Inform yourself
If you don’t know anything about boats, now it’s time to find out. Obviously, you can’t buy something this expensive without doing your research and learning all there is to know about them, including manufacture, safety, materials, certifications, mechanics, fuel, etc. You can take your information from the internet, books, boat experts, boat manufacturers, boat brokers, and other sources. You want to make sure that you become a connoisseur (or close to one) because you’re going to drive this thing out to sea. Don’t put yourself in the position of ending up like the Titanic.
Know your requirements
After you’ve gathered all the relevant information, you need to sit down and make a list of requirements. What does your ideal boat need to have? What do you want it to have? Are there any features that you are not interested in? What are your priorities? Know these things before you go out to shop for boats because it’s going to make it a lot easier for you and the person selling the boat to you.
Ask all the right questions
Let’s say you’ve settled on something you think you like – now is the time to ask questions, and a lot of them:
- Will this boat be suitable for your needs?
You need to know what you’re planning to do on this boat. Fishing? Sailing? Travelling? Waterskiing? You need to take the type of boat and the size into consideration.
- Is the price within your budget?
It may very well be the perfect boat; but can you afford it? Is it worth it? Is the seller okay with haggling? Don’t be fooled into paying more than you can afford or more than it’s worth.
- What about safety?
Safety comes first, always. How safe is this boat? What is it made of? How old is it? Has it been taken out often? Has it been repaired? This is all crucial information that you need to be aware of, before handing in your money.
- What about insurance and warranty?
Don’t forget about this! Remember to ask whether or not the manufacturer is still in business – a lot of them aren’t. What happens if the boat needs to be repaired or you need to change a part? Will you be able to find someone to work on it? How much is it going to cost you? Make sure you’re not investing in a money pit.
Take it out for a spin
Always insist on taking the boat out for a trial run, before you buy it. The seller is going to try to convince you that it’s not possible, but don’t fall for that. If they are not willing to let you drive it, walk away. You need to be able to test the waters and see how it performs, just like a car.