How To Find The Perfect Boat

How To Find The Perfect Boat


Questions to Ask When Shopping For a Boat

With the start of what I call the boat buying season (boat shows and the approach of spring), many of us are getting the itch to seek out the "perfect boat" that will make the new owner and every member of his or her family happy. Well, good luck!

Before you start looking for a boat, there are some questions you really need to ask yourself, the first mate and the crew.



What type or style of boat will be best suited for your planned use?

I saw an advertisement for a boat that stated it was built "without compromise." This statement flies in the face of the fact that all boats have to make some compromises. Many factors such as compromising between speed and sea keeping ability, interior space and stability, weight and strength - and on and on - will never be ideal.

A boat that is designed primarily for wake-boarding is not going to be suitable for cruising. A bass boat is probably not going to be much fun for a day on the water with the wife and three little kids. And so it goes. Decide what your primary use of the boat is going to be.



• Where will you do most of your boating?

Will most of your boating be on the open seas, costal waters, well protected small lakes or in a river? A houseboat or a pontoon boat will be great in protected waters, but just awful, even dangerous, in the open sea or in exposed coastal water areas.

Boats manufactured in European Union Countries must carry a plate, attached to the hull, that states exactly where that boat can be safely operated. I, for one, would like to see that happen on this side of the Big Pond as well. Take a look at my article on stability to learn more about those conditions that make for the safe operation of a boat. A boat that’s properly designed to meet the conditions that you will most likely to be facing is an absolute must if you and your crew are going to enjoy the time you spend on the water.



• How large a boat do you need?

How much size will you need in order to be able to do all of the things that you want to do? All boats appear to be very large when they are sitting in the showroom. Believe me, they all shrink drastically when you put them in the water. Make sure the boat that you buy has enough capacity to carry the entire crew, your water toys and all of the other gear and equipment that you will be using. I seldom see a boat for sale because it's too large, but I do see a lot of boats for sale because the owner is looking for a bigger boat. Boat size, along with design, material and construction are the factors that determine how seaworthy a vessel will be.



• How much will it cost to maintain the boat?

Beyond the initial cost of the boat, you‘ve got to consider the cost of upkeep, operating it (fuel,supplies, etc.), maintenance (parts and repairs), cost of dockage and the cost of storage. Taking classes in engine maintenance, marine electronics and the general care and feeding of your new boat is a must in my opinion. Otherwise, you had better be wealthy enough to pay a mechanic or repairman $70 or more per hour to maintain and fix things for you. Some boaters claim that the word BOAT really stands for Bring On Another Thousand!



• Get advice from other boaters.

Get as much advice as possible from other knowledgeable boaters about brands, types, engines, layouts, etc. of boats that interest you. I’ve never met a boater that doesn’t love talking about boats. If you can get the dealer to supply you with the names of several people who already own one of the boats that you are interested in buying, so much the better. Also, you can check the United States Coast Guard’s INFOLINE (1-800-368-5647) to see if there have been any customer complaints or recalls on the brand you are considering.



• Beware of a used boat.

If you are looking at a used boat and the condition of the gel coat, the upholstery and the hardware is not very good or not what it should be, don’t let the seller try to convince you that regardless of the exterior, the engine and the drive system have been maintained in pristine condition. It has been my experience that if the boat is fouled up on the outside, it’s probably worse on the inside.