small sailboat names

75 Boat Names for a Small Boat (#50 is my Favorite!)

Have you just purchased a small boat and are now looking for a great name for it? Well, there’s no shortage of names for a small boat. The only question is, what does the boat mean to you and how much of that emotion you would like reflected in the boat’s name?

We’ve compiled a nice long list of names. You have classics like “Mermaid” and “Fisherman’s Dream” to modern ones like “Sea Fox” and “Turtle Cruiser”.

Fingers crossed, that you will find something in here that you’ll like.

Good luck with your new boat and happy sailing!

Fun Boat Names for a Small Boat

So, here are our 75 boat names for a small boat:

• Little Adventurer
• Wave Seeker
• Rip Tide Rebel
• Salty Sailor
• The Captain’s Wheel
• The Pearl Of The Ocean (or of the Lake if you prefer :-))
• Whitecaps Voyager
• Cruise Queen
• Wandering Spirit
• Island Explorer
• Waterbug Wonder
• Sailing Star
• Glitter Galleon
• Mermaid’s Dream
• Dolphin Rider
• Shark Chaser
• Surf Surfer
• Deep Blue Sea
• Sunset Sailer
• Cloud Chaser
• Summer Splash
• Sand Dollar
• Breeze Lover
• Swashbuckler
• Tiny Terror
• Little Leaky boat
• The Barge of Cuteness
• Tin Can boat
• Mini Marauder
• Saucy Siren
• Cute Cruiser
• Bubbly boat
• Mini Mermaid
• Puddle Pirate
• Lil’ Lunker
• Saltwater Sidekick
• Dinghy Darling
• Fisherman’s Dream
• Froggy boat
• Catch of the Day
• Happy Jaunt
• Sunny Skipper
• Tiny Trekker
• Salty Seashell
• Mighty Mite
• Mini Mariner
• Dreams Come True (my favorite!)
• Turtle Cruiser
• Floaty Flier
• Puddle Jumper
• Savannah Star
• Serene Serenity
• Little Lionfish
• Sea Sparkle
• Sunny Sailor
• Crazy Cruiser
• Star of the Sea
• Mighty Mini boat
• Misty Magician
• Anchored Heart
• Endless Horizon
• Courageous Journey
• Rivers of Life
• Mystic Voyage
• Floating Freedom
• Voyager Of Hope
• Distant Destination

We hope you liked one of the names on this list. If not, try out the names for a small fishing boat .

Whatever boat name you choose, make sure that it is meaningful to you and reflects the spirit of your boat. Happy sailing!

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Boat Names Australia

Design your own Boat Names Easily and Online

Small boat names for dinghies & cute crafts.

Most dinghies are cunning escape artists. Giving them a name won’t cure them of this annoying habit, but it will make them easier to find. And perhaps make it less likely that they are stolen. Use this escapism as an inspiration for your dinghy’s name, make a reference to your it’s size or hull material or, if you have a particularly strong outboard on the back, make a reference to its speed. Here’s a list with great Small Boat Names:

Small Boat Names List

WILFUL BILL NEW AGE BRAT  MUSSELS DANCER  MUNCHKIN  BANDIT  MUDFLAP  CHUG-A-LUG  SARGE IN CHARGE  HOT BETTY  PLANE FUN  REBEL GET WET  SQUIGGLES GUNGA DIN SALTY DOG DIRTY LAUNDRY  DAY TRIPPER INSUBORDINATE  TIKI TIN CAN THE LITTLE FELLOW  DAMN BOAT  FUDDLE DUCK  WHAT HAPPENED?  ROBOTE SLUG BARGE SWELL DANCER SEA YA TIN CAN  PEG LEG

BEACH BUM DR DOOLITTLE  ESCAPIST SPACE RECRUIT  SEE YA LATER  CRIKEY WET SPOT HOKEY POKEY  SKITE FORGET ME KNOT  BOOZ FERRY LATE FOR SMOKO  THE FLEA STINKY FEET  SASSY VEGEMITE  SEACRITTER  PUDDLE DUCK  PEANUT ROCK BOTTOM  ROUGHRIDER  SINKING FEELING  MIND GAMES TOY BOX  TIMBERTOY  EARTHLING NIT WIT JELLY BEAN  YABBIE  TAILWALKER  UNPLUGGED  BREAKAWAY

TROUBLE MAKER  SLUG LITTLE TIN SOLDIER  WHY OH WHY  DOT COM JUST LEFT LITTLE BUGGER  SCALLYWAG MOUSE BUFFY WILD DUCK WET NUTS SLUGGO  TANGLEFOOT TIDE TROTTER  AQUAHOLIC ARE WE THERE YET?  UNSINKABLE  ACTUAL SIZE  MONGREL PEDRO TAIL END CHARLIE  DAGWOOD RATBAG UPSTART SEA SQUIRT BUBBLE PUPPY  GANDOLPH  SMIDGEN OZZIE BATTLER  BARNACLE BREEDER BAD KID 

ILLOGICAL  IDLEVICE  SURFRIDER  SUNBUM GOTTA GET AWAY  GUPPY  TIRED TURTLE  TUGABOAT  PICANINNY  SQUIRTLE TEASER TA-KEEL-LA SIN OR SWIM  IMPULSIVE FOUR LETTER WORD  DINGBAT  GUZZLER  TADPOLE SEA SAW ON CALL  SMILEY  HOUDINI  BOUNCY BOAT  BABOO  SHAWOWLET  TOOTH FERRY  TIP-SEA  DILLY DALLY  GONE OVERBOARD  BADBOY SNEAKY PUFFIN

WATER RAT  BUFFY MOUSE  GUZZLER  GIGABYTE  TANTRUM  BARNACLE  BREEDER  TUFFY TINNY TAXI  SEA YOU LATER  SEA SQUIRT  BIGGLES  DIGIT SLOPPY JOE  SLIPPERY WHEN WER  NO BIG TING NAUTI BOUY  FERRYMAN BAR TENDER OUT OF CONTROL  HOPE IT FLOATS  TWO DOLLAR BILL  UNZIPPED SUNSPOT TUBTOY  TOWED-A-LOT  SEAWEED SEASICK TIDE ONE ON  KERMIT

GUPPY LOVE TINKER TOY UNIDENTIFIED FLOATING OBJECT  SLOOPY TENDER TINNY DUCKY SOMEBUDDY SWELL RIDER TEMPER TANTRUM TOUGH COOKIE SWEET ESCAPE SUNNY SIDE UP SLACKASS SUGAR JUDAS THE LINK DAGGY CRUMPLET SCAT MUPPET SWAGGIE TIN TACK MOBY DUCK DUNKER ALIEN COME BACK! ALL SHOOK UP LESS IS MORE GROG FERRY SMUDGE

WIMPY TROUBLE SHOOTER  TOY YOT SLIP AWAY RIVER RAT ‘LIL RIPPER DUCK SLOOP SEA RAT ROOKIE MY DING-A-LING  STUBBY SUNNY BABE TRIFLE TEASER UTILITY MISFIT SUNBUM SEA TOY SALT SHAKER  SQUIGGLE WHAT PLUG?  EVERWET  TAGALONG  UPSTART SPUTNIK OUT OF CONTROL  SPOILED BRAT  SIDE KICK DITTO  GOT WATER 

SUNNY JUST FOR THE HULL OF IT  HOKEY POKEY GOBLIN SEA ELF SWEPT AWAY ON THE ROCKS HOCUS POCUS SWAMPED WETBUTT TINYTANIC IN THE DRINK AMOST WORKS WET PATCH ESCAPIST COCKROACH TINLID  ONE FOR FUN  HALF PINT  LITTLE SPIRIT  ZIT  MOZZIE NUGGET POON GREEN FROG FATHEAD SLEIGH RIDE SLUGGO  BUDDY GIDDYUP ENUFFS ENUFF

Dinghies to match the Mother Vessel

Connecting your mothership to it’s tender by name is guaranteed to attract attention anywhere! You could use a name for your mother vessel that indicated a larger size such as MAGNITUDE and use a matching name for your dinghy that indicates the opposite, such as MINITUDE. Another option, to refer back to a previous idea, is to name the mother vessel after your wife and the tender after your child.

BEWITCHED & BEWILDERED  MAGNITUDE & MINITUDE BIG WOMAN & LITTLE WOMAN  GADGET & GIDGET  MEGABYTE & MINIBYTE  SKIPPER & FIRST MATE  BIG ALICE & LITTLE ALICE  FAT CAT & KITTEN BIG TOOT & LITTLE TOOT 

SEA DOG & SEA PUPPY FOOTLOOSE & FANCY FREE  NEPTUNE’S FOLLY & NEPTUNE’S DOLLY  ETERNAL & TIME AFTER TIME  MOTHER DUCK & DUCKLING  FLOTSAM & JETSAM COOL CHANGE & SMALL CHANGE BIG BOTE & LIL’ BOTE 

Didn’t quite find what you were looking for in our small boat names list? Have a look at our other boat names ideas .

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1501 Unique Boat Name Ideas (By Type of Boat & Style)

Welcome to our captivating guide on unique boat names!

Whether you are a new boat owner or a seasoned salty dog, rest assured there is a clever boat name on this list just for you.

In this blog post, we’ve curated a handpicked selection of creative boat name ideas, categorized by type of boat and boating style.

From catchy alliterations to nautical terminology, we’ve got you covered!

Table of Contents

Center console boat names, deep sea fishing boat names, pontoon boat names, flats skiff boat names, bass boat names, sailboat names, dive boat names, small boat names, boat names for retirees, ski boat names, houseboat names, drinking boat names, gangster boat names, peaceful boat names, witty boat names, final thoughts.

• Ocean Screamer
• Sea Serpent
• Island Hopper
• Cooler Horizons
• Marlin Thunder
• Coastal Cruiser
• Sailfish Express
• Saltwater Bandit
• Neptune’s Fury
• Starboard Dream
• Captain’s Pride
• Midnight Marauder
• Seafarer’s Delight
• Reel Escape
• Coral Dancer
• Breakwater Cowboy
• Tidal Surge
• Pelagic Pursuit
• Bluewater Castaway
• Trophy Taker
• Aqua Vortex
• Cast and Cruise
• Storm Chaser
• Island Explorer
• Angler’s Haven
• Bluewater Bandit
• Fisherman’s Delight
• Deep-Vee Ninja
• Marlin Magic
• Nautical Nymph
• Harbor Hawk
• Seashell Symphony
• Reef Runner
• Wave Breaker
• Coastal Conqueror
• Oceanic Oasis
• Skipper’s Pride
• Island Serenade
• Driftwood At Sea
• Saltwater Sonata
• More Outboard
• Mariner’s Delight
• Bluefin Beauty
• Castaway’s Choice
• Bay Breeze Bandit
• Captain’s Crest
• Sunset Sailor
• Coastal Captain
• Reel Adventure
• Aquatic Aura
• Midnight Voyager
• Seafarer’s Treasure
• Starboard Serenity
• Sea Whisperer
• Marlin Majesty
• Cast and Reel
• Ocean Odyssey
• Trophy Tracker
• Castaway’s Retreat
• Storm Rider
• Island Paradise
• Angler’s Escape
• Bluewater Bliss
• Fisherman’s Fantasy
• T-Top & Tipsy
• Marlin Mania
• Nautical Nirvana
• Harbor Hero
• Seashore Symphony
• Reef Roamer
• Coastal Crusader
• Fin Chasers
• Ocean Wanderer
• Skipper’s Serenade
• Island Spirit
• Driftwood Dreams
• Aqua Discovery
• Fisherman’s Friend
• Her Sea Spell
• Saltwater Soliloquy
• Tidal Treasure

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• Aqua Angler
• Marlin Maverick
• Deep Sea Discovery
• Fisherman’s Haven
• Saltwater Serenade
• Wave Whisperer
• Sailfish Slayer
• Big Game Hunter
• Offshore Outlaw
• Trophy Trawler
• Deepwater Delight
• Kingfisher’s Pride
• Wahoo Warrior
• Mahi Madness
• Sailfish Seeker
• Bluewater Conqueror
• Swordfish Sovereign
• Oceanic Dreamer
• Fish Whisperer
• Reel Venture
• Deep Blue Destiny
• Saltwater Symphony
• Mighty Mariner
• Offshore Obsidian
• Hooked Horizon
• Aqua Assault
• Driftwood Dasher
• Sailfisher’s Legacy
• Reel Thrills
• Seafarer’s Serendipity
• Deepwater Destiny
• Kingfish Conqueror
• Marlin Muse
• Sailfisher’s Quest
• Aqua Bounty
• Offshore Enigma
• Castaway Captain
• Reel Endeavor
• Wave Walker
• Tidal Triumph
• Oceanic Pursuit
• Swordfish Sentinel
• Reel Expeditions
• Coral Catcher
• Offshore Odyssey
• Sailfisher’s Glory
• Deep Sea Dominion
• Fisherman’s Fortune
• Reel Pursuit
• Oceanic Rhapsody

• Aqua Lounge
• Serene Waters
• Float and Chill
• Sunset Serenade
• Paradise Pontoon
• Happy Harbor
• Pontoona Lisa
• Captain’s Retreat
• Pontoon Party
• Nautical Escape
• Tranquil Tides
• Sun-Kissed Serenity
• Castaway Cove
• Pontoony Paradise
• Anchor’s Away
• Leisure Cruiser
• Serenity Seeker
• Sunset Soiree
• Harbor Haven
• Pontoon Princess
• Aqua Escapade
• Floating Fun
• Relaxation Station
• Pleasure Pontoon
• Sunset Cruise
• Pontoonsaurus
• Sail and Sip
• Lakeside Lounge
• Tranquil Retreat
• Party Pontoon
• Captain’s Quarters
• Wave Wanderer
• Pontoon Paradise
• Bayside Bliss
• Sun-Kissed Escape
• Castaway Comfort
• Pontoony Perfection
• Anchor’s Haven
• Leisure Lagoon
• Driftwood Delight
• Serenity Spot
• Sunset Sail
• Harbor Hideaway
• Pontoon Pizzazz
• Aqua Adventure
• Floating Oasis
• Relaxation Resort
• Pleasure Paddle
• Sunset Symphony
• Pontoons of Fun
• Sail and Chill
• Lakeside Serenade
• Tranquil Waters
• Float and Explore
• Party Haven
• Captain’s Hideout
• Wave Whispers
• Pontoon Pleasure
• Bayside Breeze
• Sun-Kissed Haven
• Pontoony Playland
• Anchor’s Paradise
• Leisure Lake
• Driftwood Daze
• Serene Spot
• Sunset Serenity
• Harbor Hangout
• Pontoon Party Zone
• Floating Paradise
• Relaxation Retreat
• Pleasure Perch
• Sunset Sailors
• Lake Dreamer
• Pontoonscape
• Sail and Relax
• Lakeside Bliss
• Tranquil Escape
• Float and Discover
• Party Central
• Aqua Allure
• Captain’s Cove
• Wave Watcher
• Pontoon Perfection
• Bayside Beauty
• Sun-Kissed Hideaway
• Pontoony Playground

See Also: Deck Boat vs Pontoon Boat, Pros and Cons Explained!

