Boating is a hobby as old as man’s need to explore. With a history stemming back all the way to 4,000 BC, guys’ love affair with boats is nothing new.
If you’re craving the salty spray of the ocean and want to see the natural beauty of the water, buying a boat may be the perfect fit for you.
But before you head out to see, raise your sails and slow down to make sure you’re considering these five factors.
1. Why Do You Want to Buy a Boat?
Imagine buying a high-end sports car when you’re only planning on driving to and from work. It’d be a massive waste of power (and money)!
In many ways, buying a boat is quite similar. So before you start shopping, ask yourself one simple question: Why do you want to buy a boat?
The type of boat you buy will depend on what you’re planning on doing with your watercraft.
Bass boats, for instance, are an ideal choice for those who want to use their boat primarily for fishing. With that said, it doesn’t contain a ton of room.
A cruiser, on the other hand, is an ideal type of boat for those who plan on bringing friends and family out to sea but isn’t ideal for fishing.
Then there’s the awesome, man-cave style houseboat!
Always research the best boat for your hobby to avoid overspending and underperformance.
2. Keeping Your Investment Safe
Boat insurance is a great way to keep your brand new nautical investment safe.
You’ll need to determine your state’s requirements — if they require insurance at all — as well as what qualifies as minimum coverage. But even if your state doesn’t require boat insurance, it’s a good idea to keep your boat protected in case of an accident or weather damage.
So as you begin to search for the boat of your dreams, make sure you’re factoring insurance into the costs to avoid unexpected fees.
But that isn’t where your costs end.
Invest in inflatable boat sponsons to stabilize your boat, no matter how rough the waters may be. This is a particularly helpful investment for new and inexperienced boaters, as it’s all too easy to lose control of your watercraft during turbulent boating sessions.
3. Understanding The Best Time to Buy a Boat
So you know that you want to head out and sail the seas. But did you know that there’s a best time to buy a boat?
The best time to buy a boat tends to be in the spring. Why spring, you may wonder?
Because newer models tend to release in the summer, right before everyone heads to the beach.
As a result, you can find the cheapest prices from March to early May.
4. Boat Storage Isn’t Free
Don’t get so preoccupied with picturing yourself in the new boat that you forget about storage costs, also called mooring. After all, you’ll need to do something with your boat when you’re not using it.
The cost of mooring can add up to $1,000 per month depending on how large your boat is.
5. Consider The Pros and Cons of New vs. Used Watercrafts
New vs. Used: It’s an age-old debate that doesn’t only affect vehicles on the road.
As nice as owning a boat straight from the factory may be, it isn’t the most economically feasible option for most people. In contrast, a used boat may cost less but already has wear and tear, shortening its overall shelf-life.
There isn’t a right or wrong answer. Instead, it’ll mostly come down to personal preference and your budget.
What to Consider When Buying a Boat
Unless you’re made of money, buying a boat without consideration isn’t something you’re likely to do. From cost to storage to insurance, there are tons of things you’ll need to consider.
Have any questions? Get in touch and let’s talk!
