Choosing/Buying the Right Boat

Choosing a boat that’s right for you requires careful research, commonsense balancing of your requirements and of course money which depends on many questions:

  • What do I need to use the boat for?
  • Who can assist me in choosing the right boat?
  • What’s different about buying a boat?

There are cost of maintenance and insurance which you need to consider. Not to mention all the ‘essential extras’ that your boat will need once you purchase. Along the way it pays to get advice from professional people with experience – especially when it comes to financing your boat.

 

What will I need to use the boat for?

What do you need the boat for and where you’ll be using it will help determine what boat design you need. And there are many to choose from, sleek low profile boats, deep-hulled designs for offshore, flat-hulled aluminium for fly-fishing and more.

Tip: identify all your performance criteria before beginning a search!

 

Where will the boat be stored?

The size of your boat is limited by the access you’ll have to a storage area, whether it be your backyard, a trailer or even a marina. First, measure up to avoid disappointment later. Australia has a massive coastline and secure moorings are available at many marinas within close proximity of launching facilities.

Tip: take a tape measure when buying!

 

 

Who will be operating the boat?

Without careful consideration, you may find that you need a new car to pull your boat. First, research its weight and power ratio, plus the number of people who will be assisting you getting it in and out of the water. If you’re inexperienced, some boats can be hard to handle.

Tip: think about recreation vs. function and choose accordingly.

 

What’s your budget?

As you can imagine, there are boats to suit all budgets, though many new boat builders are paying attention to clever user-friendly designs that can make boating more enjoyable than ever for negligible cost. And with the sales of new boats on the rise there are plenty of used-boat bargains.

Tip: buy from a reputable dealer and remove the risk of buying a stolen boat.

 

What are the safety requirements?

In all states of Australia, applicants for a boating licence must attend a compulsory course. It’s important to know the dangers associated with boating and how to be safe on the water. There are plenty of fun, interactive courses at locations across Australia.

Tip: discuss your safety requirements with your dealer and make sure you know how everything works.