Few purchases are more exciting than your first boat. Boating opens up a whole new recreational world for first-time buyers, and there’s definitely all sorts of fun to be had out there on the water.
But it’s imperative to get the decision right when it comes to what you want—and a lot goes into that. What follows is a quick guide about the most important things to do before buying a boat and what’s involved in the process.
Choose the right type of boat
The first step in the buying process is to narrow down your choices. This should be based on what you’re going to be doing when you go out boating-fishing, entertaining, cruising, or something more specialized. Narrowing down your choices will help you identify what you want.
Keep in mind that you’ll also be choosing the boat’s propulsion system. The options include a sail, an inboard or outboard motor, stern drive, etc. You’ll also need to define the boating accessories and equipment you’ll need. Furthermore, you need to keep your skill level in mind. If you’re a novice or relatively inexperienced at boating, starting small—don’t buy a huge, complex boat right away.
Set a budget
The next step involves your budget. Keep in mind that you’re not just buying the boat—you need to be able to store it, and there are also maintenance and operational costs involved. Making a comprehensive budget is one of the most important things to do before buying a boat. After you set your budget, make sure you stick to it throughout the buying process.
Define your shopping process
As is the case with many items, the process of shopping for a boat has changed a lot in the last few years. You can now get most of the basic information from websites, so if you’re really serious about buying a boat, you should use that as your foundation. Set up some visits to physically see the boat you’re going to buy.
As you do this, learn some of the specifics about how to evaluate the boats you’re considering. Check the engine, the electronics, the finish on the hatches, and all the other basic systems. Ask lots of questions and gauge the answers carefully. You can also hire an expert to conduct a prepurchase survey, which is just one of the many different types of boat surveys.
You must consider your final decision very carefully. Don’t buy a boat on impulse. t’s easy to fall in love with a boat that may not suit your needs, and the last thing you want to experience as a first-time purchaser is buyer’s remorse.
