Study boat designs before you buy. Read as many articles as you can and study boats from other parts of the world. Don't just subscribe to Cruising World, also get a good European yachting magazine. The British magazine, Yachting World, is probably the most widely read in Europe and has wonderful articles. You want a boat that balances well down wind and also goes well to windward to get you off a lee shore.

A boat of moderate displacement with a modified fin keel and skeg rudder is best. It's a misconception that the boat that looks like a Sherman tank is safest to sail. Some boats are so overweight they can't get out of their own way! A heavy boat is slower to right itself when knocked down, may tend to wallow, and is slower. It's fine to say you're not in a hurry, but faster passages are safer. The longer you linger, the more likely you will still be there when the next storm passes! It's frustrating to know your friends are tucked safely in port while you are still battling the elements. Don't buy a "Winnebago on the water."

Buy quality before quantity. Maintenance, equipment, berthing fees, insurance, etc. all increase as the size of the boat goes up. Big boats draw a lot of attention; how conspicuous do you want to be?

Down below, the boat should be fully functional at sea. There should be lots of handholds. A gimbaled table is nice. Have fuel tanks flushed and cleaned before a long voyage. Otherwise, dirt and water may get stirred up in heavy weather, clogging filters and blocking the fuel system. Start out clean and carry a funnel with a filter for fueling in foreign ports where the fuel quality may be doubtful.

Your sails are your engine. Sails should be triple stitched and have patches where they may chafe (e.g., against the spreaders). A good, fully-battened main with slab reefing will improve performance and give ease of handling. The mainsail should have a third reef, and consider a storm tri-sail. Take your sail maker out for a sail and have him check the points just mentioned, the cut of your sails, and their suitability for the intended voyage. Money spent on good sails is money well spent. Inspect all standing rigging; before departing on an extended cruise, consider doing this with the mast unstepped. Check all running rigging and have plenty of spares.

Practice cooking at sea, not just at dock or at anchor. Don't wait until you are underway on your first voyage. Even if you have a watermaker, learn to conserve your water supply-equipment breaks! If you have electric water pumps, turn them off while at sea; use only hand or foot pumps. This makes you conscious of how much water you use. Learn to use as little water as possible. Catch rain.

Don't expect a wife to be a galley slave. Make her a full partner. Have you and your spouse take sailing lessons separately, so you each build competence and self confidence. Jointly participate in trip planning and navigation--share the effort and the enjoyment! Think about getting a Ham radio license.