• Shallow Runner
• Skinny Water Runner
• Master Skiffer
• Marsh Seeker
• Mangrove Shadow
• Skiff Scout
• Saltwater Stalker
• The Poling Bandit
• Marsh Maverick
• Skimmer Drifter
• Silent Stalker
• Staying Skinny
• Shallow Grave
• Sandbar Slinger
• Skiff Whisperer
• Salt Marsh Sniper
• Skinny Minnow
• Flats Flyer
• Marsh Strider
• Backwater Bandit
• Shoal Skipper
• Stealthy Slayer
• Flats Phantom
• Low Tide Lurker
• Skinny Dipper
• Shallow Secrets
• Mangrove Magic
• Skiff Sleuth
• Marsh Marauder
• Stalk and Strike
• Skimpy Skiff
• Backcountry Beauty
• Flats Ninja
• Skinny Splasher
• Shallow Raider
• Sandbar Shadow
• Skiff Serenade
• Salt Marsh Marauder
• Skinny Runner
• Flats N Tails
• Skiff Skater
• Backwater Bounty
• Shoal Snatcher
• Stealthy Striker
• Skiff Sentinel
• Skinny Dreams
• Shallow Glide
• Mangrove Mayhem
• Skiff Sleek
• Marsh Poler
• Flatline Express
• Stalk and Slay
• Skim and Seek
• Backcountry Blazer
• Silent Glide
• Skinny Ripple
• Shallow Chaser
• Sandbar Surge
• Skiff Whisper
• Salt Marsh Slayer
• Skinny Escape
• Skiff Strider
• Low Tide Trawler
• Stealth Seeker
• Marsh Ripple
• Flatline Navigator
• Stalk and Sneak
• Skimpy Skimmer
• Backwater Brave
• Silent Prowler
• Skinny Navigator
• Shallow Sprinter
• Sandbar Sniper
• Skiff Seeker
• Skinny Sailor
• Flats Adventurer
• Low Tide Tracker
• Stealthy Hunter
• Mangrove Mariner
• Marsh Maneuverer
• Flatline Voyager
• Stalk and Stash
• Skim and Explore
• Backcountry Explorer

• Reel Trouble
• Bassin’ Buggy
• Lure N’ Loony
• Hooked on Thumps
• The Fin Commander
• Bass-O-Matic
• Tackle Box Hero
• Master of Bassceremony
• The Bass Busterz
• Bass in Class
• Gone Fishin’
• Speedy McCoy
• Bass Ackwards
• The Lunker Launcher
• Hook, Line, and Sinker
• Bass Invader
• Reel Genius
• Livin’ on the Line
• Lunker Loveboat
• Fishin’ Magician
• Bass Bandit
• Reel Rascal
• Bass-a-thon
• The Bass Boss
• Fishin’ Frenzy
• Bass on the Brain
• The Bass Whisperer
• Castin’ Chaos
• Bass Bucket
• Reel Enthusiast
• The Bass Blaster
• Sore Thumb Bassin’
• Bass in Show
• Reel and Rock
• Bass Brawler
• Bass-O-Mania
• Reel Jester
• Lure Lunatic
• The Bass-fin-atic
• Fishin’ Fanatic
• Bass Brigade
• Bass Bossanova
• Lure Lyricist
• Reel Thriller
• Castin’ Craziness
• Bass Mastermind
• The Bass Buffoon
• Fishin’ Fiesta
• Bass in the Fast Lane
• Reel Wizard
• Bass Bandito
• Castin’ Comedian
• Bass-O-Rama
• Fishin’ Freak
• Bass Bonanza
• Reel Renegade
• The Lure Magician
• Castin’ Clown
• The Bassinator
• The Bass Bluffer
• Hooked on Humor
• Bassin’ Bonanza
• Reel and Rhythm
• Topwater Bandit
• The Lure Lover

• Serene Horizon Sailor
• Wind Whisperer Vessel
• Sailing Solace Seeker
• Coastal Dream Catcher
• Tranquil Sea Explorer
• Oceanic Breeze Surfer
• Island Wanderer’s Quest
• Majestic Wave Cruiser
• Mariner’s Serenade Song
• Nautical Haven Haven
• Sea Spray Odyssey
• Azure Sky Navigator
• Seafarer’s Passage Escape
• Gentle Current Drifter
• Aquatic Journey’s End
• Sail Away Paradise
• Mermaid’s Melody Echo
• Salty Air Discovery
• Captain’s Log Adventure
• Tidal Harmony Seeker
• Sails of Serenity
• Coastal Bliss Seeker
• Whispering Winds Explorer
• Maritime Wonder Quest
• Wave Rider’s Delight
• Island Retreat Paradise
• Seagull’s Song Chaser
• Ocean Odyssey Quest
• Nautical Tales Unfold
• Sunset Sailor’s Dream
• Coastal Charm Seeker
• Tranquil Waters Journey
• Sailors’ Delight
• Oceanic Zen Escape
• Sea Breeze Haven
• Mariner’s Muse Expedition
• Sailing into Sunset
• Seaside Serenade Escape
• Captain’s Logbook Discovery
• Aquatic Symphony Sojourn
• Voyage to Freedom
• Mermaid’s Call Echo
• Salty Air Soiree
• Windward Journey’s End
• Sail Away Bliss
• Coastal Wanderlust Quest
• Whispering Waves Explorer
• Maritime Escapade
• Wave Dancer’s Delight
• Island Enchantment Paradise
• Seagull’s Flight Chaser
• Oceanic Discovery Quest
• Nautical Tales Unveiled
• Sunset Serenity Dream
• Coastal Wonder Seeker
• Tranquil Sailing Expedition
• Sailors’ Haven
• Ocean Retreat Escape
• Sea Mist Oasis
• Mariner’s Dream Journey
• Sailing Reflections
• Seaside Escape Seeker
• Aquatic Harmony Voyage
• Voyage to Serenity
• Mermaid’s Whisper Echo
• Salty Air Celebration
• Windward Wanderer’s End
• Sail Away Tranquility
• Coastal Serenade Sojourn
• Whispering Tides Explorer
• Maritime Magic Quest
• Wave Catcher’s Delight
• Island Paradise Haven
• Seagull’s Flight Chase
• Oceanic Bliss Expedition
• Nautical Tales Unraveled
• Sunset Sail Dream
• Tranquil Waters Expedition
• Sailors’ Sanctuary
• Sea Breeze Oasis
• Mariner’s Odyssey
• Sailing Journeys Unfold
• Seaside Serenity Escape
• Captain’s Logbook Adventure
• Aquatic Symphony Voyage
• Voyage to Bliss
• Mermaid’s Song Echo
• Salty Air Sojourn
• Sail Away Wonder
• Coastal Wanderer’s Quest
• Abyss Explorer
• Submerge Serenade
• Deep Dive Dream
• Aqua Thunder
• Dive Discovery
• Subaquatic Symphony
• Dive Unlimited
• Oceanic Odyssey
• Submerge and Seek
• Dive Delight
• Underwater Wonder
• Submerged Secrets
• Dive Nirvana
• Deep Blue Diverz
• Submersible Serenity
• Dive Excursion
• Aquatic Treasures
• Submerge Bliss
• Dive Inquisition
• Subaquatic Delight
• Dive Xplorer
• Underwater Oasis
• Submerged Escapade
• Dive Quester
• Oceanic Dreamscape
• Submerge Wonder
• Dive Thrills, No Chills
• Deep Diver’s Delight
• Subaquatic Serenade
• Underwater Odyssey
• Submerged Symphony
• Dive Expedition
• Aqua Seeker
• Submerge and Discover
• Dive Enigma
• Deep Blue Paradise
• Submersible Solitude
• Dive Paradise
• Underwater Wonders
• Submerge Quest
• Deep Sea Explorer
• Subaquatic Bliss
• Aquatic Realm
• Submerged Journey
• Dive Reefer
• Oceanic Adventure
• Underwater Sanctuary
• Dive Voyage
• Deep Discovery
• Submersible Sojourn
• Dive Thrills
• Aqua Enigma
• Underwater Expedition
• Snorkel Quester
• Deep Blue Quest
• Underwater Haven
• Submerge and Explore
• Dive Enchantment
• Aqua Secrets
• Submerged Solace
• Deep Sea Adventure
• Submersible Journey
• Aquatic Escape
• Underwater Paradise
• Submerged Wonders
• Dive Seeker
• Oceanic Discovery
• Submerge Serenity
• Dive Voyager
• Deep Blue Escape
• Subaquatic Tranquility
• Croal Thrills
• Reef Unlimited
• Deep Sea Pursuit
• Submersible Bliss
• Submerge and Delve

• Itty Bitty Boaty
• Pint-Sized Sailor
• Tiny Trawler
• Micro Mariner
• Mini Cruiser
• Lilliputian Launch
• Pocket Pontoon
• Petite Paddler
• Teeny Sailer
• Nano Navigator
• Fun-Size Fisherman
• Dinky Dinghy
• Minnow Mate
• Diminutive Drifter
• Peewee Paddleboat
• Wee Watercraft
• Little Skipper
• Miniature Maritime
• Shrimp Ship
• Compact Captain
• Midget Mariner
• Subcompact Sailor
• Lilliput Launch
• Pint-Sized Pontoon
• Tiny Tugboat
• Miniature Cruiser
• Diminutive Dinghy
• Itty Bitty Barge
• Teeny-Weeny Yacht
• Fun-Size Float
• Pocket-Sized Paddler
• Petite Pirate
• Lilliputian Lifesaver
• Mini Mariner
• Dinky Deckhand
• Minnow Mover
• Diminutive Duck
• Peewee Pontoony
• Wee Water Warrior
• Little Lighthouse
• Micro Mermaid
• Shrimp Skiff
• Pint-Sized Pedaler
• Subcompact Seafarer
• Lilliputian Lifeguard
• Pint-Sized Paddleboat
• Itty Bitty Buoy
• Teeny Trawler
• Fun-Size Fisher
• Pocket Pirate
• Petite Pontoon
• Minnow Mariner
• Wee Water Whaler
• Little Lobster
• Micro Mooring
• Compact Cruiser
• Shrimp Schooner
• Pint-Sized Skipper
• Tiny Tender
• Lilliputian Lighthouse
• Pint-Sized Paddler
• Itty Bitty Bass Boat
• Petite Pirate Ship
• Nano Nautical
• Miniature Mariner
• Minnow Matey
• Little Lifeboat
• Shrimp Skimmer
• Subcompact Skipper
• Itty Bitty Kayak
• Pocket Paddler
• Dinky Docker

See Also: Carolina Skiff vs Jon Boat, A Small Boat Comparison

• Relaxation Retreats
• Cash Out, Anchors Up
• Boss Leisure Liner
• Sunset Voyager
• Golden Horizon
• Sail into Sunset
• Retirement Rambler
• Calm Currents
• Endless Journey
• Forever Freedom
• Bonds Dreamboat
• Golden Years Yacht
• Easy Breezy
• Retirement Oasis
• Sail Away in Style
• Timeless Cruiser
• Serenade of Sails
• Restful Ripples
• Time To Play
• Paradise Navigator
• Seafaring Serenity
• Retirement Escape
• Harmony on the Waves
• Blissful Breeze
• Tranquility Afloat
• Forever Vacation
• Gentle Seas
• Serene Skipper
• Sunset Sailaway
• Bitcoin Passage
• Retirement Rhapsody
• Seaside Serenade
• Leisurely Liner
• Pension Paddler
• Calm Waters
• Endless Exploration
• Golden Getaway
• Dreamy Sailboat
• Golden Years Galore
• Easygoing Escapade
• Retirement Haven
• Nautical Tranquility
• Sail in Style
• Timeless Traveler
• Serenade of Solitude
• Restful Retreat
• Paradise Explorer
• Captain’s Pension
• Seafarer’s Haven
• Retirement Delight
• Harmony on the High Seas
• Blissful Cruise
• Forever Serenade
• Sail into Relaxation
• Timeless Voyager
• Cashed Out, Maxed Out
• Sunset Seclusion
• Peaceful Paddles
• Retirement Odyssey
• Seaside Symphony
• Leisurely Journey
• Sunset Tranquility
• Endless Serenity
• Golden Escape
• Dreamboat Delight
• Golden Years Yachting
• Easygoing Excursion
• Retirement Paradise
• Nautical Bliss
• Sail in Serenity
• Timeless Seafarer
• Serenade of Sunsets
• Restful Regatta
• Sunset Sojourns
• Bitcoin Paradise
• Captain’s Delight
• Seafarer’s Serenade
• Retirement Passage
• Harmony at Sea
• Blissful Boating
• Tranquil Cruises
• Forever Sailing
• Sail into Retirement
• Timeless Tranquility
• Serene Sojourns
• Cryto Harbor
• Peaceful Pleasures
• Crypto Navigator
• Seaside Escapes
• Leisurely Seafaring
• Sunset Retreat
• Calm Waters Ahead
• Endless Relaxation

• Wake Thrasher Express
• Aqua Glide Master
• Ski Soaring Serenity
• Boarding Bliss Journey
• Wake Crush Phenomenon
• Aqua Shredder Delight
• Ski Dash Adventure
• Wake Warrior’s Quest
• Board Surge Paradise
• Glide and Fly Escape
• Ski Velocity Voyage
• Wake Carve Excursion
• Aqua Airborne Symphony
• Boarding Rush Explorer
• Glide’s Serenade Retreat
• Ski Wave Rider
• Wake Jam Thrill
• Boarding Euphoria Bliss
• Aqua Carve Delight
• Ski Stunt Expedition
• Wake Blast Adventure
• Boarding Havoc Haven
• Glide’s Escape Quest
• Ski Velocity Surge
• Wake Crush Sojourn
• Aqua Airborne Delight
• Boarding Rush Retreat
• Glide and Fly Journey
• Ski Thrasher’s Quest
• Wake Warrior’s Paradise
• Boarding Surge Expedition
• Aqua Dash Adventure
• Ski Shred Symphony
• Wake Carve Thrill
• Boarding Bliss Escape
• Glide and Fly Retreat
• Aqua Soaring Serenity
• Ski Dash Excursion
• Wake Crush Voyage
• Boarding Phenomenon Haven
• Glide’s Thrill Retreat
• Ski Wave Escape
• Wake Jam Adventure
• Boarding Euphoria Quest
• Aqua Carve Serenade
• Ski Stunt Haven
• Wake Blast Voyage
• Boarding Havoc Excursion
• Glide’s Escape Serenity
• Ski Velocity Rider
• Wake Crush Expedition
• Boarding Rush Sojourn
• Ski Thrasher’s Paradise
• Wake Warrior’s Expedition
• Boarding Surge Delight
• Aqua Dash Serenade
• Ski Shred Excursion
• Boarding Bliss Haven
• Aqua Soaring Quest
• Wake Crush Symphony
• Boarding Phenomenon Escape
• Glide’s Thrill Journey
• Ski Wave Serenity
• Wake Jam Excursion
• Boarding Euphoria Voyage
• Aqua Carve Escape
• Ski Stunt Thrill
• Wake Blast Sojourn
• Boarding Havoc Serenade
• Glide’s Escape Adventure
• Aqua Velocity Journey
• Ski Thrasher’s Delight
• Wake Warrior’s Retreat
• Boarding Surge Quest
• Aqua Dash Excursion
• Ski Shred Serenade
• Aqua Soaring Expedition
• Ski Dash Paradise

