Boat Buying Tips

Buying the right boat for you depends on a number of factors. How much money do I need? Who can help me in making a decision?  What do I need to look out for when buying a boat? Here are some helpful tips:

What is your budget?
There are a thousand boats to suit your budget. From new to used carefully decide how much per week you are comfortable to spend on repayments, boat accessories, maintenance and general running costs such as fuel and insurance and allow a little extra for the unexpected. Nothing would be worse than having a boat and not being able to afford to run it. Look at your weekly commitment and reduce it marginally, that should enable you trouble free boating for the long term.

How will I store it?
Backyard, trailer, pontoon, dry store or marina berth. Size is everything and factor in all costs associated with each individual situation. Measure up first of course and ring around to price up varying options including travel time to get the boat in the water. This will assist you in your budgeting as well!

What am I going to do with it?
Am I the fishing, skiing or cruising type of guy or girl? Will I be in salt or fresh water? And how many people do I need to accommodate?
Picturing how you want to experience the water and under what conditions will give you the appropriate questions to ask when purchasing. Your boat dealer will have information regarding the product they sell and comparisons to other boat manufacturers, but don’t let that stop you in doing your own research. The internet has some fantastic right ups and boating stories to assist your decision making process.

What safety requirements should I be aware of?
A compulsory course in safety comes when applying for a boat licence in Australia. You should be aware of what dangers can be associated when boating and important information of how to be safe on the water.
Attend one of the interactive courses across Australia and refer with your dealer as well to the safety requirements of your particular vessel. Boating is fun and you should know how to work everything in any situation.

Operating the boat?
This does not just apply to when in the water, but more so how you get it to water e.g. what car is suitable to tow your new purchase, getting the boat in and out at the boat ramp with or without assistance. Various courses are available and they should get you up to speed. If part of the function is too difficult, you may have to consider other vessel options that are more practical.

Other useful tips
• If you’re going to keep the boat forever - buy new
• Before buying a used boat, acquire a sea trial and have it surveyed
• Pre-owned boats generally come with nice add ons that a new boat buyer would have to shell out for
• Always finance a depreciating asset, and invest your cash to offset. This will save you thousands over the years.
• Try not to keep up with the Jones’s. Get what you need within your budget.
• If you’re not sure about purchasing a boat – buy used
• No point in having a boat if you’re not going to use it
• A used boat represents better value as most new boats can lose half their value in two years
• First time boaters within 3 years will either stop using their boat or upgrade

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