Buying a boat is an exciting purchase. The ownership of a boat opens up a lot of possibilities that you never had before. It is a good way to get into water sports like water skiing, tubing, and fishing, or a good way to start planning for a camp someday.
The difference between buying a boat and buying a car is pretty significant, as many have never purchased a boat before. There is some very important information you need to know to ensure that the purchase process goes well, and to make sure you get what you need. Here is what you need to know about buying a boat.
Choosing What Type of Boat You Need
If you just want to do some casual fishing, you likely want something fishing boats for sale UK that is on the smaller end. Motor sizes and boat length are two of the ways to determine the size of the boat. Boat motors are determined by HP for power, as well as two and four-stroke variants. A 9.9 is one of the smaller sizes you can get that can facilitate most needs for casual use. Motors can get up to a few hundred HP in thrust power, which is for sport boats, and this is for enthusiasts who plan on using it for sporting needs or large water.
How Much Your Boat Will Cost
Just the boat itself will cost a couple thousand, upwards of tens of thousands. The cost of your boat will determine other factors, like if you want a boat loan, the insurance costs, the taxes, registration, etc. These are all factors that go into your boat budget, and knowing what you can afford will help you avoid splurging on a boat that is out of your realistic range. Similarly, spending too much on a powerful boat when you are a novice is not always the best idea. Regardless, figuring out how much you can spend on your boat should be accounted for before you start shopping around.
Picking Your Dealer
In addition to figuring the type of boat you want (sport, pontoon, fishing, etc.) you want to figure out what brand or dealer to buy from. There is a massive assortment of boat companies, just like cars, so it can be about preference, proximity to a dealer, or from referrals from other boat owners like friends or reviews. You also have the choice of buying a used boat, but many people buy brand new boats because they are certified and there is less of a risk.
Choosing your boat option will determine options available to you, like negotiating prices or interest rates for financing. Buying a used boat is not a bad choice by any means either, you can end up saving a lot of money this way, but like a used car you take on a slight risk as the asset has depreciated. Doing a check on boat history is a good way to get a snapshot of any mechanical work or accidents.
What Paperwork and Documentation You Need
After picking your boat style, boat brand, dealer, and calculating the costs for any loans, the fun work begins. You need to properly file for a boat loan through an accredited lender, more than likely your bank, or even a third-party lender. You need to register the boat through your government, which may require license or registration information to be displayed on your boat if it is big enough and according to your local/state laws. All of this documentation is similar to a car, with the exception that you might need separate licenses for other things like fishing, but those are only needed if you do plan on fishing. Insurance is necessary as well for you to legally drive your boat on any body of water as well. This information should be kept on you at all times when boating.
Where to Store Your Boat
The unfortunate thing about a boat is that it is not as easy to store as a car. IF you live somewhere warm year round you can purchase or rent a space at a dock to keep your boat in the water, but you need to find somewhere out of the water to keep it when winter hits in other locations. Covers or garages are a must, so make sure you can afford storage costs or have the room to store it at home.
Owning a boat is a lot of work but it is definitely worth the investment. If you plan on doing some casual boating, using it for fishing or camping, or just want a sport boat to enjoy the water, these tips will help you purchase that much-desired boat of your dreams.