• Serene Haven
• Dads Aqua Retreat
• Lakeside Oasis
• Sunset Paradise
• My Floating Dreams
• Nautical Nook
• River Reflections
• Seaside Serenity
• Peaceful Port
• Anchor’s Rest
• Cove Cottage
• Houseboat Harmony
• Waterfront Bliss
• Lake Escape
• Coastal Cabana
• Riverboat Refuge
• Island Haven Magic
• Marina Magic
• Shoreline Sanctuary
• Aquatic Abode
• Harbor Hues
• Lighthouse Lodge
• Sail and Stay
• Dockside Delight
• Lakeshore Living
• River Rendezvous
• Sea Mist Manor
• Serenity on the Waves
• Floating Retreat
• Nautical Nest
• Tranquil Tidehouse
• Aqua Hideout
• Coastal Comfort
• Riverfront Refuge
• Island Retreat
• Marina Mirage
• Bayview Bliss
• Shoreline Villa
• Harbor Homestead
• Lighthouse Oasis
• Dockside Digs
• Lakeside Lodge
• River Reflection
• Sea Song Sanctuary
• Peaceful Pier
• Anchor’s Adrift
• Houseboat Haven
• Waterfront Wonder
• Lakefront Escape
• Coastal Cabin
• Riverboat Respite
• Island Oasis
• Marina Retreat
• Captain’s Castle
• Baywatch Bungalow
• Shoreline Serenade
• Aquatic Asylum
• Harbor Hideout
• Lighthouse Living
• Sail Away Stay
• Dockside Dwelling
• Lakeshore Haven
• River Romance
• Sea Spirit Sanctuary
• Serene Sojourn
• Floating Fantasy
• Nautical Niche
• Tranquil Waterhouse
• Coastal Cottage
• Riverfront Haven
• Island Hideaway
• Bay Bungalow
• Shoreline Shelter
• Aquatic Haven
• Harbor Home
• Lighthouse Loft
• Sailors’ Serenity
• Lakeshore Lodge
• River Retreat
• Sea Spray Sanctuary
• Peaceful Portico
• Cove Retreat
• Houseboat Hideaway
• Lakeview Lodge

• Tequila Sunrise
• Beers for Fears
• Foam-N-Fins
• Beer in Headlights
• Beerly Departed
• Beerly Legal
• Drunken Dinghy
• Party Paddleboat
• Tipsy Titanic
• Cocktail Craft
• Tipsy Tideboat
• Tequila Tub
• Cheers to the Captainship
• Mojito Master
• Tipsy Trawler
• Gin and Jib
• Drunk Duck Dinghy
• Happy Hours
• Champagne Cruiser
• Boozy Brigantine
• Margarita Mariner
• Drunken Driftboat
• Whiskey Wake
• Cheers and Waves
• Beer Breeze
• Drunken Dreamboat
• Pint Paddleboat
• Beerly There
• Rum Runner’s Revenge
• Buccaneer’s Booze Barge
• Captain Drunkbeard’s Grog Galley
• Tipsy Treasure Hunter
• Mates and Mugs
• Pirate’s Pint
• Ship of Sips
• The Jolly Drunkard
• Sailing Spirits
• Rum-filled Raider
• Grog and Gold
• Captain’s Cup of Cheer
• Plunder and Pints
• Boozy Blackbeard
• Rum-soaked Rascal
• Drunken Dagger
• Tipsy Cutlass
• Pirate’s Port of Pints
• Shipwrecked Spirits
• Captain’s Keg
• Groggy Galleon
• Swashbuckler’s Sip
• Drunken Sail
• Rum-infused Raider
• Buccaneer’s Brew
• Captain’s Cove of Cheer
• Tipsy Treasure Trove
• Grog and Galleys
• Pirate’s Party Plank
• Tipsy Tides
• Rum-soaked Rover
• Drunken Scallywag
• Tipsy Tricorn
• Buccaneer’s Bar
• Captain’s Cask of Cheer
• Groggy Buccaneers
• Pirate’s Pub
• Ship of Swigs
• Rum-fueled Raider
• Drunken Doubloon
• Captain’s Cove of Cocktails
• Grog and Goblets
• Pirate’s Pint of Plunder
• Tipsy Tallship
• Rum-swilling Scallywag
• Buccaneer’s Bottle
• Captain’s Cask of Celebration
• Groggy Crew
• Whiskey Waves
• The Whiskey Sailor
• Tipsy Whiskey
• Whiskey Breeze
• Smooth Whiskey
• Whiskey Voyager
• Whiskey Sunset
• Whiskey Mist
• Driftwood Whiskey
• Whiskey Dreams
• Whiskey Serenade
• Whiskey Tide
• Whiskey Galore
• Whiskey Destiny
• Whiskey Whispers
• Whiskey Magic
• Thug Life Cruiser
• G-Funk Galore
• Rap Renegade
• Gangsta Galleon
• Hip-Hop Hustler
• Money Makin’ Yacht
• Rhythm Raider
• Bling Bling Barge
• Dope Dealer Dinghy
• Pimped Out Pontoon
• Rhyme Syndicate Ship
• Gangster’s Gondola
• Street Cred Schooner
• Rap King’s Yacht
• Ghetto Fabulous Ferry
• Mic Drop Motorboat
• Cash Flow Catamaran
• Thug Life Trawler
• Gangsta Glide
• Hip-Hop Harbor Cruiser
• Hustler’s Haven
• Rhyme Boss Barge
• Rap Dynasty Dinghy
• Gangster’s Galley
• Bling Bling Boat
• Dope Dealer’s Delight
• Pimped Out Paddleboat
• Rhyme City Raft
• Street Swagger Sailboat
• Rap Mogul’s Yacht
• Ghetto Blaster Barge
• Mic Check Motorboat
• Money Maker’s Mariner
• Thug Life Tugboat
• Gangsta Gondola
• Hip-Hop Hideaway
• Rhyme Riot Raft
• Gangster’s Galleon
• Bling Bling Battleship
• Dope Dealer’s Dhow
• Pimped Out Party Pontoon
• Rap Game Regatta
• Street Savvy Sloop
• Rhyme Ruler’s Yacht
• Ghetto Fabulous Frigate
• Mic Drop Megayacht
• Thug Life Trimaran
• Gangsta Gunboat
• Hip-Hop Hangout
• Hustler’s Houseboat
• Rhyme Syndicate Sloop
• Rap King’s Kayak

• Serene Seascape
• Harmony Horizon
• Peaceful Sail
• Gentle Breeze
• Serenity Bay
• Quiet Mariner
• Tranquility Cove
• Still Water Seeking
• Serene Sailing
• Peaceful Passage
• Harbor Harmony
• Calm Voyager
• Serenity at Sea
• Gentle Wave
• Tranquil Anchor
• Peaceful Tides
• Quiet Navigator
• Harmony Haven
• Serene Shoreline
• Barefoot Captain
• Peaceful Drift
• Tranquility Seeker
• Stillness Sails
• Serene Waterscape
• Gentle Seafarer
• Harmony Yacht
• Peaceful Haven
• Calm Horizons
• Serenity Sailor
• Tranquil Passage
• Serene Mariner
• Peaceful Harbor
• Gentle Hands
• Calm Waterways
• Serenity Navigator
• Tranquil Wave
• Peaceful Breeze
• Quiet Oasis
• Harmony Vessel
• Serene Anchor
• Following Seafarer
• Peaceful Journey
• Gentle Sailing
• Still Waters
• Calm Captain
• Calm Horizon
• Gentle Cruise
• Calm Seafarer
• Knot So Fast
• Buoyant Wit
• Aye Aye, Captain Pun
• Sea-Nile Delight
• Boaty McBoatface
• Deck-Adence
• Sail La Vie
• Ship Happens
• Reel-y Awesome
• Anchors Aweigh, Puns Ahoy!
• Yacht-ical Jokes
• Puns & Giggles
• Nauti by Nature
• Buoy Oh Buoy
• Sea-Rious Business
• Ship for Brains
• Fish and Quips
• Knot Your Average Boat
• Shipshape Shenanigans
• A Boat Time
• Puns of Steel
• The Salty Pundit
• Floats Your Boat
• Ship of Fools
• Sail of Approval
• Boatload of Laughs
• Nautical Nonsense
• Aquatic Antics
• Knot Kidding
• Ship ‘n’ Giggles
• The Punderful Journey
• Fishin’ for Puns
• Sea-Sational Wordplay
• Boatstrous Puns
• Punder the Sea
• Reel Deal Humor
• Sailors and Jesters
• Floats and Jokes
• Knotical Capers
• Ship Outta Luck
• Witty Waters
• Laughin’ Tides
• Shipload of Puns
• Mariner’s Merriment
• Captain Pun-tastic
• Boat Bits and Peculiar Quips
• Ahoy Matey, Punny Sailing Ahead!
• Ship and Jest
• Reel-y Fishy Puns
• Laugh-A-Buoy
• The Pun-Derful Yacht
• Nauti Humor
• Aquatic Witfits
• Puntastic Sailing
• The Laughing Buoy
• Shipper’s Delight
• Jokes Ahoy!
• Punny Shipmates
• Seas the Puns
• Boatloads of Fun
• The Punster’s Vessel
• Nautical Nonsenses
• Aquaholics Anonymous
• Ship Happily Ever After
• Punny Sailor’s Delight
• Laughter Afloat
• Knot So Serious
• The Punboat
• Floatin’ Funnies
• Puntastic Voyage
• Sailin’ Chuckles
• The Hilarious Hull
• Shipwrecked with Laughter
• Buoyant Banter
• Reel Wit Express
• The Laughing Sail
• Shipload of Chuckles
• Witty Waterscape
• Punny Portside
• The Funny Flotilla
• Nauti Quips
• Ahoy Hilarity!
• Shipshape Humor
• Floatin’ Puns
• The Punderful Vessel
• Laughin’ Lighthouse
• Sailin’ Jest
• The Puntastic Cruise
• Nautical Giggles
• Punny Waves
• Reel Puns Galore
• Chuckle Captain
• Buoyant Jokes
• The Pun-Tastic Yacht
• Wavin’ To My Haters

Do’s and Don’ts

Here are some key do’s and don’ts to consider when choosing a name for a boat:

• Do make it personal: Choose a boat name that reflects your personality, interests, or something meaningful to you.
• Do consider the boat’s purpose: Think about the primary use of the boat and choose a name that aligns with it.
• Do keep it short and easy to pronounce: A concise and clear name is memorable and easy for others to understand.
• Do choose a unique name: Stand out from the crowd by selecting a boat name that is distinctive and not commonly used.
• Do consider nautical or boating themes: Incorporate elements related to the sea, sailing, or boating to add a touch of nautical charm to the name.
• Do check for offensive or inappropriate connotations: Ensure the chosen name does not have any unintended negative or offensive associations.
• Do consider wordplay or clever puns: A witty or clever boat name can make it more memorable and fun.
• Do check for existing boat names: Research to make sure the name you choose is not already in use to avoid confusion.
• Don’t choose a generic name: Avoid generic or overused boat names that may blend in with others on the water.
• Don’t select a name that is difficult to spell or pronounce: Keep it simple and avoid complex or hard-to-pronounce names.
• Don’t choose a name that is too long: Long names can be challenging to read and remember.
• Don’t use offensive or controversial language: Stay away from any names that may be offensive, controversial, or inappropriate.
• Don’t limit yourself to trends: While trendy names may seem appealing at the moment, they can quickly become outdated.
• Don’t forget to consider future resale: If you plan to sell the boat in the future, choose a name that has broad appeal and is not overly personalized.
• Don’t rush the decision: Take your time to brainstorm, consider options, and choose a name that you genuinely love.
• Don’t disregard local regulations: Check if there are any local regulations or restrictions on boat names in your area and ensure your chosen name complies with them.

Naming a boat is an exciting opportunity to give your vessel identity and share it with the world.

Take your time to think about why you own the boat, and choose a name that represents you, your goals, and the style of boating you enjoy most.

Good luck, and thanks for reading!

You May Also Like: The 5 Cheapest States To Buy A Boat In 2023

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Small Sailboat Sizes: A Complete Guide

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

October 30, 2022

‍ Key Takeaways

• Small sailboats are easy to sail, rig, and are affordable
• They are usually under 20 feet to be considered small
• Might not fit a particular sailing goal

‍ There are plenty of small sailboat sizes to accommodate any sailing experience. But what kinds of small sailboats are there?

Small sailboats are generally under 20 feet in length, come in a variety of designs, and have different hulls. These include monohulls, catamarans, and trimarans. As long as they have a mast, rudder, sail, and are under 20 feet, it is considered a small sailboat.

According to experienced sailors that use a smaller boat, it is best to have one that is easy to handle and accommodates their sailing goals. When searching for the best small sailboat, it will likely differ from one person to the next.

Table of contents

‍ 23 Small Sailboats to Compare

When looking at different types of small sailboats, it is important to see how they are designed. Depending on the sailing goals a person has will ultimately affect how they intend to sail.

If I have a Hobie catamaran, I am likely going to use it for recreational purposes like coastal cruising instead of racing. For shallow drafts, I would need something that can handle entering that territory and not risk damaging a keel on some monohulls.

Marblehead Daysailer

The Marblehead 22 daysailer is a traditional looking monohull perfect for everything related to small sailboats. Even though it is compact, there is enough room for guests on board.

It has almost a 12 foot cockpit to seat several people, along with a stowaway cuddy in the front to put some gear into. With its bulb keel, however, I would not take it into shallow waters.

