Buying A Boat

Category Archives: Buying A Boat

Buying A Cruising Yacht

Everyone out there likes the idea of a shiny new boat. While buying a new yacht is an accomplishment in itself, you shouldn’t spend over your budget then be unable to take it anywhere. When you buy a yacht, always look at what comes with the boat and decide if it’s everything you want.

Types of construction

GRP Almost all cruising yachts out there today are made of GRP construction. GRP material is long lasting, strong, and easy to repair. Osmosis is the only real problem here, as the blisters it leaves can be sometimes costly to repair.

Buying A Used Boat

Those of you who have the money and plan to keep one boat forever, should buy it new. If you happen to be on a budget and skeptical about owning a boat, you should buy it used.

Buying used is great for some, although it isn’t always the most glamorous decision. The oceans and lakes are filled with boaters who are far wealthier than most. Many boaters go well beyond their means and finance their boats at extreme levels.

What really counts with a used boat is being out there on the water. Someone who is out there every weekend on his beat up boat is a great boater. A businessman who only has time to ride on his 60 foot yacht once or twice a year isn’t considered a boater at all.

Buying The Right Anchor

The right way to use an anchor is probably one of the least understood areas of boating. If you are new to boating, you may be thinking – how hard can it be? You simply throw the anchor in the water, wait until it hits the bottom, then tie it off, correct?

Anyone who is experienced with boating has probably seen the types of problems that type of attitude can cause. Just like everything else in boating, anchoring requires the right equipment, careful thought, and a lot of practice.

The starting point is selecting the right ground tackle (the proper term for the anchor, line, chain, shackles and swivels) for your boat and your style of boating. There is no single anchor that will do everything perfectly. Each style has its own unique benefits and drawbacks, and each one performs best under its given conditions.

Cash Or Finance For Your Boat

Before you go out and purchase your boat, remember that boating is a hobby and you shouldn’t go overboard with it. Unlike your house, boating isn’t really worth going into debt for. First time buyers who aren’t sure about boating should always make sure they spend well within their budget.

To get the most out of your boat, it’s always a better idea to scrape up your recreational dollars, sell a few of your belongings, and simply save up for a while. In the meantime, you should carefully study the boating market. When you manage to save up 3,500 – 25,000 dollars, go ahead and buy the boat you want.

Inspecting Your New Boat

The viewing, or inspecting your boat is a very important part of the buying process. Inspecting will allow you to see what you are buying before you pay any money.

You may want to use a surveyor to do this, as they will perform a very detailed inspection of the boat you are interested in. You can be present if you like, as this will give you the chance to ask questions if you like.

Although using a surveyor is the best way to do an inspection, you can do it yourself if you are experienced and confident enough. There are many parts of the boat to inspect, which makes it nearly impossible for beginners.

Storing Your Boat

One of the keys to owning a boat is the question of where to keep it when you aren’t using it. Your budget, convenience, and availability are all keys that should be talked about.

Trailering

There’s no less expensive way to store a boat than on a trailer in your driveway or yard. A trailer offers you the advantages of taking your boat into different areas of water, taking your boat out whenver you like, or just saving fees on your winter storage. Before you look into a trailer, make sure that your vehicle has the towing capacity for your boat and the equipment you need.

Towing And Trailering

A trailer can add a new dimension to the sense of freedom associated with boating. Once you have a trailer, you’re pretty much free to boat anywhere you decide, lakes, rivers, or inlets. A trailer allows you to explore your area, and is also the most affordable way to store your boat.

Starting out

If you’ve never owned or trailer or trailered a boat before, there are several things you should know and consider. The first thing is the towing capacity of your truck, car, or SUV. If you don’t know, you can easily find the information in your owner’s manual.