How Much Does a Wooden Sailboat Cost? (17 Examples)

Written by Desiree Vilar in Cost of Sailing

The cost of wooden sailboats depends on their size, age, condition, and any special features or equipment they have. In some cases, they can be less expensive than fiberglass or aluminum boats, but they can also be more expensive due to the high level of craftsmanship needed. To give you an idea of how much these classic sailboats cost, this article will provide 17 examples of different wooden sailboat models and their estimated price range.

A small wooden sailboat can cost around $5,000, while a larger, more elaborate wooden sailboat can cost upwards of $100,000. The average price range for a wooden sailboat is between $20,000 and $100,000. These boats are usually in good condition and may come with some upgrades or amenities.

The William Fife III-designed schooner is one of the highest-priced wooden sailboats, costing around $5,000,000 to $10,000,000. Let's take a look at more specific wooden sailboat models and their estimated cost range.

Summary

  • There are wooden sailboats that cost as little as $5,000 to $10,000, such as the Northeaster Dory and Nutshell Pram.
  • Some of the wooden sailboats are usually priced between $50,000 and $100,000, such as the Concordia yawl, Malabar II, Buzzards Bay 25, and the Sparkman & Stephens' sloop.
  • Shamrock V was a J-Class yacht, considered to be a large, fast, and highly-priced yacht, and was considered the pinnacle of yacht racing during the 1930s.
  • Next to William Fife III's schooner, his gaff cutter design is also highly sought after and is priced as high as $1,000,000–$5,000,000.
  • The Ingrid Ketch is a double-ended sailboat that is typically constructed from wood and could cost anywhere from $50,000 to over $200,000.

17 Examples of Wooden Sailboats and Their Estimated Costs

Below is a table showing the estimated costs of 17 different wooden sailboats:

Sailboat model Price range
Beetle Cat $10,000 - $20,000
Herreshoff 12 1/2 $15,000 - $25,000
Cape Dory Typhoon $10,000 - $20,000
Chesapeake Light Craft Northeaster Dory $5,000 - $10,000
Nutshell Pram $5,000 - $10,000
William Atkin's Eric $10,000 - $20,000
Concordia yawl $50,000 - $100,000
Malabar II $50,000 - $100,000
Nathanael Herreshoff BB 25 $50,000 - $100,000
Sparkman & Stephens sloop $50,000 - $100,000
William Fife III Bermudan cutter $100,000 - $200,000
Sparkman & Stephens yawl $500,000 - $1,000,000
William Fife III gaff cutter $1,000,000 - $5,000,000
William Fife III schooner $5,000,000 - $10,000,000
Ingrid ketch $50,000 - $200,000
Shamrock V $500,000 - $1,000,000
Bluenose II $300,000 - $500,000

1. Beetle Cat is a classic wooden sailboat

Beetle Cat is a classic wooden sailboat that was originally designed by John Beetle in 1921. These boats were originally used by fishermen in Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard but quickly became popular among recreational sailors due to their simplicity and ease of use.

The Beetle Cat is a gaff-rigged catboat, which means it has a single sail and a mast that is set up at a steep angle. The boat is typically 12-14 feet long and can comfortably accommodate 2-3 people.

Today, Beetle Cats are still popular among sailors and are often used for racing or leisurely cruising. The estimated cost of a new Beetle Cat is around $10,000 - $20,000.

2. Herreshoff 12 1/2 is a beautiful and versatile wooden sailboat

Herreshoff 12 1/2 is a classic wooden sailboat designed by Nathanael Herreshoff in 1914. The boat is 15 feet long and has a beam of 6 feet, making it easy to handle and maneuver in the water.

It is known for its stability and seaworthiness, so it is an excellent choice for sailors of all skill levels. The boat's classic lines and wooden construction make it a timeless beauty that is sure to turn heads on the water. A new Herreshoff 12 1/2 is around $15,000 - $25,000.

3. The Cape Dory Typhoon is a wooden sailboat perfect for cruising or day sailing

The Cape Dory Typhoon is a small boat, measuring just 18 feet in length, but it is surprisingly spacious and comfortable. It has a roomy cockpit that can accommodate up to four people and a cozy cabin that provides shelter and storage for overnight trips.

The boat is designed to be easily handled by one or two people, making it an ideal choice for solo sailors or couples. It is also built from high-quality materials, including hand-laid fiberglass and marine-grade plywood.

