A Guide for Buying A New Boat

Whenever you buy something new, you always want to get the best quality that you can afford. The first thing you need to do before buying a boat is determine what the main use for the boat is. Asking yourself these questions will help you determine the type of boat, engine and where you want to go. The buying process is important and with so many models and types of boats available on the market, choosing the correct one may seem overwhelming.  

Type of Boat

You can have three main activities with a boat like cruising, watersports and fishing. While certain boats can be used for multiple activities, there are certain boats that work best for each activity. For instance, if your goal is cruising, you should probably go with a pontoon boat, deck boat, bow rider, express cruiser, motor yacht or high-performance. For watersports, choose between a jet boat, ski boat, wakeboard boat or personal watercraft. For fishing, choose a center console, bass boat or flats boat.

Brand

The simplest way to select a good boat is to know which brand you want. When you are buying a car you know that Mercedes may be expensive however you know that all that money is going get you raw efficiency and quality. On the flip-side, there are some brands that may not be considered “top-shelf” when it comes to quality, however, they have a range of genuine spare parts immediately available at affordable rates. Making a final decision can depend on your budget. Do research on different brands to see which fit your ideal purchase.

Outboard or Inboard Motors

Boats come with three types of motors. These are inboard, outboard and a mix of the two. Inboard boats have motors that are under the boat and better for those who wish to go skiing with a smaller wake. Outboard boats have motors that are bolted on the outside of the boat. This type of boat and motor is popular among fisherman since the motor can be trimmed up or down.
Choosing which one you wish to have on your boat depends on the original question. How do you want to use your boat? The main purpose of your boat and how you plan to use it will help you determine which type of boat you need and what engine is best.

Budget

Lastly, you need to decide how much you are willing to pay for your desired boat. Take into consideration that new and used boats are both options, depending on your budget. You always want to get the best quality that you can afford so look for small details as well like the manufacturer’s warranty, extra features and overall size. Additionally, most lenders finance boats for terms 2 to 3 ½ times the length of auto loans, making for low monthly payments.  So the best quality boat you can afford may be a little nicer than you originally thought.