If you have been waiting for the perfect boat to come along and you’ve been saving your money, then it’s time to start looking. The market is full of big boats and small boats, old boats and new boats. How do you know which boat is right for you?
We get it — buying a boat can be overwhelming. But we also know that finding the perfect boat doesn’t have to be hard. With this list of 8 questions, the journey from "I don't know what to do" to "I'm ready to buy a boat" will start—no matter what kind of boat you are looking for.
1. What type of Boat?
One of the first decisions when deciding which type of boat to buy is what kind of boat you want. Different boats serve different purposes and some might not be right for you. For example, a sailboat can take you anywhere in the world, but it takes more time and skills to operate – is that what you need?
So, you need to ask yourself what boat suits your requirements? Consider where and how you will use the boat. It seems logical enough but often buyers are inundated with the wide variety and different choices that it is easy to go off course. Remember, boats are specialized and you need to decide how you want to enjoy the water.
2. What do you need a boat for?
There are many different purposes for a boat. Some boats are designed specifically for fishing, boating, water sport activities (water skiing, wakeboarding, banana boating) cruising, short trip escapades or longer excursions, while others are used as part of the water transportation system. There are also luxury yachts that may not be used at all. No matter what your needs, there is a boat out there that is perfect for you.
3. New or Used?
There are pros and cons to buy a new or used boat. It is important to keep your eyes open and do your research and look into both options. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with either one, but for each different type, there’s a different lesson that should be learned to get the right value on your purchase. It all depends on what you feel most comfortable with, and how much you are willing to pay. Good value can often be found by buying online, at an Online Boat Show. – BASCO’s Online Boat Buying and Selling Platform can help you access potential good value from boats online.
4. Go to the virtual market
When you are ready to start shopping for a boat, the best place to begin is online where you have an endless amount of information and pictures at your fingertips. This process may be rather daunting and time-consuming but will be an essential step in gathering lots of useful information that can help you find the right boat for yourself. If this is your first experience with boats or if you’d like someone else to bounce ideas off, consider consulting with a boating coach or adviser as their impartial service ensures that there's no conflict of interest involved when it comes to choosing (or even selecting) which boat might suit your needs best. A fee-based service from BASCO offers impartial advice for more than just boats. BASCO provides buyers with unbiased opinions about various factors -- not just boats either!
5. How much are you willing to spend?
Before you start shopping for boats, it’s important to know how much you’re willing to spend. It may be tempting to just start browsing listings and find one that you can afford, but there are a lot of factors that go into pricing beyond the current market value. For example, if you want a boat with an engine and a trailer, then you need to estimate the cost of both when determining your budget.
Here're the factors that are important to consider before you commit to anything!
How much is the trailer?
How much does the engine cost?
What about registration fees?
Do I have any other requirements or preferences?
What will be the cost of maintaining the engine?
6. How long will your boat be at sea?
Also, you need to consider how long your boat will stay at sea. If you plan on going out for a few days of fishing or two weeks on vacation, you probably don’t need to buy a boat that can last for months at a time.
7. How will you conduct a boat inspection?
This is a crucial part of the buying process! With every major purchase, it is important to make sure you have the best value for your money. So you should consider the boat inspection by a qualified marine surveyor. If you are not convinced about a particular boat then start with a walk-through with an independent and Trusted Boat Buyers Adviser to assess any glaring damages. If all seems in order, then a sea trial is necessary to test all the components in action. If you choose to take it to the next level then a qualified surveyor will require that the boat is hauled out of the water to thoroughly inspect the vessel, above and below the waterline. In addition, most insurance companies will require a recent survey and it will also allow you to truly know your boat.
8. How much time and money will you have to spend and maintain the boat?
This is an important question that you should be asking yourself. If you don’t have time to maintain your boat, it might not be worth it.
Also, estimate the cost of maintenance -- how much will it cost to maintain? Factor in expenses that are required to maintain a boat. (Initial costs – purchase price, and ongoing costs – registration fee, maintenance/repairs, insurance, equipment, petrol, and dock fees)
Final Words
The boat buying process is one that can be both enjoyable and stressful at the same time. With so many boats available and so many different things to consider, it can be difficult to know where to start and how to do each and everything... So, before you do anything else, it’s important to remember that your first priority should be finding the right boat for your needs. After that, the rest will come together much quicker than you might think.
A boat can be a great investment for a passionate boater, but it is important to consider all the factors before making a purchase. To help with your decision, we offer you a guide to buying a boat based on your needs, budget, and the time you plan to spend at the helm.Click here to learn more
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