New and Used Wooden Boats for Sale
Wooden boats are timeless and often elegant, whether it’s a traditional sailboat or a sleek motorboat. Both new and used wooden boats honor age-old seafaring traditions, as well as offering one of the smoothest rides of any boat. Search for wooden boats for sale by style, age, price point, or len... learn more about Wooden Boats
46 New and Used Wooden Boats
Ashore Salcombe (United Kingdom)
15.88 ft.
1960
Used
Coves built launch for sale lying Salcombe, Devon. Justinis a lovely little launch built by the well renowned Coves Boat Yard in Salcombe. She is a wooden launc...
$12,964 *
Beale Park (United Kingdom)
25.0 ft.
1962
Used
What a delightful name for a slipper stern launch and one which this boat has had since leaving the yard in 1962 behind the Andrews family tractor which was taking Windflower to the station to board a freight train heading eventually for Windermere where it had been ordered by a Cumbri...
$45,537 *
Chertsey (United Kingdom)
22.01 ft.
1937
Used
The joy with any vintage boat is of course partly in the historic research. Sometimes this proves to be an impossible task. However on this occasion the current owners, and indeed saviours, of Lavinia B have discovered a great deal about the past of this lovely, elegant bijou of a moto...
$25,993 *
Windsor (United Kingdom)
31.99 ft.
1937
Used
How lovely to come across a cruiser where the owners have taken the trouble to track the history right back to the nineteen thirties and even more delightful is the fact that she bears the name which she had on her first launch in August 1937. Two friends own this boat and have taken g...
$45,603 *
United Kingdom
24.02 ft.
2023
New
The all new PTS 24 by Statement Marine We first started talking about the new, smaller PTS model more than 18 months ago and now here it is. Originally it was going to be 22 feet when we had the first renderings from the renowned Dutch architects Vripack. However between conception a...
P.O.A. *
Henley on Thames (United Kingdom)
26.67 ft.
2023
New
Video Tour
A contemporary weekender A contemporary weekender hybrid or diesel A classic Pettersson style design built in Holland and based on one of the most revered Swedish yacht designers from the nineteen thirties and forties. This small Dutch yard builds these quality contemporary classi...
P.O.A. *
KENT (United Kingdom)
46.49 ft.
1925
Used
Built in Cowes by the venerable J.S. White in 1925 as an RNLI lifeboat, Mary Scott has had a long and distinguished career. However for the past few years which one might name 'her retirement' she has been loved and cared for by her current owner who has lived on her for extended perio...
$65,081 *
Henley on Thames (United Kingdom)
23.2 ft.
1961
Used
Kyrenia was constructed as Kyrenia of Brundall in 1961 at the venerable yard of Broom boats in Brundall. This particular design was known as the Broom Robb and was a popular family cruiser with two generous berths in the saloon and a fold out double in the cockpit. This particular bo...
$45,537 *
Henley on Thames (United Kingdom)
33.99 ft.
1934
Used
Natasha is a very rare and beautiful 'belle epoque' gentleman's launch with exquisite stained glass windows throughout the cabin. Natasha is a very rare and beautiful 'belle epoque' gentleman's launch with exquisite stained glass windows throughout the cabin. It is thought that the c...
$110,749 *
West Berkshire (United Kingdom)
25.0 ft.
1959
Used
Swanella - reduced for a quick sale An Andrews 25ft slipper stern launch which has been maintained over the years by its two owners, one of whom is now the President of the Thames Vintage Boat Club and of course Swanella bears proof of this with its membership plate. It is the boat, ...
$32,508 *
Nähe Münster (Germany)
18.37 ft.
1966
Used
Description: (G) All information without guarantee, please ask for further photos and details. Details Newsletter: Marex 310 "Sun Cruiser" - Model year: 2020 1 x Volv...
$71,551 *
United Kingdom
21.0 ft.
1995
Used
A Frolic 21 electric dayboat with canopy and inlaid wooden decks A Frolic 21 electric dayboat with canopy and inlaid wooden decks Harrow is a Frolic 21 built by the Steam and Electric Launch Company in the mid nineteen nineties and presented as a birthday gift to Richard Branson. ...
$12,964 *
Henley on Thames (United Kingdom)
20.01 ft.
2016
Used
The ultimate day fishing boat or all year round cuddy cruiser When a lake dwelling fishing enthusiast wanted the ultimate stable spacious boat to fit in his boathouse he designed Matilda with Hamish of PBW. Nippy and comfortable, ideal for estuary, lake or river this is a unique and ...
$50,814 *
Liverpool (United Kingdom)
48.0 ft.
