Shopping Guide

Buying a boat can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it can also be overwhelming if you don't know what to look for. In this article, we'll provide you with some tips and guidance on how to go about buying a boat.

Before you start shopping for a boat, it's important to determine your budget. Boats come in a wide range of prices, so it's important to know how much you can afford to spend. Keep in mind that the cost of a boat doesn't end with the purchase price. You'll also need to factor in the cost of insurance, maintenance, storage, and fuel. 

The type of boat you should buy depends on your boating needs. Do you plan to use the boat for fishing, watersports, cruising, or a combination of these activities? Will you be using the boat on a lake, river, or ocean? Consider the size of the boat, the number of passengers it can carry, and the features you want, such as a cabin or a bathroom.

Once you've determined your needs, start researching different boat types. Some popular boat types include center consoles, bowriders, pontoons, and sailboats. Each type of boat has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it's important to find the one that best fits your needs. Need help? Check out the Boats 101 article on this site.

Decide whether you want to buy a new or used boat. New boats come with warranties and are less likely to have mechanical issues, but they are also more expensive. Used boats can be a good value, but you'll need to have the boat inspected to ensure that it's in good condition.

A used boat's age is expressed in both years and hours, the latter meaning how many hours the boat's engine has been run. A good rule of thumb to remember is that 100 hours of boat runtime is similar to 1,000 miles of automobile driving. Another good rule of thumb is that a boat may be more likely to require larger or more repairs as it reaches 1,000 hours, similar to how cars may require more repairs when they begin to reach 100,000 miles. But used boats that have been maintained well can easily run past 1,000 hours and provide their owners with years of happiness!

Don't be afraid to buy a boat in the used market from private sellers. This can be a great way to save money and to find the exact boat you are looking for. And for the novice buyer, there are inspection services available where you can have a third-party individual inspect the boat for you, even test drive it, prior to your purchase. This can usually be done for around $300 which is great peace of mind for someone purchasing a new boat for the first time.

Also note that the boat can be located almost anywhere and be brought to you. Having an average size boat towed on its trailer across the country can cost as little as $1,500, much less if the distance is less. 

Most boat dealers sell both new and used boats. Typically, a dealer is associated with one or more manufacturers for new boats but will sell used boats from any manufacturer. Look for a dealer with a good reputation, and one that specializes in the type of boat that you want. This is especially true if you plan to have the dealer help maintain your boat, or if more major repairs were ever required.

Once you've purchased your boat, take a boating safety course to learn the rules of the water and how to operate your boat safely. Check your state's laws to know whether this is required or not. In either case, it's a great idea to get an introduction to boating safely.