A Laser is a great small sailboat that is commonly raced. In fact, they have been used in the Olympics every year since 1996.

Laser’s have a tendency to capsize if mishandled by inexperienced sailors in rough conditions, but are good to learn how to sail. I would recommend taking them out on lighter days and calmer conditions.

Catalina Sport

The Catalina 22 Sport has earned the reputation for the best small sailboat for years. It has simple amenities for different sailing goals, but also has a retractable keel to allow for shoal draft exploration.

For a boat this size, it can sleep four people and has a swim ladder in the back. Sailors that are used to simple designs will be happy that it has a roller furling jib, a fractional rig, and a mainsail. For a boat that is under 25 feet, it is arguably the epitome of small sailboats.

Cape Cod Daysailer

The Daysailer by Cape Cod was a first of its kind back in the 1950’s. It could travel however a sailor saw fit, with capabilities of racing, cruising, or simple pleasure.

Roughly a thousand were built by various shipyards, but Cape Cod still continues to produce them. For a 16 foot sailboat, it packs a punch with an affordable price and enough room for a few people.

The BayRaider from Swallow Yachts is another great example of a small sailboat that is easy to navigate and to put on a trailer for transport. What I love about it is that just about all of the 20 feet of the boat is an open cockpit.

If I were consistently using it in rougher waters, I would recommend adding a spray hood to help keep sections of the boat dry. In addition, I would look for the option to add stability with 300 pounds of water ballast.

For those that enjoy a solo ride, the Beetle Cat is one to consider. This boat has a draft of two feet and is roughly 12 feet long, which makes it perfect for coastal cruising or much tighter spaces.

With its single gaff-rigged sail, it offers tons of power even with lighter air. It is also nice to use when the conditions become rough and it is easy to reef down.

West Wight Potter

The West Wight Potter has a particular model, the P19, that is on many sailors’ lists of great small sailboats. A lot of sailors prefer this boat due to a variety of features for its size.

At just under 20 feet, it has four berths, galley, sink, stove, and even a cooler. This boat also has closed-cell foam on the fore and aft, making it virtually unsinkable.

The Norseboat 17.5 is the perfect sailboat in mind when it comes to rowing and sailing. Whether it has one or two people, there is plenty of room to sail comfortably.

While it is not the best boat to probably have in rough conditions, I would likely use this to find coastal areas with good camping spots. With its excellent load capacity, there are plenty of opportunities to bring all kinds of gear without fear of weighing the boat down.

Even though the Montgomery 17 is advertised as a trailerable pocket cruiser, it packs a punch for a smaller sloop rig. It even comes with a centerboard keel that can be retracted to make the boat draft just two feet. This is great for those that want to cruise along the coast or beach it and go exploring.

The cuddy cabin has plenty of headroom and two bunks for guests. There are other models that Montgomery offers such as the 15 and 23, but the 17 is arguably the most attractive for tighter spaces navigating and the best bang for buck scenario.

The CW Hood 32 is somewhat misleading for a small sailboat since it is roughly 32 feet in length. However, sailors will only use about half of the boat in the cockpit with seating and navigating.

This boat is specifically designed for day sailing in mind, with nothing on board to distract anyone from sailing. It is a perfect sailboat for a family without being too large to handle.

The 17 foot and half Sun Cat from Com-Pac Yachts is a great looking small sailboat. With its gaff-rigged mainsail, it powers easily with light conditions.

It can be for solo sailing or a small group that wants to share twin six foot berths. It has a handful of amenities to make this a great boat to have on the weekend or small trips.

There was a time that the Sunfish was the most popular small sailboat in existence. But price and competition flooded the market and other top names are pushing them away from the top.

However, this might be a good opportunity to find one at a discount. The Sunfish is excellent for those wanting to day sail or learn how to sail, meaning anyone can enjoy time on the water with this simple 14 foot setup.

The Catalina 16.5 is considered the middle child between its models of 12.5 and the 22. It can come in two different models, one with a centerboard or another with a shoal draft fixed keel.

At slightly over 17 feet, the centerboard model can draft as low as five inches on the water or a little over four feet with the board down. It also features plenty of room in the cockpit and a waterproof hatch for storage.

For those that want a taste of stability from a catamaran and a small sailboat that is easy to trailer, a Hobie 16 is the right boat. Since 1969, there have been plenty of models from that brand but over 100,000 have been made with the 16 alone.

All catamarans can be beached, but some might need some attention beforehand to ensure so. For example, this one will need rudders kicked up before beaching.

The Hunter 15 is the pinnacle of simplicity and functionality. This boat, whether an experienced sailor or newbie is navigating, is one of the best boats without having to think too much about while underway.

With its kick up rudder, any sailor can relax as they enter shoal drafts. This 15 footer is great for day sailing since there are not any special features on board.

Super Snark

The Super Snark has been around since 1970 and has proven to be successful at just 11 feet in length. It is easy to transport, either on a trailer or on top of a vehicle.

The boat weighs just 50 pounds and has a payload capacity of about 310 pounds. For those that want a small unsinkable boat built for two people, it is hard to pass up a Super Snark.

Flying Scot

The Flying Scot is another great small sailboat that is just under 20 feet in length. Not much has changed since it was produced in 1957 with its sloop rig and spinnaker.

Even though it is a good racer for just one or two people, it can comfortably be used as a family boat for up to eight people. It also has a centerboard keel that can be retracted to make it have an eight inch draft.

RS Sailing typically builds racing dinghies, but the Venture model is a 16 footer that is great for those newer to sailing. This boat is commonly used in training classes across the U.S.

The cockpit can comfortably hold a handful of people or a group of smaller kids. It also features an outboard motor mount and a swim ladder in case anyone wants to take a swim.

The RS Sailing brand needs one more mention due to the amount of small sailboats they put out. The RS Aero, for example, is an award winning racing dinghy just shy of 14 feet that has been used in competitions all over the world.

It is not a boat that can be easily learned for a newbie to reach top speeds, but experienced racers love the performance it offers. It only seats one, but it is perfect for those that have sailing experience, whether they are young or old.

Topaz makes a variety of smaller sailboats, but the one that is most popular is the Taz. At just under 10 feet in length, it is one of the smaller sailboats out there that can accommodate an adult and maybe a small child.

This could also be used for larger boats that need a dinghy to make it to shore. For the price point, it will be difficult to ignore for a compelling dinghy.

The WRTango by WindRider is a perfect trimaran at 10 feet that is easy to sail and to transport. It is the smallest edition of trimarans offered by this brand, just behind the WR 16 and 17.

Since it has forward facing seating, steering with a foot pedal, and a lower center of gravity, sailors will feel like they are sitting in a kayak. It has a six inch draft, a single sail, and heavy duty outriggers that are designed to take a beating.

Minicat has a special line of inflatable catamarans available in various sizes. These come equipped with a multi-piece mast and even a trampoline, along with the inflatable hulls of course.

It is arguably the easiest small sailboat to travel with, as it can be put away in one or two bags for transport. As for sailing, it rivals the speeds and handle of other popular small catamarans.

Vancouver 28

The Vancouver 28 is outside the range of what would be considered a dinghy, but it still offers a lot of value for being a smaller bluewater sailboat. At 28 feet, there is a little something for everyone.

This boat is considered a pocket cruiser that can essentially go anywhere. For those that are trying to downsize from other larger sailboats, they should strongly consider a change with the Vancouver 28.

Pros and Cons to Small Sailboats

Small sailboats have become more popular over the last few decades. Smaller bluewater sailboats have a lot to like, but also present some disadvantages that might not fit into a sailor’s category to sail.

It is important to figure out what sailing goals a sailor wants to take part in. Whether it is cruising, weekend sailing, or day sailing, small sailboats are potentially a good fit.

There are a handful of pros to look at for small sailboats. The key is to find one that fits specific to a sailing goal, such as racing or cruising.

It is easy to see why small sailboats are common, especially since they cost much less than larger ones. They are even less expensive models if a sailor can find a used one.

Depending on how long a boat is will determine how much it costs to build. It is easier and costs less to make repairs on smaller boats since the damaged areas are smaller as well. So finding a small, yet functional sailboat will be the most cost effective.

Simpler Systems

Small sailboats are easier to maintain and have a lot less issues than larger boats. This is simply because they have a lot less to offer, such as a watermaker or an electric anchor windlass.

Some are just bare bones when it comes to sailing, while others have galleys or berths. Depending on the model and brand will determine how easy it is to maintain.

Easy to Sail

Inexperienced sailors often gravitate to smaller sailors simply because they are easier to sail. Imagine the difference between raising a sail between an 18 footer and a 48 footer, or even the difference between one or a few sails.

These boats are also meant for solo sailing or for smaller groups, making it easier to handle functions on board. These are also used in training schools that teach how to sail. There is also less stress on the boat in general, making it easier to maintain.

Easy to Rig

Whether a sailor wants to put a small sailboat on a trailer or the top of their car, no one can deny how convenient it is to move around. No special tricks are needed for these types of boats, as they are simple to put up once they are done being used.

When looking at the inflatable catamaran for example, it is one of the easiest to set up and put away. Larger boats require to be parked at a dock or will be more difficult to pull out of the water.

Easy to Find Parts

Every sailboat will need something replaced or fixed at some point. For small sailboats, it will be easier to find parts or replacement items because these boats are often made in bulk.

Smaller boats can be found everywhere and a lot were made back in the early 1950’s and 60’s. Some will have compatible parts to newer ones and the other way around.

As good as small sailboats might be to some, sailors might choose to look elsewhere if their sailing goals do not fit what a small sailboat offers. If sailors are simply wanting to get out on the water and not have a lot of amenities, this could work for them. So depending on what a sailor is expecting to get out of a boat makes the biggest difference.

Much Slower

If sailors were to travel the same distance at the same time in different sized boats, more often than not the large boat will win. While some small sailboats are only meant for racing, a lot of them are not meant to travel very fast.

The hull speed is in conjunction with the square root of the length of the water, meaning you need more hull to go faster. This could become an issue when trying to evade a storm and get to safety quickly.

Larger boats tend to average between seven to 10 knots while small sailboats average less. Depending on how much the difference is in length and sail area will determine the speed.

Not as Much Space

Small sailboats under 20 feet are difficult to live aboard or travel long distances with a lack of gear or food. There are some that can cater to one or two people for full time sailing, but these have limited space as well.

Unless sailors are able to effectively downsize from larger boats to smaller boats, there will likely be some issues with the amount of gear or other items they are taking on board. In addition, it makes it difficult to travel with a crew or even a pet.

Not as Comfortable

There will be some debate between how comfortable small sailboats are, but the argument can be made that they are not as comfortable as larger sailboats. Generally, anything over 20 feet is recommended to live aboard or engage in bluewater sailing long term.

For those that want to be as comfortable as possible while sailing, smaller sailboats might lack in that regard. Since there is not as much seating and a lack of a galley or berth, sailors might pass on small sailboats for comfort.

Why A Small Sailboat Could Be Beneficial

A variety of factors will contribute to a sailor wanting to select a specific boat to sail in. These include budget, sailing goals, and availability nearby. Small sailboats have proven to be effective for a variety of purposes.

For newer sailors, small sailboats are definitely the way to go to learn how to sail without blowing tons of money on a larger setup. After sailors have developed a comfortable amount of experience with their small sailboat or if their sailing goals have changed, then it would be ideal to move onto a larger boat to fit their needs.

Small sailboats definitely have their place in today’s market. From racers to cruisers, or daysailers to weekenders, small sailboats can fit any category that a sailor could possibly want to experience.

It is ultimately up to the individual on how they want to approach a small sailboat and its capabilities. In the best scenario, one should find a boat that is in good condition, is affordable for their budget, and is easy to handle based on their sailing goals.

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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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Best Small Sailboats for Beginners

There are a number of classic trainers used by yacht club youth programs as well as techie new designs. Without mentioning specific models and brands, it’s difficult to outline which small boats are best but here are things to look for in good teaching boats.

Some of the best small sailboats for beginners include:

• Boats with tillers steering
• Boats with no winches
• Sailing dinghies
• Small sloops
• Small catamarans
• Rotomolded boats
• Trailerable sailboats

Explore All Sailboat Types

Boats with Tiller Steering

Steering by tiller (rather than a wheel) can make a difference when learning. Tillers are directly connected to the rudder that manages the boat’s direction. Tillers provide quick feedback about the strength and direction of the wind as well as the boat’s turning agility at various speeds.

Boats with No Winches

Boats that require no winches to manage the sheets and halyards are best for youngsters and new sailors. These boats usually don’t experience the same forces on the sails and rigging as larger boats, which can be a handful when the wind starts to blow. Winches are usually replaced with cam or jam cleats, which are easy to use.

Sailing Dinghies

Sailing dinghies are usually rigged with one mast and one sail and offer kids and new sailors simplicity so it’s easy to learn the ropes. Less overwhelming than boats with two sails, dinghies are light and responsive. They also have a shallow draft due to side or centerboards so they can be sailed just about anywhere. In some cases (whether from a wind gust or sudden crew weight shift) sailing dinghies can capsize so students should wear lifejackets and know how to swim. Sailing dinghies are usually sailed by one or two people.

Small Sloops

Small sloops with a mast that carries head and mainsails are the next step so students learn how sails work together. Headsails can be hanked on or attached to a small roller furler. These boats may have some or no winches, which also makes them easier to maintain. These boats can usually be sailed with one to four people.

Some sloops can scale up, providing a more challenging experience for sailors as they develop skills. Certain models can carry spinnakers and larger headsails to teach sail combinations and new sail trim techniques. Others offer the ability to hike out (shift crew weight well outboard to balance the boat against the wind pressure in the sails). This kind of sailing is more advanced.

Small Catamarans

Small catamarans provide extra stability for those who may be nervous about capsizing or aren’t fond of heeling (tipping while sailing). With two hulls providing a wide and stable base, catamarans area ideal for beginners, which may be why they’re often used by resorts as their beach sailing tourist boats. Rigged with one or two sails, small cats are tiller steered and usually have a trampoline that the students sit on and sail.

Rotomolded Boats

Small rotomolded boats are very forgiving due to their durable construction. Unlike fiberglass or wooden boats, rotomolded (a type of plastic construction technique) trainers can bounce off docks or other boats and cause or sustain little damage. Dinghies and catamarans can both be made via rotomolding.

Trailerable Sailboats

Finally, small sailboats that can be trailered to different locations add variety and that makes learning fun. Students can learn to sail in different wind and water conditions and enjoy their boats differently on vacation or with new friends.

Learning to sail involves all the senses and requires a level head and lots of practice and although it can be learned in many ways, the best way is to start with a boat that’s small, simple, safe and durable.

