So all your friends have told you how great it is to own a boat and you’ve decided to make the plunge and buy your own. That’s great! Recognition is the first step to realizing you have a problem. (Sorry, couldn’t resist.) But seriously, do you actually know what you’re in for? Not just in a general sense, but in very specific areas? We asked around and got an idea of the kinds of things you should be aware of as you’re looking to make a boat purchase. Hopefully this list will keep you from plopping down your money on a lemon or, say, a transatlantic paddle-powered catamaran.
General
These are the basic questions you need to ask yourself to drill down to a good starting point. In some cases though, the answers to these questions may indicate that you’re not ready for a boat yet, so try to be as honest as possible.
What kind of boat should I get?
This is an easy one, of course, but the answer can be pretty broad. If you’re reading this publication, you’re obviously interested in a pontoon or deck boat, but really this question is about which category you’re going to be looking at: entry-level, high-end, performance, fishing, etc.
What am I interested in?
Ah, here we go. What do you expect you’re going to be using the boat for most? Are you an angler? Do you have a family who would enjoy days out on the lake? Do you have money to spend and want the fastest boat out there? Do you just want to get on the water and chill? What kind of boat fits your personality? Are you a thrill-seeker or do you just want to appear that way to your buddies?
How will I use the boat?
Take an honest look inside yourself. Is there a difference between the fantasy in your head and how you’re actually going to end up using the boat? If there is, you need to reconcile that difference. That doesn’t mean you have to give up your dreams of setting the world record for top speed, but you might want to look into something a little more reasonable.
Who will use the boat?
Are you a lone wolf, eager to go fast and meet new people out on the water? Or do you have family who will make different use of your boat?
How often will I use it?
Coming to terms with how often you’ll be able to put the boat in the water is vitally important. Some factors to consider: the distance to the nearest lake, the temperament of the local climate, how often your family/friends will want to use it. After all, we’ve all bought a pair of shoes that we only wear a couple of times a year. Who wants that mistake on a larger scale?
Where will I be using it?
Do you have a local body of water that is (relatively) easy to get to? If you’re looking at a drive of more than, say, two hours in one direction, you may not end up using it as much as you’d like. Of course, we hear stories about boaters who will routinely drive eight hours round trip every weekend in the summer to use their houseboat, so your mileage tolerance may vary.
How much will it cost?
Owning a boat is not cheap, and that’s before you take into account the ancillary costs of ownership, such as mooring fees, fuel, insurance, routine maintenance, and so on. Anticipate paying around 10 percent of the boat’s total cost each year on such necessary extras.
At the absolute minimum, you’re going to spend $50,000-90,000, and that’s being pretty conservative. Remember, the outboard alone will be approximately a third of the total cost depending on its horsepower, so make sure the well is deep enough to cover your new hobby.
How much am I willing to pay?
This goes hand-in-hand with the previous question. Once you have an idea of the ballpark cost for everything, you need to determine your upper limit and adjust your expectations accordingly.
Where will I store it?
Do you have a big enough garage to house a boat? What about a concrete pad to the side of the house? Can you rent storage space for the winter to keep it out of harm’s way? Is there a local marina you can use for the summer?
Outfitting
With those out of the way, you’re closer to knowing what you want. Now you can start looking at options.
How much horsepower do I need?
This ties into an earlier question about how you’re going to use the boat. If you’re the hang out and chill type, you’re probably looking at the 50 to 115hp range. If you’re going to be fishing, you may want to look at adding a trolling motor too, which is an additional cost. But if you’re all performance-minded, you’ll want to get at least a 150hp engine. Some boats handle well and move fast even with a modest engine, so do a little research and see if you really need those twin 450hp outboards after all.
How many engines should I get?
Probably just one, unless you have your great uncle’s inheritance underwriting this purchase or you have a serious addiction to speed. A fair number of boats can be outfitted with two outboards if you really want them and we’ve even tested three outboards on a pontoon boat before. Be warned: multiple engines mean more overall cost for your investment.
What kind of engine should I get?
What we mean here is simply this: outboard engine or a sterndrive? Most pontoons come with an outboard, but it’s not unheard of to have a sterndrive. Deck boats can go either way. Sterndrives can be more money, but have the advantage of clearing your sight line off the back of the boat, as well as freeing up space for a sunpad, swim deck, or simply more deck space. However, there is a reason outboard power is dominating the entire boating industry right now.
How big should the boat be?
Again, as with the previous question, you need to decide what you’re using the boat for and plan accordingly. I know “size matters” and all that, but just because you can get a huge boat doesn’t mean you should. If you have a big family or regularly entertain large groups, by all means, get that 26-footer. But if it’s just you and your spouse, an 18- or 20-footer might be more than enough for what you need. This question will also inform how you store your boat, so be aware of that as well.
How much weight can the boat handle?
This will vary somewhat depending on what kind of power you have on the boat, but in general, you’ll need to determine if you really need a boat that can handle 3,600 pounds of people and gear, or if you’ll be fine with a more modest 1,600 pounds or so.
How heavy is the boat? Can my vehicle pull it?
You have to make sure you can pull your boat around behind your vehicle. Even though you can technically slap a hitch on any vehicle (like a Corvette—NO, I’M NOT KIDDING), you need to check your weight rating. With that, you’ll also need to factor in the weight of the trailer and any gear you’ll have in the boat when you make your way to your lake.
What comes with the boat?
More than just finding out what goodies come with your purchase, you also need to see if it includes a trailer. Most of the time it will, but it’s better to be sure because that’s another extra cost. Go ahead and ask for a boat cover and extra prop while you’re at it. And heck, maybe even a towable. The worst they can do is say no!
Can I have a test drive?
This will be the way you find out whether all the things you read about this great boat are true. It’s also the only way to figure out that elusive “feel” that every boat has. You may find there’s a little thing about the handling that doesn’t quite sit right with you, or the boat isn’t as roomy as you expected.
What does the warranty cover?
If you bought a brand-new Chevy and the stereo kicked the bucket two weeks later, the dealership would no doubt cover that. With a boat, though, you may not be so lucky. Make sure you get the details of your warranty coverage in writing. While you’re at it, find out where you should take it for a tune-up. That could be covered, too.
Buying Used
Sometimes getting the best, brightest, and latest boat just isn’t in the cards. Here are a few tips that will save you a headache down the road.
Are there maintenance records?
If you’re buying a used boat, this is a must. You’ll want to know how well the boat was taken care of before you commit to it, because there could be all sorts of things you won’t notice beforehand.
Is the manufacturer still around?
Try to ensure that the boat builder is still around and if there’s any kind of warranty that applies to your situation. The last thing you want is to drop some coin on a boat that hasn’t been in production in a decade and there are no replacement parts if something goes wrong.
Final Steps
Last but not least, if you’re buying used it’s a good idea to pay for a pre-purchase survey. It pays to get things inspected and make sure everything is in perfect working order. The National Association of Marine Surveyors and the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors have lists of people local to you that can perform the inspection.
That’s all, folks! We’ve done our best to equip you with our knowledge; now it’s up to you to make the best decision for you. We’re about to hit prime boat-buying season, so get out there and start looking.
