While many prospective boat owners know exactly what they’re looking for in a boat, many others find themselves faced with tough decisions about the type of boat they want. While powerboats and sailboats are very different, each has a set of benefits that are very different from the other. Additionally, both will cost about the same at a marina to dock and the long-term ownership and maintenance costs aren’t drastically different. We’ll highlight some of the benefits of each to help you choose between a powerboat and a sailboat.

Benefits of a powerboat

Powerboats are the more convenient of the two options. When you’re itching to get out on the water, you can grab your keys and hit the open water, even when the weather isn’t ideal. Unsurprisingly, powerboats are, on average, about twice as fast as sailboats, so you’re going to get where you want to go much quicker.

As a driver, operating a powerboat requires less training and practice thanks to a powerful engine that can overpower poor weather conditions or other factors. You also don’t have to worry about low bridges, due to their short height, or shallow drafts, thanks to the fact that they sit high on the water.

Lastly, your passengers will enjoy a little more deck space, and sometimes amenities like cabins and stand-up galleys.

Benefits of a sailboat

That sounds like a pretty convincing argument for powerboats, right? Well, there’s more to this comparison.

Of course, the most notable benefit of sailboats is the fact that you need little to no fuel to operate a sailboat. While many have small motors to help with docking, the amount of fuel you use is pretty insignificant. This helps in a few ways.

First, it keeps cost of ownership low, as you don’t have to continuously fill a fuel tank. Second, it’s more environmentally friendly, as your main power source is the wind. And lastly, there is no limit to how far you can sail, as long as you’re patient enough to wait for the weather conditions to be right for sailing.

For the driver, things are a little more difficult, but learning a skill such as operating a sailboat is incredibly satisfying. You and your passengers will also have a more relaxing experience. The quiet cruising of a sailboat means your passengers can easily communicate with you and everyone on board can relax.

Powerboats and sailboats are both great options, and no matter which you choose, you’ll surely fall in love. Check out our selection of powerboats and sailboats at Florida Mariner to help you make your decision.