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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The design of the book makes it easy to do just that. It's a nice smaller book that's spiral bound, so it will be easy to reference as you go shopping. We highly recommend bringing it with you especially if you're still on the fence about the type of boat that you want to buy. This book will walk you through every single step of the process to make sure that you don't overlook anything in your purchase.

It's wonderful to come across a resource that pretty much negates any chance of having buyer's remorse. Purchasing a boat is never easy, especially if you're looking at a larger boat that will set you back more than a few thousand dollars. It's always tough to know if you're really getting the right one, but once you've read this book, you'll be able to walk in with confidence and make that selection without having any regrets. That right there makes this book well worth the cover price.

Even if you're not quite ready to purchase a boat yet, we recommend this book since it does cover some of the joys and pain of owning your own boat. You'll be able to decide whether perhaps renting might be the best bet initially or if you should just dive in and make that commitment. The author covers absolutely everything you could ever need to know about buying a book and what you need to look for to make sure that you're not only getting a great deal, but also that you're getting a good quality boat that will not cause problems down the road.

Our favorite part of this book was definitely the section that goes into what manufacturer's and their materials will never tell you about a boat. You'll get a bird's eye view of the systems that go into making a boat, but in a non-technical way that is easy to understand. He covers the process of manufacturing and what you need to look out for when it comes to telling the difference between a high quality boat and a real dog.

Overall, there was literally nothing wrong with this book and it belongs on any boat owner or future boat owner's bookshelf. The illustrations are rich and the author did a great job of translating terms that might be hard for the average buyer to understand. This is definitely a must read.

Originally posted 2008-05-30 05:31:34. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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The book starts with the process of choosing the right power boat. There are some really great tips in here and this is a book that should go to the dealership with you. Read it and then re-read it before taking that step towards buying a boat. You'll be able to save a lot of money and you'll appreciate the way all of the information is laid out. By far, this is one of the best guides to buying a power boat that we've ever read and worth the cost of the book on its own. The last section in this chapter provides the reader with 20 questions to help them narrow down the type of boat they're going to need.

Next up, the author goes in-depth on how to operate a power boat. For those that think it's like driving a car, this chapter is vital. He did a great job of explaining why it is nothing like a car and offers tips that could save lives. We appreciated the section on handling wind and how the currents can affect even a power boat. Many of us think that power boats are impervious to conditions such as these, but in reality, they are very susceptible.

Part three goes more into detail on how to handle a power boat, from docking to weathering out a storm. You'll get plenty of tips on what you absolutely need to know before going out on the water and how to handle your boat in any situation. We would have liked to have seen at least some mention of trailering, but even this omission cannot take away from the overall value of the book.
Make sure that you don't skip over the appendices. There is additional information in here, such as safety and rules of power boating that you need to know. Offshore boating is also covered and the book closes with some really great pictures of power boats.

Overall, there are not enough good adjectives to describe this book. If you own a power boat or are thinking about buying one, read this book right now. You'll get some incredible tips in one spot that would take months of reading through magazines to glean. You'll want to keep a copy on your boat for easy reference, especially if you are just starting out. We highly recommend this book to all boaters, even if you're just thinking about renting a boat for the weekend. You'll get everything you will ever need to know in this fun and fast read that contains possibly the best collection of tips that we've seen.

Originally posted 2008-08-29 05:32:28. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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At first glance, and from looking at the title, you’d think this was a basic roundup of lakes and rivers, but it is so much more. The first chapter covers the basics of buying a boat, and provides some great insight into the equipment you’re going to need for your next adventure. The author then supplies his own personal picks in many different areas. For example, he has his list of the best places for houseboating, the top ten places to fish, etc… This really makes it easy to find the ideal lake or river that will match up with your vacation plans, instead of the other way around.

He logically divides the lakes up into specific areas on the map, making it easy to see just where all the different bodies of water are. The first chapter is devoted to the Redwood Empire and covers the lakes that are found along the Northern California coastline/border with Oregon. From there he breaks it down by county, often grouping a few neighboring counties together.

You’ll get detailed maps of popular lakes as well as everything you’ll need to know before heading out to visit any one of these lakes or rivers. Of note however is the section in the back that goes into more detail on National Parks and covers a few things such as camp etiquette, campsite fees and more.

The section on California boating laws is a must read for anyone that is planning a trip, particularly if you are not a California resident. This is a very concise guide to a very confusing subject. In fact, the author really did a better job of explaining and summing up these laws than the state did in their booklet on the subject. Extremely helpful information for boaters.

That pretty much sums up the entire book. Bottom line – if you are boating or fishing in California you need this book. It’s also a great resource for campers and hikers, since it details some great sites at each of the lakes.

We highly recommend this guide to anyone interested in boating or fishing in California. It clears up all the guesswork and provides a concise but thorough background on these lakes and rivers. This is the perfect gift idea for a fisherman or boater, or even someone that just enjoys exploring the wilderness. We enjoyed the author’s style and it is obvious that he went to a lot of effort in gathering this information. Get a couple of copies and pass them along to friends, they’ll thank you for it!

Originally posted 2008-10-31 05:35:57. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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