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.
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Friday, May 4, 2007
Fishing: The perfect fishing craft
Fishing: The perfect fishing craft
Bill Thompson
— Necessity being the mother of invention, it is a good bet the first guy ever to lash a few logs together for a raft was trying to get out to where the fish were. It was the second guy, the one that hollowed out the center of a log to make the first canoe, who really started the ball rolling in the right direction. Ever since these humble beginnings men have been searching for the perfect fishing vessel.
Like everything else, we have made great technical advances in both material and design in the quest for the perfect fishing boat. Today’s modern bass boat and saltwater sport fishing boats are representative of these advances. Constructed of high-tech plastics, powered by powerful motors and fitted with electronic devices, they are the epitome of the art. However, in my opinion, that fellow with the hollowed out log had the right idea.
After another few thousand years or so another bright fellow took the same principal as the log design and came up with the birch bark canoe. I am guessing, but he was probably inspired by his wife who was already making cooking utensils out of the stuff. One day he no doubt dropped one of her birch bark bowls into the lake and discovered that it floated. After several disastrous attempts she probably showed him the correct way to stitch and seal the bark. Later on she gave him the idea for ribs and gunnels.
Another thousand years went by when, what we now refer to as Euro-Americans, showed up and began to make some changes of their own to the canoe. Birch bark was replaced by canvas and eventually by fiberglass and aluminum. Around the turn of the last century some of these guys went through some kind of revolution of thought and made some wonderful changes to the basic canoe and created some of the most beautiful fishing craft ever made.
Right after the Civil War, Americans found they had some free time on their hands and started to look into leisure activities to take up the slack. For a number of years prior to the Civil War, Americans, at least in the east, had been leaving the farm and flocking to the cities to participate in the great industrial revolution of the time. Just about the time everybody got comfortable living in the cities, a bunch of different writers and thinkers of the day started a “back to the woods” movement.
Apparently cities like New York and Boston, much like they are today, were pretty foul places to live. These scholars proposed that the antidote to overwork, stress and the unhealthy conditions of the cities was a return to nature. The rugged outdoor life was just the thing to keep one healthy, fit and keen of mind. As a result of their teaching hunting, fishing, camping and canoeing became very popular with the masses.
One writer who was influential in this movement was George W. Sears or, as he was better known, Nessmuk. Mr. Nessmuk spent a great deal of time prowling around the Adirondacks in upstate New York. In his quest for the perfect boat he had a fellow by the name of J. Henry Rushton make him a small lightweight canoe-like boat. The boat was a one-man affair and extremely lightweight in order to easily portage from one Adirondack lake to another.
Rushton was already engaged in making a hybrid wooden canoe that became known as the Adirondack. With the help of the publicity garnered from Nessmuk’s book "Woodcraft and Camping," there was a demand for these boats from guides and the many tourists that were heading into the woods. To be fair, at about the same time Maine Guides were also experimenting with the same basic design and these craft would become the famous Rangeley Boat.
It is said that Rushton drew inspiration from both the Native American canoe and the St. Lawrence skiff. Rushton had traveled extensively in Canada and was familiar with these boats. A typical Adirondack boat is double-ended like a canoe and is made from wood planking usually applied in a lapstrake style. The boats can be rowed from the center of the boat or from the stern. They are light enough that they can easily be carried by means of a yoke on the shoulders of one man.
The other evening I had the great pleasure of fishing from one of these boats. We had invited a friend to fish with us on a local pond and he said that he would bring his boat. The boat turned out to be an Adirondack Guide boat built in 1929 for this gentleman’s grandfather. It was said that local Adirondack guides guided all summer and built boats all winter. Most of these craft were 16 feet in length, but this one was a scaled-down version of 13 feet. The craftsmanship was superb. To my way of thinking there is nothing prettier than a wooden boat.
