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Beginner’s Guide to Buying Your First Boat


— November 2, 2018

If you are planning on buying your first boat, you might be in quite a dilemma. It’s difficult to decide what things you should think about before you finalize your purchase. If this is your first time buying a boat then here’s an easy to follow guide which will make your boat shopping a little easier!


If you are planning on buying your first boat, you might be in quite a dilemma. It’s difficult to decide what things you should think about before you finalize your purchase. If this is your first time buying a boat then here’s an easy to follow guide which will make your boat shopping a little easier!

Before You Look at New and Used Boats for Sale

When you are planning on buying your first boat, whether it be a brand new one or a used one, the tips that you should follow in order to buy a good boat are all the same.

  1. Choose the kind of boat you would like to buy.
  2. Decide if you want a used boat or a new boat. Considering that you do not have any experience in sailing you should probably get your hands on an old boat and then purchase a new one after you’ve gained some experience.
  3. Do your research by browsing through various listings and attending boat shows. Look for new and used boats for sale in your local area.
  4. List all of your options and narrow them down.
  5. Before you finalize your purchase, go through a sea trial to see how well the engine performs.

One of the most crucial questions, before you decide on buying your first boat, is what sort of boating you like to do. This will help you narrow down your options. Every boat is specialized in some way or the other so that the sailor/passenger enjoys their time on the water. It is very important that you do your research thoroughly. You wouldn’t buy any vehicle for the road without listing your preferences and needs, would you?

Man driving a boat; image from Shutterstock, purchased by author.
Man driving a boat; image from Shutterstock, purchased by author.

Now, the question is whether you should buy new or a used boat. Depending on your budget you can choose the boat you want. You can buy used boats at a much lower price than if you were to buy a new boat. Aluminum and fiberglass are two of the main materials which are used in making boats nowadays, which is why they stay in good condition even after many years. Earlier boats were made of traditional wood which used to rot very easily.

Avoiding Scams When Buying a Boat

Even when these online sites have great deals, there are sellers who scam buyers. When you look at auction sites, you might come across some issues that seem fishy.

  • The boat or the engine might not have any identification mark. It can be completely opposite to what had been advertised on the site.
  • The seller might give you very few details about the product you want to buy. You would not want to buy a boat which has very little information about it available.

Even though there are great deals that you might think will be a win-win situation for you, they might be complete scams. Do not buy anything until and unless they are from certified sellers. Follow the tips and research for yourself before you seal any deal.

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