Boat Buying Guide

Unlike cars, boats are not just a symbol of luxury. Having a yacht, for example, doesn’t just mean that you have the money to purchase an expensive mode of transportation. Quite the opposite, in fact. Owning a boat is an experience that is comparable to no other. Still trying to decide if you should buy a boat? We can help.

Depending on their type, they can be used for simple relaxation, for thrilling ocean trips or even for living. That being said, you have made the right lifestyle choice to buy a boat. Here are a few tips to help you get started.

Get Familiar with the Different Boat Types

One of the first steps to take when buying a boat, and probably the hardest, is to choose the type of boat that will be most suitable to both your needs and your personal preferences. Usually, boats can be separated in three main types, depending on the activity they are most suitable for. Each of those types has different specifics that you must be aware of, before making your final choice.

• Watersport Boats  – Aimed at thrill seekers, watersport boats for sale are built and sold to people who are interested in watersport activities, such as wakeboard, waterskiing and more. Usually, those type of boats are recommended only to people with experience in watersports, but there are also basic waterski boats that cater to enthusiasts.

• Cruising Boats – If you are looking for a nice relaxing experience, then you should look for cruising boats for sale. Depending on personal preferences, there are cruising boats that have cabins for overnight stays, while there are also day-only boats offering better speed and equipment for activities during the day.

• Fishing Boats  – Another popular type of boats, almost everyone is familiar with, are fishing boats. If you are a fishing enthusiast, then you are most probably looking to buy a fishing boat for sale. Their features include an open cockpit in the back and a bigger deck space for fishing.

Buying a New Boat or Buying a Used Boat?

Another important decision you will have to make in the process of purchasing a boat is whether you’d like to search for new or used boats for sale. There are a lot of pros and cons to both choices and while most often the decision boils down to budget and personal preferences, you should nonetheless be familiar with what each choice has to offer.

• New Boats – One of the best benefits of purchasing a new boat for sale is the ability to better customize your boat and choose among the available extras, so that the boat best fits your personality and personal preferences. What’s more, with a new boat you are almost always guaranteed that your boat will be in a great condition.
• Used Boats – The best benefit of purchasing a used boat for sale is without a doubt the lower price range. If you are going to go for a used boat, make sure that you have a boat expert by your side, such as a marine surveyor, to help you out, so that you can be certain of the condition of your boat and be aware of any repairs that might be needed before purchasing.

Size, Model, Insurance

Other items you should keep in mind and think through, before buying a boat for sale, are the size, the model and the insurance. First off, size highly depends on the activity for which you are purchasing your boat. However, size also matters in the difficulty of handling and sailing so make sure that your first boat is a mid-to-lower sized and that it is certified to carry all the passengers you are planning to bring. The different boat makers and boat models available on the market are also a thing you should be familiar with, but this will require more time to research and is best to be done once you’ve settled on a boat type and size. Also, once you’ve purchased your boat consider your insurance options. If you are buying a yacht, make sure to also consult with a tax adviser, as your boat might be qualifying for a ‘second home’ tax deduction.

That’s it. Now go ahead and buy your first boat. Speed ahead.