My friend rowed from the stern and we glided effortlessly across the water. It was a bit tricky getting in but once underway it was a dream. It was easy to imagine a more gentler time when wooden boats ruled and the outboard had yet to be invented. It was almost a shame we fished with graphite rods; a bamboo rod would have been more appropriate. In a way, these boats catch the essence of what fly fishing is all about. Fly fishing is sometimes called the “quiet sport.” It was, after all, Izaak Walton who said, “Study to be quiet." My friend said to me, “you relax in a boat like this,” and it is true.
The introduction of the outboard motor sure made it a lot easier to get around, but in the long run I am not sure it made fishing any more fun; and in the end it may even have taken something away. Old Nessmuk was right. We do need to escape from the world we have created and return to nature. Wooden boats and fly fishing have a way of making the trip more fun.
See you on the river.
Bill Thompson
— Necessity being the mother of invention, it is a good bet the first guy ever to lash a few logs together for a raft was trying to get out to where the fish were. It was the second guy, the one that hollowed out the center of a log to make the first canoe, who really started the ball rolling in the right direction. Ever since these humble beginnings men have been searching for the perfect fishing vessel.
Like everything else, we have made great technical advances in both material and design in the quest for the perfect fishing boat. Today’s modern bass boat and saltwater sport fishing boats are representative of these advances. Constructed of high-tech plastics, powered by powerful motors and fitted with electronic devices, they are the epitome of the art. However, in my opinion, that fellow with the hollowed out log had the right idea.
After another few thousand years or so another bright fellow took the same principal as the log design and came up with the birch bark canoe. I am guessing, but he was probably inspired by his wife who was already making cooking utensils out of the stuff. One day he no doubt dropped one of her birch bark bowls into the lake and discovered that it floated. After several disastrous attempts she probably showed him the correct way to stitch and seal the bark. Later on she gave him the idea for ribs and gunnels.
Another thousand years went by when, what we now refer to as Euro-Americans, showed up and began to make some changes of their own to the canoe. Birch bark was replaced by canvas and eventually by fiberglass and aluminum. Around the turn of the last century some of these guys went through some kind of revolution of thought and made some wonderful changes to the basic canoe and created some of the most beautiful fishing craft ever made.
Right after the Civil War, Americans found they had some free time on their hands and started to look into leisure activities to take up the slack. For a number of years prior to the Civil War, Americans, at least in the east, had been leaving the farm and flocking to the cities to participate in the great industrial revolution of the time. Just about the time everybody got comfortable living in the cities, a bunch of different writers and thinkers of the day started a “back to the woods” movement.
Apparently cities like New York and Boston, much like they are today, were pretty foul places to live. These scholars proposed that the antidote to overwork, stress and the unhealthy conditions of the cities was a return to nature. The rugged outdoor life was just the thing to keep one healthy, fit and keen of mind. As a result of their teaching hunting, fishing, camping and canoeing became very popular with the masses.
One writer who was influential in this movement was George W. Sears or, as he was better known, Nessmuk. Mr. Nessmuk spent a great deal of time prowling around the Adirondacks in upstate New York. In his quest for the perfect boat he had a fellow by the name of J. Henry Rushton make him a small lightweight canoe-like boat. The boat was a one-man affair and extremely lightweight in order to easily portage from one Adirondack lake to another.
Rushton was already engaged in making a hybrid wooden canoe that became known as the Adirondack. With the help of the publicity garnered from Nessmuk’s book "Woodcraft and Camping," there was a demand for these boats from guides and the many tourists that were heading into the woods. To be fair, at about the same time Maine Guides were also experimenting with the same basic design and these craft would become the famous Rangeley Boat.
It is said that Rushton drew inspiration from both the Native American canoe and the St. Lawrence skiff. Rushton had traveled extensively in Canada and was familiar with these boats. A typical Adirondack boat is double-ended like a canoe and is made from wood planking usually applied in a lapstrake style. The boats can be rowed from the center of the boat or from the stern. They are light enough that they can easily be carried by means of a yoke on the shoulders of one man.
