1. Where do you plan to keep your boat?

If you are planning on keeping it in a garage, or in your driveway, you’ll need to do some measuring first. Don’t forget to measure the space above where the boat will be kept, as well as the regular measurements. Many new boat owners think that their boat will fit in the garage, only to find out too late that the clearance isn’t high enough.

If you can’t keep it at home, this means that you will need to find a marina that is willing to let you either dry dock the boat, or keep it in a slip. These marinas will typically charge by the foot, so size does matter. If money is not a problem, this is less of a concern, but keep in mind that a few feet may mean an extra $200 or more a month.

2. Can you handle the engine size?

It’s easy to get drawn in by a shiny new boat and think “that’s the one for me.” However, if you have never actually driven a boat before, you may want to start with a smaller model, and one that may not have all the latest bells and whistles. First, it’s a lot less heartbreaking when you do something to a cheap boat, than it is if you do it to an expensive one.

Second, it’s much safer to learn basic boating safety skills on a smaller boat, and then upgrade when you are ready to take on the next challenge.

3. How much does the boat weigh?

This is a factor that will determine both the size of the trailer you will need, as well as the type of vehicle that will be required to pull it. For those that will have their boat taken directly to the harbor after purchasing it, this is not a big problem. However, if you will be hauling your boat on your own, you need to make sure that your vehicle can handle the load.

Ask your dealer how much the gross total weight is for your boat and then refer to the owner’s manual for your vehicle. You don’t want to exceed the recommended amount for safety reasons.

Every sailor has to start somewhere, and it’s much easier to get a smaller, less expensive boat right off the bat and learn all that you can with that model. Then, when you are ready, you can trade it in on the boat you really want when you feel that you have learned all you can about boating.

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Originally posted 2008-09-10 05:41:34. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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