Every man needs in his life at least one sports car, one fine watch and one boat. It’s no use trying to explain the power over we men these objects have — they’re toys for grownups and means of enjoying one’s success, and there’s nothing wrong with desiring them.
’Buying your first boat can be tricky though. The world of boating and maintenance is unlike that of cars or even home ownership. You’ll need to gain an understanding of general boating concepts, learn what you want and consider the future of your investment.
Types of Boats
When you decide you want a boat, it’s probably for a specific activity. Fishing boats don’t make good ski boats, and ski boats don’t make good houseboats. Understand exactly what you want to do with your boat so that you can find something that will deliver the features you need. Certain models will deliver more practicality, but generally, there’s no overlap in the boating world. Owning a sailboat and owning a bass boat are completely different experiences.
When you’re confident that you know what you’ll be doing with your boat, you can decide how much you want to spend and start shopping.
Shopping for a Boat
Showrooms for boats are typically specific to manufacturers, but many first-time buyers won’t be purchasing a new one. Instead, you’ll want to get online and begin looking at used listings.
Boat sales are often conducted directly between the owner and the new buyer, without the presence of a brokerage or proverbial “used car lot.” This setup can make the shopping more arduous, but you’re better positioned to get exactly what you want. As with a used car, you might save yourself lots of trouble by getting a pre-purchase inspection on a boat you plan to buy.
Sites like Boattrader and SeaListings will allow you to review listings for different ships on the market. Be sure to consider the condition of the boat and whether it comes with a trailer and slip at the local marina. If the boat you’re purchasing doesn’t already have a storage space, you’ll need to plan for a way to store it yourself. Space at marinas and harbors is limited, so if the boat needs to be stored in water, be prepared to pay a hefty sum to get a spot at a local marina.
If your vessel is smaller, you might be able to keep it on your property parked on a trailer. Just make sure you have a good cover and a cool, dark place for storage.
Boat Ownership
Keeping your ship in good working order is going to cost some money, so it’s best that you do some homework about what the maintenance costs of the specific model you’re buying are and whether or not your new boat will need immediate repairs to be usable. Boats are sensitive machines, and they’re consistently exposed to the corrosive effects of water. If you purchase a boat with requirements like a new gel coat, engine or deck, you might have to spend several thousand dollars on repairs.
Learn how to service your engine and drivetrain, and make sure to keep it clean if it comes out of the water. Allowing rust or flaws in the gel coat to propagate can lead to an early death for many boats, so the act of removing what’s left on the boat’s finish after you take the boat out is highly important for you to enjoy your watercraft for a good long time.
Owning a boat can be extremely rewarding — you just have to understand these simple concepts. What tips do you owners out there have for our readers? Let us know in the comments section below!
