Category: buying a boat

Buying A Cruising Yacht

Everyone out there likes the idea of a shiny new
boat. While buying a new yacht is an accomplishment
in itself, you shouldn’t spend over your budget then
be unable to take it anywhere. When you buy a
yacht, always look at what comes with the boat
and decide if it’s everything you want.

Types of construction

GRP
Almost all cruising yachts out there today are made
of GRP construction. GRP material is long lasting,
strong, and easy to repair. Osmosis is the only
real problem here, as the blisters it leaves can be
sometimes costly to repair.

Steel
Steel is always a great a idea, as it is by far the
strongest material. There have been steel boats ran
into reefs and banks and received just a few mere
scratches. Even though steel has many advantages,
rust is the true enemy here. You must keep all
surfaces thoroughly painted, primed, and ready to
avoid all types of rust.

Aluminum
Although rare in the normal cruising market,
aluminum is very popular with the construction of
top quality custom built yachts. If you are looking
for an aluminum constructed yacht, always make sure
that it wasn’t constructed by an amateur yacht
builder – as this can cause major problems later on
down the road.

Wood
Even though it’s the most traditional building
material, wood still has a lot to offer. If you get
the right kind of wood, it can last just as long as
any other type of material. The maintenence costs
are very high with wood, especially if you do your
own painting.

Ferro-cement
Concrete type boats have been around for a long
time. A cheap method of hull construction, it was
very popular in the 70’s. If done properly, it
can be a very strong method of yacht construction.

Rigs
The most popular choices of yacht rigs include sloop,
cutter, and ketch – in that particular order. Sloop
has the virtue of simplicity, while ketch and cutter
rigs will split the sail plan into more easily
managed areas. A ketch rig can sail under mizzen
and headsail alone, while cutter rigs can offer a
simple twin headsail with downwind option.

Essentials versus desirables
Before you begin looking for a yacht, make a list
of what you must have then make a list of what would
be nice to have. There are many additions and add
ons you can get for yachts, although they can get
very expensive in a hurry.

When you shop for a yacht, always plan out your
budget before you even start looking. A nice yacht
can cost a lot of money, which is something you
may need to save up for. Yachts are great to sail
on, especially for those who have a lot of money
to spare.

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Buying A Boat Trailer

A boat trailer is something you really can’t go
wrong with, as it is a dual purpose device. It
provides a convenient way to store the boat, and
also allows you to explore new areas by taking
your boat down the road. Good trailers must
perform both duties equally as good.

Most people buying boats are into getting the
boat, and not the trailer. They are more than
willing to spend money on a boat, then end up
getting a cheap trailer. If you want the most
from boating, these tips will help you with
buying a trailer.

– The total weight of the boat, gear, and motor
should be in the mid range of trailer’s carrying
capacity. You shouldn’t pick a 2,500 capacity
trailer if you have a boat with the same weight.

– Go for larger diameter tires and wheels. The
larger tires will rotate less times per mile,
producing less heat and wear on the tread. The
wheel bearings will last much longer as well,
as they rotate less times per mile.

– You should look for trailers with “drive on”
capabilities. These drive on trailers will allow
you to drive the boat onto the trailer, close
enough to the winch so that you only need to
winch the boat up a few inches.

– Select trailer lights (for the highway) that
are protected and sealed against water.

– Pick your trailer based on the environment it
will be operating in. If you plan to launch in
salt water, you’ll need a trailer for that purpose.
There are many types of trailers available, each
one designed for a specific type of boating.

Although most are protected against weather and
rust, you should always pick the one designed
for the type of terrain you will be using your
boat with. This way, you have no worries about
your trailer not doing the job it should be.

There are some trailers that include a spare tire,
which is an excellent investment for those who
plan to travel long distances. Even though it
can be hard to find trailer tires in the dark,
it’s still great to have a spare if you get a
flat while you travel.

