“Can you help out an old sailor and walk me through all of this?”
Those were the words of a guy who looked to be in his mid-sixties. He was standing at the gleaming helm of a new MJM 42 on the opening day of the Newport International Boat Show in September. The company spokesperson on board cheerfully obliged, sharing details about the ship’s systems, in particular the joystick that controlled a pair of Volvo D440s with DPI drives, which could push the boat to a max speed of 46 knots.
I knew where this conversation was headed. Maybe you do too. It would be a good discussion about making “the transition,” or that move sometimes referred to in boating circles as “going to the dark side,” although the process is really a lot more fun than that. This sailor was shopping for a powerboat.
There’s always been lighthearted ribbing and a playful rivalry between sailors (rag baggers) and powerboaters (stink potters). Sailors chide powerboaters for burning buckets of fuel and powerboaters thumb their noses at sailors when there’s no wind. But the sail versus power debate doesn’t really seem to polarize people who love to spend time on the water. That’s because many of them move from one boat type to the other over the course of a lifetime. And as you may have observed, there’s been a persistent trend among sailors who turn to power as they age, seeing the switch as an opportunity to extend the number of years they can enjoy on the water.
Sailors make the jump for a lot of reasons. They’re often looking for a cruising experience that’s less physically demanding and for boats with more comfort, including enclosed bridge decks that allow them to get out of the elements in crummy weather. I’ve seen many drawn to boats with big windows, so they can take in water views after years spent in the cave-like salon of a sailboat. A guest room for grand kids is a priority for some, as are entertainment-friendly social spaces on deck. And of course, they just want more speed.
At the same time, though, many sailors I’ve met over the years come to the powerboat market with respect for a graceful sheer, functionality and economy. And the desire for those things often leads them to certain types of powerboats. Trawlers are up there, since some sailors don’t want a drastic jump from six knots to 40. So are powerboats produced by companies that also make (or made) sailboats. MJM is one of those. Sabre (shown at left) is another. True North, now built by the parent company for Catalina sailboats, also hits the mark.
How are sailors planning their search for powerboats today? They’re doing the same things they’ve done in the past, as most have bought and sold more than one pleasure craft over the years. First, they set a budget. Then they get clear on how and where the boat will be used so they can then address the specifics of what they need. A pretty hull with a nice sheer can be very appealing, but will the galley and head meet long-term needs?
Perhaps you have been asking yourself these questions recently, because you’re a sailor who is on the verge of crossing over. If so, how’s the search process moving forward, and what got you started on this course? I hope you’ll share your story with us, as we have plans to develop editorial on the subject. And you don’t have to worry about being chided by our staff for taking the leap to power. At Soundings, we think boating is better when you do it both ways.
This article was originally published in the November 2024 issue.