1947
Used
Encountering Albaquila for the first time was a real 'wow' moment for me. This is a wonderful testament to British boatbuilding post war and to one couple's dedication to restore and preserve this beautiful vessel for future generations to enjoy. She was commissioned by a London stockb...
$220,847 *
Beale Park (United Kingdom)
20.67 ft.
2022
Used
When the Baycraft 19 first appeared at the Traditional Boat Festival in Henley on Thames she certainly turned heads. Here at HSC we are delighted to have been appointed as agents for the builders and have hull number 1 at the boat store ready for viewing. Scamp, as the builders affec...
$52,052 *
Kingston on Thames (United Kingdom)
14.76 ft.
2008
Used
Built by Rivers and Tides in Germany fifteen years ago then finished to my specification by Dennetts here on the Thames and with just two owners from new, Moules Frites is a smart and unique 17 footer which has Honda outboard but could have an electric outboard if preferred by a new ow...
$18,176 *
United Kingdom
16.99 ft.
1941
Used
Chris Craft Sportsman Deluxe. This restoration is a true head turner. We have a Chris Craft which we look after at HSC and which we sold some years ago to a very happy owner. Keuka is a smaller model with no less charm. I viewed her out of the water on her trailer recently and note ...
$52,052 *
THAMES (United Kingdom)
25.0 ft.
1907
Used
Princess Beatrice has been with the same owners for many many years. Like many well loved classic boats she has become like a cherished family member. However advancing years suggests a prudent moment to sell. Electric canoes are something of a specialist interest with their elongate...
$22,085 *
Beale Park (United Kingdom)
25.0 ft.
1952
Used
Every few years an Andrews Day Launch comes onto the market, and this one is a really first rate example of the genre full of original period detail. Glenelg has been cared for during the long enthusiastic ownership of its current owners, first by Colin Henwood and then by Henwood and ...
$52,052 *
Henley on Thames (United Kingdom)
18.01 ft.
1960
Used
She can best be described as an Eastern European version of a Riva (a fast little motorboat) probably built for the lakes outside Berlin in the former East Germany in the vicinity of Kopernick. Her lines are exceptional and what would have been a smelly Wartburg 3 cylinder 2 stroke eng...
$25,407 *
THAMES (United Kingdom)
35.01 ft.
1931
Used
Built in East Anglia in the early nineteen thirties by a well known British boat builder, JW Brooke, and christened Sunny Morn, Tarbes II has survived for nearly a century in her original format as a luxury saloon launch. You can expect lashings of varnished mahogany, two cockpits, one...
$123,778 *
Henley on Thames (United Kingdom)
29.49 ft.
1890
Used
Swift x came into my life in 1990 when exhibiting at the London Boat Show as part of the Steam and Electric Launch Company crew where the boat had been fully restored. At that time we had reengined this historic teak hulled boat with an impressive steam plant and the new owner who bo...
$57,980 *
Venice (Italy)
33.99 ft.
1894
Used
Lady Betty would originally have been a steam launch, in fact an Admiralty pinnace built as she was in Queen Victoria’s reign. She is of double diagonal teak construction and extremely robust. Exported after one of the Phillips classic boat auctions in Henley on Thames she was original...
$91,205 *
THAMES (United Kingdom)
31.5 ft.
1949
Used
Thelmarie is an interesting motor yacht, to be more accurate it could possibly be described as a motor sailer, although the sail is more suited to be a steadying sail and for its current use as a Thames cruiser the mast is possibly more for decoration than anything else. I was impres...
$63,844 *
Henley on Thames (United Kingdom)
15.49 ft.
1938
Used
How's That is a smart 1938 pre war Chris Craft deluxe runabout and a good boat for those wishing to have a head turning classic which they can keep at home under its full cover or in the garage for occasional outings at classic boat events or simply for cruising with friends. The deli...
$25,993 *
Chertsey (United Kingdom)
22.01 ft.
1937
Used
The joy with any vintage boat is of course partly in the historic research. Sometimes this proves to be an impossible task. However on this occasion the current owners, and indeed saviours, of Lavinia B have discovered a great deal about the past of this lovely, elegant bijou of a moto...
$25,993 *
Portishead (United Kingdom)
26.25 ft.
1983
Used
Marketing Description A classic Maurice Griffiths cruising design, essentially a more modern Eventide, the Golden Hind 26 is a tough little shoal draught cruiser. ...
$8,860 *
Ipswich (United Kingdom)
31.5 ft.
1973
Used
The Golden Hind 31 is a deeply traditional Maurice Griffiths design which has proved to be a reliable and sturdy offshore cruiser with easily handled sea kindly per...
$12,378 *
* Price displayed is based on today's currency conversion rate of the listed sales price.
