Renting a boat can get expensive, and provides absolutely zero return on investment. Also–let’s be honest–renting can never offer the sense of pride and personal attachment that comes with ownership. If you’re in the market for a boat, consider the following advice to help you make the right decision:
- What type of boating activities do I enjoy most?
There are many types of boats out there, and the type of boat you buy should depend (obviously) on how you intend to use your boat. There are boats built for fishing, for extreme sports, for parties, for the ocean, for rivers, etc. This boat selector tool may help you narrow down what types of boats you are interested in.
- What is my budget?
Regardless of your financial situation, everyone has their limits. And regardless of how self-controlled you may think you are, it’s very difficult to make good decisions in the spur of the moment (especially with a beautiful boat sitting in right in front of you and a wiley salesman pushing you in a certain direction.) That’s why it’s very important to decide on a budget before making serious inquiries. Which brings us to a related question…
- Am I in the market for a new or used boat?
New boats are aesthetically tempting, and they may feature warranties that make them seem like financially savvy decisions. Unfortunately, new boats, (much like new cars,) lose a large percentage of their value upon being sold. When you buy used, you can often find higher quality boats for lower prices.
- How much do I understand about boats (and what aspects should I brush up in?)
We’ll assume that you already have at least some experience with boats (if not, you may wish to try renting a boat for a few outings in order to be sure that buying a boat is a good investment for you.) That being said, you probably want to brush up on your knowledge before shopping in order to make an informed decision. If you’re buying used, you may wish to hire a surveyor in order to assure quality and functionality.
Beacon Watch–there for every step of your boating journey
Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a thoroughly dedicated boat enthusiast, Beacon Watch is committed to helping everyone enjoy the water safely and responsibly. We offer an innovative line of boating safety equipment just for that. Check out our online store or our blog today for more information!