We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Boating

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Day Sailer?

By Christina Edwards
Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 7,306
Share

A day sailer is a type of sailboat. It is often smaller than other types of sailboats. Although these boats usually have a cubby and a cockpit, these areas are typically much smaller than the ones found on other types of ships. Individuals who love sailing, but lack the funds or time for a large sailboat may find that owning a day sailer is much more convenient. The first day sailer became available in the 1950s.

Averaging 17 feet (5.2 meters), most day sailers will typically be larger than a dinghy, yet smaller than a yacht. In most instances, they are much more stable. While a dinghy will usually require the crew to shift constantly to maintain stability, a day sailer does not.

Like other sailboats, day sailers are usually powered by wind. Most are equipped with two sails, one main sail along with a smaller sail. Some larger day sailers may also come equipped with an outboard motor as an alternative propulsion source.

A cubby, or cabin, on a day sailer will usually be quite small. Many owners use this area for storage. It can also be used as a shelter from the sun or rain. Larger cubbies may be used for small sleeping quarters, despite the fact that there is usually little or no room to stand up in these areas.

Since there is little room in the cabin area, these types of ships are considered to be great for short day sailing trips, hence the name day sailer. Weekend trips are also quite feasible, especially if the cubby is large enough to be used as sleeping quarters. Owners will also often find that the expenses of owning such a boat are usually much lower than expenses of owning a yacht.

Besides the annual storage or dock fees, other maintenance fees are also much lower. Insurance, towing expenses, and annual registration fees can also be much lower for these types of sailboats. Their smaller size and simple accommodations mean day sailers are also usually much more inexpensive to purchase than a larger yacht. An affordable used day sailer can often be found, either online or in a boat trading publication.

Designed primarily by George O'Day and Uffa Fox, the first day sailer was available in 1958. This boat became very popular, very quickly, and was still being manufactured as of 2010. Since its introduction, any boat with similar specifications, regardless of who it is made by, is often referred to as a day sailer.

Share
WikiMotors is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wikimotors.org/what-is-a-day-sailer.htm
Copy this link
WikiMotors, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WikiMotors, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.