The other evening I had the great pleasure of fishing from one of these boats. We had invited a friend to fish with us on a local pond and he said that he would bring his boat. The boat turned out to be an Adirondack Guide boat built in 1929 for this gentleman’s grandfather. It was said that local Adirondack guides guided all summer and built boats all winter. Most of these craft were 16 feet in length, but this one was a scaled-down version of 13 feet. The craftsmanship was superb. To my way of thinking there is nothing prettier than a wooden boat.
My friend rowed from the stern and we glided effortlessly across the water. It was a bit tricky getting in but once underway it was a dream. It was easy to imagine a more gentler time when wooden boats ruled and the outboard had yet to be invented. It was almost a shame we fished with graphite rods; a bamboo rod would have been more appropriate. In a way, these boats catch the essence of what fly fishing is all about. Fly fishing is sometimes called the “quiet sport.” It was, after all, Izaak Walton who said, “Study to be quiet." My friend said to me, “you relax in a boat like this,” and it is true.
The introduction of the outboard motor sure made it a lot easier to get around, but in the long run I am not sure it made fishing any more fun; and in the end it may even have taken something away. Old Nessmuk was right. We do need to escape from the world we have created and return to nature. Wooden boats and fly fishing have a way of making the trip more fun.
See you on the river.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Used Boat Buying Checklist
For general boat buying tips see Boat Buying Guide - Part I. There you'll find tips on deciding on the purpose of your boat and the body of water you'll be using, costs, maintenance and warranty issues, dealer reputation, word of mouth, boat shows, NMMA certification, propeller type, time of year to buy a boat, and more.
Use the following checklist when purchasing a used boat.
USED BOAT BUYING CHECKLIST
Test Drive
You wouldn't buy a car without test driving it first, would you? Same holds true with a boat, even more so than a car. Boats are finicky animals. They tend to require more attention and maintenance than cars. When you test drive the boat pay close attention to the following things while underway:
- Vibration
If it vibrates it could mean a variety of things like a bent propeller. A vibrating boat makes a noisy boat.
Functioning Trim
If you're looking at an inboard/outboard boat check to make sure the trim works, which allows the motor to move from the down position to the angled position.
- Response
Rapidly, but carefully, test the steering from one direction to another to see how long it takes the boat to respond.
- Planing
Check to see how long it takes the boat to plane after take off.
- Shifting
Does the boat slip smoothly into gear, or does it jump?
- Reverse
Make sure the boat works in reverse. You never know how important this is until you have to dock.
- Gauges and Instruments
Check the temperature, RPM, and speedometer for proper function.
- Bilge
Make sure it is doing it's job. If your test ride is not long enough to tell, when you get back to the dock run some water in the engine hole with a water hose until the bilge kicks in.
It's a good idea to take along several people on the test drive. Added weight in a boat can affect it's performance and quickness.
HOURS
Check to see how many hours are on a boat. You measure a car's use by miles and a boat's use by hours. If a boat has more than 500 hours you can expect to pay some money in upgrades and maintenance.
CHECK FOR FLOOR ROT
Wood and water don't mix, especially in the floor of a boat. Carefully inspect the floor for soft spots, which indicate rot. Don't be afraid to get on your hands and knees and smell for floor for mildew.
MAINTENANCE
Ask for a maintenance history on the boat. Find out what major repairs have been made to the boat. If a lot of work has been done to the boat, chances are there will be lots to come, which translates into dollars. Ask if the boat is still under warranty. Also, ask who the boat owner used for repairs and make a point to talk to them.
MARINE SURVEY
It's a good idea to have a qualified marine mechanic thoroughly inspect the boat before purchasing it. To find a marine surveyor call either the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors - SAMS. If you are going to do it yourself check the spark arrestors and plugs, alternator, belts, hoses, strainer, blower, shift cables, engine alignment, etc. Analyze the oil and make sure it is not cloudy or gritty Cloudy oil can mean the engine block is cracked.
HULL CONDITION
Take a walk around the boat and inspect the hull and make sure it is in good condition. Feel free to tap on the hull all the way around and make sure the hull is consistently solid. Mismatched paint is a sign the boat has been in an accident. Also check for gel-coat blisters and dry rot.