ABOUT WOODEN BOATS
Wooden boats are timeless and often elegant, whether it’s a traditional sailboat or a sleek motorboat. Both new and used wooden boats honor age-old seafaring traditions, as well as offering one of the smoothest rides of any boat. Search for wooden boats for sale by style, age, price point, or length to find the perfect one.
Main Characteristics of Wooden Boats
Wooden boats have always held a special place in sailor’s hearts, and they’re steeped in tradition and heritage. Wooden boats come in all styles and sizes, from tiny wooden rowboats up to ocean-going galleons. While materials such as fiberglass and aluminum are today most widely used in boat-building, there are still manufacturers building new wooden boats combined with modern technology and engineering. And with classic models to be found on the used market, owning a wooden boat is certainly achievable.
While wooden boats often need considerably more maintenance than those built of other materials, they are renowned for offering a soft ride thanks to the natural shock absorbing and flexible properties of timbers such as teak and mahogany. The interior of a large wooden boat can also be much quieter than composite or aluminum boats going through the waves.
Types of Wooden Boats
Wooden Sailboat
Wooden sailboats run the gamut of styles and sizes, from 12-foot sloop to large cutter and everything in between. While the majority of wooden sailboats today are classics, there are still some companies building new models including boats ranging up to superyacht size (100 feet long) using a combination of cold-molded/epoxy wood construction with judicious use of carbon fiber. Large ocean-going cruising yachts will have cabins, galleys, and heads, as well as navigation equipment, while gaffers, with their long bowsprit, and sporty keelboats are typically day cruisers or racers.
Wooden Runabout
Sleek and elegant, wooden sport boats or runabouts glide effortlessly across lakes such as Michigan, Como, and the French Riviera. Whether made by Riva, Chris-Craft, or others, they are head-turners reminiscent of classic cars, often with twin or triple cockpits, long, slim lines, and high-end finishings and leather upholstery. Modern versions can be combined with electric engines for a quieter, smoother ride.
Wooden Cabin Boat
Wooden cabin cruisers were popular styles in the early 1900s, with brands such as Chris-Craft building models around 28 feet that allowed for protection from the elements in the small cabin. Other types, such as small clinker cabin boats can be found all over the world and are especially traditional in the Mediterranean countries where they were built as (and are often still used as) coastal fishing boats. They are ideal for coastal cruising as well as being popular features on rivers and inland waters.
Wooden Trawler Boat
Today trawler boats offer stability and comfort, with plenty of interior space and excellent long-range seakeeping abilities. Classic wooden trawler yachts are a slice of heritage, harking from a time when they were used as fishing vessels designed to withstand harsh sea conditions. Today they are often sought after as liveaboard vessels due to their modest prices, albeit a large amount of maintenance may be required.
Best Wooden Boat Brands
Wooden boats fall into two broad categories; classic models and new-build boats. Classic or used wooden boats can be highly collectible, especially those from prominent boat-builders. Brands such as Chris-Craft, who are still in operation today with their selection of luxury fiberglass bowriders and sports boats, were once one of the most highly regarded builders of wooden motorboats in the early 1900s. Century Boat’s classic mahogany runabout inboards are sought-after too, as are Italian brand Riva’s classic wooden models. When it comes to classic wooden sailboats brands such as Spirit and Herreshoff stand out.
There are a few dedicated brands still building wooden boats combined with modern engineering and innovation. Swiss brand Boesch builds a range of exquisite sports boats (some with electric engines), as do HackerCraft with their timeless sport and racer models. Other brands include Streblow, Grand Craft, and Shearline, whose unique range of custom wooden sportfishing boats stand out from the crowd. When it comes to new wooden sailboats, brands such as British-based Spirit Yachts, Artisan Boatworks (Maine), and Working Sail are just a handful of brands keeping the centuries-old traditions alive.
Why Choose a Wooden Boat?
The main reason to own a wooden boat is to honor the traditions it represents, and to be part of a group of people preserving that centuries-old seafaring heritage. They are often beautiful vessels, can offer a smooth ride, and turn heads wherever they go. It’s important to keep in mind that wooden boats need a lot more upkeep and maintenance than boats built from modern materials, and they also cost considerably more to purchase and insure.
Should I Buy a Wooden Boat?
Wooden boats are a commitment, and owning one involves ensuring it is well-looked after and has a very regular maintenance schedule. There is a prestige and joy that comes with owning such a beautiful and timeless vessel, but wooden boats, whether new or used, are best suited to experienced boat owners and not ideal first-time boats unless DIY work already comes easily to you.
This article was written by Samantha Wilson in February 2024.