From NBOA | The Right Way to Buy a Boat

[toneeees]

As one of the most enjoyable leisure activities, boating can sure be complicated. Whether you are a first time buyer or a veteran, there are a lot of factors to consider when buying a boat. After all, you don't want the best two days of owning your boat to be the day you buy it and the day you sell it! In order to avoid this cliche, ask the following questions:

1. How will I be spending most of my time on the boat? Unfortunately, there is no boat that can do it all. So, when answering this question you need to be specific. For example, if your answer is I will be fishing, will it be inshore or offshore? If you answer inshore, what are you going to target? How many people will be going with you? What kind of equipment will you keep on board? Etc. This is a critical question that will help establish the type of boat you should be looking at.
2. What will my budget be? The best way to go about this is to look at ranges such as $20,000 to $25,000 or if you are going to finance, look at a payment range like $250-$350 a month. By doing this, it will allow you to determine whether you should buy used or new. It will also narrow your search and keep you from getting attached to boats you just can't afford.
   If you decide to buy used, consider the condition of the boat as well as your experience with maintenance. Make sure you still have warranty options available. The last thing you want is to save money on a used boat, just to have it in the shop because of problems you can't fix alone and worse, can't afford.
3. Who am I purchasing the boat from and what other services can I expect from them after my purchase? Most dealers have great service departments and offer additional discounts to their clients. When you buy directly from a boat owner, you are on your own after the point of sale. You need to decide how necessary continued support following your purchase is to you. You also want to deal with someone who has nothing to offer but positive and helpful information when it comes to finding the right boat.
   In addition, most manufactures these days are building great products. A good way to see if a boat or motor builder stands behind its product is if the manufacturer pays its warranty bills on time and quickly reacts to problems. If the manufacturer pays the dealer full shop rate then you can be assured of good service on your new boat.
   Don't be afraid to get references either. Speak to people who have bought from the same dealership or sales source. Find out if they are true boaters themselves and are qualified enough to answer your questions and service your needs accurately.
4. What other additional costs will I have to account for?
5. In a perfect world, purchasing your boat would be the end of the expenses. However, there are many additional costs that you need to consider. Gas, storage, and routine maintenance are just a few. One of the biggest road blocks in purchasing a boat is insurance coverage. Just when you find a boat that fits your monthly budget, an extra $350 premium isn't exactly a deal breaker. That is why it's important to shop around. Contrary to what many people think, insurance rates vary depending on which company you choose. Make sure you check at least three different companies to get an idea of how much you will need to expense in insurance. Hopefully like the 40,000+ other boaters, you will find the best deal with NBOA Marine Insurance!

This information is courtesy of the National Boat Owners Association (NBOA). For additional helpful articles and safety tips visit http://www.nboat.com/nboamembernewsletter.asp