
A practical guide to choosing your first sailboat — monohull vs. catamaran, the best sizes and models for beginners, what to inspect, and real costs to expect in year one.

The best cruising catamarans compared: Lagoon, Leopard, Fountaine Pajot, Bali, and Excess models from 38-50 feet. New and used prices, operating costs vs monohulls, and what to inspect when buying.

An honest comparison of monohulls and catamarans for cruising: performance, comfort, costs, safety, and resale value. No tribal arguments, just practical trade-offs to help you pick the right hull type.