Read Next: Small Boats: What Are My Options?

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11 Best Small Sailboat Brands: How to Choose Your Next Daysailer or Pocket Cruiser

12th oct 2023 by samantha wilson.

Sailing is a relaxing, invigorating pastime that allows you to harness wind and waves in a unique and historic way without requiring a 50-foot yacht to enjoy what’s special about the experience. In fact, small sailboats allow a delightful back-to-basics experience that often gets lost on larger, systems-heavy sailboats.

On a small sailboat you can connect with the sea, feeling the boat move beneath you. The boat is typically easy to rig, simple to sail, and can even be sailed solo. Small sailboats give you the freedom to trailer your or car-top your boat and go anywhere, and they’re perfect for learning the nuances of sailing. There are many excellent brands and models of small sailboat, each with their own appeal, and here we narrow down some of our favorite in the daysailer and pocket cruiser categories under 30 feet. 

Difference Between a Daysailer and a Pocket Cruiser

While there are many different types of sailboat on the market and there is no single definition of either a daysailer or a pocket cruiser, they are used in a particular way, as the names imply. The term daysailer covers a huge array of sailboats, smaller and sometimes larger, and is generally defined as any day boat used for local sailing, with a simple rig, and easy to get underway. A pocket cruiser typically offers a cabin and head, and adequate accommodations for an overnight stay and sometimes longer cruises. Having said that, there is a large overlap between the two in many instances, so the lines may become blurred. 

What Size is a Small Sailboat?

Small is a relative term of course, but in general—and for the purposes of this article—a small sailboat is one that could be sailed by a small crew, often with one or two people aboard. It will have a simple rig and be trailerable, and it might be either a daysailer or pocket-cruiser style vessel as above. Within those categories, there are many models and styles, but when it comes to length we consider a sailboat as small when it’s under 30 feet in overall length. 

The Best Sailboats Under 30 Feet

Pocket cruiser: Beneteau First 27.  The Beneteau First 27 is a modern example of a pocket cruiser, earning Cruising World ’s Boat of the Year award in the Pocket Cruiser category in 2022. With space for up to six people accommodated in a separated bow-cabin and open saloon, it offers families the chance to go farther, explore more, and cruise in comfort. There is a galley with freshwater and a head, adding to the interior home comforts. The sailboat itself is modern, fast, and stable, designed by Sam Manuard, and has been designed to be incredibly safe and almost unsinkable thanks to its three watertight chambers. The handling is also refreshingly intuitive, with a well-designed cockpit, simple deck controls, and double winches allowing it to be sailed solo, by two people, or a small crew. 

Beneteau sailboats for sale

Photo credit: Beneteau

Daysailer: Alerion 28.  You’ll certainly turn heads cruising along in an Alerion 28, a daysailer whose forerunner by the same name was designed by Nathanael Herreshoff in 1912 and then updated with a modern underbody for fiberglass production by Carl Schumacher in the late 1980s. This pretty daysailer manages to combine a traditional silhouette and classic feel, with very modern engineering creating an excellent package. Over 470 of these sailboats were built and sold in the past 30 years, making it one of the most popular modern daysailers on the water. With a small cabin and saloon, complete with miniature galley area, it offers respite from the sun or wind and the option for a night aboard. The cockpit offers a beautiful sailing experience, with plenty of space for the whole family. 

Alerion boats for sale

Photo credit: Alerion Yachts

The Best Sailboats Under 25 Feet

Pocket cruiser: Cornish Crabber 24.  British manufacturer Cornish Crabber has been producing beautiful, traditional style small sailboats for decades, ensuring they honor their heritage both in the construction style and appearance of their boats. The Cornish Crabber 24 is the most iconic of their range and dates back to the 1980s. It offers a simple yet surprisingly spacious interior layout with cabin, galley, and head, and a good sized cockpit, as well as seating for up to six people. It’s the perfect family sailboat, with clever use of storage as well as just under 5000 pounds of displacement providing stability and easy tacking. Aesthetically the 24 is simply beautiful, with a traditional silhouette (combined with modern engineering), finished in hardwood trims. 

Cornish Crabber boats for sale

Photo credit: Cornish Crabber

Daysailer: Catalina 22 Capri.  Catalina sailboats need little introduction, and are one of the world’s best-known, most-respected brands building small sailboats. The Catalina 22 Capri (also available in a sport model) is a great example of what Catalina does so well. While we’ve classified it as a daysailer, it could easily cross into the pocket cruiser category, as it offers excellent sailing performance in almost all conditions as well as having a small cabin, galley, and head. Loved for its safety, stability, ease of handling and simple maintenance, it makes for a good first family boat for getting out onto the bay or lake. 

Catalina boats for sale

Photo credit: Catalina

The Best Sailboats Under 20 Feet

Pocket cruiser: CapeCutter 19.  This is another model that combines the beauty of the traditional silhouettes with modern-day advancements. The design originates from the classic gaff cutter work boats, but today offers excellent performance—in fact it’s one of the fastest small gaffers in the world. The interior is cleverly spacious, with four berths, two of which convert into a saloon, as well as a simple galley area. With quick rigging, it can be sailed solo, but is also able to accommodate small groups, making it a capable and hugely versatile pocket cruiser. 

CapeCutter boats for sale

Photo credit: Cape Cutter 19

Daysailer: Swallow Yachts’ BayRaider 20.  Classic looks with modern performance are combined in Swallow Yachts’ beautiful BayRaider 20. This is one of the most capable and safest daysailers we’ve seen, but also incredibly versatile thanks to the choices of ballast. Keep the ballast tank empty and it’s light and fast. Fill the tank up and you’ve got a stable and safe boat perfect for beginners and families. While it’s got an eye-catching traditional style, the engineering is modern, with a strong carbon mast and construction. While this is a true daysailer, you can use the optional spray hood and camping accessories to create an overnight adventure. 

Swallow Yachts for sale

Photo credit: Swallow Yachts

The Best Sailboats Under 15 Feet

Pocket Cruiser: NorseBoat 12.5.  Can we truly call the NorseBoat 12.5 a pocket cruiser? Yes we can! The sheer versatility of this excellent little sailboat has convinced us. These beautiful hand-crafted sailboats offer exceptional performance and are described by the manufacturer as ‘the Swiss Army Knives of sailboats’. The traditionally styled 12.5 can be sailed, rowed, and motored. It can be trailered, easily beached, and even used as a camp cruiser, allowing for overnight adventures. There is no end to the fun that can be had with this easy-to-sail and easy-to-handle boat, which makes it a dream to learn in. With positive flotation, lots of clever storage, and a full-size double berth for camp cruising, it really is the perfect mini pocket cruiser. 

NorseBoat for sale

Photo credit: NorseBoats

Daysailer: Original Beetle Cat Boat 12: All across the bays of the US east coast cat boats have long been part of the ocean landscape. Able to access shallow rocky coves yet also withstand the strong coastal winds, these traditional New England fishing boats have an iconic shape and gaff-rigged mainsails. Beetle Cat have been producing elegant wooden cat boats for over 100 years – in fact they’ve made and sold over 4,000 boats to date. Their 12 foot Cat Boat 12 is one of their finest models, offering lovely daysailing opportunities. It has a wide beam and centerboard that lifts up, allowing it to access shallow waters, as well as a forward mast and single sail gaff rig in keeping with the traditional cat boats. To sail one of these is to be part of the heritage of New England and Cape Cod, and to honor the ancient art of hand-made boat building. 

Beetle Cat official website

Photo credit: Beetle Cat

The Best Small Sailboats for Beginners

When it comes to learning to sail, it’s important to have a boat that is easy to handle. There’s no quicker way to put yourself or your family off sailing than to start off with a boat that is either too big or too complicated. When choosing your first boat we recommend the following characteristics:

• Small: The benefits of starting off with a small boat are many, as we’ve seen above. They’re easier to control as well as to moor, and they react more quickly to steering and sails. They can be trailered and launched easily, and the loads generated are much lower than on bigger, heavier boats.
• Easy to sail: You want a boat that is stable and forgiving of mistakes, doesn’t capsize easily, and isn’t too overpowered in a stronger breeze. Keep things simple and learn as you go.
• Simple sail configuration: Choosing a boat that can be rigged by one person in a few minutes, and easily sailed solo, makes it easier to take along inexperienced crews. With regards to the rig, all you need are a halyard to hoist the mainsail and a sheet to control the mainsail.
• Tiller steering: We recommend boats with tiller steering over wheel steering when starting out. The tiller allows you to get a real feel for the boat and how the rudder works as it moves through the water. 

For more information on choosing the best beginner sailboat check out our full guide. There are many popular brands of beginner boats including Sunfish, Laser, and Hunter Marlow. Some of our favorites include;

Hobie 16: The classic Hobie catamaran has been a well-loved beginner sailboat for years, and the Hobie 16 started life back in 1969. Since then they’ve made and sold over a staggering 100,000 of the 16s. It has twin fiberglass and foam hulls, a large trampoline, and a pull-up rudder so it can be sailed straight onto the beach. The basic package comes with an easy to handle main and jib with plenty of extras available too such as a spinnaker and trailer. The Hobie 16 promises a great learning experience and lots of fun in a very nifty and inexpensive package. 

Hobie boats for sale

Photo credit: Hobie

Paine 14: You’ll immediately fall in love with sailing when you step into a beautiful Paine 14. Made from seamless epoxy cold-molded wood, the P-14 is simply beautiful and offers the classic sailing experience with the design and innovation of a more modern hull and rig. Two people will be able to enjoy getting out on the water together and learning the ropes. The Paine 14 has a lead ballast keel that accounts for nearly half her weight, giving her the feel of a much larger boat, but is still trailerable and easy to manage offering the best of both worlds. 

Chuck Paine boats for sale

Photo credit: Chuck Paine

High-Performance Small Sailboats

Small sailboats generally become high performers if they are light, have a lot of sail area, or they have more than one hull. More recently, some of have been designed with foiling surfaces, as well. For the purposes of this article, we’d like to close by pointing out one model that is super fast and has versatile pocket-cruising capabilities.

Corsair 880 trimaran : The Corsair 880 trimaran is the grandchild of the company’s F27, a model that launched the popularity of trailerable leisure trimarans about 40 years ago. The 880 has taken the model to new heights and exemplifies the incredible space benefits you can achieve in a 29-foot sailboat. We’re talking an aft cabin, room to sleep 5 people, an enclosed head, and standing headroom in the galley and main saloon. It brings many of the opportunities that a much larger yacht plus the ability to cruise in extremely shallow water. Whether you want to cruise to the Bahamas or enjoy a high-adrenaline race, the Corsair 880 offers incredible performance and unlimited adventures in a truly pocket size. 

Corsair boats for sale

Photo credit: Corsair

Written By: Samantha Wilson

Samantha Wilson has spent her entire life on and around boats, from tiny sailing dinghies all the way up to superyachts. She writes for many boating and yachting publications, top charter agencies, and some of the largest travel businesses in the industry, combining her knowledge and passion of boating, travel and writing to create topical, useful and engaging content.

More from: Samantha Wilson

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425+ Funny Sailboat Names: Cool, Creative, And Unique Ideas

Naming a boat is often seen as a special event for boat owners, and it is important to pick the perfect name. Searching for the best boat names can be a lot of fun and give a sense of pride to boat owners. Thankfully, there are lots of funny sailboat names available.

There are many cool boat names to choose from. Some may opt for a classic sailing name, while others may want to get creative and choose something humorous.

One of the most important moments for a boat owner is when they get to decide on their boat’s name. This naming ceremony is often accompanied with good luck wishes and hopes that the boat will become a successful vessel.

There are many great boat names to choose from, ranging from classic sailing names to modern and funny names. Good boat names can reflect the boat’s style and personality in a unique way.

Here is the scoop on the best sailboat names for your boat!