All in all, a boat trailer can save you a lot of
time and money. You can store your boat on your
trailer when it isn’t be used, even take it to
other lakes or oceans. A trailer will open up
new roads for you and your boat – all you have to
do is find one that you need.

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Buying A Fishing Boat

Selecting the right fishing boat can be a real
challenge and also a lot of fun for someone who is
new to boating. If you haven’t experienced buying
a boat before, it can also be a daunting task to
say the least.

Before you start looking, it’s important to consider
the purpose of your fishing boat. A fishing boat
serves but one purpose – fishing. You have to
decide if you plan to fish in the ocean, or in other
bodies of water, such as lakes. This is very
important, as there are different types of fishing
boats available.

If you plan to use your fishing boat for ocean
cruising and overnight stays, it would be ideal to
buy one that has a hull. This design is meant for
rough waters, riding the waves, and providing more
comfort for anglers while they fish.

When you buy a fishing boat, you should know if it
includes a warranty. If it does, you should really
study the warranty as not all are the same. Buying
your boat from a dealer is always a smarter decision,
as dealers will provide repair services is the
boat is found to be defective.

It’s also important when buying a fishing boat to
note if the boat is certified by the NMMA. This
agency will guarantee that the certification they
give to every boat passes the agency’s standards
of excellence.

When it comes down to it, you should do more than
just look around when it comes to a fishing boat.
You should learn how to look for the best details
to ensure that your boat is worth the money. If
you take the time to look around, you’ll find a boat
that you can truly be proud of.

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Buying The Right Fishing Boat

If you are planning to buy a boat, you’ll first need
to evaluate what you plan to do with it. If your
primary purpose is fishing, then you’ll want to
look into boats that are designed primarily for
fishing.

If you happen to be a tournament fisherman, or hope
to be, then you probably wouldn’t be happy with a
boat less than a 150 HP motor and shorter than 19
feet in length. Those of you who plan to fish in
really deep water on a regular basis will probably
need a 200 HP motor and at least 20 feet of length.

If you don’t plan to tournament fish, but go after
bass fish instead, you’ll want a 17 – 18 foot boat
with at least a 115 HP motor. This way, you can
enjoy the lake or the river.

Those of you who like to fish for species may want
to look for a more versatile boat with plenty of
walking around room, higher sides, and a different
seating arrangement. This type of boat is ideal
for several people, even a trip out with your
wife and kids.

If you plan to fish on occasion, but not enough
to invest in a boat, you may want to look at a
fish and ski model. This is a hybrid boat, crossing
between a bass boat and pleasure boat, and can
easily serve your purpose.

The biggest part of the buying process is getting
what you can afford. Luckily, there are many new
boats available, giving you several that fit your
budget. If you prefer, you can shop and find a used
boat that fits both your needs and budget.

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Financing A Boat

Once you decide to buy a boat, you’ll find yourself
wondering how you are going to pay for it. This
type of purchase will involve some type of financing,
whether it’s a credit line through the home, an
unsecured loan, or a boat line. Choosing the right
financing source can be just as important as
choosing the right boat.

When choosing a source of financing, there are
several things to consider. The first factor is
how long you plan to keep the boat. If you are
buying a first boat, it’ll make more sense to find
a loan that will be flexible enough for an early
payoff via private party or even a trade in.

If you are purchasing the boat of your dreams, you
should expect to have it financed for a long time
which makes it important to get a fixed rate loan
with terms that allow for a low monthly payment.

Another factor you’ll need to consider is the
down payment. Most lenders or dealers would like
to see at least ten percent down. Zero down
payments do exist for those with good enough
credit. Normally, the down payment doesn’t
significantly change the monthly payment for your
boat loan.

Choosing the right type of boat loan is a very
important part of the entire buying process. You
can start with a boat finance brokerage, which
will show you how each one of the available options
fit into your profile.

Doing this will give you the knowledge and ability
you need to find the loan that best fits you and
your budget. The, you can concentrate on the
important things – taking your new boat out on the
water.

