Here are a few tips for renting a sailboat… and making your nautical getaway a success.
Feel the call of the open sea? There are obvious technical, practical and safety reasons why you shouldn’t improvise your sailing. If you’re thinking of renting a sailboat for a sailing trip, you need to be careful when selecting one.
Depending on the route, your skills, the number of people on board and even the season, you’ll need to choose the right boat. We’ve put together this mini-guide to help you make the right choice for your dream odyssey. Cast off and let’s go!
Sailboats for a round-the-world trip
Sailing around the world takes an average of three to five years. This truly human adventure is best undertaken from east to west, following the trade winds… and with the whole family. For optimum comfort and safety, it’s a good idea to charter a sailboat suited to the open seas. Depending on the type of voyage you’re planning and the type of leisure activities you’re planning, not all sailboats are created equal – far from it. Here are a few references we’ve selected for you.
New, spacious yacht
Photo credit: Samboat
Beautifully named L’Armania, this Oceanis 46. 1 is the ideal way to circumnavigate the globe. Built in the summer of 2021, this brand-new yacht boasts spacious interiors for up to ten guests. The three spacious, well-appointed cabins will be shared by all.
The little extra? This boat is entirely self-sufficient in energy, thanks to a fuel cell that powers it day and night. There’s no need to run the engine to enjoy the microwave, the plancha and the cockpit cooler. The 140 m² gennaker will propel the boat at several dozen knots in the trade winds. Stand-up paddles, scuba tanks and other equipment can be easily stowed away in the ample storage space.
Beautiful modern boat
Photo credit: Samboat – Jerome Kelagopian
Jeanneau is a major player in sailboat construction and charter. The Sun Loft 47 is a real success story for the brand, perfectly suited to charter use. It features six cabins for up to 12 people. Four bathrooms with WC ensure an unforgettable trip around the world.
A carefully designed layout optimizes on-board circulation. Even the cockpit is 100% customizable to the needs of the crew. The design is not to be outdone, with sleek exterior lines that do not detract from performance. Modern and efficient, the Sun Loft 47 is a benchmark.
Exceptional Dufour for a family round-the-world trip
Photo credit: Samboat
Born in 2011, this Dufour 425 is fast, safe, spacious and ergonomic. This version features three independent cabins, including two doubles aft. The front cabin even has a king-size bed and private bathroom. With room for eight people, this 12.5-meter sailboat is a great option for a round-the-world trip.
This cruising monohull seems to have it all: L-shaped bulb keel, split rig and maximum draught of 2.10 meters. You’ll be able to access anchorages normally reserved for smaller craft… and discover sumptuous landscapes along the way.
Modern 52-foot boat
Photo credit: Samboat
15.2 meters long for five cabins and ten crew. That’s more than enough to organize an exceptional circumnavigation, isn’t it? This Dufour 520 Grand Large, which came out of the yard in 2018, takes up the codes of the previous cruiser. It further increases the level of performance and comfort. Its 110 hp engine is sufficiently powerful to complement or even replace the bow thruster.
And what about the sumptuous design by naval architect Umberto Felci! This ultramodern sea arrow boasts a wooded living space worthy of the finest yachts. Our verdict? You can rent it with your eyes closed.
Sailing boats for crossing the Atlantic
Do you dream of sailing a transatlantic race like the Route du Rhum? This legendary crossing takes between three and five weeks on average. We advise you to set sail between October and January to take advantage of the westerly winds. These can propel your boat at up to 30 knots, or almost 50 km/h! Discover the ideal boats to sail all the way to America in total peace of mind.
Superb Hanse 315 vintage 2015
Photo credit: Samboat
Named Tendance III, this splendid 2015 Hanse 315 manages to combine comfort and performance on the water. Rather short and therefore easily maneuverable (9.6 meters), it can accommodate four people. The German manufacturer has thought big for this small boat, which has nothing to envy the best cruisers. The tilting sundeck provides easy access to the water in calm seas. And the boat’s wide aft beam ensures maximum comfort at the helm.
Experienced sailors will appreciate the self-tacking jib track for close-hauled tacking. Last but not least, the two double cabins at either end open onto a perfectly laid-out saloon. The perfect yacht for a successful transatlantic crossing!
Charming boat for a transatlantic crossing
Photo credit: Samboat
The year of its release, 2015, this vessel received the « European Yacht of the Year » award. It’s easy to see why when you examine this 11.3-meter-long Bavaria 37. The first thing to notice is the large space available below deck. It houses a fully equipped galley with a spacious worktop. Its three cabins, decorated in solid wood and mahogany, can accommodate six passengers.
