If you're in the market for a new boat, there are a few things that you need to know before you head over to the dealer. There are numerous common boat buying mistakes that can be made, especially if you have never purchased a boat before. Here's an easy guide to help you avoid them and make a smart purchase.
1. Buying too much boat.
It is all too easy to get swept away with the romance of boating, and bigger is usually better, right? Wrong - if you don't know how to handle a boat, you have no business getting one that you cannot control. Before you even think about buying a boat, we highly recommend taking a watercraft course or going for your state boating license. You'll be learning a lot about boating laws and regulations and you'll get a chance to see what it is really like behind the engine of one of these boats. It is far better to err on the side of caution and get a boat you know you can handle then to get in over your head.
2. Buying the mystique - not the boat.
Every year, yachts and expensive water craft sit idle in dry dock, bleeding their owners wallets. Many people want to buy a boat simply because it is a status symbol, but they will never actually get around to using it much. Bottom line - unless you plan to boat every single weekend, or at least a few times a month, it is more economical to rent a boat. If you want to waste money on docking fees, gas and transportation for your boat, go ahead, but it is far smarter to buy a boat only if you plan to actually use it regularly.
3. Avoid high pressure salesmen and boat shows.
All those shiny hulls will be calling your name and it's all too easy to end up buying the wrong boat if you go this route. Do your research, rent a few boats at a local lake and make your decision based on numerous factors, not just on what a salesmen tells you or a boat company says. It's far better to know exactly what you're getting into logically, then to get caught up and regret your purchase later.
4. Forgetting how much a boat really costs.
There is more to buying a boat than the sticker price. You'll need a trailer if you will be hauling it anywhere. You need a marina to store it if you don't have the space at your home. You have to have it registered and licensed. You have to buy fuel for it. You have to buy insurance. You have to keep it maintained or it will fall apart. These are just a few of the many extra expenses that come with boat ownership. Think hard about how much you want to spend now and in the future, before you run out and get a boat you may not be able to afford.
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Originally posted 2008-12-08 05:55:14. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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