Not every sailing boat makes a good cruising boat. Improperly thought out arrangements, or poor quality or badly installed equipment that may cause some inconvenience in a boat operating close to harbour, can cause injury, or even loss of the boat itself when cruising hundreds of miles from land and away from immediate assistance. This guide aims to help prospective buyers decide on the cruising boat best suited to their needs, whether just coastal cruising or planning a blue water voyage to the other side of the world. Contents include choosing a suitable hull type, evaluating different rigs, accommodation layouts, choosing an auxilary engine, electrics and electronics, ground tackle and warps, and choices of tender, safety and medical equipment.