Optimized sailing, ubiquitous electronic assistance, robust structure… Renting a sailboat of this type is a real advantage for an Atlantic crossing.
Sailboats for a pleasure outing
For a one- or two-day outing, you’ll choose a yacht charter according to your sailing area. You won’t choose the same type of boat depending on whether you’re sailing in Brittany or the Mediterranean, whether you prefer scuba diving or lounging on deck, and whether you’re sailing with family or friends! To give you an idea, here are a few examples of leisure boats suitable for short excursions.
Spacious family sailboat
Photo credit: Samboat
This Dufour 34 is almost 15 years old, which has enabled it to prove its efficiency at sea. She is equipped with a mainsail doubled with a sumptuous symmetrical spinnaker and an autopilot ideal for contemplating the landscape. Its good seaworthiness will satisfy four people sharing two spacious, well-appointed cabins.
Of course, you (and your children) will appreciate the shallow draft, allowing you to get as close to shore as possible. The anchor is raised and lowered in the blink of an eye at the touch of a button. All that’s left to do is get out the masks, snorkels, armbands and buoys stored in the large locker and enjoy the swim!
Bénéteau all-round comfort
Photo credit: Samboat
The First 31.7? A benchmark in sailboat charter! It’s one of Bénéteau‘s mini-florets. This fast, safe sailing yacht is equipped with two double cabins for up to six people. Its small size and small 21 hp engine make it easy to maneuver in port.
Once out on the water, you’ll be amazed at the lively behavior of this boat, voted Boat of the Year in 1999. In fact, it’s directly inspired by the Figaro Bénéteau, a monohull racing yacht popular with single-handed racers. Simple and efficient, the interior is designed to provide the comfort you need for a few days’ cruising. You won’t regret your choice.
The ideal boat for enjoying the coastline
Photo credit: Samboat
This sailboat features a superb set of all-black Tri-radial sails. Easy to deploy, they allow you to approach the shore with ease. And that’s just as well: thanks to a ridiculous draught (just over one meter), you’ll be able to anchor up close.
A huge technical hold makes stowing all your belongings a simple formality. Its integrated tender will take you to and from the mainland to do a little shopping. You can prepare meals in the built-in oven and double gas stoves. The beautiful kitchen is fully equipped for eight people. Convinced? All you have to do is get on board!
Modern Jeanneau for unforgettable vacations
Photo credit: Samboat
Released in 2017, the Sun Odyssey 519 is the perfect boat for a large family or group of friends. Almost 16 meters long, it features five cabins for a total capacity of… twelve people! Its sleek design is the work of Philippe Briand, one of the world’s leading naval architects. He has succeeded in reconciling habitability, aesthetics and performance in this luxury vessel equipped with the latest maritime technologies.
Setting sail is child’s play, and safety is optimal at all times. Perfectly suited to cruising in rough weather, the vessel is efficient and comfortable. When it comes to chartering a quality sailboat, choose this Sun Odyssey: success is guaranteed.
Sailboats for beginners
Have you just passed your boating license and would like to learn how to pilot a sailboat in complete safety? We’d be delighted to show you which boats are suitable for novice sailors. Easy to get out of port, easy to set sail, guaranteed safety: this is the place to rent a sailboat for novices.
Ideal sailboat for beginners
Photo credit: Samboat
The successor to the famous First 210, this 2010 First 21.7 is a simple, safe and efficient little sailboat. Just 6 meters long, it’s ideal for those just starting out. You’ll appreciate the ease with which you can anchor close to shore, thanks to its lifting keel and rudders. Designed for four people, it is equipped with a small five-horsepower outboard motor. Perfect for getting in and out of port with complete peace of mind.
You’ll appreciate the basic yet efficient interior layout and the quality of the berths. Even the cockpit is designed for maximum comfort at the helm. Quite simply, this sloop is the ideal boat for your first short cruise!
Dufour 350 for 100% enjoyment
Photo credit: Samboat
The Dufour 350 Grand Large was born in 2015 with the desire to offer sailors the performance of the best ships. Here, essential features and ingenious innovations promise great sensations under sail. At just over ten meters long, she can accommodate eight people and is surprisingly easy to handle. Its L-shaped bulb keel offers impressive stability, whatever the weather. We love the spaciousness and generous wood interior.
Our advice? Rent a comfortable and safe sailing yacht of this type for your first family outing!