Sailboats are the oldest and some of the most trusted boats on the market today. These vessels have proven to be the most reliable and some of the most efficient means of travel, but they are not merely for traveling from one country to the other as with the large sailing yachts the public is used to seeing. Some of the most iconic sailboats on the market today are the sloop boats for sale. If you are unfamiliar with the term, you will likely be familiar with the actual style of the vessel.
What is a Sloop?
A sloop is among the simplest sailboat designs available. The boat is comprised of a simply designed hull on which a single mast is mounted. The boat maintains an afore and aft rig with a single jib. The history of the sloop dates to approximately 1629, so it pre-dates many of the modern vessels of today by hundreds of years.
Modern Day Sloop Boats
Modern day Sloops have integrated new technology, engineering, safety features, and such into the vessels, specifically in the console. Additionally, the mast and materials used for navigation have become lighter, but at the same time have evolved into more durable constructions.
Sloop Boats are primarily used for recreational and leisure purposes. They are best suited to the calmer waters of the Gulf and the various bays along the Florida coast. However, depending upon the size of the Sloop, you may be able to navigate your boat into one of the larger freshwater bodies.
What are the Advantages
Faster – The simplistic design of the sloop allows for a faster and more agile sailing experience. The boat sails closer to the wind than other boat designs
Easier Maintenance – The fact that the sloop vessels are smaller naturally means that the maintenance on the boat itself is easier than with a larger boat, but that is not the only reason the maintenance is easier. With fewer sails, there are less replacement and sail repairs to contend with and therefore, the sloop is an ideal choice for those looking to sail on a budget.
Less Rigging – With the simplistic nature of the classic sloop design, there is no need for an extensive crew as there is very little rigging to maintain, so the average sailing family can benefit greatly from the design.
Wide Availability – One of the drawbacks to many sailboat designs is that there are few companies that manufacture the style. With sloops, that is not an issue, the design is among the most common of all sailboat designs and therefore, they are readily available both on the new and pre-owned marketplace.
Any Disadvantages?
Strength is a Must – The standard sailboat design offers a lot of help for the sailor as well as remarkably light sails for the size of the vessel. Regardless of the weight of the sails, the wind and the tension on the sails demands ample strength to manage.
Few Sail Area Reduction Options – Most modern sailboat designs offer plenty of options for reducing the sail area of the boat, but not with a sloop. Your options are limited to just reefing and furling.
Well Known Sloop Brands
Modern sloop boats remain popular among sailing enthusiasts throughout the world. Tampa Bay often displays more sloops than the modern high-end sailing yachts. The market is wide open for these vessels and currently, there are several brands specializing in sloops. Here are just a few of the brands that market toward sloop enthusiasts.
- Beneteau
- Catalina Yachts
- Jeanneau
- Lagoon
- Leopard Catamarans
- Marlow Hunter
Keep in mind that the Sloop is a type of sailboat. There are other types of sailboats on the market and you are encouraged to see the differences between the Sloop Boats for sale and the other options and manufacturers, such as Oyster, have to offer.
Looking for Sloop Boats for Sale?
Boats are found on every continent throughout the world, but finding that right one for what you need can be somewhat of a challenge. There are so many online boat classified sites on the market today that just choosing one to find that specific vessel can be challenging. Vessel Vendor offers a simple solution to finding the next boat of your dreams.
Unlike some of the other sites which cater solely to purchasing and selling, our site wishes to empower our visitors. That is why you will find an abundance of boating and yachting related articles. Boat reviews, manufacturer summaries, brand comparisons, maintenance tips, and docking are just a few of the categories we offer.
Vessel Vendor is known throughout the Florida area as the number one resource for all styles of boats, including sloop boats for sale. Vessel Vendor offers sellers the best place to sell their boats because we have the cheapest seller fees and an easy self-posting format, so there is never any confusion. Because we have new listings daily, we are able to provide our buyers with an always updating inventory of boats to choose from. Vessel Vendor hopes that the wind will always be in your sails, and welcomes you to the Vessel Vendor family.
If you are interested in buying a sloop sailboat for sale, or you are in need to sell your sloop sailboat, Vessel Vendor can help! Vessel Vendor helps make boat sales easy by connect boat sellers with qualified boat buyers. Complete a listing to sell your boat online or shop boats for sale here.