Where to Start When Buying a Boat

Buying a boat involves several key considerations, and a good starting point is to assess your specific needs and preferences for the type of watercraft that best suits your intended. Whether you are looking at buying a new boat or simply upgrading an older model, there’s no doubt that boats are expensive. This means that you’re going to want to look into all of your options before purchasing. Boats are very common, especially on lakes in Canada, where they act as a way to get around. They range from small rowboats to larger sailboats, and even motorized boats. You can also rent them out to fish, hike, camp, etc. There are a number of things that you should take into account before buying a boat. Not only does price play a major role, but you also need to think about safety and maintenance. Here are some specifics on where to start when buying a boat.

Choosing The Right Size

There are two primary sizes of boats; personal boats and commercial boats. Personal boats typically hold up to four people with varying amounts of gear. Commercial boats are usually slightly bigger than personal ones. Larger commercial boats have more seats and storage spaces. Depending on your needs, you may decide on either type. If you have a lot of gear, then you may want to go for a commercial boat. However, if you only intend to have yourself and a few friends aboard, a personal boat will work best.

Types Of Boats & Types Of Rental Dealers

With so many different types of boats available, you may wonder which one is perfect for you. Below we’ll discuss each of these in more detail:

Lakeside Boats

Lakeside Boats are designed for lakes, ponds, and other bodies of water. Many of these include a swim platform with a sunshade. These models tend to be fairly inexpensive, but they also lack storage. Having said that, they do have a certain charm to them.

Fishing Boats

Fishing boats are used both privately and commercially. They come in various styles and sizes, ranging from 13 feet long to over 80 feet in length. Fishing boats tend to be very stable, making them ideal options for fishing. Also, they often have seats for a maximum of 6 people. Most rental companies offer a variety of boats.

Motorboats

Motorboats are generally equipped with 4-6 horsepower motors. This enables you to travel much faster through the water than when using a rowing style boat. Motorboats also feature an enclosed cabin to protect passengers from the wind and rain. Most boats offered by rental companies allow you to choose between gas or electric power. Most rental companies also provide life jackets and helmets for added safety.

Sailboats

Sailboats are considered superior to motorboats because they are quieter and don’t require constant attention. As such, they’re commonly used for sailing (or waterskiing) on rivers and oceans. Most sailboats are quite expensive.

Hatchbacks

Hatchback Boats are similar to Hatchbacks; however, they any fuel source. They also have larger sails for better stability. Because sailboats can get rather pricey, however, they aren’t particularly common.

Catamarans

Catamarans are a combination of a catamaran and a pontoon boat, creating a hybrid design. When compared to traditional pontoon boats, catamarans can be better suited for rough weather conditions. Catamarans are usually longer than most boats, allowing for more comfort and safety.

Average Cost of Buying a Boat

The average cost of buying a boat varies depending on what model you’re looking at, as well as whether it’s new or used. The price of a new boat ranges anywhere from $30,000 to $60,000 while a preowned boat costs anything between $10,000 and $50,000. It all depends on the features included.

Maintenance

While maintenance isn’t really applicable to boats unless you buy a luxury yacht, it still bears mentioning. In general, the upkeep of boats tends to be pretty low. To reduce this burden, some boats come with built-in warranties. Depending on how much work has been done, routine inspections may be required every year or two. However, if there was heavy damage done, then routine inspections will become necessary more frequently. If the boat does need repair, the prices vary greatly.

Conclusion

Buying your first boat can be incredibly rewarding, especially if you decide that you want to spend time boating every day! Not only will you enjoy spending quality time with friends and family, you’ll reap some great benefits as well. From being able to explore the landscape to enjoying nature’s beauty, there’s no reason to delay getting on the water, unless of course the thought of doing so terrifies you.

FAQ

How much does a rowboat cost?

You’ll want to keep this question in mind – it might seem like now that there’s a lot of availability, pricing has dropped considerably. However, the prices are still higher than your typical runabout. For example, a 10 foot single-seater priced at around $200 will set you back nearly half of what you’d pay for a comparable 16′ open bow model. Alternatively, quite a few online casinos a rumored to offer small rowboats/sailboats as part of their real-life jackpot to winners. Mind you, actually receiving it is a long shot that is yet to be confirmed…

How long do I have to wait if I’m interested in renting a boat?

Generally speaking, it takes about 7 days for a boat to arrive. If you book online and make payment ahead of time, then you should receive a confirmation email informing you that your order was successful.

Do private owners ever offer their boats for rent?

Not often, although some people do keep extra boats available for hire.