Buying your first boat is quite an experience, more exciting than you imagine. Whether your purpose is to get around or go fishing, several things are essential to consider before making your final choice. Here you will read several recommendations you should follow before buying a boat, from going from legal to accessories, so that in the end, you can make the best decision.
Make Sure the Boat Has Its Papers in Order
It is crucial to check that all the papers are in order and that you are buying a boat within the legal limits. When someone buys a second-hand boat through a buying and selling company, it usually acts as a mediator and verifier that the ship is without any legal charge or judicial blockade.
But suppose someone goes individually to the second-hand market. In that case, the person must inform first about the boat and check that everything is correct. You should pay special attention to the date of manufacture, whether it was charter or for private use.
Analyze Your Budget and Define If a New or Second-hand Boat Is More Convenient for You
When a person buys a new boat, they will usually have to accept to pay the amount of money to get a boat fresh from the “oven.” However, when it comes to buying a second-hand boat, the ability to negotiate takes on great importance. Knowing the model and its possibilities well, knowing if the maintenance is well done, and having a great notion of the value the boat currently has are essential for the second-hand market.
Usually, the seller establishes an appraisal price higher than the actual value that looks toward their interest, and this is where you need enough skill to adjust the price and get a boat that meets your wants and needs. When buying a second-hand boat, you must consider that the cost does not only imply the acquisition of the ship. A used boat will be much cheaper than if purchased directly from the manufacturer, but the expenses do not end here.
You should also remember that you will need a place to moor your boat, which will likely not be cheap. Nor should you ignore maintenance, which is of vital importance to navigate safely. Many parts have to be changed or adjusted periodically, and it is better to do it on time because there is nothing more frustrating than sailing with a boat in poor condition.
It will also be necessary to calculate the changes in registration, taxes, and other fees that are established in the purchase and sale. Suppose you do not want to take care of this whole process. In that case, you can hire a nautical agency to do everything for you and save you time on paperwork and other procedures.
Inspect the Structure of the Boat
Whether buying a new or second-hand boat, you must thoroughly inspect it, especially if it is a second-hand ship. In fact, it is advisable to go to an approved organism and surround yourself with experts when analyzing the boat since a failure that is not detected in time could mean a financial problem and cause an accident while sailing.
Depending on the use you wish to give to your boat, you will want to find certain accessories in it. However, if your ship does not have everything you need, you can include those details later. For example, if you want to use your boat for fishing, you can install rods and tool holders from Teak Isle, and you will have the ideal boat to go fishing.
Do the Navigation Test
After visiting the boat and checking that everything is in order and that it complies with the list of priorities you have prepared, it is time to take the boat out to sea. Ensure you have enough time to do all the necessary checks for both the visit and the navigation test. It is also essential to have someone you trust on board who can better assess the behavior of the boat while sailing. Also, take your notes to remember any detail or request budgets for any arrangement or change you think is necessary.
You can also hire a skipper so that the test is as professional as possible and nothing is left out of scrutiny. In some cases, it is helpful to request a pre-purchase inspection in which an expert will make all the necessary checks to know precisely the state and condition of the boat. The inspection report and its conclusions will be handy in the negotiation phase.
Negotiate the Price of the Boat
The time has come to negotiate. You have the budgets for everything that will have to be replaced or fixed, and you also have the prices of similar alternatives. The most important thing is not to pay more than the boat’s market value and to get the seller to accept a reduction in the sale price equal to the expenses you will have to incur to get the boat ready.
Define the price range that you are willing to pay and the payment that interests you; judiciously use the information you collected during the visit and the navigation test, and, if applicable, the expert’s report. Show seriousness and remember that the seller may have other potential buyers. Be reasonable and remember that you are very close to achieving your goal at this point, so it is better to remain calm than to be intransigent and have to go back to the beginning of the process.
Conclusion
Buying a boat is an investment that you should not make lightly. If you still have any doubts, do not hesitate to contact an expert to ask him all the pertinent questions. To get the most for your money, you should check the boat’s condition and structure, discuss the price with the seller, and perform a navigation test. If everything goes well, you can make your purchase with confidence.
