Category: Buying a Boat

Should I buy a boat?

Boat buying is a big decision, and it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before making a purchase. If you’re considering purchasing a boat, here’s what you need to know.

Boats are a great investment for those who love to spend time on the water. They offer a chance to escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life and enjoy the peacefulness of the open water. Boats also provide a great opportunity for recreation and entertainment, whether you enjoy fishing, water sports, or simply cruising around with friends and family.

So, what makes a boat the “best”? This will depend on your individual needs and preferences. There are many factors to consider when choosing the right boat, including size, type, cost, and intended use. For example, if you’re looking for a boat for fishing, you may want to consider a fishing boat with features specifically designed for that activity. Or, if you’re in the market for a recreational boat, a pontoon boat or a bowrider may be the best choice.

When it comes to the cost of a boat, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Boats can range in price from a few thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the type and size of the boat. It’s important to set a budget and stick to it, and consider all the additional costs associated with boat ownership, such as insurance, maintenance, and storage.

So, should you buy a boat? The answer to this question will depend on your individual circumstances. Before making a purchase, it’s important to consider the cost, your intended use, and how often you’ll be using the boat. Additionally, you should also consider your ability to maintain and store the boat, as well as the costs associated with boat ownership.

In conclusion, purchasing a boat can be a great investment for those who love to spend time on the water. When choosing the right boat, it’s important to consider your individual needs and preferences, including cost, type, and intended use. Before making a purchase, make sure to weigh the pros and cons and consider all the additional costs associated with boat ownership.

By researching the different types of boats and considering your individual needs and budget, you can find the best boat for you. Whether you’re looking for a recreational boat or a fishing boat, you’re sure to find a boat that will provide years of enjoyment on the water.

Planing VS Displacement Hulls What Is Best For You?

Boat hulls are designed with different displacement types to suit different boating purposes and environments. The two main types of hulls are planing and displacement. Understanding the difference between these two types of hulls and their pros and cons can help you make an informed decision when purchasing a boat.

A planing hull is designed to lift itself out of the water and “plane” on top of the water at high speeds. This type of hull is typically found on powerboats, such as sportboats and runabouts. The benefits of a planing hull include increased speed and maneuverability, as well as a smoother ride in choppy waters. These types of boats are suitable for watersports and recreational boating.

On the other hand, a displacement hull is designed to move through the water, rather than on top of it. This type of hull is typically found on sailboats, trawlers, and other slow-moving boats. Displacement hulls have a more efficient design that allows them to move through the water with less drag, which makes them ideal for long-distance cruising and navigating in calm waters.

One of the main benefits of a displacement hull is its fuel efficiency. These boats are designed to move through the water with minimal resistance, which means they use less fuel than planing hulls. This makes them a great choice for boaters who want to save money on fuel costs and for boaters who want to be more environmentally friendly.

Another benefit of a displacement hull is its ability to handle rough seas. These boats have a more stable and comfortable ride in rough waters, thanks to their design that allows them to cut through waves rather than bouncing over them. This makes them a great choice for boaters who plan to spend a lot of time on the water in rough seas.

However, displacement hulls also have some drawbacks. One of the main downsides is their speed. These boats are not designed to plane on top of the water, so they typically have a lower top speed than planing hulls. This makes them less suitable for watersports and recreational boating.

Another drawback of displacement hulls is their maneuverability. These boats are not as agile as planing hulls, which can make them more difficult to handle in tight spaces or crowded marinas.

In conclusion, both planing and displacement hulls have their own unique benefits and drawbacks. Planing hulls are better suited for recreational boating, watersports, and high-speed travel, while displacement hulls are better suited for long-distance cruising, navigating in rough seas, and conserving fuel. It’s important to consider the type of boating you plan on doing, as well as the waters you’ll be navigating, when deciding on the type of hull that’s right for you.

Survey Says!…. Get A Marine Survey

You’ve found the perfect boat, looked at it in person and are ready to make an offer on the boat.

STOP and read this!

