04 May Interested in Buying a Boat?
Here is your chance to be out on the open water all summer long! Do you take the plunge and buy? I know when I was younger, as soon as our boat was put in the water, we would spend weeknight evenings and weekend’s water skiing, tubing, and fishing. It sounds so appealing especially if you have a family.
But first, you need to ask yourself these important questions:
1. What will you use your boat for?
There are a variety of different boats to choose from depending on what you’re interested in. Click on the link to take a look at the different types of boats available before you make a decision. What boat is right for you? (information provided by Discover Boating).
2. How much are you willing to spend?
Can you buy new or pre-owned? Here is something to think about. According to Discover Boating, new boats depreciate anywhere between 25%-33% immediately after leaving the dealer’s lot. If you purchase a pre-owned boat, someone else has already paid that depreciation cost – and you’ll get more boat for less! However, if you do decide to buy a new boat you will have a warranty in case anything goes wrong.
3. How many people will occupy the boat?
Every boat is different as mentioned above. So it is important to think about how many people will be on board during its use.
4. What types of onboard equipment will you want?
Here’s some suggestions:
o Trolling Motor
o Lights
o Depth finder
o Live well
o GPS
o Canopy/bimini
o Stereo
o Tables
o Emergency survival kit
o Fire extinguisher
o Life Jackets
5. Will you be able to tow your boat?
According to Auto Bytel, the average 21-foot boat trailer weighs between 500 and 1,000 pounds, while most boats in this size range hover in the 4,000-5,000 pound range. This means that you’ll want an SUV or truck that is rated to tow between 4,500-6,000 pounds in total. Hopefully this will not require you to also purchase another vehicle.
6. Where will you store your boat during the off season?
This could be another expense to think about unless you can store it on your own property. Also, will you be able to store it properly so that it is free from damage.
Here are few other components to consider before you make the purchase:
• Horsepower
• Engine Type
• Hull (Deep V, Modified V, Pontoon, etc.)
• Storage Onboard
Hopefully this helps you to make an informed decision on which boat is right for you. Have fun, be safe, and enjoy your new purchase.
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