Funny Sailboat Names

1. All Decked Out

2. All Hands on Deck

3. Anchors Away!

4. Aqua-Holic

5. Aquaholic Anonymous

6. At the Helm

7. Aye Aye Captain

8. Bailing Out

9. Barnacle Bill

10. Batten Down the Hatches

11. Beached Wail

12. Bilge Rat

13. Black Pearl

14. Blowin’ in the Wind

15. Boat Drinks

16. Boaty McBoatface

17. Bobbin’ Along

18. Bottoms Up

19. Bow Movement

20. Breakin’ Wind

21. Buccaneer Beauty

22. Buoy Crazy

23. Can’t Anchor Us

24. Captain Hooked

25. Catch of the Day

26. Chart Toppers

27. Clewless

28. Come Sail Away

29. Cool Change

30. Crew-sin’ for a Bruisin’

31. Current Affair

32. Dead Reckoning

33. Decked Out

34. Desert Wind

35. Dinghy Dancing

36. Dock Holiday

37. Dock of the Bay

38. Don’t Be A-Freud

39. Drift Away

40. Drop Anchor

41. Dunkin’ Donuts

42. Ebb Tide

43. En Pointe

44. Endless Summer

45. Fair Winds and Following Seas

46. Fish n’ Chicks

47. Float My Boat

48. Foggy Bottom

49. Fool’s Gold

50. Full Sail

51. Get Reel

52. Gnarly Marley

53. Gone with the Wind

54. Good Ship Lollipop

55. Guppy Love

56. Gypsy Wind

57. Hair in the Wind

58. Happy Hour

59. Harpoon Harry

60. High and Dry

61. High Seas Drifter

62. Hobie-Wan Kenobi

63. Hooked on Sailing

64. Hot Tuna

65. Hula Girl

66. Hullabaloo

67. Hullin’ Around

68. I’m on a Boat

69. In the Wind

70. Island Time

71. Jack Sparrow

72. Jawsome

73. Jelly Roll

74. Jibber Jabber

75. Jolly Roger

76. Jolly Sailing

77. Joy Ride

78. Just Add Water

79. Just Chillin’

80. Just Sail It

81. Keep on Keelin’

82. Keel Over

83. Ketch 22

84. Knot Now

85. Knot on Call

86. Knot So Fast

87. Kookaburra

88. Krazy Kats

89. La Vida a Vela

90. Lady Luck

91. Lasting Impression

92. Leaky Tiki

93. Let’s Get Nauti

94. Let’s Go Sailing

95. Let’s Sail Away

96. Lickety Split

97. Life is Better on a Boat

98. Life is a Beach

99. Life is Good

100. Liquid Asset

101. Little Toot

102. Livin’ on the Edge

103. Looney Tunes

104. Loose Cannon

105. Love Boat

106. Love of My Life

107. Luff Life

108. Luffly Time

109. Luffing Good

110. Maiden Voyage

111. Man Overboard

112. Marlin Magic

113. Matey’s Dream

114. Mermaid’s Tail

115. Merry Mermaid

116. Mighty Mermaid

117. Mind the Tack

118. Miss Behavin’

119. Miss Conduct

120. Miss Demeanor

121. Miss Fortune

122. Misty Lady

123. More Cowbell

124. Mother Lode

125. Muddy Waters

126. Nauti Buoy

127. Nauti Dreams

128. Nauti Girl

129. Nauti Gull

130. Nauti Intentions

131. Nauti Nell

132. Nauti Pirate

133. Nauti Sailor

134. Nauti Temptress

135. Nauti Yachtie

136. Naughty Buoy

137. Neptune’s Trifecta

138. No Worries

139. Nothin’ But Net

140. Ocean Dancer

141. Ocean Express

142. Ocean’s Eleven

143. Off the Hook

144. Oh Buoy!

145. Old Salt

146. On the Rocks

147. Once Upon a Tide

148. One Love

149. Otter Be Sailing

150. Overboard

151. Pacific Puffin

152. Papa’s Got a Brand New Boat

153. Parlay

154. Party Time

155. Passing Wind

156. Pelican’t

157. Penguin’s Parade

158. Periwinkle

159. Piece of Ship

160. Pig in a Poke

161. Pirate’s Booty

162. Pirate’s Life for Me

163. Plank Walker

164. Pleasure Seeker

165. Pogie Bait

166. Pole Position

167. Porthole to Heaven

168. Poseidon’s Chariot

169. Precious Cargo

170. Prize Catch

171. Puffin Stuff

172. Purrfect Sailing

173. Queen of the Sea

174. Quest for Fun

175. Raging Bull

176. Rainbow Runner

177. Red Sky at Night

178. Reel Nauti

179. Reel Relaxin’

180. Reely Happy

181. Rhythm and Blue

182. Riff Raff

183. Right on Course

184. Riptide

185. Rise n’ Shine

186. River Rat

187. Rockin’ the Boat

188. Rolling in the Deep

189. Rough Waters

190. Rowdy’s Retreat

191. Runaway

192. S.S. Minnow

193. S.S. Tinkerbell

194. Sailing Dreams

195. Sailing into the Sunset

196. Sailing Safari

197. Sailing the Seas

198. Saltwater Taffy

199. Sand Dollar

200. Sandy Cheeks

201. Savvy Sailor

202. Sayonara

203. Schooner or Later

204. Scupper

205. Sea Biscuit

206. Sea Breeze

207. Sea Dog

208. Sea Dragon

209. Sea Gull-able

210. Sea Hag

211. Sea Monster

212. Sea Nymph

213. Sea Quest

214. Sea Raptor

215. Sea Siren

216. Sea Spray

217. Sea Squirt

218. Sea Turtle

219. Sea Ya Later

220. Sea Ya Soon

221. Sea You Later

222. Seas the Day

223. Seashell

224. Seasick

225. Seaweed

226. Second Wind

227. Serenity Now

228. Seven Seas

229. Shallow Minded

230. Shark Bait

231. Ship Happens

232. Ship of Fools

233. Ship’s Ahoy

234. Shore Thing

235. Short Tack

236. Shrimpin’ Ain’t Easy

237. Silver Lining

238. Silver Streak

239. Skippin’ Stones

240. Slippery When Wet

241. Slow Ride

242. Smitten Kitten

243. Smuggler

244. Snagglepuss

245. Snappy Lobster

246. Snowbird

247. Sojourn

248. Soleil

249. Son of a Son of a Sailor

250. Sorely Tempted

251. Sound Waves

252. Southern Comfort

253. Southern Cross

254. Southern Exposure

255. Spanish Galleon

256. Sparrow’s Nest

257. Speedy Gonzales

258. Spinnaker Splendor

259. Spirit of ’76

260. Splish Splash

261. Sportin’ Wood

262. Stargazer

263. Starship

264. Starstruck

265. Stay Afloat

266. Steady As She Goes

267. Steel Magnolia

268. Steer Crazy

269. Stormy Seas

270. Stranded

271. Strawberry Fields

272. Strictly Sail

273. Summer Breeze

274. Summer Lovin’

275. Sun Chaser

276. Sun Kissed

277. Sun Ray

278. Sun Seeker

279. Sun Spot

280. Sundance

281. Sunny Days

282. Sunrise

283. Sunset Sail

284. Super Skipper

285. Surf Rider

286. Swashbuckler

287. Sweet Emotion

288. Sweet Escape

289. Sweet Sailing

290. Swingin’ on a Star

291. Tahiti Sunrise

292. Tall Ship

293. Tan Lines

294. Tequila Mockingbird

295. The Beagle

296. The Big Kahuna

297. The Black Pearl

298. The Blue Lagoon

299. The Flying Dutchman

300. The Guppy

301. The Happy Hooker

302. The Jolly Roger

303. The Lady in Red

304. The Last Resort

305. The Love Boat

306. The Odyssey

307. The Old Man and the Sea

308. The Pelican Brief

309. The Pirate Queen

310. The Pirate’s Lair

311. The Queen Bee

312. The Salty Dog

313. The Sea Witch

314. The Shark Tank

315. The Sloop John B

316. The Smuggler’s Inn

317. The Snipe Hunter

318. The Sonny C

319. The Squid and the Whale

320. The Stowaway

321. The Sunflower

322. The Tiki Hut

323. The Wind Cries Mary

324. Thirsty Whale

325. Three Sheets to the Wind

326. Tide Runner

327. Tiki Time

328. Tiller Instinct

329. Time Bandit

330. Time Flies

331. Tin Cup

332. Tiny Dancer

333. Tippecanoe and Tyler Too

334. Titanic

335. Toadally Awesome

336. Toe in the Water

337. Too Close to Shore

338. Top Deck

339. Total Eclipse

340. Tricky Lady

341. Triple Play

342. Triton’s Tryst

343. True Blue

344. Tugboat Annie

345. Turn About

346. Turtle Bay

347. Twisted Sister

348. Two by Sea

349. Two Peas in a Pod

350. Two’s Company

351. Under Pressure

352. Unwind

353. Up a Creek

354. Up in Smoke

355. Uptown Girl

356. Vagabond

357. Valhalla

358. Velvet Hammer

359. Very Slow Motion

360. Viking Raider

361. Vintage Wine

362. Viva La Vida

363. Waimea Bay

364. Walk the Plank

365. Wandering Star

366. Wave Runner

367. Wayward Wind

368. Weekend Warrior

369. Whale Watcher

370. Whirlwind

371. White Caps

372. White Lightnin’

373. White Whale

374. Who Cares

375. Wild Card

376. Wild Wind

377. Wind Chaser

378. Wind Dancer

379. Wind in the Sails

380. Wind Rider

381. Wind Song

382. Wind Walker

383. Windjammer

384. Windward

385. Wing and a Prayer

386. Wings of Freedom

387. Wise Guy

388. Witchcraft

389. Wizard of Oz

390. Women and Wine

391. Woodpecker

392. World Odyssey

393. Wrecking Ball

394. Wunderlust

395. Xanadu

396. Yankee Doodle

397. Yellow Bird

398. Yellow Submarine

399. Yo Ho Ho

400. Yo Mama

401. You Only Live Once

402. Young at Heart

403. Young Love

404. Zephyr

405. Zero to Sixty

406. Zig Zag

407. Zipper

408. Zulu Warrior

409. No Bad Luck

410. Open Waters

411. Not the Coast Guard

412. Carpe Diem

413. Recreational Activity

414. A Good Time

415. Moby Dick

416. Feng Shui

417. Wide Open Seas

418. Pura Vida

419. The Good Life

420. Double Entendre

421. Long Live the United States

422. Dry Sense of Humor

423. Creative Juices

424. Zig Zag Zig

425. Without Further Ado

426. Water Sports

427. Ye Olden Days

428. My New Ship

429. Nothing But Fishing Trips

430. The Sea Raven

431. The Great Moniker

432. The North Star

433. Right Place Right Time

434. The Bacchus Boat

435. Good Fortune

436. The Tip of the Iceberg

437. Float On

438. Take It Easy

439. On Island Time

440. In Reel Life

441. Sea Limo

442. The Baits Motel

443. Sea Me Now

444. Nacho Boat

445. Frank Ocean

Naming Your Boat

Finding a good name should involve some thought and reflection to make sure it’s the perfect fit for your boat.

Naming your own boat can be a fun and creative process. When coming up with the perfect boat name, there are many a great option to choose from.

Creative, funny, or classy boat names can all make for a great name for your vessel. If you are looking to add a touch of class to your boat, consider a more sophisticated name.

Naming your boat is a great way to personalize it and give it an identity that reflects your own personality. Whether you’re looking for something cool, funny, or have a special meaning in mind, there are plenty of creative options out there.

For example, if you’re into Greek mythology, why not pick one of the many gods or goddesses as your boat’s proper name? Or if you want something more unique and fun, there’s a great collection of cool names based on the type of boat or other themes. No matter what kind of style you prefer, naming your vessel can be a fun experience!

Things to Remember

If you’re getting a sport fishing boat then why not pick one of the many humorous fishing boat names out there? Or if you want something more unique and hilarious, there’s an endless array of cool ship names and offensive boat names available.

Naming a boat can be incredibly fun and rewarding. There are so many options out there, from funny fishing boat names to witty boat names and hilarious boat names. Whether you’re looking for something classic or downright outrageous, there’s sure to be something perfect for your vessel.

Whether you’re looking for something classic or outrageous, there’s sure to be something perfect in our list of boat names. It may take a lot of times to choose the best name from such opportunities but it will all be worth it when you have found your favorite boat name!

Whether you want something classic or downright outrageous, there’s sure to be something perfect for your vessel in the vast list of boat names out there. From funny fishing boat names to witty sea vessels and a list of funny boat names, you are sure to find your favorite boat names to choose from.

Final Thoughts

The list of names for boats is almost endless, with something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a clever name inspired by your favorite movie or a fun name that will make everyone smile, there’s sure to be something perfect on the list.

Finding the perfect boat name can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. With so many popular name choices and nautical pun ideas out there, you’re sure to find your favorite name in no time.

But beware: picking a funny sailboat name may draw unwanted attention from other boaters! For example, naming your vessel after the Roman god of wine will definitely get people talking.

The best thing about finding a great boat name is that once you’ve found it, it’s yours forever! That makes it all worth it in the end.

Finding the perfect boat name can be a daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. With so many unique name ideas and word play, you’ll be able to find the perfect fit for your vessel.

From cute boat names to classic name ideas, and even short names for a small boat, there’s something for everyone. You can even consider naming your boat after a famous female figure. No matter what name you pick, you are sure to have lots of fun on your boat !

For more great scoop, check out these articles:

• 60+ Best Gift Ideas for Boat Owners
• 40 Best Sailing Hats for Boating
• 55+ Best Christmas Gift Ideas For Boaters

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249+ Small Boat Names (BEST Ideas)

Tom derbyshire.

Posted on: March 13, 2023

Updated on: September 27, 2023

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Are you a boat owner or thinking about buying a boat ? One of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing a name for your vessel.

Your boat’s name is a reflection of your personality and what you enjoy doing on the water.

Whether you have a cool fishing boat or a unique small boat, finding the perfect name can be a challenge.

In this post, we’ll provide you with the best, good, cool, badass, unique, catchy, cute, funny, creative, and clever small boat names .

So let’s dive in!

Best Small Boat Names

• Bay Dreamer
• Sea Biscuit
• Reel Therapy
• Knot on Call
• The Salty Lady
• Seas the Moment
• Sea-duction
• Sea Mistress
• Seaclusion II

Good Small Boat Names

• The Captain’s Lady
• Island Time
• The Reel McCoy
• Seas the Day
• Sea Ya Later
• Seaside Serenade
• Serendipity
• Shore Thing
• The Big Sea-esta
• The Mermaid’s Tale
• The Salty Dog
• The Sea’s the Limit

Featured post: 275 Boat Names (BEST, Funny & Clever Ideas)

Cool Small Boat Names

Here are some ideas for your cool boat:

• Liquid Asset
• The Reel Deal
• Coastal Cruiser
• Coastal Runner
• Aqua Therapy

Badass Names For A Small Boat

• Black Pearl
• Dead Reckoning
• Dreadnought
• Neptune’s Fury
• Poseidon’s Trident
• Shark Attack
• Skull and Crossbones
• Storm Surge
• Thunderbolt
• Vicious Viking

Unique Small Boat Names

Unique boat monikers can provide a great opportunity for creativity.

Get creative with the inspiration provided below:

• Blue Lagoon
• Coastal Drifter
• Island Hopper
• Knot So Fast
• Lost at Sea
• Marlin Magic
• Mystic Mermaid
• Ocean Breeze
• Ocean’s Eleven
• Rock the Boat
• Sea Monster
• Sea Serpent
• The Last Resort
• Tide Runner

Catchy Names For A Small Boat

• Bay Watcher
• Buoy Oh Buoy
• Catch of the Day
• Fishin’ Frenzy
• Hooked on Life
• Knot for Everyone
• Life Aquatic
• Mermaid’s Kiss
• Ocean Avenue
• Ocean Motion
• Pier Pressure
• Speedy Seagull

Cute Names For A Small Boat

• Aweigh we go
• Captain Kiddo
• Little Mermaid
• Little Rascal
• Puddle Jumper
• The Good Ship Lollypop
• The Little Boat That Could

Funny Names For A Small Boat

• A Fish Out of Water
• Boaty McBoatface
• Gilligan’s Island
• Liquid Diet
• My Other Car is a Boat
• No Wake Zone
• The Codfather
• The Reel World
• Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go
• Wave Runner
• What’s Up Dock?
• You’re Gonna Need a Bigger Boat
• Aquaholics Anonymous

Creative Names For A Small Boat

• Catch and Release
• Chasing Waves

Clever Small Boat Names

• Buoys and Gulls
• Captain Hook

Name Inspiration for a Small Boat

If you’re struggling to come up with a name for your boat, there are several places you can look for inspiration.

Consider the following:

• Your favorite song lyrics or movie quotes
• Your favorite hobbies or sports
• Your favorite animals or sea creatures
• Your family name or nicknames
• The boat’s color or design
• Your favorite destinations or landmarks
• Your favorite drinks or cocktails
• Your favorite season or holiday
• Your boat’s history or origin
• Your favorite activities to do on the water

Help Choosing the Perfect Name for Your Small Boat

Choosing a name for your small boat can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be.

Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect name:

• Keep it short and simple
• Make it easy to pronounce and spell
• Choose a name that reflects your personality or interests
• Consider the boat’s purpose and use
• Get input from family and friends
• Make sure the name is not already taken
• Check if the name is appropriate and not offensive
• Be creative and have fun with it!