PROPELLER
Check the prop for warping, cracks, or nicks. Any of these things can throw off the performance of the boat.
STORAGE
How has the boat been stored while not in use? Was is stored outside and exposed to the sun and weather? Or was it kept in protected dry storage?
UPHOLSTERY
Depending on how the boat was stored can affect how the upholstery has held up over the years. Check for ripped seams and color fading. Also check the boat cover if there is one.
EXTRAS
It's nice if the owner will sell the boat with a few extras which are probably already on the boat. In my opinion, a depth finder is crucial. You don't want the boat to run aground, much less let your skier run aground. In most states a marine radio is required by law. A stereo is a nice thing to have so you can listen to tunes. Also see if the boat owner will throw in some life jackets and an anchor. And if you are a lucky slalom skier they may throw in a speed control device.
TRAILER
If a trailer comes with the boat you want to buy check the trailer thoroughly. They are not cheap to replace.
N.A.D.A. BOAT APPRAISAL GUIDE
Locate the boat in the N.A.D.A. Guide to find out the price value range for the model and year. Remember, if the boat is priced at the low end or lower than the low end it's likely the boat's had a history of problems and there is a reason the owner wants to get rid of the boat.
Use the following checklist when purchasing a used boat.
USED BOAT BUYING CHECKLIST
Test Drive
You wouldn't buy a car without test driving it first, would you? Same holds true with a boat, even more so than a car. Boats are finicky animals. They tend to require more attention and maintenance than cars. When you test drive the boat pay close attention to the following things while underway:
- Vibration
If it vibrates it could mean a variety of things like a bent propeller. A vibrating boat makes a noisy boat.
Functioning Trim
If you're looking at an inboard/outboard boat check to make sure the trim works, which allows the motor to move from the down position to the angled position.
- Response
Rapidly, but carefully, test the steering from one direction to another to see how long it takes the boat to respond.
- Planing
Check to see how long it takes the boat to plane after take off.
- Shifting
Does the boat slip smoothly into gear, or does it jump?
- Reverse
Make sure the boat works in reverse. You never know how important this is until you have to dock.
- Gauges and Instruments
Check the temperature, RPM, and speedometer for proper function.
- Bilge
Make sure it is doing it's job. If your test ride is not long enough to tell, when you get back to the dock run some water in the engine hole with a water hose until the bilge kicks in.
It's a good idea to take along several people on the test drive. Added weight in a boat can affect it's performance and quickness.
HOURS
Check to see how many hours are on a boat. You measure a car's use by miles and a boat's use by hours. If a boat has more than 500 hours you can expect to pay some money in upgrades and maintenance.
CHECK FOR FLOOR ROT
Wood and water don't mix, especially in the floor of a boat. Carefully inspect the floor for soft spots, which indicate rot. Don't be afraid to get on your hands and knees and smell for floor for mildew.
MAINTENANCE
Ask for a maintenance history on the boat. Find out what major repairs have been made to the boat. If a lot of work has been done to the boat, chances are there will be lots to come, which translates into dollars. Ask if the boat is still under warranty. Also, ask who the boat owner used for repairs and make a point to talk to them.
MARINE SURVEY
It's a good idea to have a qualified marine mechanic thoroughly inspect the boat before purchasing it. To find a marine surveyor call either the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors - SAMS. If you are going to do it yourself check the spark arrestors and plugs, alternator, belts, hoses, strainer, blower, shift cables, engine alignment, etc. Analyze the oil and make sure it is not cloudy or gritty Cloudy oil can mean the engine block is cracked.
HULL CONDITION
Take a walk around the boat and inspect the hull and make sure it is in good condition. Feel free to tap on the hull all the way around and make sure the hull is consistently solid. Mismatched paint is a sign the boat has been in an accident. Also check for gel-coat blisters and dry rot.
PROPELLER
Check the prop for warping, cracks, or nicks. Any of these things can throw off the performance of the boat.
