How to Buy a Boat: Tips for a First Time Buyer

“Are you thinking about buying a boat? Great news—as boaters ourselves, we highly recommend it. We’ve got lots of great reviews of new boats, as well as listings of new and used boats of all types. But first, let’s go through the process of buying a boat, which should start well before you stand to look at a boat.

BASICS TO BUYING A BOAT:

1. Choose your boat type
2. Determine whether you’d like to buy new or used
3. Browse listings, work with a broker, or attend a boat show
4. Narrow down your options
5. Before you buy, conduct a walkaround, a sea trial and a survey
6. Close the deal

Is a bowrider the best bet? Could a cruiser be in your future? Or, is a trawler at the top of your list? Picture by Forest Johnson.

WHAT TYPE OF BOAT TO BUY

The first question to ask yourself is: What kind of boating would I like to do? If you haven’t done so already, consider where and how you will use the boat that you buy.

Boats are specialized, so what you buy should be largely determined by how you will enjoy the water. Take the time to do your research. Just as you wouldn’t buy an off-road vehicle to commute on a highway, it’s important to find the right boat to fit your activities, tastes, and the needs of your crew.

Ask yourself these questions and answer them honestly before signing that purchase contract. Do you want something you can put on a trailer and haul from waterway to waterway? Is entertaining guests with cocktails at sundown the primary motivation for your purchase? Will you do a lot of overnighting? Do your kids have plans to water-ski and wakeboard? Each of these is a valid reason to buy a boat, and each will lead you to a different boat.

Even once you decide on a type, there are more choices to make because each boat type will require different amounts of time and money to enjoy properly. For example, a trailerable boat can save you money on dockage and winter storage, but each time you want to use it you will have to take it to a launch ramp and get it in the water. A boat stored in the water can make quick after-work getaways possible.

If you see the words “make an offer” on any listing, you know a low purchase price is possible.

SHOULD I BUY NEW OR USED?

It only takes a little bit of shopping to discover that there are a lot of used boats available at much lower prices than you would pay for the same boat brand new. Fiberglass and aluminum don’t rot like traditional wood does, so today’s boats last a long time.

Buying used can also save you money upfront, but just like buying a used car, it also increases the variables.

A site like boats.com attracts a high volume of visitors because it features hundreds if not thousands of models in popular boat types such as bowriders.

SHOPPING FOR A BOAT

Once you’re ready for some serious boat shopping, the best place to begin is online. You can compare models, prices, and even take virtual tours all without getting out of your chair. The boats.com boats for sale include a wide range of boats and types, and you may also want to investigate what’s available on our sister sites: YachtWorld and Boat Trader. You can search by length, boat type, or model name, and you can also customize your search by location.

Even if you have endless patience for boat gawking, it can still be exhausting and disappointing to fall in love with the photos and then be disappointed by the actual boat. Here are some tips to help you weed out the ones that will probably be a letdown:

1. 1.

1. 2. Compare photos between similar boats to see what isn’t mentioned on a particular listing. It could be a red flag area for that boat.

1. 3. Compare “highlights” between listings, to see what’s part of a stock dealer equipment list and what’s different about each particular boat.

1. 4. If the boat is listed with a dealer, glance through the rest of the offerings to get a feel for the overall business.

5. Beware of boats that include a lot of “stuff” you won’t use or will have to replace, like outdated electronics.

Once you’ve narrowed down your choices to a select few, you’ll need to go check out those boats in person. That can be as easy as ambling down to your neighborhood marina or dropping by a boat show booth, or as complicated as flying halfway around the world. The goal is to see if your choice looks as good in real life as she does on screen.

Make sure you insist on a sea trial, even if the boat that has your interest is out of the water.

INSPECTING THE BOAT: WALK-THROUGH, SEA TRIAL, SURVEY

How thoroughly should you inspect a boat before you buy? That depends, but if this is a major purchase it’s important to dig deep, beyond what the seller wants you to see—especially if you’re trying to figure out why a particular deal looks a little too good to be true. If you’re not sure whether a particular boat is worth a closer look, start with a walkaround.

Next, go for a sea trial to see if you enjoy being on the boat underway. There’s a difference between a sea trial and a boat ride, though; if what you’re really looking for is a joyride around the lake on a nice afternoon, rent a boat or go out with a friend instead. Otherwise you may gain a reputation as a tire-kicker and time-waster.

After the sea trial, it’s best if you have the boat hauled before buying. There’s a reason why most surveyors will not consider their job complete if the boat remains in the water too much is hidden below the waterline, and what you can’t see below the surface can be crucial to your safety and enjoyment.

And speaking of surveyors, consider hiring one—especially if you’re purchasing a boat larger than 30 feet. Most insurance companies will require a recent survey, and you’ll definitely learn more about the boat of your dreams.

WHAT’S INCLUDED WITH THE BOAT YOU BUY?

What’s included will depend not only on the type of boat you buy but also on the deal you can make and whether you’re buying new or used. Any seller should provide an equipment list that will give you an idea of how much stuff comes with the boat. You may opt for a total package or choose to do your own shopping for amenities. Even if you choose a package deal, there will undoubtedly be more “stuff” needed before you can push off from the dock. Make sure you save enough money to spend on the extras that will help you safely enjoy being on the water.

CLOSING THE DEAL

When it comes to actually nailing down a deal, buying a boat is like buying anything else: the more in love with it you are (or appear to be), the higher the price you will pay. Buying a boat can be very emotional, so it’s important to step back from that while you are negotiating a price, checking for online fraud, and completing the paperwork—that is, until you’ve actually closed the deal.

It’s also important (especially with a private sale) to make sure the owner actually owns her. Check the paperwork carefully, and if the boat is stored at a yard or marina, remember to ask the manager if there are any outstanding bills or liens on the boat.

Editor’s Note: This story was originally published on boats.com in March 2015, updated in October 2017 and March 2020.”

We are not the original writers of this article. The original can be found HERE on boats.com written by Carol Cronin.