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Costs Of Owning A Boat

Normally, the prices for new boats will vary
depending on the size and make, although many dealers
and manufacturers will be willing to sell you
one for less than the cost of a new car payment.

Financing your boat
Financing your boat is just like financing a new
car. Similar to car and home loans, loans for
boats have became even easier and more flexible in
recent years. The terms will generally range from
two to 20 years. To get the most from financing,
you should compare rates online.

Outfitting
All new boats are offered with a variety of options
and accessories. When you are pricing boats, make
sure you factor in the costs of electronics,
accessories, and water toys – then buy what’s
appropriate for your boat type and size.

Most modern marine electronics are very reliable,
loaded with features, and more affordable than ever
before. Today’s accessories can make boat trips
more fun, safer, and easier than you ever thought
possible.

Operating costs
Boating isn’t like driving, as you aren’t using
gas all the time. If you fish or swim with your
boat, your actually not using the motor at all. If
you happen to own a sailboat, the motor is used
less.

Most boats today are less than 21 feet in length.
All of these boats don’t require a lot of gas, with
most using less than 50 gallons of gas per season.

Maintenance
Simply washing down your boat and trailer with
fresh water after each use will keep them covered
between boat trips. If you don’t have the time
to do it yourself, you can always hire a professional.

Insurance
The insurance for boats will vary by length and type.
Therefore, you should consult your insurance agent for
quotes, or simply shop online.

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Getting Started With Boating

One of the best things about boating is the fact
that there are many boats designed for many
different activities. For the majority of boaters,
a general purpose craft that serves as a fish, ski,
and picnic boat is ideal.

To help you narrow down your search, ask yourself
how you plan to use the boat. Fishing, cruising,
water skiing, watersports, racing, or a bit of
everything is what you should be wondering. There
is a boat out there for you, all you have to do is
find it.

Finding the right size
Finding the right size of boat depends on how many
people you’ll have boating with you and where you
plan to go. All new boats have an “NMMA capacity
plate” that wil you how many people you can safely
have on the boat at a time. If you plan to use
a trailer, you shouldn’t get a boat bigger than
26 feet in length.

Power needs
Those who plan to water ski will need more power
while those planning to fish will need less. The
boaters of today will also be able to choose from
new engines that are more efficient in fuel and
very friendly to the environment as well.

Boat costs
There are boats for every type of budgets. Many
new boat owners are very surprised to find that they
can get their dream boat for much less than they
ever expected. You can get new or used boats at
a reputable dealership with financing, taking
advantage of low monthly payments.

Boating can be a lot of fun, as you long as you
don’t go overboard when you first begin. There is
a lot to know about boats, costs, and types, which
is something you’ll learn over the years. Always
have fun – and you’ll enjoy boating for many, many
years.

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Buying Inflatable Boats

As you are probably already aware of, inflatable
boats are very popular today. Each distinct group
of inflatable boat is designed for a specific use
and therefore equipped with different components
and equipment.

If your looking for a small boat to get you from
your ship to the shore, a typical inflatable boat
is the best answer. If you are looking for a
medium sized boat for diving or swimming, there
are many choices in that area as well. For recreation
or rescue work, there are large inflatable boats
available as well.

Dealers
The location of a reputable dealer is very important,
as you don’t want to travel too far to get an
inflatable boat. Whether you need parts, repairs,
or just technical support – a close dealer can also
be a close friend. As a new boat owner, you may
also have questions, need to claim your warranty,
or just need regular servicing. No matter how
you look at it, a close dealer is always better
than having to travel.

Prices
Many years ago, inflatable boats were the most
expensive types of boats and only a small amount
of people could even afford them. The reason for
this, was the use of exotic materials and the
numerous hours of hand labor that went into their
construction.

Today, there are machines that do a majority of
the construction work. Zodiac and its sister
company Sevylor, are the leading low cost producers
today thanks to technology. You can even finance
an inflatable boat if you need to, making them
available to almost everyone now.