The hull is reinforced with a fiberglass mat, which adds strength and durability. The boat's rigging is also well-designed, with a simple and efficient sail plan that allows for easy handling and good performance in a variety of conditions. The estimated cost of a Cape Dory Typhoon is $10,000 - $20,000

4. The Chesapeake Light Craft Northeaster Dory is a beautiful wooden sailboat

The Chesapeake Light Craft Northeaster Dory is a classic wooden sailboat that is both beautiful and functional. It is a traditional design that has been used for centuries by fishermen and sailors, and it is known for its stability and seaworthiness.

This boat is versatile and can be used for a variety of purposes, including fishing, cruising, and racing. It is made of high-quality marine plywood and epoxy, which makes it strong and durable. The estimated price of a new Chesapeake Light Craft Northeaster Dory is around $5,000 - $10,000.

5. Nutshell Pram is a small wooden sailboat

Nutshell Pram is a small, lightweight boat perfect for a variety of uses, including rowing, sailing, and motoring. It has a classic, beautiful, and functional design and is known also for its stability and ease of use.

The Nutshell Pram is typically built using marine plywood and epoxy, which makes it strong and durable while also keeping it lightweight. The boat is designed to be easy to build, even for those with limited woodworking experience, and it can be customized to suit the needs and preferences of the owner.

If you're looking at building a sailboat, here's how much it can cost you.

This boat is also highly portable so it is easy to transport to different bodies of water or to store when not in use. The estimated cost for this sailboat is around $5,000 - $10,000.

6. The Eric is a sloop-rigged wooden sailboat

The Eric is a classic wooden sailboat designed in the 1930s by William Atkin, a renowned naval architect who specialized in designing sailboats. It is a sloop-rigged sailboat - having a single mast with a mainsail and a jib.

The Eric's 32-foot length makes it a great size for cruising or racing, and its spacious interior can comfortably accommodate up to six people. It has a full galley, a head, and plenty of storage space which makes it a great choice for extended sailing trips.

While the Eric is a classic design, it's still a popular choice among sailors today, costing anywhere from $10,000 - $20,000.

7. The Concordia yawl is a favorite among enthusiasts of classic wooden boats

The Concordia Yawl was first designed by William Hand in 1938 and was built by Concordia Company in Massachusetts, USA. The yacht became famous for its excellent sailing performance, seaworthiness, and classic lines.

It has a full keel and a moderate displacement, which provides a smooth and stable ride even in rough seas. The yacht's rigging features a tall mast and a large sail area, which allows it to sail fast and efficiently.

Over the years, the Concordia Yawl has won numerous races and regattas, including the Newport-Bermuda Race, the Marblehead-to-Halifax Race, and the Chicago-Mackinac Race. The yacht's classic design and timeless beauty have also made it a favorite among collectors and enthusiasts of classic wooden boats. This sailboat is usually priced at $50,000 - $100,000.

8. Malabar II is a spacious wooden sailboat perfect for cruising

With a length of 38 feet, this boat is spacious and comfortable and can accommodate up to six people. It also has a sleek and elegant exterior design that's sure to turn heads out on the water. Its wooden construction gives it a classic look, while its modern features make it a practical choice for today's sailors.

The Malabar II is also known for its excellent performance, with a fast and stable ride that's perfect for both racing and cruising. It is highly sought after by sailing enthusiasts all over the world and costs around $50,000 - $100,000

9. Buzzards Bay 25 is another highly sought-after wooden sailboat

The Buzzards Bay 25 is a classic wooden sailboat designed by Nathanael Herreshoff in the early 1900s. It is a gaff-rigged sloop with a full keel and a displacement of around 6,000 pounds.

The hull of this boat is made of wood, and the deck is typically finished with teak or mahogany. The boat has a spacious cockpit and a comfortable cabin below deck, making it a great choice for weekend cruising or longer trips.

While original models of this boat are rare and expensive, costing around $50,000 - $100,000, there are several modern replicas and adaptations available that capture the spirit and beauty of the original design.

10. Sparkman & Stephens sloop is an elegantly designed wooden sailboat

The Sparkman & Stephens-designed sloop is a classic sailboat designed by the renowned naval architecture firm Sparkman & Stephens. The boat is 36 feet long and features a sleek, elegant design with a long waterline and moderate displacement.

The sloop rig is simple and efficient, consisting of a single mast with a mainsail and a headsail. The boat is well-suited for cruising and racing, with a comfortable interior and excellent sailing performance. The estimated cost for this wooden sailboat is around $50,000-$100,000.

11. The William Fife III Bermudan cutter is one of the most iconic sailing yachts

The William Fife III Bermuda Cutter is a classic sailing yacht designed by the famous Scottish yacht designer William Fife III. The yacht was built in 1910 and is considered one of the most beautiful and iconic sailing yachts ever built.

