How to buy a boat?
Research is essential, you can use BoatingNetworks.com to ask members and check reviews. Ask boat owners and dealers on the boating networks website for their opinion about a particular boat, the pros and cons etc. This will help you decide on the type of boat you want to buy.
Big or Small?
You need to decide where you will be travelling to on your boat and with how many people (on average) you will take. On average the boat running cost and mooring will cost approximately 10% per annum of the purchase price, therefore if you buy a boat for 50k your maintenance costs per annum will be around 5k. Bigger isn’t always best, remember the bigger the boat, the bigger the maintenance costs.
What boat is right for me?
This question depends on various things, first is where you will be cruising with the boat, if you will be travelling long distances like to the Med, also how many people will be travelling with you, and also you budget.
There are four different categories of boats
Planning Boats
Designed to rise up and ride on top of the water, this type of boat is best operated at high speeds, enabling you to move across the tops of waves e.g. speed boats
Displacement Boats
These boats are designed to glide through water at the slow speeds, moving the water sideways and down out of the way as it cruises. This design is one of the most stable boats enabling a comfortable ride in moderate to rough seas.
Semi-Displacement Boats
This boat is in between a planning boat and a displacement boat; stable, comfortable and less roll than a steel displacement boat. The semi-displacement boat is best of both worlds with high top speed and comfortable handle at low speed. It carries a smaller draft, and it is suitable for rivers, lakes and off-shore.
Sailing Boats
For someone who enjoys the gentle noise of the sea breeze. Sailing boats are designed to obtain their power from the wind with use of sails, but most have a small engine, which is used to return to the harbour, and navigate rivers where sailing is not allowed
These boats are comparatively economic. The experience can be compared to flying an aircraft; you are required to respect and deal with many elements such as tide, wind, strong currents, don’t get caught out by the weather - plan, plan and plan ahead. It will be a great adventure!
Motor Boats
Motor boats are powered by two different types of engines; inboard and outboard. The inboard usually mounted inside the rear of the boat (the stern), some bigger boats have engines in the middle, usually on the larger shaft driven boats. The outboard usually mounted on the outside rear stern of the boat. Outboard engines are usually found on smaller boats, very common on ribs and other small vessels.