Sailboat Buying Guides & Articles | TrueNorth Yacht Advisors

Hidden Danger – Chainplates: The Most Dangerous Stainless Steel You Can’t See

What Chainplates Are (And Why Your Mast Refuses to Stand Without Them) Chainplates are deceptively simple pieces of stainless steel, usually flat bars bolted to the strongest parts of the hull. Their job is to anchor the standing rigging—the shrouds and stays that keep the mast from falling over whenever the boat leans into real wind. Classic sailboat - chainplates Think of them as the skeletal attachment points of your entire rig. Subtract them, and the mast becomes a very t

Captn Tommy

23 hours ago4 min read

The Hallberg-Rassy 44: A Brilliant Yacht That Still Deserves a Proper Inspection

Some boats earn their reputation through marketing. Others earn it through glossy interiors, fancy upholstery, and a good Instagram filter. And then there’s Hallberg-Rassy — a yard that built its reputation the slow, stubborn, Swedish way: by delivering boats that look after their crew when the weather decides to make things interesting. The Hallberg-Rassy 44 is a perfect example of this philosophy. It’s modern, more lively than earlier HR models, and undeniably handsome. But

Captn Tommy

1 day ago6 min read

Why the Amel 55 Deserves a Smarter Kind of Buyer

And why doing your homework properly can save you from a very expensive mistake. Amel 55 - TrueNorth Yacht Advisors Some yachts become popular because they’re pretty. Some because they’re fast. And then there are the Amels — boats that earn their reputation the hard way: by carrying real people across real oceans, year after year, while other yachts quietly give up. The Amel 55 sits right in the middle of that legacy. It’s the last great ketch of the old Amel philosophy, and

Captn Tommy

1 day ago7 min read

Clear, practical guidance for anyone buying a used sailboat

These articles break down the real-world issues buyers face—structural risks, hidden moisture pathways, engine and rigging concerns, negotiation strategy, and what a professional surveyor looks for during an inspection.

You’ll also find detailed walkthroughs of common failure points, step-by-step checklists, and model-specific insights based on years of blue-water experience.
Whether you’re comparing boats online, preparing for a survey, or trying to avoid expensive surprises, these resources give you the clarity and confidence you need to choose the right yacht.