Choosing a name for your small boat can be a fun and creative process.

Whether you prefer a cool, unique, or funny name, there’s no shortage of options. Use our list of the best small boat names as inspiration.

Remember to consider the boat’s purpose, personality, and input from family and friends when choosing a name.

With these tips in mind, you’ll have the perfect name for your small boat in no time. Happy boating!

Related Posts

• Family Boat Names
• Lake Boat Names
• Speed Boat Names
• Sail Boat Names
• Gangster Boat Names
• Irish Boat Names

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17 Sailboat Types Explained: How To Recognize Them

Ever wondered what type of sailboat you're looking at? Identifying sailboats isn't hard, you just have to know what to look for. In this article, I'll help you.

Every time I'm around a large number of sailboats, I look around in awe (especially with the bigger ones). I recognize some, but with most of them, I'll have to ask the owner. When they answer, I try to hide my ignorance. The words don't make any sense!

So here's a complete list with pictures of the most common sailboat types today. For each of them, I'll explain exactly where the name comes from, and how you can recognize it easily.

So here's my list of popular sailboat types, explained:

Bermuda sloop, sailing hydrofoil, dutch barge, chinese junk, square-rigged tall ship, in conclusion, how to recognize any sailboat.

Before we get started, I wanted to quickly explain what you should look for when you try to identify a sailboat.

The type of sailboat is always determined by one of these four things:

• The type of hull
• The type of keel
• The number of masts
• And the type of sails and rig

The hull is the boat's body. There are basically three hull types: monohull, catamaran, and trimaran. Simply said: do I see one hull, two hulls (catamaran) or three hulls (trimaran)? Most sailboats are monohulls.

Next, there is the keel type. The keel is the underwater part of the hull. Mostly, you won't be able to see that, because it's underwater. So we'll leave that for now.

The sail plan

The last factor is the number of masts and the sail plan. The sail plan, simply put, is the number of sails, the type of sails, and how the sails are mounted to the masts (also called rigging ).

Sailboat are mostly named after the sail plan, but occasionally, a sail type is thrown in there as well.

So now we know what to pay attention to, let's go and check out some sailboats!

Dinghies are the smallest and most simple sailboats around.

They are your typical training sailboats. Small boats with an open hull, with just one mast and one sail. Perfect for learning the ways of the wind.

On average, they are between 6 and 20 ft long. Mostly sailed single-handed (solo). There's no special rigging, just the mainsail. The mainsail is commonly a Bermuda (triangular) mainsail. Dinghies have a simple rudder stick and no special equipment or rigging.

Dinghies are great for learning how to sail. The smaller the boat, the better you feel the impact of your trim and actions.

How to recognize a sailing dinghy:

• short (8ft)
• one Bermuda sail
• open hull design
• rudder stick

Common places to spot them: lakes, near docks

If you'd ask a kid to draw a sailboat, she'll most probably draw this one. The Bermuda Sloop is the most popular and most common sailboat type today. You'll definitely recognize this one.

How to recognize a Bermuda Sloop:

• triangular mainsail (called a Bermuda sail)
• a foresail (also called the jib)
• fore-and-aft rigged
• medium-sized (12 - 50 ft)

Fore-and-aft rigged just means "from front to back". This type of rigging helps to sail upwind.

Any sailboat with one mast and two sails could still be a sloop. Even if the sails are another shape or rigged in another way. For example, here's a gaff-rigged sloop (more on the gaff rig later):

If you want to learn all about sail rigs, check out my full Guide to Understanding Sail Rig Types here. It has good infographics and explains it in more detail

The Bermuda sloop has a lot of advantages over other sailboat types (which is why it's so popular):

• the Bermuda rig is very maneuverable and pretty fast in almost all conditions
• it's really versatile
• you can sail it by yourself without any problems
• it's a simple setup

Common places to spot a sloop: everywhere. Smaller sloops are more common for inland waters, rivers, and lakes. Medium-sized and large sloops are very popular cruising boats.

Cutters have one mast but three or more sails. Most cutters are Bermuda rigged, which means they look a lot like sloops.

How to recognize a cutter:

• looks like a sloop
• two or more headsails instead of one
• commonly one mast
• sometimes an extra mast with mainsail

Cutters have more sail area, which makes them faster, but also harder to sail single-handed. There's also more strain on the mast and rigging.

Common places to spot a cutter: everywhere. Cutters are very popular for cruising.

They mostly have a Bermuda rig, which means triangular sails. But there are also gaff cutters and naval cutters, and some have two masts.

Here's an example of a two-masted naval cutter with an extra gaff mainsail and top gaff:

The Hydrofoil is a pretty new sailboat design. It's a racing sailboat with thin wing foils under the hull. These lift up the hull, out of the water, reducing the displacement to nearly zero. The foils create downforce and keep it from lifting off entirely.

This makes the hydrofoil extremely fast and also impressive.

The hydrofoil refers to the keel type. There are both monohull and multihull hydrofoils.

How to recognize a hydrofoil:

• it flies above the waterline and has small fins

Common places to spot a hydrofoil: at racing events

Famous catamaran: La Vagabonde from Sailing La Vagabonde

A catamaran is a type of cruising and racing multihull sailboat with two hulls. The hulls are always the same size.

Most catamarans have a standard Bermuda rig. The catamaran refers to the hull, so it can have any number of masts, sails, sail types and rig type.

How to recognize a catamaran:

• any boat with two hulls is called a catamaran

Common places to spot catamarans: coastal waters, The Caribbean, shallow reefs

The advantages of a catamaran: Catamarans heel less than monohulls and are more buoyant. Because of the double hull, they don't need as deep a keel to be stable. They have a smaller displacement, making them faster. They also have a very shallow draft. That's why catamarans are so popular in the Caribbean, where there's lots of shallow water.

Catamarans are nearly impossible to capsize:

"Compared with a monohull, a cruising catamaran sailboat has a high initial resistance to heeling and capsize—a fifty-footer requires four times the force to initiate a capsize than an equivalent monohull." Source: Wikipedia

How to recognize a trimaran:

• any boat with three hulls is called a trimaran

Trimarans have three hulls, so it's a multi-hull design. It's mostly a regular monohull with two smaller hulls or floaters on the sides. Some trimarans can be trailered by winching in the auxiliary hulls, like this:

This makes them very suitable for long-term cruising, but also for regular docking. This is great for crowded areas and small berths, like in the Mediterranean. It sure is more cost-effective than the catamaran (but you also don't have the extra storage and living space!).

Common places to spot Trimarans: mostly popular for long-term cruising, you'll find the trimaran in coastal areas.

Gaffer refers to gaff-rigged, which is the way the sails are rigged. A gaff rig is a rectangular sail with a top pole, or 'spar', which attaches it to the mast. This pole is called the 'gaff'. To hoist the mainsail, you hoist this top spar with a separate halyard. Most gaffers carry additional gaff topsails as well.

Gaff rigs are a bit less versatile than sloops. Because of the gaff, they can have a larger sail area. So they will perform better with downwind points of sail. Upwind, however, they handle less well.

How to recognize a gaffer:

• sail is rectangular
• mainsail has a top pole (or spar)

Since a gaffer refers to the rig type, and not the mast configuration or keel type, all sailboats with this kind of rigging can be called 'gaffers'.

Common places to spot a gaffer: Gaffers are popular inland sailboats. It's a more traditional rig, being used recreationally.

Schooners used to be extremely popular before sloops took over. Schooners are easy to sail but slower than sloops. They handle better than sloops in all comfortable (cruising) points of sail, except for upwind.

How to recognize a schooner:

• mostly two masts
• smaller mast in front
• taller mast in the back
• fore-and-aft rigged sails
• gaff-rigged mainsails (spar on top of the sail)

Common places to spot a schooner: coastal marinas, bays

How to recognize a ketch:

• medium-sized (30 ft and up)
• smaller mast in back
• taller mast in front
• both masts have a mainsail

The ketch refers to the sail plan (mast configuration and type of rig). Ketches actually handle really well. The back mast (mizzenmast) powers the hull, giving the skipper more control. Because of the extra mainsail, the ketch has shorter masts. This means less stress on masts and rigging, and less heel.

Common places to spot a ketch: larger marinas, coastal regions

How to recognize a yawl:

• main mast in front
• much smaller mast in the back
• back mast doesn't carry a mainsail

The aft mast is called a mizzenmast. Most ketches are gaff-rigged, so they have a spar at the top of the sail. They sometimes carry gaff topsails. They are harder to sail than sloops.

The yawl refers to the sail plan (mast configuration and type of rig).

Common places to spot a yawl: they are not as popular as sloops, and most yawls are vintage sailboat models. You'll find most being used as daysailers on lakes and in bays.

Dutch Barges are very traditional cargo ships for inland waters. My hometown is literally littered with a very well-known type of barge, the Skutsje. This is a Frisian design with leeboards.

Skutsjes don't have a keel but use leeboards for stability instead, which are the 'swords' or boards on the side of the hull.

How to recognize a Dutch Barge:

• most barges have one or two masts
• large, wooden masts
• leeboards (wooden wings on the side of the hull)
• mostly gaff-rigged sails (pole on top of the sail, attached to mast)
• a ducktail transom

The clipper is one of the latest sailboat designs before steam-powered vessels took over. The cutter has a large cargo area for transporting cargo. But they also needed to be fast to compete with steam vessels. It's a large, yet surprisingly fast sailboat model, and is known for its good handling.

This made them good for trade, especially transporting valuable goods like tea or spices.

How to recognize a Clipper:

• mostly three masts
• square-rigged sails
• narrow but long, steel hull

Common places to spot a clipper: inland waters, used as houseboats, but coastal waters as well. There are a lot of clippers on the Frisian Lakes and Waddenzee in The Netherlands (where I live).

This particular junk is Satu, from the Chesapeake Bay Area.

The Chinese Junk is an ancient type of sailboat. Junks were used to sail to Indonesia and India from the start of the Middle Ages onward (500 AD). The word junk supposedly comes from the Chinese word 'jung', meaning 'floating house'.

How to recognize a Chinese junk:

• medium-sized (30 - 50 ft)
• large, flat sails with full-length battens
• stern (back of the hull) opens up in a high deck
• mostly two masts (sometimes one)
• with two mainsails, sails are traditionally maroon
• lug-rigged sails

The junk has a large sail area. The full-length battens make sure the sails stay flat. It's one of the flattest sails around, which makes it good for downwind courses. This also comes at a cost: the junk doesn't sail as well upwind.

The cat rig is a sail plan with most commonly just one mast and one sail, the mainsail.

Most sailing dinghies are cats, but there are also larger boats with this type of sail plan. The picture above is a great example.

How to recognize a cat rig:

• smaller boats
• mostly one mast
• one sail per mast
• no standing rigging

Cat-rigged refers to the rigging, not the mast configuration or sail type. So you can have cats with a Bermuda sail (called a Bermuda Cat) or gaff-rigged sail (called a Gaff Cat), and so on. There are also Cat Ketches and Cat Schooners, for example. These have two masts.

The important thing to know is: cats have one sail per mast and no standing rigging .

Most typical place to spot Cats: lakes and inland waters

Famous brig: HMS Beagle (Charles Darwin's ship)

A brig was a very popular type of small warship of the U.S. navy during the 19th century. They were used in the American Revolution and other wars with the United Kingdom. They carry 10-18 guns and are relatively fast and maneuverable. They required less crew than a square-rigged ship.

How to recognize a brig:

• square-rigged foremast
• mainmast square-rigged or square-rigged and gaff-rigged

How to recognize a tall ship:

• three or four masts
• square sails with a pole across the top
• multiple square sails on each mast
• a lot of lines and rigging

Square-rigged ships, or tall ships, are what we think of when we think of pirate ships. Now, most pirate ships weren't actually tall ships, but they come from around the same period. They used to be built from wood, but more modern tall ships are nearly always steel.

Tall ships have three or four masts and square sails which are square-rigged. That means they are attached to the masts with yards.

We have the tall ship races every four years, where dozens of tall ships meet and race just offshore.

Most common place to spot Tall Ships: Museums, special events, open ocean

This is a bonus type since it is not very common anymore. As far as I know, there's only one left.

The Trabaccolo is a small cargo ship used in the Adriatic Sea. It has lug sails. A lug rig is a rectangular sail, but on a long pole or yard that runs fore-and-aft. It was a popular Venetian sailboat used for trade.

The name comes from the Italian word trabacca , which means tent, referring to the sails.

How to recognize a Trabaccolo:

• wide and short hull
• sails look like a tent

Most common place to spot Trabaccolo's: the Marine Museum of Cesenatico has a fully restored Trabaccolo.

So, there you have it. Now you know what to look for, and how to recognize the most common sailboat types easily. Next time you encounter a magnificent sailboat, you'll know what it's called - or where to find out quickly.

I loved this article. I had no idea there were so many kinds of sailboats.

i have a large sailing boat about 28ft. that im having a difficult time identifying. it was my fathers & unfortunately hes passed away now. any helpful information would be appreciated.

Jorge Eusali Castro Archbold

I find a saleboat boat but i can find the módem…os registré out off bru’x, and the saleboat name is TADCOZ, can you tell me who to go about this matter in getting info.thank con voz your time…

Leave a comment

You may also like, guide to understanding sail rig types (with pictures).

There are a lot of different sail rig types and it can be difficult to remember what's what. So I've come up with a system. Let me explain it in this article.

The Ultimate Guide to Sail Types and Rigs (with Pictures)

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Small Boat Names

• On February 23, 2023

Back in 2016, the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) presented a unique opportunity for the general public to name a new Royal Research Ship.

Little did they expect the hilarious outcome that ensued. The winning name, overwhelmingly chosen by the UK public, was none other than “Boaty McBoatface.” This whimsical and unforgettable name showcased the remarkable sense of humor and wit of the participants.

It serves as a testament to the power of funny boat name s to capture attention and leave a lasting impression.

If you’re looking to add a touch of humor to your own vessel, read on to discover how to cleverly name your small boat and make a splash on the water.

See More Articles For Boat Names:

• Fishing Boat Names
• Famous Boat Names (Celebrities and Historical)
• The Best & Most Popular Boat Names of All Time
• Boat Names From Songs
• Gangster Boat Names

Well, you don’t have to be a part of any Royal Research Ship project or poll to give your own small boat or fishing boat a fun and original name. Below is a list we have compiled primarily for small boats, although some names are certainly generic enough to be used on bigger boats.

Feel free to look around and choose the perfect name for your small boat!

