but it can slide over a seabed covered with dense, coarse seaweed as found in the Mediterranean. A spade anchor of some type, such as the Danforth or the Brittany anchor is a good second anchor. Make sure the anchor is big enough – many are too small.

You will probably be able to dismiss most of the on offer straight away – too large, too small, too expensive, in poor condition, or just don't feel right. Then, you will probably want to go back and see a few again, if they are close together. Otherwise, you have to keep looking till you find the right one. At this point, you can ask for a trial sail, if the boat is in the water.

Then, you make an offer – subject to survey. This is extremely important. You will need to pay not just the surveyor's fees but also to have the boat lifted from the water and launched again unless it is sitting in a yard.

Get a Survey Done

Tell the surveyor if there are doubtful points you saw and makes sure he checks the condition of a wooden on fiberglass hull. In fact, he will probably poke holes in the hull of a wooden boat if he can – if a screwdriver goes in like into cheese, well you will need a new panel. Not necessarily cause to reject the boat as wooden boats are fairly easy to repair.

With fiberglass, he will check the moisture content, which will indicate whether the boat is likely yo suffer from osmosis soon. Osmosis can result in delamination and weakening of the hull, and needs to be put right. The gel coat needs to be removed and the hull dried out, which usually takes at least three months, and then various coats are applied to produce a sound hull again. This takes a long time and costs several thousand dollars.

So if the boat needs osmosis treatment, make sure you are prepared to spend that time and money – otherwise find a better sailboat. Once you receive the surveyor's report, discuss any doubtful points with him, and go back to the seller with an offer based on the amount of work needed. Hopefully, you will be able to come to a deal, and you are on your way to opening the door on a new and wonderful life!

Don't forget to get the sailboat insured, and then you can find somewhere to keep it. Whether the sailboat is new or used, you will need to carry out a 'commissioning cruise' in which you test everything and make sure the sailboat has all the equipment you need. It is also a good idea – especially with your first boat – to have an expert, either a friend or a paid professional to come with you as he or she will find things you may not notice.

John Hartley has been sailing for over 20 years, and has owned three sailboats – one small one and two cruising yachts, and gives helpful information about sailboats and yachts at http://www.sailboatsyachts.com. He is the joint author of “The Leisurely Route to the Med”, and has written over a dozen other books.