STORAGE
How has the boat been stored while not in use? Was is stored outside and exposed to the sun and weather? Or was it kept in protected dry storage?
UPHOLSTERY
Depending on how the boat was stored can affect how the upholstery has held up over the years. Check for ripped seams and color fading. Also check the boat cover if there is one.
EXTRAS
It's nice if the owner will sell the boat with a few extras which are probably already on the boat. In my opinion, a depth finder is crucial. You don't want the boat to run aground, much less let your skier run aground. In most states a marine radio is required by law. A stereo is a nice thing to have so you can listen to tunes. Also see if the boat owner will throw in some life jackets and an anchor. And if you are a lucky slalom skier they may throw in a speed control device.
TRAILER
If a trailer comes with the boat you want to buy check the trailer thoroughly. They are not cheap to replace.
N.A.D.A. BOAT APPRAISAL GUIDE
Locate the boat in the N.A.D.A. Guide to find out the price value range for the model and year. Remember, if the boat is priced at the low end or lower than the low end it's likely the boat's had a history of problems and there is a reason the owner wants to get rid of the boat.
Boat Buying Guide - Part II
WARRANTIES
Extremely important. No matter how new your boat is, warranties can vary tremendously. This is an area in which you do lots of comparison shopping. If purchasing a new boat be sure to go with a boat manufacturer that stands firmly behind their product and is going to rise to the occasion when things go wrong. Boatbuying.com outlines things to consider when dealing with warranties.
NMMA CERTIFIED
Make sure the boat is certified by the National Marine Manufacturers Association. The NMMA standards exceed the basic regulations set by the U.S. Coast Guard.
DEALER REPUTATION
Extremely important. This could make or break your boating experience. Make sure their service department is reputable and have quick turn around on repairs.
To find a dealership in your area see the Dealerships / Sales links list.
WORD OF MOUTH
Find other people who own or have previously owned the brand or model of the boat you are considering purchasing. They can shed light on areas you may have never considered. Other boat owners will tell you the truth.
BOATING SAFETY
Take a safe boating course BEFORE you hit the water. The Water and Boating Safety Resources links page is an excellent source of boating courses and has great links to start instilling boat and water safety in your mind. Make sure that everyone who will be operating or just riding in the boat takes a safety course as well. Don't over look knowing the proper way to tow a skier and how to retrieve a downed skier safely. Also see Drivers Corner, Boating Tips, and the article, "How Fast Should You Go?" which explains boat speeds for different boat towed sports.
PROPELLER TYPE
Three or four blade? Four blades are more expensive, however they have a quicker hole shot and has a smoother spin. Three blades allow a little more top end speed. Prop manufacturers.
ATTEND A BOAT SHOW
Boat shows are a great place to start your boat shopping. For starters, there will be lots of manufacturers under the same roof, saving you travel time to multiple dealerships. Dealers often offer boat show discounts. Popular times of the year for boat shows are in the beginning of the year and the fall. To find a boat show in your area see the Boat Shows links list.
TIME OF YEAR TO BUY A BOAT
Buying at the beginning of the year will allow you to have your pick of the litter. You'll get more choices with colors, features, and special orders. Buy in the spring when everyone is getting boat fever and expect to pay more for your boat. Larger demand, larger price tag. Buy in the fall or later and you'll get lower prices when dealers are looking to unload boats before the new models hit the showroom.
Extremely important. No matter how new your boat is, warranties can vary tremendously. This is an area in which you do lots of comparison shopping. If purchasing a new boat be sure to go with a boat manufacturer that stands firmly behind their product and is going to rise to the occasion when things go wrong. Boatbuying.com outlines things to consider when dealing with warranties.
NMMA CERTIFIED
Make sure the boat is certified by the National Marine Manufacturers Association. The NMMA standards exceed the basic regulations set by the U.S. Coast Guard.
DEALER REPUTATION
Extremely important. This could make or break your boating experience. Make sure their service department is reputable and have quick turn around on repairs.
To find a dealership in your area see the Dealerships / Sales links list.
