Ask people what they think the sign of having ‘made it’ is and what they consider to be a true luxury item, and the answer will often – perhaps even most of the time – be buying a boat. Boat ownership is a dream that many thousands, if not millions of people have, and if you have that same dream, it’s certainly a good one to follow.
However, when it comes to purchasing a boat, there are many things to consider. It’s crucial that you have all the information and know what you’re doing and which boat is the right one for you before parting with any money, especially when buying a boat is not a cheap process. So with that in mind, here are some things to think about when getting a boat.
Figure Out Your Budget
The first thing that springs to mind when it comes to buying a boat is the money it will cost you. There are many different types of boats, which means there are many different potential prices. Some will be high-end, and some will be much less expensive. The important thing to remember is not to overspend. You need to stick to your budget; otherwise, the dream boat you’ve always wanted might turn into a nightmare.
On top of the cost of the boat itself, there are other fees you need to think about too, and these are vital to understand before you make your big purchase. They include:
- Fuel
- Maintenance
- Storage
- Accessories and gear
- Marina and docking costs
- Insurance
You must ensure that these costs are included in your overall budget so you know you can definitely afford the boat in the first place.
New Or Used?
Something that will help you when it comes to costs is deciding whether you want to buy a new or used boat. There are pros and cons to each option, so it’s wise to weigh up the decision carefully.
With a new boat, you’ll usually have a good warranty, and everything will be up to date, utilizing the most current technology. You’ll have complete peace of mind that, should anything go wrong, you have something to fall back on, but you’ll also know that there is little that can go wrong as everything is new.
With a used boat, it’s the cost that is most tempting. You can buy a used boat for a fraction of the cost of a new one. However, if that used boat is not in good condition, it will cost you a lot in maintenance and repair, and it won’t be reliable – it might not even be safe, and with boat safety, you must be sure you’re doing the right thing.
Visit A Boat Show
If you’re unsure about what type of boat you should buy, visiting a boat show is a good idea. Here you’ll be able to see many different types of boats of all sizes and ages, and you’ll be able to work out what is a priority when it comes to buying your own boat. You’ll get the chance to go on board and try out various makes and models, and you can talk to industry experts about what will suit you best.
Don’t make your final decision at the show itself, though. It’s best to come home and think for a while to let the ideas formulate. When you have an idea of which direction to go in, you could look at visiting online forums to get more information. Talk to a boat owner about what they like about their boat and what made them choose it; you’ll get some great insight this way.
Inspect The Boat
Although it is possible to buy a boat online, sight unseen, this is not the best idea. It might lead you to owning a boat that just isn’t what you wanted and isn’t as good as you had hoped. It’s far better to go to the boat and inspect it yourself. If you don’t know what you’re looking for, boat experts can usually be hired to do this for you or with you – much like you might take a mechanic along to inspect a potential car.
Take a look at the boat and make sure you can’t see any obvious issues, and then take it out on the water to ensure you can handle it and that it is seaworthy. Only once you are entirely satisfied should you ever part with any money.
Research Storage Options
The storage options that you need to consider for your boat will vary depending on the size of the boat, how much you have to spend, and where you live. For example, if you live somewhere warm, you might be able to store your boat in the water throughout the year. If you live in an area where many people have boats, there might be dry dock storage available to you as well.
However, if you live in a climate less conducive to taking care of your boat, you might not be able to do this. This is particularly true if you live quite a distance from the water and would have to travel a long way regularly to maintain your boat. In this case, you could potentially keep the boat at home on your driveway. However, this is difficult as it will take up a lot of space. The final idea is to search out self storage near me and see if you can store your boat in a storage unit.
Looking for boat storage near me is an excellent option, and it’s something the experts here at Storage Area understand well, so we’ll be able to answer any of your questions. When you use boat storage like this, you can rest assured your boat is safe and secure, and you can access it any time you need to.
Get The Right Insurance
Boat insurance is a must when you are a boat owner. Buying a boat can be expensive, and if you don’t have insurance, any damage, theft, or misuse might mean you are seriously out of pocket. Not to mention it’s the responsible thing to do.
There are specialist boat insurance agents who can go through all the different options open to you, so it’s worth making an appointment to speak to them about things such as:
- Collision damage
- Bodily injury liability
- Property damage liability
- Any additional products
Although your homeowners’ insurance might cover some aspects of boat ownership, it’s not usually enough, and specialist insurance will be needed.