What To Think About Before Getting A Boat

A boat offers you some amazing benefits if you decide to buy one. It can be a great recreational vessel, whether it's a small rowing boat or a yacht. It can also be something you can sleep or even live aboard for longer trips, and it can allow you to explore areas in new and exciting ways. It's a fun thing for your family to own, and it can give all of you some amazing experiences that you won't get from anything else. However, boats can also be expensive to own and it's important that you don't buy one that you're not going to use.

There are various things that you will probably want to think about if you're thinking about getting a boat. Consider some of the following points before you take the plunge and buy one.

What Sort of Boat Do You Want?

Firstly, you have to consider what type of boat you want. There are all kinds of boats that can be used for different purposes, from single-person recreational boats to larger yachts or even barges that have more space. You need to think about what sort of boat you're interested in and what exactly you want to use it for. Are you thinking about a rowing boat big enough for two that you can use for fishing? Maybe you're considering a boat that will fit the whole family so you can take trips together. This is obviously something to nail down first. You might want to start doing some research to understand some of your options.

Your Boat Buying Budget

Boats can get pretty pricey, although it obviously depends on what sort of boat you're looking for. Coming up with a budget and deciding whether you want to finance a brand-new boat with a loan or another credit option is one of the first things to consider doing. Of course, first, you need to have an idea of what you can afford and what sort of prices you will be looking at for the type of boat you want. Maybe you are looking to buy a boat to use in a popular holiday location, for example. Start exploring some places selling both new and used boats online using a search term like “New Boats For Sale Florida” to get an impression of the prices for a few options so you can understand how much you could be spending.

Boat Running Costs

It's not just the initial cost of buying a boat that you will need to take into account. Running a boat costs money too, and you will have to think about the ongoing costs that you need to pay for. These could include fuel, maintenance, mooring or storage space, cleaning costs, insurance costs, safety checks, and other associated expenses. Creating a budget for how much you are likely to spend each year, as well as some less frequent maintenance expenses, will help you to get a better idea of the true cost of owning a boat.

Boat Maintenance

All boats need to be maintained, so you need to consider both the money and time required to keep your boat in good condition. Different types of boats will, of course, require different types of maintenance, so some won't need as much attention as others. Some things to consider might include the size of the boat, whether it has an engine or motor, how it will be used, and what type of water and conditions it will be used in.

You might plan to buy a boat that needs some initial maintenance to renovate it, or you might need to carry out some work to it a few years down the line. It's worth planning and budgeting for this type of thing too. Maybe you need to carry out a boat flooring replacement, repaint it, service the engine, or do anything else that might need to be done over the boat's lifespan. Remember that you could come up against unexpected repairs, as well as planned maintenance, so it's smart to have an emergency fund. Some say that it will cost 10% of the purchase price each year to maintain your boat, so it's important to be prepared.

Where to Keep Your Boat

Whether it's big or small, you need somewhere to keep your boat. This can be another expense related to owning a boat, and it's also a practical issue to consider. Small boats can often be easily stored, whether in your garage or on your drive or perhaps in a storage unit. Larger boats usually remain in the water even when not being used because it's too expensive and time-consuming to take them in and out all the time. So you might need to find a marina or somewhere to moor your boat, which also gives you access to the body of water you want to use (sea, lake, river, canal).

You might also need somewhere separate to keep your boat in the winter in some locations. If the water will freeze or the cold will affect your boat negatively, you need to be prepared to move it.

Where and When to Use Your Boat

Thinking about exactly where and when you're planning to use your boat is important. If you want to make sure you're going to use it, instead of buying it and then neglecting it, you need to make plans for its use. You might already have a location in mind. Perhaps you live close to a lake or coastal area and plan to use your boat there. However, the most important question is often when you're going to use your boat. Do you have plans to use it on the weekends or when you're on vacation? How likely is it that your family actually will make use of it, and how many times a year will you use it? Is it really worth it?

Operating Your Boat

If you're buying a boat, you need to know how to operate it. The learning curve will depend on the type of boat, but you might want to seek out lessons to teach you some key skills. One thing to keep in mind is that, although you don't usually need a license to take control of a boat, you do need to know some of the rules and regulations. The exact rules you have to follow are influenced by location and the body of water you're on, as well as the type of boat. You can find useful resources to read up on the relevant rules or consider taking a course.

Boat Safety

Staying safe on your boat is vital, especially if you're planning on taking your family along. Firstly, you will want to think about certain safety equipment to keep everyone safe while onboard, such as personal flotation devices (life vests) and a rescue ring. It can also be useful to have equipment like a fire extinguisher on board. Getting lost can be dangerous too, especially in rough weather, so the right tools for navigation are also important. Educating yourself is also an important part of staying safe on your boat, along with a healthy dose of common sense.

Your Future Needs

You might be buying a boat that is suitable for you and your family now, but will it still be the boat that you want and need in a few years' time? You might not want to buy and sell boats every time your needs change, so it's worth planning ahead and thinking of the future. Try not to think too much about now and consider the next few years too.

Think carefully before you get a boat so that you know you have covered all of the important matters and that buying a boat is right for you.