WORD OF MOUTH
Find other people who own or have previously owned the brand or model of the boat you are considering purchasing. They can shed light on areas you may have never considered. Other boat owners will tell you the truth.
BOATING SAFETY
Take a safe boating course BEFORE you hit the water. The Water and Boating Safety Resources links page is an excellent source of boating courses and has great links to start instilling boat and water safety in your mind. Make sure that everyone who will be operating or just riding in the boat takes a safety course as well. Don't over look knowing the proper way to tow a skier and how to retrieve a downed skier safely. Also see Drivers Corner, Boating Tips, and the article, "How Fast Should You Go?" which explains boat speeds for different boat towed sports.
PROPELLER TYPE
Three or four blade? Four blades are more expensive, however they have a quicker hole shot and has a smoother spin. Three blades allow a little more top end speed. Prop manufacturers.
ATTEND A BOAT SHOW
Boat shows are a great place to start your boat shopping. For starters, there will be lots of manufacturers under the same roof, saving you travel time to multiple dealerships. Dealers often offer boat show discounts. Popular times of the year for boat shows are in the beginning of the year and the fall. To find a boat show in your area see the Boat Shows links list.
TIME OF YEAR TO BUY A BOAT
Buying at the beginning of the year will allow you to have your pick of the litter. You'll get more choices with colors, features, and special orders. Buy in the spring when everyone is getting boat fever and expect to pay more for your boat. Larger demand, larger price tag. Buy in the fall or later and you'll get lower prices when dealers are looking to unload boats before the new models hit the showroom.
Boat Buying Guide - Part I
Boat Buying Guide - Part I
- Avoid disappointment and do your homework.
Once you fall in love with power boating there's no turning back. It's in your blood forever. Shopping for a new boat can be challenging. So many decisions to be made and so many things to consider. It's often a bigger decision than buying a car, which is essentially a means of transportation to get you from point A to point B.
A boat is usually a multipurpose investment that can be used for waterskiing, wakeboarding, barefooting, tubing, jumping, fishing, riding to your favorite hangout, weekend getaways, and more. And each of these events sometime require different qualities in a boat to get the best performance.
Before you take the boat buying plunge let me clue you in on two of the most widely spoken quotes in the boating world. "The happiest day of a boat owner's life is the day they buy the boat and the day they sell the boat" and "Boats are nothing more than holes in the water, into which you throw money."
Sounds so gloomy, doesn't it? It doesn't have to be. That's why it is so crucial for you to do your homework prior to purchasing a boat. Most people who are about to buy a boat have visions of nonstop fun on the water, but the reality is boats can be lots of work and require extreme care and regular maintenance in order for that fun on the water to be long lasting.
If you're still up to the challenge and responsibility of being a boat owner, use following checklist to go by when purchasing a boat.
BOAT BUYING CHECKLIST
PURPOSE OF THE BOAT
Decide what your main purpose(s) for the boat will be. Do you want it strictly for tournament waterskiing or strictly for recreational wakeboarding? Or do you have kids that like to do a little bit of everything behind the boat? Will it mainly be a fishing boat that you'll occasionally want to water-ski behind? These factors will determine your engine type (inboard, inboard/outboard, or outboard). Boats.com explains some tips in its article, "Choose the right type of boat for your needs."
BODY OF WATER YOU'LL BE USING
Larger, more wide open bodies of water require bigger boats, or those with V-drives or inboard/outboard engines. Larger boats handle rough water better than smaller boats. Direct drive boats are good for smaller lakes that generally have smooth water. Serious slalom skiers usually prefer direct drives and serious wakeboarders prefer V-drives. If your body of water is large and often chops up a bow-rider may not be the best choice. You don't want to run the risk of water coming in over an open bow.
COSTS
How much can you afford? Saving money on a purchase up front can cost you in the long run. Be sure to buy quality. Remember to take into consideration the following costs beyond the actual price of the boat and your monthly payments: insurance, boat and trailer registration fees, taxes, fuel, docking/mooring fees, storage, and equipment such as lifevests, fire extinguishers, flares, marine radio, anchor, dock lines, and a trailer if needed. When the boat is not in use you'll want to give it proper storage. Boats.com explains storage options in its article, "Learn the best way to store your boat."
