Time to buy a boat

Posted by Damon Petta Mon, 26 Mar 2007 19:16:29 GMT

I got a chance to do a little boating over the weekend, kinda. After 20 some odd years of wanting to get a boat of my own, my brother and I have decided to go in and get a “starter boat”. Ideally we’ll get some ski / cruiser combo which he can take to the river and I can take to the ocean. I’m sure that an argument will ensue because he’ll want a kick ass ski boat and I’m more for the cuddy cabin cruiser with a, bathroom and sleeping area for Catalina trips. I’ve been trying to come up with a way to deal with all the hidden costs of owning a boat and have come to the conclusion that I should just set aside 20 percent of the boat cost per year for maintenance and such.

Some searching on Eaby and Boatrader.com has turned up some decent boats in the low 20’s that should be great for learning the basics on. I’ve had a fair amount of practice pulling in to the trailer from the water and launching boats which resulted in a few dings and “ohh shit - is the plug in”.

In my due diligence on the boats I’m asking the following questions to the sellers.

  • How many hours are on the engine(s) and boat total if the motors have ever been replaced.

  • How is the condition of the Hull? Have you had any work done on it?

  • What condition is the trailer in? Has it ever been used to launch in the ocean?

  • Has the boat had any major mechanical problems in the past?

  • Has the boat been kept in a garage / warehouse or outdoors?

  • What is your reason for selling? Upgrade? Not enough use?

Boats that I’m interested in:

If somehow I talk myself in to getting a new boat I’d like to go for the 27 foot offshore boat, but it’s a chunk of change.

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