Category: buying a boat

How To Test A Boat

If you think you’ve found the boat of your dreams,
it’s time to test it. Testing your boat is more
than just taking it for a test drive around the
harbor. You should look at everything closely, as
a professional boat tester would.

Sometimes, it can be hard to tell a top quality boat
from one that may have problems later on. To an
untrained eye, both can look good on the surface.
When you start to break everything down and give it
a careful inspection, you’ll be able to tell a great
boat from a not-so-great boat.

By opening up all doors and access plates, you can
get great insight on the the construction of the
boat. You should also stick your head into the
anchor locker of any boat you are considering to
buy, as if they’ve cut any corners you’ll normally
be able to see it here.

Looking into the anchor locker also lets you look
at the hull to deck joint. If there is light
coming from through, or if the fiberglass around
the joint can be seen through, it normally means
the boat has poor construction.

When you buy a boat, you should put it through a
rigorous visual inspection. It’s also equally
important to conduct a vigorous test on the water
as well. A private seller or dealer will
normally want to stack the deck, ensuring that
the boat will perform well.

Normally, this involves a near empty gas tank,
no gear or extra passengers, and keeping the
boat in sheltered water. Therefore, it’s up to
you to insist on a more realistic test. Think
of the test as an actual day out on the water,
and you’ll find out if the boat is indeed something
you should spend your money on.

During your water testing, you should determine
if the boat performs well and meets all of your
expectations. You should determine if the boat
travels at the right speeds, and whether or not it
is capable of doing everything that you plan to
do with it after you buy it.

When test driving the boat, you should put it
through all paces in open water, cutting waves at
all angles. If you plan to test a saltwater boat,
you should bring along a 5 gallon bucket and try
throwing some water onboard. Any boat you plan
to use offshore should quickly shed water through
the scuppers. Some boats will pool water in the
bow and drain slowly – which can be very dangerous
in rough waters.

If a seller or dealer balks at the mention of any
requests you have, simply find yourself another
dealer or another boat. There are plenty of great
quality boats available, ranging in prices. Make
sure to check everything very carefully before
you make any decisions.

()

PPPPP

Types Of Boat Sellers

Below, you’ll find many people who sell boats, and
how to go about dealing with them:

Private sellers looking to upgrade
These sellers are those who have outgrown their current
boat and are looking to buy something bigger. Normally,
they are knowledgeable and take care of their boats.
They are also less than likely to give you a
great deal, as they need the money for their next
boat. They are also likely to strip the boat of
electronics and accessories, as they need them for
their next boat.

Private sellers wanting out
These types of sellers decide to sell their boat
because they don’t use it much. Even though it may
sound great because the boat may have sat for a long
time, this is actually a bad thing. When a boat
sits for a long period of time, the boots can crack,
batteries can dry up, and many other things can happen.

Sellers who want out may not have maintained their
boat well, as they didn’t have a passion for it. You
can get a good deal with these sellers, although
you should be prepared to make some repairs after
you make the purchase.

Forced sales
Sometimes, you are able to find an experienced boater
who is selling due to an injury or disability. Many
times, these boats come well equipped and have been
very maintained. These boats sell quick, as you can
normally get a great deal because the seller needs the
money.

Private sellers who aren’t serious
These types of sellers aren’t serious about their
boats, as they are trying to get a high price so
they can buy a lower priced boat. They normally
don’t care if they sell the boat. If they can’t get
a high price, they will normally keep the boat. They
should be avoided, as they can be very frustrating to
deal with.

Dealers
Dealers of used boats normally get their boats on
trade or consignment. They know how to make the
boat attractive, although most times they don’t know
the history of the boat too well. Dealers are more
middle men, as they have a profit margin that has
to be met.

Brokers
These sellers normally don’t waste time with smaller
boats, as reputable brokers can easily put together
high dollar sells. They aren’t really the ones to
help you, as they aren’t likely to help you get a
great price on a boat.

When you decide to buy your boat, always proceed with
caution and really think about who you plan to buy
the boat from. This can help you get the best
possible price, avoid headaches, and help you get
what you want. There are many sellers available, all
you have to do is compare prices and see what each
one has to offer you and your family.

()

PPPPP

Buying Boat Insurance

Those of you who own boat will want to make sure
you get watercraft coverage. Often times, people
don’t realize that they need this type of coverage
for their boats. There are many boat owners that
don’t even realize this type of insurance is
even available.

You need boat insurance if you own a boat, it’s
that simple. Before you buy boat insurance, here
are some things you simply must know.

– Many states now require that you carry watercraft
liability coverage. What this coverage does, is
protect you against any damage that you cause to
other people or their property with your boat. This
insurance will also cover you for vandalism, theft,
fire, stranding, sinking, and even collision. You
should always call your insurance agent and see
what’s required with your state and what policies
they cover.

– There is also optional coverage that you should
really consider. One type of coverage that you
should strongly consider is Wreckage Removal. In
most areas, the removal of sunken or wrecked
boats is required by law, and the responsibility
of the owner to pay for the removal, which can
easily be very expensive.