Warranty
You may have heard claims from all competitors,
with each one promising they have the best or even
the longest warranty. A few years ago, a company
offered a lifetime warranty – although they soon
disappeared shortly thereafter. Many manufacturers
will use an attractive warranty to substitute for
quality or even proper boat design.

In the back of your mind, you should be sure that
the company you buy from will be around long enough
to deliver on their warranty. Zodiac has been
building inflatable boats for over 50 years, and
offer a limited 5 year warranty on their inflatable
boats. Therefore, Zodiak is one of the best you
can buy today.

With all inflatable boats, you should know which
type you want before you purchase. You can always
look around and see what each dealer offer, then
plan your purchase accordingly. An inflatable
boat is great to have, especially for those who
own big ships and vessels. You can’t go wrong with
these boats either – as they serve many different
useful purposes.

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Buying A Used Boat

Those of you who have the money and plan to keep
one boat forever, should buy it new. If you happen
to be on a budget and skeptical about owning a
boat, you should buy it used.

Buying used is great for some, although it isn’t
always the most glamorous decision. The oceans
and lakes are filled with boaters who are far
wealthier than most. Many boaters go well beyond
their means and finance their boats at extreme
levels.

What really counts with a used boat is being out
there on the water. Someone who is out there
every weekend on his beat up boat is a great
boater. A businessman who only has time to ride
on his 60 foot yacht once or twice a year isn’t
considered a boater at all.

If you look around the water, you’ll se that the
little boats are the ones that move, while the
big boats are the ones that never move. Those
that are too busy earning money and never have
the time to go boating shouldn’t really have a
boat at all.

New boats can lose half of their value in less
than 2 years. With a used boat, the previous
owner has already fixed the problems that are
associated with new boats. The previous owner
has also already hassled with the dealer to get
the warranty service taken care of.

A used boat normally hasn’t be used very much
at all. A boat will sit a majority of the time,
which is nothing like a used car. You can find
many boats with less than a couple hundreds hours
of engine time. For the sake of comparison,
look at how many hours are on the engine of your
car.

A used boat will already have scratches and
dings, so you won’t feel half as bad when you
add a few of your own. When you purchase your
used boat, you should leave at least a grand to
outfit the boat and make any necessary repairs.

A used boat will normally come with dock lines,
life jackets, spare props, a radio, safety
equipment, and other nice additions. New boat
owners will have to pay hundreds of dollars
for these kinds of things.

The wild card is, of course, whether or not the
previous boat owner did the proper maintenance
of the boat. Prior to buying you should always
get the boat surveyed to be sure that it’s in
reasonable condition. This way, you’ll know
your getting a great used boat.

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After Your Boat Purchase

Once you’ve made the purchase on a brand new boat
you’ll be very excited – as you should be! The
first thing to do is celebrate with your family and
friends, you deserve it. You shouldn’t rush out
on the water immediately after the purchase, as
you have some things to take care of first.

If you are new to boating, you should take a
safety course first. There is a lot to know about
boats. Being out on the water is a lot of fun,
although there are things you should know and
things you should always be aware of.

After buying your boat, you should register it and
re-title the boat and trailer if you need to. Pay
your sales tax and apply any up to date registration
stickers if you need to. Also, make sure you buy
the proper insurance for your boat, as it will
protect you while you are on the water.

When you make your first trip on the water, you
should do so with an experienced boater. You can
have them show you turning in tight spaces, even
trailering and docking. Practice docking in
different currents and take the helm with the
boater there to help you. Get comfortable at the
helm enough to where you’ll feel comfortable taking
others out for a ride.

The world of boating can be very fun, offering you
many things to do and a lot to see. Boating offers
plenty of freedom as well, especially for those who
are completely new to boating. Your first boat
purchase is very important, as it opens up new doors
in life. Your family will enjoy boating, all you
have to do is give it a chance!

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