Best Small Boat Names

• The Fin Eater
• Sea Chariot
• Summer Joyride
• Captain’s Treasure Chest
• Small Fry Fisherman
• Wind Whisperer 
• Bluewater Drifter
• Little Boat Can
• Admiral Anchor
• Pretty in Pink
• Nautical Star
• High Tide Hooligan
• Little Leaper
• Mini Mermaid 
• Fishing With Friends 
• Life’s A Breeze 
• Tiny Titanic  
• Mini Moby (or Moby Mini)
• Catch of the Day
• Adventurous Explorer
• Salty Dog 
• Captain Ahab’s Rage
• Viking Raider
• The Yacht Club 
• Fogue, Fo’ Sheezy!
• Less is More
• Scat Cat 
• Seas the Day
• Small Wonder
• Lazy Lagoon
• Ripple Effect 
• Oceans of Fun
• The Reel Deal
• Sailor Smirks 
• Mini Mariner 
• Dilly Dally
• Sunny Side Up
• Little Swimmer
• Tiny Trawler
• Playful Paddler 
• Tropical Getaway 
• The Smallescape
• Dolphin Dreamer 
• Seagulls & Stars 
• Tiny Tugboat
• My Lil’ Sidekick
• My Fair Lady
• My Little Lady
• One for Fun
• Sea Shark 
• Go Float Yourself
• The Mini-Me
• The Little Nautilus
• Silverfish 
• Little Rascal
• Mermaid’s Retreat 
• The Smaller Picture
• Coconut Cruiser
• Captain Courageous  
• Tiny Trapper
• Tiny Trotter
• Riptide Ride 
• Salty Seadog
• Little Dipper
• The Skipper
• Knot Normal
• Dreamcatcher
• Island Time

Names for Small Fishing Boats

• The Total Catch
• Hooked on Fishing
• Gone Fishin’ 
• Bait Master
• Casting Call 
• Trolling Times
• Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
• Big Small Catch  
• Fishtail 
• Big Small Reel
• Tackle Box  
• High Tide Hunter  
• Gone With Worms
• Nets & Dreams
• Fisherman’s Friend  
• Bait & Switch  
• Lines of Fate 
• Tale of the Fish 
• Small Big Catch
• Fishing All Day 
• Small Small Sea
• Fish Tales 
• Angling Adventures  
• Aquanaut 
• Fins & Feathers
• Twisted Lines 
• Fishin’ Frenzy
• Wet & Wild  
• Fisherman’s Haven
• Small Small Catch 

Best Funny Small Boat Names

• Small Big Adventure
• Small ship of Fools 
• Man o’ Small   
• Tiny Terror
• S.S. Smallstuff 
• Miniature Mayhem  
• Little Leaky 
• Whale Tale 
• Lil Boat o’ Dreams
• Floundering  
• Last Small Hope  
• Little Lotta Fun
• Tin Can Sailors 
• Biggish Small Boat
• Itty Bitty Sailor
• Small Adventures  
• Small Step for me
• Small World
• Tic Tock Boat 
• Lil Prairie Boat 
• Skipper Skimpy
• In Small We Trust
• Bottom Feeder
• Soggy Bottoms
• Tiny Town Terror 
• Seashell Smallventure
• Miniature Maniacs

Small Boat Names Based On Profession/Career

• Legal Lady – for a female lawyer’s boat
• Health Sailor – for a doctor’s boat
• Tooth Ferry – for a dentist’s boat
• Blue Justice – for a police officer’s boat
• Fin Hunter – for a fisherman’s boat
• Sport Fisher – for an athlete’s fishing boat
• Job Site – for a construction worker’s boat
• River Runner – for a kayaker or canoeist’s boat
• Aqua Trainer – for a fitness trainer’s boat
• Sea Chef – for a chef’s boat used for fishing or entertaining guests
• Ocean Explorer – for a scientist’s research boat
• Artist’s Cove – for an artist’s boat used for inspiration and creativity
• Water Works – for a plumber’s boat
• Sea Professor – for a teacher’s boat used for educational trips
• Islander – for a boat owned by someone who lives on an island.

You might also be interested in reading:

Funny Boat Names

What Does BOAT Stand For

Boat Name Placement and Lettering Requirements

Lake Boat Names

The Iconic Jaws Boat Name

Steve Momot

Steve is an accomplished professional photographer and marketer who specializes in the Fishing, Yacht, and Boating industry. With a strong presence as an influencer and marketing expert in the Marine Industry, he has made a significant impact in the field. Additionally, Steve is the original creator and co-founder of Sportfishtrader. Prior to his career as a marine photographer, he gained extensive experience as a licensed boat and car dealer in South Florida.

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Best 140+ Sailboat Name Ideas (Cool, Funny, Clever)

It’s no secret that sailboats are the best. They’re beautiful and elegant, and allow you to get away from it all.

That’s why so many people name their boats after some of their favorite things: hobbies, pastimes, or general themes.

We’ve got a list of our favorite sailboats and their names. Check them out!

top 10 sailboat names

Some great sailboat names are pretty old-fashioned. Here it’s just a 10 list of names to get your creativity flowing! Enjoy!

• Crackerbox: is a fun name for a boat that’s sturdy and reliable.
• Fair Wind: Fair Wind is a great name for any boat, because it’s so hopeful!
• Brave Spirit: This is a reference to the spirit of adventure that is so central to sailing,
• Starboard Attitude: this is a great name for a boat that always has an attitude—it just works!
• Fiddler’s Green: this is the best name for anyone who loves sailing and music—and beer!
• Sound Runner: This name is a reference to the ship’s speed.
• Wayward Wind: This name refers to the way the wind blows, which can sometimes be unpredictable.
• La Vie d’Argo: This name is a play on words, as it is both French for “the life of Argo” and also an acronym for “Live the Adventure of Life”.
• Sea Raven: This name was used because sea ravens are known for their ability to travel long distances over water.
• The allure of the Seas: This name comes from the fact that many people find cruising on a cruise ship very alluring.

good sailboat boat names

A good sailboat name is like a good band. It’s the perfect combination of elements that make up a memorable experience.

• Quitin’ Time: It’s time to go home, and your boat is the only way to get there.
• Island Time: You’re going on vacation, so you should take it easy and enjoy the ride.
• Next Destination: Where are you headed? What’s next?
• Keelhauler: The boat has been around for a long time, and it’s seen a lot of different places—and people—over its lifetime.
• Lucky Dog: You’ve got good luck following you like a puppy dog!
• What Y’acht?: is a boat name that’s perfect for anyone who loves yachts.
• Goochy Blue!: is a boat name that’s perfect for anyone who loves gooey blue things.
• Cruisin’ the Gulf: is a boat name that’s perfect for anyone who loves cruising through the Gulf of Mexico.
• Pura Vida: is a boat name that’s perfect for anyone who loves Pura Vida, the Spanish phrase for “pure life” or “good life.”
• Set Sail: this is a boat name that’s perfect for anyone who wants to set sail on an adventure!
• Gone With the Wind: The name of a boat, but also a great movie.
• Windswept: A beautiful name for a boat that’s going to make you want to sail away on it.
• Navigator: Because this boat will help you find your way through life and lead you to new adventures!
• Sea Queen: This name is perfect if you’re looking for something regal and elegant!
• Rumble Sea: It’s got a little bit of an edge, but still sounds pretty cool!
• Super Nova: If you like things that go boom, this is the perfect name for your boat!

Read More: Top 150+ Cute Boat Names You’ll Love (Cool, Funny, Unique)

Funny sailboat boat names

A funny sailboat boat name is a must-have for any serious sailor who wants to be able to identify their boat at sea.

• Toasted Again
• Up to Your Rudder in It
• Admiral Cote’s Fault
• High Seas Vessely
• Botheration Cove
• Aye Aye, Captain!
• The Big Duck
• Slip Slidin’ Away
• Double Jointed
• Love Handles
• Bad Influence
• Notorious P.I.G.
• May Contain Nuts
• Shear Madness
• Crabby Patty

cool sailboat boat names

Cool Sailboat Boat Names – These fun names for boats can make any sailing trip more memorable

• Lady and the Tramp
• Ice Breaker
• Afterthought
• Pinky and the Brain
• Section: Morning Glory
• Golden Hind
• Bonnie Lass

Read More: Top 100+ Sweet Boat Names to Inspire You

claver sailboat boat names

Claver is a sailboat name that refers to the structure of the boat. It’s an old-fashioned word for “lazy.”

• Wind Dance: A boat name that will make you feel like you’re sailing on the wind, and kicking up some dust.
• Moon Dancer: This boat name is perfect for those who love to dance under the moonlight.
• Second Star II the Right: This is an excellent boat name for anyone who thinks they can find their way through the stars.
• Excellent Adventure: This name is perfect for a voyage or exploration.
• Wind Whisperer: This name is perfect for a boat because it whispers over the water when you’re sailing.
• Celerity II: This name is perfect for a fast boat that you can sail around the world.
• Shanty II: Shanty II was named after a boat that the owner’s grandfather used to own.
• Lullabye: was named after a lullaby the owner’s mother sang to him when he was young.
• Dream Catcher II: Dream Catcher II was named after a dream catcher that the owner made with his cousin.
• Half Seas Over: Half Seas Over is named for the owner’s love of sailing, which gave him a “half seas over” feeling whenever he sailed.
• Hoochie Mama!: is named for an ex-girlfriend of the owners who was “hoochie mama” in every sense of the word.
• Imagine: A perfect name for a boat that transports you to your wildest dreams.
• Indigo Child: The color of the sky at sunset. That’s how we feel when we’re on this boat.
• Cloud Nine: It’s like being in heaven, but without all the religious stuff.
• Dolphin’s Path: We love dolphins because they’re so playful and free-spirited, like our boats!
• Carpe Diem: This boat is named after a Latin phrase that means “seize the day.” We’ll take it any way we can get it!
• Easy Street: A boat name for a boat that is easy to ride and fun to be on.
• Forever Young: A boat name for a young person that wants to live forever.
• Excitation: A boat name for an exciting, fast-paced ship.

classy sailboat boat names

 Feel the wind in your hair and catch a glimpse of the world on our classy sailboat boat names.

• Serendipity
• Feelin’ Nauti
• Yellow Submarine
• Eye of the Storm
• Tropic of Capricorn
• Knotty by Nature
• Lucky Duck II
• Slippery When Wet
• Happiness Is…

Read More: Best 70+ Iconic Boat Names ideas

small sailboat names

These sailboat names are cute, but they don’t even compare to the size of your boat.

• The Baltimore
• Little Clipper
• The Sponge Bob
• Dock of the Bay
• Sailing Icon
• Miss Liberty
• Dinghy, Dory, and Dinky-Do
• The Ripple Effect
• Fortune Cookie
• My Castaway
• Reflections
• Dream Catcher
• Stormy Petrel

Why Do People Use Sailboats?

Sailboats are a great way to enjoy the water without needing a motor. They can be more affordable than other boats, and they’re great for exploring new places.

What is the Difference Between a Boat and a Sailboat?

A boat is any vessel that floats on water. Boats are used for many purposes, from recreation to transportation and military use. A sailboat is a type of boat that uses sails as its primary source of propulsion. There are many different types of sailboats, including catamarans and yachts.

What is a 2-Person Sailboat Called?

A 2-person sailboat is called a catboat, and it’s one of the most popular boats for sailing with a small crew. When you’re looking for a boat to take out on the water with a group of friends, these are great options because they’re so stable and easy to navigate.

What is a Good Name for a Sailboat?

A good name for a sailboat is something easy to remember and say but also evokes the boat’s spirit. For example: “The Sea Hawk” or “The Ocean Blue.”

So, did we help you find the perfect boat name ? If so, great! We hope this article has inspired you to find the perfect boat name.

We think all of these names are great, and it’s up to you to pick which one works best for you!

We wish you safe travels and happy boating with your new vessel!

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BOATERS BLOG

Fifty nifty and witty boat names .

By Mary Wilson • May 27, 2022

Boat Insurance

You’ve fallen in love with the perfect boat, become a National Boat Owners Association member, secured the perfect boat insurance , and found the best marine financing . There is only one thing left before setting sail… naming your beloved watercraft! 

Why Should You Name Your Boat?

Giving your boat a thoughtful name is a critical task, as this legacy will live on even if you decide to pass your boat down to your children or sell it in the future. Sailors have been naming their boats for thousands of years to attract good fortune and luck on the open seas. While the tradition began by naming ships after saints, gods, and goddesses, today, boat owners name their vessels after whatever speaks to them or something to make themselves, friends, family, and others on the water chuckle. Fun and witty boat names can be found printed on countless watercrafts all around the nation. So, to get your own wheels (or propellers) spinning, our creative team here at NBOA is sharing their 50 favorite humorous and crafty boat names . 

Nautical Pun Boat Names 

• A Wave from it All 
• Alotta Ocean
• Barley a Wake
• Knot on Call
• Pier Pressure
• Sail La Vie
• Seas the Day
• Shore Thing
• The Salt Shaker

Fishing Joke Boat Names 

If you love to fish or are purchasing a new fishing boat, why not select a name that encapsulates or expresses your passion for this hobby. Although this sport can require calm, silence, and patience, the name for your fishing boat can certainly add levity like the ones below.

• Fishful Thinkin’
• Great White
• Lady Kriller
• Marlin Monroe
• Snapperologist
• Grim Reefer
• Sushi Hunter
• Tuna Colada 

Adult Humor Boat Names 

• Feelin’ Nauti
• She Got the House
• Fin and Tonic
• On the Docks 
• Sin or Swim

Movie Inspired Boat Names

Spending an afternoon on your boat might be a lovely family activity that you look forward to each week or when the kids come to visit. Or perhaps you are a big movie buff yourself and simply love a good film. Either “ore,” naming your boat after your favorite movie, sea-themed or not, is amusing, entertaining, and fun for the whole family. 

• The Codfather
• Eat Cray love
• Fishin’ Impossible
• Fishy Business
• The Great Gatsea
• Baits Motel 
• The Black Pearl
• Finding Nemo 
• Gone with the Wind 

More Clever Boat Names  

Inspiration for the perfect boat name can come from anywhere and at any time. So, keep your eyes and ears open, and don’t be afraid to think outside of the box, or beyond the bow. Our last collection of clever boat names comes from pop culture references, food puns, everyday life, and simply something comical we heard. 

• Hydro Therapy
• Fish and Ships
• Frank Ocean
• Liquid Asset
• Boaty McBoatface
• Fishcapades 
• Liquid Limo 
• New Kid on the Dock
• Bouys and Gills

For more suggestions and guidance when purchasing a boat, talk to the experts here at NBOA . When it comes to making sure your new beautiful investment is properly funded and insured, take a look at our resources for securing affordable marine financing and boat insurance with ideal coverage to fit your lifestyle.  

Get a Your Insurance Quote