spending many days on a compact boat usually becomes overwhelming.
Freedom 36 provides ample interior space with a wide beam and a long waterline. An odd-looking carbon fiber mast is a unique feature of this bluewater sailboat. Without a forestay and backstay, it is quite flexible in the wind.
The hull and deck are mainly made of fiberglass, giving the boat a luxurious look. However, both the hull and deck are prone to water absorption.
In that case, you have to take a leap of faith and rely on the reputation of Tillotson-Pearson, manufacturers of the Freedom 36. Tillotson-Pearson is one of the best in the game and has a reputation for building robust and durable sailboats.
Although the engine exerts only 27 hp, it is adequate for a sailboat of this size, and the overall construction makes sailing the Freedom 38 exciting and comfortable.
The engine is lined with a foam sound deadener that cuts out the noise from your riding experience. Freedom 38 is perfect if you want an easy and simplistic experience and do not care about the size and your ability to stay out in the water for long periods.
On the other hand, Freedom 38 is a relatively expensive option to look at, given its size and capacity. The price of the Freedom 38 ranges from $40,000 to $80,000. You can get a 1986 Freedom 36 from Yacht World for $57,500.
Specifications
- LOA: 36.42 ft.
- LWL: 30.63 ft.
- Beam: 12.50 ft.
- Draft: 4.5 ft.
- Displacement: 14,370 lbs.
- Ballast: 6,500 lbs. (lead)
- Sail Area: 568.67 sq.ft.
- Engine:
- Fuel Capacity: 35 Gallons
- Water Capacity: 64 Gallons
- Year Introduced: 1985
- Year Ended: -
- Builder: Tillotson Pearson Inc.
- Designer: Gary Mull
Corbin 39
The Corbin 39 is another average-sized option on this list of bluewater sailboats under 100K. However, this one is a complete package with a robust build, easy sailing, light, and comfortable for a group of two to four people. The Corbin 39 is strong enough to take you around the world.
The Corbin 39 consists of a fiberglass hull and deck and a marine-grade plywood core that ensures that the boat is durable and there is little to no chance of water absorption.
Another advantage is the supremely easy maneuvering of the boat, thanks to a shallow fin-keel, canoe stern, and higher topsides.
On the downside, there are only 135 Corbin 39 globally, and only 15 of them were produced by Corbin itself. A factory fire broke out, damaging the original mold used to build the boats. The rest 39s were sold as kits and are built according to the boat owner’s preference.
Therefore, there is a high chance of finding a vaguely different Corbin 39 than the original model.
Overall, Corbin 39 gives you a smooth sailing experience. Due to high demand, the later batches of Corbin 39 are priced around $80,000.
In comparison, you can get this sailboat starting from $33,000. You can get a 1980 Corbin 39 from Yacht World for $58,000.
Specifications
- LOA: 41.5 ft.
- LWL: 32 ft.
- Beam: 12.08 ft.
- Draft: 5.5 ft.
- Displacement: 22,800 lbs.
- Ballast: 9,000 lbs. (lead)
- Sail Area: 811.28 sq.ft.
- Engine: Westerbeke, 39 HP
- Year Introduced: 1979
- Year Ended: 1991
- Builder: Corbin le bateaux (CAN)
- Designer: Robert Dufour/Marius Corbin
Tayana Vancouver 42
The Tayana Vancouver 42 sailboat is one of the strongest sailboats on this list, and it can take you far deeper into the sea than only a few sailboats can do under this price range. The design of this beauty is based on the prolific Tayana 37 designed by Bob Perry.
This boat is a sailor favorite under the $100K price tag. The start of manufacturing dates back to 1979, but it is still in the making. You can get your hands on a Vancouver 42 as 200 sailboats have been produced to date.
However, you should try to look for the later models. The initial models are nearly 40 years old. It is sufficient time for a boat to start wearing down.
Although the base design is a Tayana 37, the double-end hull cruiser has significant advancements making it more reliable than the former.
This sailboat comes in three different cockpit designs: pilothouse aft cockpit, regular aft cockpit, and center cockpit. However, the center cockpit is the most popular, and it has 130 hulls to itself — out of 200.
The yacht’s construction is a long-lasting one. The fiberglass hull ensures your boat stays competent against rough weather conditions. On the other hand, the iron-cast ballast also ensures the longevity and reliability of the 42-ft sailor.
A modern type fin-keel, heavy displacement, and ability to cut through winds up to 30 Knotts keep your sailing experience comfortable and safe against rough weather. However, several hulls are seriously underpowered with a 33hp engine.
If you decide to get the Tayana Vancouver 42, ensure that you look for the ones that have engines ranging from 44hp to 75hp.
You can get 1981 Tayana Vancouver 42 from Yacht World for $98,000.
Specifications
- LOA: 41.75 ft.
- LWL: 33 ft.
- Beam: 12.50 ft.
- Draft: 5.8 ft.
- Displacement: 29,157 lbs.
- Ballast: 11,800 lbs. (lead)
- Sail Area: 903.85 sq.ft.
- Engine: Yanmar
- Fuel Capacity: 120 Gallons
- Water Capacity: 150 Gallons
- Year Introduced: 1979
- Year Ended: -
- Builder: Tayana
- Designer: Robert Harris
Hopefully, you now have a clear idea about the sailboats you can buy in your budget. This is merely a starting point. Several bluewater sailboats under 100K are worthy of your time and money. However, these are some of the best choices that you can consider.
It is also important to know the aspects you should prioritize in a sailboat to ensure you buy a good one.
These factors include seaworthiness, comfort, cockpits nature, rigs, sailplanes, navigation, water system, communication system, and more. Buy any of the above sailboats and have a happy sailing experience.