Wreckage Removal coverage will pay these costs for
you. You should also consider adding coverage
that will pay for repairs and mechanical failure
as well, along with towing charges – should you
ever need to be towed back to the shore.

– Not all insurance companies cover everyone who
operates the boat. This is something you should
always ask about, find out who is covered when
operating the boat. There are several companies
that will only cover the owner of the boat. Make
sure that the insurance agent defines who is
covered when operating the boat.

– When you shop for boat insurance, call your
current company first, then check with other
companies to see what type of rates they offer as
well. Always remember that insurance agencies
are in competition with each other, and they’ll
work with you to get you to join them. Let one
know about a better rate that you’ve been quoted
and see if they’ll go one better.

Before you shop for boat insurance, think about
the investment you have made with your boat. Boats
are not cheap, replacing or repairing them isn’t
cheap either. Therefore, you should always make
sure you get the coverage you need to protect you
against anything that happens with your boat.

()

PPPPP

Choosing The Right Engine

Choosing the engine (or propulsion system) for your
boat is very important. Both the weight and the
horsepower will have a major impact on the performance
of your boat. If you have a boat that’s underpowered,
the engine will work twice as hard, giving you poor
performance.

Now, we will take a look at the motors available
for boats and vessels:

Outboard motor
An outboard motor is very popular and very useful on
small boats. These motors are very light, powerful,
and extremely quiet. Normally mounted on the transom
of a boat, there are boats available that offer a
motor well or even a bracket to mount the motor to.

The entire motor will swivel about, providing easy
steering as the turning propeller pushes the stern
about. Outboard motors come in many different sizes
and the horsepower can use different types of fuel.

Stern drive
These motors are also known as I/O engines, and
normally heavier than outboard motors. Consisting
of an engine mounted inboard and a lower unit
attached to the transom, these motors offer power
and versitility. You can also tilt the motor up
and down to help provide boat trim while you cruise.

Inboards
On boats that are over 26 feet in length, these
motors are very popular. Similiar to the stern drive
motor, the inboard motor is mounted inside the boat
towards the center, giving you good weight proportion.

Inboards connect directly to the transmission, then
on through the hull of the boat. Then, the shaft
is attached to a propeller which will turn and
propel the boat. The shaft is fixed and doesn’t
swivel around. Therefore, a rudder is mounted
behind the shaft and propeller to help deflect the
flow of water which provides your steering direction.

Jet drive
Jet drive propulsion systems have a big advantage –
no propeller to cause damage or injury to those in
the water, including marine life. Normally, they
are inboard engines that will take in water that
flows through a pump, powered by an impeller.

Then, the water is discharged at a very high pressure
through a nozzle that will propel the boat. To
provide steering for the boat, the nozzle will
swivel. For personal watercraft, a jet drive is
the way to go.

Keep in mind that when power isn’t being applied,
jet driven boats will lose steering, as the stream
of water that propels the boat won’t be there.
Therefore, always keep any part of your body away
from the pump intake – and never operate these types
of boats in shallow water.

()

PPPPP

Types Of Boats Available

There are many boats out there on the market, with
something for everyone. If you are new to boating,
selecting the right boat can be hard. There are
boats for every purpose on the water, all you have
to do is find the one for you.

To help you in your quest, we’ll go over the several
types of boats available. This way, you’ll know
the differences when you head out to buy one of
your own.

1. Vessel
The vessel is the most common name for a boat, as
it’s the description used or capable of being used
on the water. Basically, it’s another name used for
a boat or anything capable of being on the water.

2. Power boat
A power boat is any boat or vessel that’s propelled
by machinery. Fishing boats are great examples,
as they are powered by motors or engines.

3. Houseboat
A houseboat is fitted for use as a living vessel or
for leisurely cruising. Normally, a houseboat will
include living accomodations such as sleeping
quarters, kitchen facilities, and even a full bath.
The cruising models are normally propelled by
power.

4. Sailboat
A sailboat is any boat that’s under sail along with
no mechanical means of propulsion. The modern
sailboats range from one person boats to luxury
yachts that can accomodate several people. They
are divided into three basic types:
1. Daysailer – This is a small boat that’s
designed for comfortable sailing without sleeping
accomodations. It offers a roomy cockpit and can
also contain an outboard auxillary engine as well.
2. Cruiser – Cruisers are medium sized or
large boats that contain a cabin with sleeping
quarters, toilet, food area, and usually an auxillary
engine that’s built inside.
3. Racer – Racers are boats built for speed
and ease of handling – normally at the expense of
comfort.

5. Zodiac
The Zodiac brand of high performance aluminum boats
are some of the most popular in the entire boating
industry. These boats are constructed with a
conventional rigid hull with increased buoyancy and
stability. The deep V hulls offered by these boats
are made to take any weather. They are well known
for their prowess and are used all over the world
for commercial search and rescue operations.

6. Catamaran
These boats come with twin hulls. They provide
safety, comfort, speed, and stability that’s
unmatched by single hulled boats. Popular with
boating, they offer you a new twist to hitting
the water.

()

PPPPP