How to Buy a Boat With No Prior Experience

If you’re new to the world of boating, you may not have much experience looking for or buying a boat—even if you’ve been boating many times before. You may not be familiar with the makes and models of boats available, or how to establish a budget. Or you may be intimidated at the sheer number of options in front of you.

It will take some time to narrow your options and come up with a plan, but with some research and some patience, you should be able to find a boat that works for you.

Start Your Preliminary Research

While there’s some groundwork you’ll have to prepare in terms of goals and budgeting, it’s helpful to start with some preliminary research. Look at a wide range of different boats for sale, and learn about how they’re used. See if there are any models that catch your eye, and get a feel for the price ranges of different types of boats.

You’ll be able to consider these throughout the next steps of the process, and have a firmer mental image of what types of boats are available. Don’t worry too much about the specifics at this point; just get the general idea.

Determine Your Priorities

Next, take some time to outline your goals and priorities.

For example:

• How are you going to use this boat? Are you interested in sport fishing? Or do you want the thrill of speeding around on the water? Or do you just want to relax on the waves? Different boats serve different purposes.
• What kind of waters will you explore? You’ll need a very different boat for shallow water than you will for deeper waters. The same is true for still vs. rough waters.
• How often will you use this boat? If you’re going to use this boat on a nearly daily basis, you’ll need something more durable and reliable.
• Are you open to making repairs? If you’re willing to put some time in, you can fix up a used boat and get a great deal.
• How many people will you be boating with? You’ll need a different sized boat depending on the number of people you’re going to entertain.
• How important are aesthetics? Some people want a boat because it looks cool, or beautiful. Others don’t care what it looks like as long as it performs.

There are no right or wrong answers to these questions; it’s all about your personal preferences.

Determine Your Budget

Next, you’ll need to determine your budget. It’s tempting to estimate your budget based on the purchase price of the boat, and that’s a good place to start, but it won’t give you the complete picture of the costs of boat ownership.

For starters, if you’re getting a loan to pay for the boat, consider the interest rate you’re paying and the monthly payments that will result. You’ll also need to think about secondary and peripheral costs, such as insurance, fuel, repairs and maintenance, and fees related to storage and docking. Get quotes for these costs in your area to get an accurate picture of what you’ll be paying regularly.

Talk to an Expert

If you’re not confident in your current level of boating experience, consider talking to someone who has more experience. Ideally, this is someone who has bought and owned multiple boats in the past, so they have plenty of experience to share with you.

Talk to them about your priorities, and ask them for advice. Most people who love boating are eager to talk about their passion, so they’ll be happy to indulge.

Explore Multiple Channels

At this point, you’ll be ready to start looking for the right boat for you. Consider perusing multiple channels, including local boat dealerships, in-person boat shows, and online boat dealers. The more places you’re willing to explore, the more options you’re going to have.

While you’re at it, consider used options. Many people want a new boat because of the aesthetic appeal and the reduced need for repairs and maintenance, but used options are less expensive—and often, just as good.

Do Your Due Diligence

When you start closing in on the right boat, do your due diligence. If you’re considering a used option, make sure to have the boat appraised and inspected to ensure there aren’t any major problems you aren’t aware of. You’ll also want to read online reviews from people who have owned this model in the past. What do they think about their experience?

You may not find the perfect boat on your first day of searching, but this is a process that shouldn’t be rushed anyway. Take your time, learn what you can, and eventually, you’ll feel confident that you’re making the right choice.