Unless you can afford to throw away the money you are spending on the boat you are going to want to get it surveyed by an accredited surveyor. Many lending institutions will require a survey and your insurance company is going to require a survey for full coverage insurance.

Who are marine surveyors? A surveyor is someone who is accredited by one or more organizations and usually has spent a great deal of time in the marine industry. This isn’t like a home inspector who can get certified on a weekend and start inspecting homes. These surveyors have lengthy training, continuing education and time on various vessels. There are several governing bodies that monitor Marine Surveyors, (NAMS)-National Association of Marine Surveyors, the US Surveyors Association-Navy, Certified Marine Surveyors-(CMS), (ABYC)-American Boat and Yacht Council, (IIMS) – International Institute of Marine Surveyors, (SAMS) – Society of Accredited Marie Surveyors and the (YDSA) – Yacht Designers and Survey Association. In most cases it takes a minimum of 3 to 5 years to become an accredited surveyor.

What can I expect when I get a boat surveyed? I suggest you as the buyer be present during the survey. The surveyor will meet you and the seller or seller’s representative at the boat the day of your survey. While not necessary I always bring a note pad and pen with me to document the systems on the boat and issues the surveyor may find. It’s generally not good form to place the surveyor directly in price negotiations during the survey. The surveyor is there for you and only you. Schedule the survey for a time when all parties can be present since you will need to sea trial the boat, operate every system on the boat and haul the boat from the water to inspect the hull and running gear.  The surveyor will require the owner or owners representative to open access panels and covers in areas that need to be inspected. Due to liabilities the surveyor may not open secured panels if the owner isn’t there. the surveyor will inspect the hull and decks for rot, structural members for rot or damage, look for obvious leaks, check mechanical fasteners, inspect the electrical system and mechanical systems on the boat. Basically the survey covers everything on the boat except the inside of the engines. (an engine survey is usually an add on performed by a marine mechanic) This is a great opportunity for the buyer to follow the surveyor around and ask questions. They will be able to tell you how the systems on the boat work and how to maintain them. Remember the notebook I told you to bring? Use it to write down this information. Once the surveyor has gone over the boat from stem to stern you are ready for the sea trial. During the sea trial the surveyor will monitor engine and cooling system temperatures and associated electronics. They will also perform a backdown test to confirm the engine mounts are in good shape. After the sea trial the boat will be hauled out or put on the trailer for the hull inspection and the running gear inspection.

The surveyor will take a rub of the Hull ID number and include it in his report. In a few days you will receive a report usually in digital form with photos from the surveyor. This report will highlight deficiencies and include an estimated value of the boat.

Every boat has issues but use this report to negotiate a buying price. For example the boat is for sale at $35,000 and the survey report indicates that the fuel lines need replaced and the aft bilge pump isn’t working ask the seller to repair these items or deduct the coat of repairing them from the asking price. Your report most likely will contain many items of varying importance that need repaired or replaced.

The main types of marine surveys are buyers survey and insurance survey. The insurance survey is not recommended for a vessel you are trying to buy. This is a quick survey intended for the insurance companies to grant or renew coverage. Get a buyers survey! You can also have a marine mechanic inspect the engines and transmissions during the survey. This is called an engine survey. Depending on the type of engine and hours on the engine this may be preferred by some buyers.

I’ve run across some sellers that were hesitant to allow their boats to be surveyed. I would run, not walk from those sellers. Remember there are way more boats than buyers out there. If the survey finds issues or the seller seems sketchy move on to the next one. Never fall in love with a boat until it’s yours.

Costs for a survey vary greatly around the country so I can’t include a good estimate here but expect to pay $18.00– $20.00 per foot for a Pre-Purchase Condition & Valuation (C&V) Marine Survey. Plus you may have to pay to have the boat hauled out or placed in the water for the sea trial. It’s money well spent! I usually don’t use the surveyor the seller or broker recommends. You want someone who is there for you not anyone else in this deal.

Here are several websites where you can find an accredited surveyor:

http://www.marinesurvey.org/

http://www.boatus.com/insurance/survey.asp

http://abycinc.org/mpage/surveyorimportance

http://www.acms-usa.com/