This boat features a tall, narrow rig with a triangular mainsail and jib, which allows the yacht to sail close to the wind and achieve high speeds. This design was built for Sir Ernest Roney, a wealthy British businessman, and was originally named "Mariquita". The yacht was used for racing and was very successful, winning many races in the UK and Europe.

After changing hands several times, the yacht was eventually restored in the 1990s and is now a popular attraction at sailing events and regattas around the world. This wooden sailing yacht costs around $100,000 - $200,000.

12. Sparkman & Stephens yawl is regarded as a classic and timeless design

One famous design of the company Sparkman & Stephens is their yawl, which is a type of sailing yacht that features two masts, with the aft mast being shorter than the forward mast. This design provides a number of advantages, including better balance and maneuverability, as well as improved sail handling.

It was first introduced in the 1930s and quickly became popular among sailors who appreciated its elegant lines and excellent sailing performance. Over the years, many different versions of the yawl have been produced, each with its own unique features and characteristics. These wooden sailboats are priced around $500,000 - $1,000,000.

13. William Fife III's gaff cutter is considered a classic of the sailing world

The William Fife III Gaff Cutter is a classic sailing yacht designed by the renowned Scottish yacht designer William Fife III. It was built in 1905 for the wealthy Scottish yachtsman James Paton, and was originally named "Mignonette."

The yacht is 23.2 meters long and has a beam of 4.2 meters. It is constructed of wood and has a sleek, elegant design that is typical of Fife's work.

The William Fife III Gaff Cutter was used for racing and cruising by Paton and his family for many years and was later sold to a number of other owners. In the 1960s, the yacht was purchased by the famous British yachtsman Uffa Fox, who restored it to its original condition and sailed it in a number of regattas.

Today, the William Fife III Gaff Cutter is considered a classic of the sailing world and is highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. The estimated price for this sailboat is around $1,000,000 - $5,000,000.

14. William Fife's schooner is one of the most expensive wooden sailboats

The William Fife III Schooner, also known as the "Adventuress" was built in 1913 for the American businessman John Borden II. It is a 32-meter (133-foot) wooden schooner with a beam of 6.4 meters (21 feet).

This boat is known for its elegant design and its history of environmental activism. After being used for racing and cruising by Borden and his family, the yacht was sold to a number of other owners and eventually fell into disrepair.

In the 1950s, it was purchased by the Seattle-based non-profit organization Sound Experience, which restored it to its former glory and used it as a platform for environmental education and advocacy.

Today, the "Adventuress" is still owned and operated by Sound Experience, and it continues to sail the waters of the Pacific Northwest, educating people about the importance of environmental stewardship and conservation. This wooden yacht is priced at $5,000,000 - $10,000,000.

15. The Atkin-designed Ingrid Ketch is a traditional wooden sailboat

Ingrid Ketch is a classic wooden sailboat that was first introduced in the 1960s. The boat was designed by William Atkin, a renowned naval architect who is known for his classic boat designs.

The Ingrid Ketch is a double-ended sailboat that is typically constructed from wood, although some later models have been built using fiberglass. The boat is known for its sturdy construction, excellent seaworthiness, and classic lines.

A well-maintained Ingrid Ketch in good condition could cost anywhere from $50,000 to over $200,000, depending on its age, condition, and location.

16. Shamrock V is a famous wooden sailboat used for racing

Shamrock V is a famous racing yacht that was built in 1930 for Sir Thomas Lipton's fifth and final America's Cup challenge. The yacht was designed by Nicholson and built by Camper and Nicholson in Gosport, England.

Shamrock V was a J-Class yacht, which was a type of racing yacht used in the America's Cup during the 1930s. The J-Class yachts were large, fast, and expensive, and were considered the pinnacle of yacht racing at the time.

This boat is 120 feet long and has a crew of 40, a sleek hull, and tall masts. Despite her impressive appearance, Shamrock V was not successful in the America's Cup and was later sold and changed hands several times.

She was eventually abandoned in a harbor in Ireland in the 1980s but was restored in the 1990s and is now a popular charter yacht.

17. Bluenose is a famous wooden schooner

Bluenose is a famous racing and fishing schooner that was built in 1921 in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada. The schooner was designed by William Roué and built by Smith and Rhuland.

Bluenose was originally built as a racing yacht, and quickly gained a reputation as one of the fastest and most competitive schooners in the world. She won the International Fishermen's Trophy, a prestigious sailing competition between the fishing fleets of Canada and the United States, for 17 consecutive years.

In addition to her racing success, it was also used as a fishing vessel and was renowned for her speed and efficiency in the harsh waters of the North Atlantic.


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