In thirty years at sea I've answered this question hundreds of times — at marinas, at boat shows, over WhatsApp. People who start thinking about owning their first vessel always arrive at the same crossroads: sailboat or motorboat. What I've noticed is that most people already have a leaning — they just want someone with experience to confirm they're thinking it through correctly.
There is no single right answer. But there are clear criteria to make the right decision. Here is what I evaluate when someone asks me.
"The question is not which boat is better. The question is which boat is better for you."
The differences that matter
Before we get into the details, I want to be clear about something: I'm not here to convince you of anything. I own a sailboat because I'm passionate about offshore sailing and the autonomy it provides. But I've also advised on the purchase of dozens of motorboats, and I know that for many profiles, a motorboat is exactly what's needed. Honesty matters more than romanticism.
| Sailboat | Motorboat / Powerboat | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary propulsion | Wind (engine as backup) | Outboard or inboard engine |
| Typical cruising speed | 5–8 knots average | 15–35+ knots depending on engine |
| Fuel cost | Low — wind is free | High, especially on longer passages |
| Range on passage | Very high — ocean crossings possible | Limited by fuel tank capacity |
| Stability in rough seas | High — ballasted keel keeps her upright | Variable — depends on hull design |
| Living space aboard | Good at 35 feet and above | Very good, especially flybridge models |
| Learning curve | Steep — requires learning sail trim | Gentler — more intuitive to handle |
| Annual maintenance | High — rigging, sails, auxiliary engine | Moderate — mainly engine(s) |
| Entry price (used) | From ~$30M CLP (30-foot cruiser) | From ~$15M CLP (smaller boat) |
| Best use case | Cruising, passages, liveaboard | Day trips, fishing, fast excursions |
What do you want the boat for?
This is the question to answer before anything else. Not the budget, not the size, not the brand. Intended use defines everything else.
If what you want is to head out on a Saturday with the family from a lake or bay, fish for a couple of hours, and be back home for lunch, a motorboat is the right answer. It's easier to handle, faster, and the learning curve to operate it safely on sheltered or coastal waters is much lower.
In Chile, for use on the southern lakes, the bays of the Valparaíso Region, or short excursions in the Los Lagos Region, a well-equipped motorboat with the right engine and safety gear in order is the ideal tool.
If the idea that excites you is leaving on a Friday and arriving in Chiloé by Sunday, or eventually crossing the Pacific, or exploring the southern channels without depending on fuel supplies or marine service stations, then sailing is for you. The learning curve is longer and demands commitment, but those who persist gain a level of freedom at sea that a motorboat simply cannot provide.
A sailboat also makes sense if the project is to live aboard or make sailing a lifestyle rather than just a weekend hobby.
The Chile factor: geography decides
Chile has a coastline of more than 6,400 kilometers and an interior geography of channels, fjords, and islands with no equivalent in the world. That changes the equation in ways many buyers don't consider.
In the southern channels — Chiloé, Aysén, Magallanes — the sailboat has an enormous advantage: fuel autonomy and the ability to ride out bad weather in a heavy, stable hull are real safety factors, not romanticism. Wind in that region is constant, and the distance to the nearest marine fuel station can be enormous.
In the central zone — the bays of Valparaíso, Algarrobo, Quintero, Lake Rapel, Lake Villarrica — typical use is a few-hour or day excursion. For that profile, a well-equipped and well-maintained motorboat is more practical, cheaper to operate, and easier to store ashore.
"In the southern channels, the safest fuel is the wind. In the bay of Algarrobo, speed matters more than range."
The real economics
This needs to be addressed directly, because many buyers underestimate running costs and discover them too late.
A 22–26 foot motorboat with a 150 HP outboard has a reasonable entry price in the Chilean used market. Fuel consumption is significant — expect 30 to 60 liters per hour at cruising speed — but outboard engine maintenance is relatively simple and standardized. If you don't use it heavily, the annual cost is manageable.
A 35–42 foot cruising sailboat is more expensive to buy, more expensive to maintain, and requires a berth or yard capable of handling its length — which in Chile, particularly in the Valparaíso and Los Lagos regions, can be costly and hard to secure. However, the fuel cost per mile sailed is significantly lower, and resale value over the long term tends to be more stable.
- 22-foot / 90 HP motorboat: Berth or dry storage $800K–$1.5M · Insurance $400K–$700K · Engine maintenance $300K–$600K · Estimated total $1.5M–$2.8M CLP
- 26-foot / 150 HP motorboat: Berth $1M–$2M · Insurance $600K–$1M · Maintenance $500K–$1M · Estimated total $2.1M–$4M CLP
- 35-foot cruising sailboat: Berth $1.5M–$3M · Insurance $800K–$1.5M · Antifouling + haul-out $600K–$1.2M · Rigging & sails (amortized) $800K–$1.5M · Estimated total $3.7M–$7.2M CLP
- 40-foot cruising sailboat: Berth $2M–$4M · Insurance $1.2M–$2M · Full maintenance $1.5M–$3M · Estimated total $4.7M–$9M CLP
These are indicative ranges — they vary by location, vessel condition, and frequency of use. But they give a sense of the annual economic commitment involved in each option.
What nobody tells you before you buy
I've seen people buy a sailboat dreaming of the southern channels and use it three times in five years, because learning to sail requires time and commitment they didn't have. I've also seen people buy motorboats thinking they'd be out every week, only to discover that fuel costs made it unsustainable to go out more than twice a month.
A boat that doesn't get used becomes a fixed cost with no return. Before deciding on the type of vessel, be honest with yourself about how many days a year you will realistically go out, and what kind of experience you're seeking. That matters more than any technical argument.
- How many times a year will I realistically go out — 2 or 20?
- Do I want to arrive fast or enjoy the journey?
- Is my sailing area a lake, a sheltered bay, or open ocean?
- Do I have or do I want to learn sail trim and rigging?
- Do my crew — family or friends — prefer the speed of a motorboat or the pace of a sailboat?
- Am I thinking of day trips or multi-day passages?
- Does the project include sleeping aboard regularly?
Still not sure which is right for you?
Tell me your situation — sailing area, intended use, budget — and I'll give you an honest recommendation based on your specific profile.
Talk to the Captain →