When purchasing a boat, there are various factors to consider during the buying process besides marine fuel prices. Some factors given priority include the build of the engine and fuel consumption. Engines are slowly becoming more efficient, making fuel consumption less of an issue, but more efficient boats are often the newest models, making them the most expensive to buy outright. Electric boats are gaining in popularity, however, and will soon be able to compete with traditional combustion engines, so they\’re worth keeping in mind.
Of course, you may not be interested in a powered boat at all, preferring wind power instead. Sailboats are ever-popular, but they take some skill to navigate, so you might want to try your hand at Kai Kanani Sailing first before making any big decisions. You may be a natural sailor, or you may be hopeless. Either way, sailing is good fun, and you might prefer a sailboat sometime in the future. Boating or sailing can be done with friends and family on weekends and could be a good option to take kids with you for a small fishing escapade.
Also, if you are planning to buy a boat, you can look for used boats on websites similar to ZeBoats to get one that is of good quality and has reliable specifications. Such companies might have already done basic touchups and repairs on the boat before selling it, so you can save a few more expenses on its restoration. Aside from the engine, size, resale value, and maintenance costs, there are some other factors to consider as well. Remember, there is no such thing as a ‘perfect\’ boat, only the right boat for you. With all these factors, often times the right boat for you might be out of your budget. In that case, you might want to look at different boat financing options, such as loans.
This article will cover 15 tips that will help you on your next boat purchase:
Tip 1: Use the 30:70 rule to consider the rate of depreciation which is almost always high.
Tip 2: Be aware of full acquisition costs. A good rule of thumb is to think about 50% for purchasing the boat and hold the other 50% on requisite upgrades. To keep the costs low, boats for sale from brands like coleman canoe, for instance, could also be preferred.
Tip 3: Replacing the boat with new equipment and touch-ups should not be the first priority as it tends to appeal to the eyes but this does not, however, make them travel any better.
Tip 4: Masts should be inspected for corrosion and fixed before they get lost offshore.
Tip 5: Consider investing in a new engine especially if the vessel has been in use for several years.
Tip 6: Size should be strategic especially in terms of comfortability, crew size, and passenger occupancy for long trips.
Tip 7: A good starting size for an affordable cruiser should be in the 40-foot range of vessels.
Tip 8: Despite the benefits of jib furlers and electricity powered winches, they will cost a lot in maintenance.
Tip 9: A fancy teak deck will cost more during refurbishment so it should not be a selling point during your purchasing decision (despite its beauty).
Tip 10: The design of the boat should favor collaborative efforts between a nautical architect and a builder making his own designs. Choosing the right designer will ensure the boat is stylish for years to come.
Tip 11: Accommodation spaces should be considered for the crew especially for long-range cruising.
Tip 12: The galley should be secure for the cook and also ensure kitchen tools stay off the cabin area when at sea.
Tip 13: Since marine toilets are prone to failure, it is great to have spares in case you encounter problems at an awkward time.
Tip 14: Tools such as a VHF radio that is fitted with AIS, a sat phone, life jackets, certified ocean life rafts, among other equipment should be present as a safety precaution.
Tip 15: If you have any doubts about the purchase, walk away.
We hope these tips have made you wiser for your next purchase. Remember that marine fuel prices are rising so choosing a boat with good MPG would be a great decision.
