If, by overall, you mean for DIY, house renovations, painting fences, weatherboards and that sort of thing, then I'd say a beltsander by miles.

On the other hand, a good plane will last generations, and be a joy to use. There's also something about that fine schhhhhhhhhick sound and making shavings that's just intensely satisfying once you figure out how to get the blade properly sharp.

I wouldn't use a beltsander for fairing a boat - waay to easy to take too much off in the wrong place. I can't use a plane on mine either though due to the grain going every whichway - long sanding board and ROS for me this time.

Get both. It's the only real answer!

There's no such thing as too many (good) tools - only too small a workshop.

Simeon.

: Which tool is more useful overall. They seem to be similar in
: function, but very different. I'm thinking about using this for
: more than just boats. As a guy, power tools are often on the
: Xmas list and one of these is next on the list.
: Scott