1Determining Your Boating Requirements

As with any large purchase it is vital that you take the time to carefully research the type of boat and the length of boat that you believe will best suit your planned uses for it. If you are looking for a boat to use on an area lake you will have different requirements than if you were looking for a boat to sail out of a harbor and spend time in the ocean. Determine what you will be using your boat for – while a sailboat can offer you with hours of joy spent on the water, a speedboat or jetski boat can be ideal if you are into water sports. Are you looking for a family boat to spend time out on the water? Or are you looking for a smaller boat that is ideal for fishing?

By narrowing down your choices in boats you will be able to better set your budget and have a clear idea as to what you are looking for. One of the primary mistakes made by boat buyers is to buy a boat that is not suitable for their needs; avoid this common error and determine your boating needs before setting out to look at boats – and before potentially falling in love with the wrong boat!

2When To Buy a Boat

The best time to purchase a boat is during the off-season; don’t wait until the dark and chilly days of winter have receded leaving warm and sunny days in their wake. You are not likely to be the only person with ideas of buying a boat; this will, in turn, drive up the price of the boats. The law of supply and demand is always an important thing to remember when making any purchase, especially a purchase as large as a boat. Start your search for your new boat once boats have been winterized and are no longer being used on a daily basis; you may find that boats dealers are much more eager to negotiate on the price of the boat during the off-season!

3Where To Buy a Boat

There are several good resources for buying a boat; it is generally a good idea to do a fair amount of research and comparison shopping before making your decision and settling on a boat that doesn't suit your exact needs.

• Boat Shows

  Boat shows are not just a great way to view a wide range of wonderful boats for every water use but they are a good place to build contacts for purchasing your own boat. Many boats dealers will be able to let you know what boats they currently have in their inventory and also help you with your financing needs if you are interested in purchasing a brand new boat from them.



• Marinas

  Generally, a visit to a marina will prove to be a worthwhile trip for a person in the market for an affordable used boat. You are sure to find many boats displayed for sale around the marina; this will not only put you in touch with boat sellers but it could prove to be a great place to meet fellow boating enthusiasts who may be able to provide you with a bit of guidance in your search for the perfect boat.



• Buy a Boat Online
  

  Craigslist is much more than a source for a new bicycle or a new coffee table for your living room; many boat owners list their boats on Craigslist in order to expand the pool of potential buyers. Use a bit of common sense when looking to buy a boat online; if it seems too good to be true, it most likely is! Craigslist can prove to be incredibly useful as a source for seeking out great deals on pre-owned boats!

4Things To Consider

Whether you purchased a brand new or used boat, there are several items that you should take into consideration to ensure that you are getting the best deal possible on your new boat.

Before signing on the dotted line, you should give serious consideration to having the boat inspected by a professional who will be able to help you identify any potential problems with your new purchase. A boating professional will be able to advise on you all of the issues to keep an eye out with your new boat, including any irregularities in the hull.

In addition to the condition of the hull, the following parts of your boat should be thoroughly inspected:

- The engine
- The bilge
- The steering and throttle controls
- The propellers
- The fuel tanks
- Any riggings, hardware, and sales
- The upholstery

If you are purchasing a used boat then you should have the boat inspected for mildew and rot problems that could wind up costing you a small fortune to remedy. It makes little sense to buy an affordable boat that fits neatly into your budget but then wind up spending a considerable amount of money on repairs just to bring the boat up to standard!

If it is not possible to take the boat out on the water when you are viewing it, perhaps due to inclement weather, you should at the very least test everything on board to ensure that everything is completely functional. Turn on the lights, start the engines if possible, raise the sails, and generally put the boat through its paces.

Buying a boat does not need to be an unattainable dream; even on the strictest of budgets it is still possible to locate a boat that will fit neatly into your lifestyle and, most importantly, neatly into your budget. With a lot of research and a bit of comparison shopping, you will soon find yourself enjoying your time out on the water in your new boat!