A cruising boat is meant to be liveable for long periods between making land. Typically, cruising just means a multi-day trip. In reality, it can be far longer. Reid Stowe once sailed his self built 70-foot schooner for over three and a half years. This is an extreme example, no one lives on their boat that long, but it gives you an idea of the possibilities. To be able to spend so much time on a boat requires that it be of an adequate size to accommodate everything you would need. If a sailboat is capable of housing you for a few days, technically it can be classed as a cruising sailboat . Typically, cruising sailboats can reach speeds of ten knots. This is needed to be able to make it from one point of land to another before supplies run out. This is not a technical requirement to be “classed” as a cruising sailboat, just a practical one.