What Kind of Boat Should I Buy Next?
21 July 2026 · 20 min · 40K views
What this video covers
Power yachts between 42 and 50 feet offer the best balance of speed, fuel efficiency, and interior space for seasonal cruising in Florida, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean.2:00 Express cruisers like the Sea Ray 420 provide adequate living space for a single season, but lack the deck capacity to carry a substantial center console dinghy.2:20 Carrying such a tender requires a vessel of at least 50 feet, though even then, weight limits on hydraulic lifts or davits restrict the size and horsepower of the dinghy, such as a Highfield Classic 310 with a 15- or 20-horsepower outboard.2:52 For owner-operators, 60 feet represents the practical upper limit for yacht size.16:02 Beyond this length, insurance often mandates professional crew, and finding suitable dockage becomes significantly more difficult.16:23 Proper battery monitoring systems remain the primary defense against lithium battery fires, which are increasingly rare in modern installations.10:21
More from The Sailing Doodles Podcast
From The Sailing Doodles Podcast — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analysed video.
The Sailing Directory Newsletter
One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.