Don't over look maintenance and repair costs to the boat. This can be the most discouraging factor to a boat owner. On average these annual costs averages around $50 per foot (boat length), however they can be significantly higher, depending on if you do the work yourself, or you let a marina do the work for you. This is not an area in which you want to skimp. Good maintenance habits can add years to your boat and save you many pounding headaches.
Also consider these optional items, depending on your water sports preferences: water skis, wakeboards, wet suits, towables (tubes), tow ropes and gloves, weight system for wakeboarding, pylon, boom, tower, etc.
http://waterski.about.com/od/boats/a/buying_a_boat.htm
- Avoid disappointment and do your homework.
Once you fall in love with power boating there's no turning back. It's in your blood forever. Shopping for a new boat can be challenging. So many decisions to be made and so many things to consider. It's often a bigger decision than buying a car, which is essentially a means of transportation to get you from point A to point B.
A boat is usually a multipurpose investment that can be used for waterskiing, wakeboarding, barefooting, tubing, jumping, fishing, riding to your favorite hangout, weekend getaways, and more. And each of these events sometime require different qualities in a boat to get the best performance.
Before you take the boat buying plunge let me clue you in on two of the most widely spoken quotes in the boating world. "The happiest day of a boat owner's life is the day they buy the boat and the day they sell the boat" and "Boats are nothing more than holes in the water, into which you throw money."
Sounds so gloomy, doesn't it? It doesn't have to be. That's why it is so crucial for you to do your homework prior to purchasing a boat. Most people who are about to buy a boat have visions of nonstop fun on the water, but the reality is boats can be lots of work and require extreme care and regular maintenance in order for that fun on the water to be long lasting.
If you're still up to the challenge and responsibility of being a boat owner, use following checklist to go by when purchasing a boat.
BOAT BUYING CHECKLIST
PURPOSE OF THE BOAT
Decide what your main purpose(s) for the boat will be. Do you want it strictly for tournament waterskiing or strictly for recreational wakeboarding? Or do you have kids that like to do a little bit of everything behind the boat? Will it mainly be a fishing boat that you'll occasionally want to water-ski behind? These factors will determine your engine type (inboard, inboard/outboard, or outboard). Boats.com explains some tips in its article, "Choose the right type of boat for your needs."
BODY OF WATER YOU'LL BE USING
Larger, more wide open bodies of water require bigger boats, or those with V-drives or inboard/outboard engines. Larger boats handle rough water better than smaller boats. Direct drive boats are good for smaller lakes that generally have smooth water. Serious slalom skiers usually prefer direct drives and serious wakeboarders prefer V-drives. If your body of water is large and often chops up a bow-rider may not be the best choice. You don't want to run the risk of water coming in over an open bow.
COSTS
How much can you afford? Saving money on a purchase up front can cost you in the long run. Be sure to buy quality. Remember to take into consideration the following costs beyond the actual price of the boat and your monthly payments: insurance, boat and trailer registration fees, taxes, fuel, docking/mooring fees, storage, and equipment such as lifevests, fire extinguishers, flares, marine radio, anchor, dock lines, and a trailer if needed. When the boat is not in use you'll want to give it proper storage. Boats.com explains storage options in its article, "Learn the best way to store your boat."
Don't over look maintenance and repair costs to the boat. This can be the most discouraging factor to a boat owner. On average these annual costs averages around $50 per foot (boat length), however they can be significantly higher, depending on if you do the work yourself, or you let a marina do the work for you. This is not an area in which you want to skimp. Good maintenance habits can add years to your boat and save you many pounding headaches.
Also consider these optional items, depending on your water sports preferences: water skis, wakeboards, wet suits, towables (tubes), tow ropes and gloves, weight system for wakeboarding, pylon, boom, tower, etc.
http://waterski.about.com/od/boats/a/buying_a_boat.htm
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