Springtime is the prime boat buying season. Most of us are tired of winter, looking forward to long, warm summer days and want to have a boat under our feet to better enjoy our beautiful New England waters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you\u2019re getting that urge to either buy for the first time or upgrade into something bigger and better, here are some things to think about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While many of us are wondering if we can snap up a great discount deal on one of those Russian mega yachts that are being confiscated around the world, most of us are more budget limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But it is important to think about how much you can spend on a boat before you begin shopping. And the \u201cprice\u201d of a boat is more than the cash price, or the monthly payments. That just covers the boat. There are other costs involved with boat ownership: fuel, maintenance, docking and marina fees or the cost of a good trailer, gear and accessories, boat insurance and winter storage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Be realistic. Jot down the numbers and decide how much you can reasonably afford. Then you can begin shopping for a boat that fits your budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019d all love to buy a brand spanking new boat, shiny and with that new-boat smell. And new boats come with a warranty, which is good if something breaks. On the other hand, you can find better deals on a previously owned boat. Go back to Step 1 and consult the budget. You might be able to buy more boat, with more bells and whistles, if you look for a nice used vessel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are basically three things you can do with a boat. Cruising, fishing and water sports. What are you buying a boat for? To explore the coastal waters? Visit islands and beaches? Plan boaters\u2019 weekends at marinas tucked beside busy tourist spots? Maybe you and your family and friends are avid fisher persons and you want to go out deeper to find the big pelagics, or explore the tidal flats and tidal washes in search of stripers and other delicious species? Or maybe you just want to haul the kids out on the water, let them idle away hours in the sun on tubes or skis or boards? Or maybe a combination of all three? These are things to think about before<\/strong> you buy, so you can select a boat that will meet your expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As for any major purchase (and buying a boat is a major commitment) you need to do your homework. You can (and should) spend some time online, researching various brands and models, narrowing down your search to the boats that seem to meet your needs. Then, you can visit a boat show to inspect the different brands side by side to see which boats have the extras you like and seem to speak to you. Finally, visit a dealer, take one out for a test drive and begin the negotiations to buy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yeah, it\u2019s springtime and the days are getting warmer and longer. Guess what? In October, the days will start getting shorter and colder. Happens every year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Which is to say: You\u2019ve got to plan for what to do with your boat in the off-season. If you\u2019re buying a smaller boat that can be trailered and stored in your backyard, that\u2019s fine. You\u2019ll still need to winterize the engines, and maybe buy a good tarpaulin, if that\u2019s your plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Larger boats have other issues to think about. Here in New England, very few boats are left in the water over the winter. Most are stored, either indoors, under roofed racks; or outdoors, wrapped in plastic and stored on a rack or a trailer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The time to think about what you\u2019re going to do with your boat over the winter is now, when you buy it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is probably the most important step you can take in the boat buying process. You need to go over every inch of your prospect boat looking for signs of trouble: water leakage, frayed wires, mold and algae, everything around the engine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A careful examination of the hull is absolutely required. If the boat you\u2019re thinking of is in the water, haul it out for inspection. Examine the hull, the stem, chines and strakes looking for wear and tear, cracks, scratches and anything else that might be due to damage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Remove the engine cowling and look for water seepage (bad main gasket) and see if the shift and throttle linkages are greased, uncorroded and the springs are operable. Examine the drive belt and serpentine belts to make sure they are not corroded and have a \u201cgive\u201d of no more than a quarter inch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Inspect the upholstery and carpets, especially the underneath sides, to look for algae or mold. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And take the boat out for a test drive. You can\u2019t anticipate or test for every condition you might encounter with your boat, but you can see how she runs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Find out what gear and equipment comes with your new purchase. At a minimum, you\u2019ll need to make sure there are Coast Guard approved PFDs for every passenger. But you\u2019ll also need everything from a working anchor to lines and fenders. Make a list and check it twice!<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll need to insure your boat. If your friendly home and car insurance agent doesn\u2019t have marine experience, find an agent who does. Just like cars, you\u2019ll likely need collision, comprehensive, property damage, and bodily injury insurance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you need a trailer with your new boat, spend some time examining and inspecting this piece of equipment, too. Look for wear and tear, weak connections, bad tires, and check the electric wires. You don\u2019t want your trailer to fall apart with your expensive new boat on it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s a rule of thumb that a boat will cost you about 10 percent of its purchase price in regular annual maintenance. That figure may be a little less in a brand new boat, a little more in an older boat. But it is true that you boat will require regular upkeep. Oil changes, fuel filters, electrical switches, fancy new radar and GPS screens \u2026 there\u2019s a reason why the wags say B.O.A.T. means \u201cbreak out another thousand!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, it doesn\u2019t have to be that painful. Take the time and care to select a new or used boat that fits your family\u2019s profile, work with an experienced and trustworthy retailer (like McShane Yacht Sales) and you will make a purchase decision sure to bring hours of boating pleasure to you and your friends and family for years to come.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Springtime is the prime boat buying season. Most of us are tired of winter, looking forward to long, warm summer days and want to have a boat under our feet to better enjoy our beautiful New England waters.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":11812,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[143],"tags":[164,214,162],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n4. Do Your Homework <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Think About Storage <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
6. Inspection<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
7. Gear Up <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
8. Insurance <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
9. Trailer time <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
10<\/strong>. On-Going Expense <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n