When you know your draught (or draft) from your displacement and that the length overall is not the overall length of the yacht including pulpits and bowsprits, you can start using these figures to help you make an informed decision.
How to choose a boat – yacht measurements explained
There’s a standard set of specifications that appear in boatbuilders’ sales brochures and on yachtbrokers’ websites: LOA, LWL, displacement, sail area, ballast ratio, D/L, SA/D and so on. Most buyers rely on these to some extent, to read between the lines of the marketing literature, but the figures quoted aren’t actually as clear cut as most people think, and some of them are often misconstrued.
What are the benefits of a carbon fibre mast on a cruising boat?
Carbon fibre has long been the material of choice for racing yacht masts. It used to be an exotic material, but it can now be found in many things from pens to pushbikes. Carbon fibre is stiffer and weighs less than other mast materials, but it’s also quite a lot more expensive. So why have we recently had three owners request a carbon fibre mast for their Rustler 42?
Choosing the best keel design
Keel design and ballast can easily be overlooked when choosing a sailing yacht, but having the right keel design for the cruising you do, and having the ballast in the right place can transform your sailing and improve your life on board.
