Row Boat vs Sailboat: Which Is the Better Choice?

Rowing boats and sailboats suit different people. A rowing boat gives you exercise, simplicity and control. A sailboat covers distance with less physical effort but needs more skill and equipment. Here is how they compare on the things that usually decide it.

Power and speed

A rowing boat is powered by you. That makes it an excellent workout and means you can go anywhere there is water, with no wind needed. A racing shell is fast over a short course, but cruising speed is limited by your fitness. A sailboat uses the wind, so it can cover far more distance for the same effort, but it depends on conditions and may not move at all in a calm. In very strong wind a small dinghy can be fast, but it can also be hard to control.

Design and construction

Rowing boats range from simple fixed-seat dinghies to long, narrow racing shells with a sliding seat. Longer, narrower hulls are faster, while shorter, wider ones are more stable. Sailboats add a mast, sails and rigging, and many have a keel or centreboard to resist sideways drift and help balance the boat. Hulls are built from wood, fibreglass or carbon fibre in both types. A rowing shell is built to be light and fast, a sailboat to carry loads of wind pressure.

For more on how rowing boats differ from the plain rowboats you hire at a park, read rowing boat vs rowboat. If you want a stable boat that borrows from both rowing and kayaking, see what a rowing kayak is.

Skill and learning

You can learn to row a stable boat in a few sessions with a coach, though technique takes years to refine. Sailing requires understanding wind, points of sail, right of way and the weather, and most people take a course. Both benefit from joining a club. A club also gives you access to boats without buying one, which is the cheapest way to try either.

Cost and upkeep

Rowing boats generally cost less to buy and run, with few moving parts. Sailboats need sails, rigging, a mast, often a mooring or berth, insurance and more maintenance. Costs vary widely for both, so look at used boats and club membership first. Our guide to finding a rowing boat for sale explains what to check.

Factor	Rowing boat	Sailboat
Power	Your muscles	Wind
Fitness benefit	High	Low to moderate
Typical running costs	Low	Higher
Skills to learn	Technique and balance	Wind, trim, navigation
Storage	Rack, shed or boathouse	Often a mooring, berth or trailer
Calm days	Fine	May go nowhere

Storage and transport

A small rowing boat can be carried on a roof rack or stored in a shed. A racing shell needs a boathouse or racks and a long trailer. Sailboats are generally bulkier, and larger ones need a trailer, mooring or berth. Both need space to rig or set up.

Where you can use them

Rowing boats suit flat, sheltered water such as lakes, canals and rivers, plus sheltered coasts with a coastal design. Sailboats can handle open water and tides, but need enough room and a suitable wind direction. Check the rules for your water; some waterways restrict sailing or require a licence.

Safety

Both need respect for the water. Wear a buoyancy aid, check the forecast and tell someone where you are going. Rowing in a small open boat in wind and waves is risky, and sailing in strong winds demands experience. Know what to do if you capsize, and keep the boat in view of the shore. Join a club and learn the rules on your water.

Which should you choose?

Choose rowing if you want fitness, simplicity and low cost. Choose sailing if you want to cover distance, carry passengers or cruise. Many people do both, and the water skills carry over. If you are leaning towards rowing, begin with what you need to know before getting in a rowing boat. For rowing options, see rowing boat types and the boats and kit hub.