Choosing the best boat for your family holiday
Choosing the right boat plays a big role in how comfortable, fun, safe, and relaxing your family’s sailing holiday will be. Here’s what you’re going to want to consider when selecting yours’s from the best boats for families:
Comfort and space
- Space: Overall boat size (as well as a clever layout) will give each family member enough room to relax and prevent everyone from feeling like they’re always on top of one another.
- Storage: Go for a boat with ample storage so you can keep all the inevitable extra stuff that comes with any family vacation easily accessible but out of the way. Best boat for families will have to offer you enough space for all the luggage.
- Cockpit layout: Especially important for families with younger kids, who love to be close to the action, a roomy cockpit with plenty of seating is a must for a family sailing trip.
- Sleeping arrangements: Definitely consider how many cabins your family will need and who will bunk with whom to give everyone a good night’s sleep on a boat.
Safety and ease of sailing
- Boat size and hull design: In general, larger, multi-hulled boats offer smoother sailing and are harder to capsize.
- Simplicity: The easier a boat is to sail, the more the whole family can get involved in the action and help with the activities of sailing.
- Skipper: An experienced captain will help ensure a safe family sailing trip — and many such skippers are great with kids, too!
- Safety net: Many boats offer a safety net as an optional add-on, to ensure passengers — as well as objects — don’t end up overboard.
Entertainment and activities
- Available activities: The option to dive, swim, and snorkel right from the boat is always a hit on a family sailing holiday, no matter the age of the kids.
- Fun add-ons: There are a whole bunch of activity-based add-ons that might be perfect for your family boat holiday, like including a jet ski, kayak, stand-up paddle board, and even a barbeque grill in your booking.
- Pet on board: Don’t want to leave your beloved family pet behind? Some boats give you the option of bringing your pet along on your family sailing holiday.
The 3 best sailboats for family boat holidays
1. Sailboat Beneteau Oceanis 46.1
Guests: 12
Cabins: 5
Bathrooms: 3
Why this boat is perfect for families:
- Spacious cockpit with space for guests around a large table
- Unique cruising sensations
- Large hull portholes for natural light
- Elegant interiors
- Safe and easy to sail
Check out the boat on Borrow A Boat:
- See this Boat in Zadar, Croatia ›
- See this Boat in Athens, Greece ›
- See this Boat in Cannigione, Italy ›
2. Sailboat Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
Guests: 8
Cabins: 3
Bathrooms: 2
Why this boat is perfect for families:
- Exceptional stability
- Huge Swim Platform
- L-shaped galley in the saloon for extra space around the dining table
- Practical and effective features
Check out the boat on Borrow A Boat:
3. Sailboat Bavaria Cruiser 37
Guests: 6-8
Cabins: 1
Bathrooms: 2-3
Why this boat is perfect for families:
- Designed for utmost relaxation during a cruise
- Spacious and comfortable interior
- Clever spatial design to fit a family’s needs
- Special interior made of solid wood
- Panoramic windows provide natural light and sense of space
Check out the boat on Borrow A Boat:
The 3 best catamarans for family boat holidays
1. Catamaran Bali 4.1
Guests: 10
Cabins: 4
Bathrooms: 4
Why this boat is perfect for families:
- Spacious forward cockpit with dining area
- Extra living space with sunbathing area
- Sliding windows for optimal ventilation
- Practical and effective features
- Innovative design and unique characteristics
Check out the boat on Borrow A Boat:
- See Boat in Capo d’Orlando, Italy ›
- See Boat in Athens, Greece ›
- See Boat in Port Elizabeth, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines ›
2. Catamaran Lagoon 40
Guests: 10-12
Cabins: 3-6
Bathrooms: 2-4
Why this boat is perfect for families:
- Spacious for large families
- Multiple storage space
- Large hull window glazing for natural light and an outstanding view
- Sleek and innovative design
Check out the boat on Borrow A Boat:
3. Catamaran Lagoon 42
Guests: 9-12
Cabins: 3-6
Bathrooms: 2-5
Why this boat is perfect for families:
- New ergonomics to ensure space and ease of circulation on board
- An ingenious deck layout
- Ensures safety and stability
- The interior is featured by elegance and functionality
- Highly performant and easy to sail
Check out the boat on Borrow A Boat: