Buy a New Sailboat — or Go Used for Half the Price? EP146

#boatfoolssailing #boatoftheyear #usedsailboats #sailing Buy a New Sailboat — or Go Used for Half the Price? EP 146 Every year, the sailing world celebrates the Boat of the Year winners — innovative designs, cutting-edge technology, and eye-watering price tags. But here’s the question most sailors quietly ask: do you really need a brand-new boat to go sailing? In this episode of BoatFools Sailing, we take five 2026 Boat of the Year winners and compare them—loosely and honestly—to used sailboats you could buy for roughly half the price. This isn’t about bashing new boats. Many of them are excellent. It is about showing what smart money can buy in the used sailboat market—and why proven designs, solid refits, and real-world ownership often deliver more sailing for fewer dollars. We compare: -A modern performance cruiser vs a proven coastal cruiser and a legendary one-design -A high-performance trimaran vs fast monohull alternative and a use trimaran -A cruising catamaran vs serious monohull passagemaker and a used Cat -A serious mid-range cruiser vs its used doppelgänger -A luxury bluewater yacht vs a Maine-built classic CHAPTERS: 00:00 Intro - 5 Boats of The Year vs Their Half-Price Used Counterparts 01:30 The First 30 VS Oceanis 323 and Melges 32 06:35 The Dragonfly 36 VS J122 and Dragonfly 35 12:43 The Excess 13 VS Tartan 4700 and Fountaine Pajot Lipari 41 18:39 The Jeaneau 415 VS The Jeaneau 419 and the Bristol 47.7 21:51 The Wauquiez 55 VS The Lyman-Morse 65 25:45 Final Thoughts - which would we pick? Which would you pick? Along the way, we talk about value, ownership reality, depreciation, maintenance, and why keeping good boats sailing matters—not just for your wallet, but for the future of sailing itself. 💬 Which would you choose—new boat hype or smart money? Tell us in the comments. Real boats, real people, real fun! Sailboats for the Rest of Us! Join us for full boat tours, expert insights, and sailing adventures—all with a touch of humor. See you next time! -BoatFools Sailing Team SAIL Top 10 Best Boats of 2026 (Highlights): Dragonfly 36 has been recognized as a top-tier performance cruiser Pegasus 50: A standout bluewater sailing yacht designed for short-handed, long-distance voyages. Beneteau Oceanis 52: Recognized for its light helm, performance, and comfortable, modern, 8th-generation design. Excess 13: A catamaran praised for blending high-performance sailing with spacious, comfortable, and, voluminous accommodation. Dufour 54: Noted for its spacious, refined, and comfortable long-range cruising capabilities. Sirius 35 DS: A German-engineered deck saloon designed for serious, all-weather cruising. Balance 580: A fast, lightweight catamaran featuring advanced, carbon-reinforced, and eco-conscious construction. Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 415: A versatile, and user-friendly cruiser, blending design with, comfort. Ha'Penny 20: A, charming, traditional, pocket-cruiser focusing, on simplicity and joy.