Friday, April 19, 2024

What Boat Is Right For Me

What Questions Do You Ask When Choosing The Best Fishing Boats

Yes, You CAN Build a Boat – Which Boat is Right for Me?

You may notice that there is really no definition of the best aluminum fishing boat. However, the choice that you make usually depends on the kind of fishing that you want to engage in. You need to consider very important questions before you start hunting for a boat.

  • Do you intend to fish in saltwater or freshwater:

If you are looking for fishing boats near me or fishing boats for sale near me so as to venture in saltwater, it helps to know that a boat that has closed cooling systems, as well as flushing systems, is a better choice to clear your engine, it also makes sense to have a boat that has a fiberglass hull.

  • Are you conducting fishing inshore, offshore, or near shore?

If you intend to buy small aluminum fishing boats for sale for inshore fishing, then you should find a boat that can work well even in shallow water. For offshore fishing, the boat should have a strong motor as well as enough amenities to use while you spend time onboard.

  • How many people will you be taking fishing with you?

The number of people you intend to enjoy this activity with should help you determine the seating space available.

  • How long will your trip take?

When you are choosing cheap fishing boats or small fishing boats or any other fishing boats then you should consider how much time you would be on the water. If you are going to take long, then you need to buy a boat that offers shelter and as many amenities as required to sustain you over the period you are away from land.

Additional Tips For Choosing The Right Yacht

In some ways, buying a yacht is just like buying anything else youre going to feel better making such a large investment if you know you are making an informed, educated decision so do your homework:

Read Boating Magazines and Blogs These resources are gold mines of tips and tricks for yacht enthusiasts looking to make their first purchase.

Go to Boat Shows Boat shows are your best chance to see hundreds of boats up close and personal. There is bound to be a few boats calling your name at each boat show you attend.

Ask Around If youre touring a marina and happen upon a boat owner tending to their vessel at the dock, strike up a conversation and learn more about their yacht and what they like about it. Most boaters will be happy to share.

Read Reviews Whether theyre online or in those yachting magazines, read what other people are saying about their yachts.

Consult a Broker Consult a yacht broker through your local marina who can connect you with owners of pre-owned yachts, review current stock with you, or present you with options that are not even on the market yet!

Take a look at Van Isle Marinas boat and yachts for sale to start your search today! To learn more about any listed vessel, please contact us at or . Our experienced yacht brokers can help you choose the right yacht to fit your yachting lifestyle.

Am I Buying For Todays Needs Next Years Needs Or My Needs 3

That sweet little center console is so very tempting. It will go 40 knots and get you where you want to go quickly. It will be great for fishing and your little kids will love tubing behind it. So what if it has a porta-potty, no bow protection from seas, and minimal sun protection. Fast-forward to teenagers four years down the line, and its no surprise that getting soaked and peeing in a glorified bucket doesnt match their expectations.

This story is talked about every season: the perfect boat for this years needs comes along, and your all set to jump on it. A year later, you realize its the wrong boat, and look around to trade up. My advice is that before you embark on a major purchase like a boat that you take the time and ask yourself how you and your friends and family will use that boat two or three years down the road. A boat purchase is a purchase of a depreciating asset, which loses some percentage of its value the minute you bring it home, and greater percentages year over year. Even if you flip the boat for the same price you paid for it, ancillary costsbrokers fees, taxes, repairs, outfitting, and the likeare lost expenses.

You May Like: Mildew On Vinyl Boat Seats

Dont Get Sticker Shock:

If you are choosing to live aboard a boat in you will need to brace yourself for the expense.

While this article is showing you cheap or inexpensive boats to live on, you should not be comparing them to other boats.

We are not talking about small boats here, but boats you can live on, remember.

Daily use boats do not afford the luxuries that a live-aboard boat can. This makes them more expensive. When looking at live-aboard boat prices, you will want to compare it to traditional living expenses. All choices for live-aboard boats are expensive and you will most likely be looking for a used, possibly even a project boat.

If you are looking for a new boat, or even a luxurious used boat you will need to be prepared to spend $100,000 or more depending on the size and type of boat you want.

What Budget Do You Have

Choosing a boat: which boat is right for me?

Ultimately, what you buy comes down to the budget that you have. All the above factors are all well and good, but if you cant afford, not only the purchase cost but the upkeep, itll soon turn from a dream to a nightmare. Be realistic about what you can afford, and make sure you take into account all the ongoing expenses, from berthing to maintenance to insurance. To help you plan your budget check out our guide to creating a realistic budget or see ways of cutting the cost of boat ownership.

Have you considered yacht co-ownership? Your luxury purchase will cost less initially, your upkeep costs will also be significantly lowered, and should you decide to enter into your boat syndicate through a dedicated yacht share company – the maintenance and upkeep will generally be taken care of by them. If you want to experience the worlds oceans, in the most beautiful and luxurious fashion and share the cost of this wonderful lifestyle, then yacht co-ownership may well be for you. You will also get more boat for your money. Check our the we are listing. Find out how syndicates could work for you.

Also Check: Carefree Boat Club Chicago Cost

Choosing The Right Boat Size

Figuring out the right size for your first boat is an important step. The larger the vessel, the more features itll have water and plumbing systems, kitchen areas, cabins, toilets and navigational equipment included. However, bigger isnt always better especially if this is your first boat. Sometimes, people buy a boat thats too big, and then theyre reluctant to use it because its more complicated to operate than a little one.

We recommend not going too large for your first start with something easy, and you can always upgrade later. It may take some time for you to figure out what features are important and not so important as you use your first watercraft.

How Big Or Small Of A Boat Do I Need

Because you want boating to be fun, you will want to purchase a large enough boat to meet all your needs. In the case of a family of four, space will be at a premium. Do you want to entertain guests, or possibly do some cruising? By knowing the primary use of the boat, you can narrow down the size of boat you will need.

In some cases, you may need to sacrifice on the bells and whistles to stay in your budget, yet purchase a large enough boat that has the accommodations you desire. In other cases, you may decide a smaller boat will do just fine, and you can splurge on the bonus items.

Read Also: How To Register A Boat Without Title In Florida

On The Market For Your First Yacht Here Are 10 Things To Ask Yourself

There are a lot of different types of yachts out there. Heres how to narrow down the selection and find the right yacht for you.

While its tempting to go off things like looks and speed alone, theres plenty more that goes into deciding on your first yacht. Check out our quick guide for first-time yacht buyers, designed to help you choose the best yacht for your needs.

Who Is The Boat Going To Be Used By

Bass Pro Shop Boats – Walkthrough Prices, Specs, Features. Which Boat is Right for me?

This should be the first question you ask yourself. Is it going to be you and your partner? Is it for a family with younger/older children? Do you plan to entertain day guests on board? By working out who will be coming on board most often you can get a good idea of how many cabins you might need, the seating or entertaining areas, the draught, ease of boarding and catering options. Finding the balance between a boat big enough for everyone that will no doubt want to accompany you, and something you can handle comfortably is a fine line.

Don’t Miss: Does Banana Boat Test On Animals

Find A Designer Who Understands Your Vision

Aside from the builder there is perhaps no other party that has quite such a large impact on your yacht than the designer. Whether you’re building from scratch for the first time or the fifth, it’s important you find a designer who understands your vision, lifestyle and what your hopes are for your new superyacht. Pier Luigi Loro Piana, a serial sailing yacht owner, explains this eloquently in his relationship with famed yacht designer , He is a boat designer who has an engineering company. He works with more specialist architects, like Bruce Farr, like Vrolijk. He is the number one in Italy in my opinion.”

Be More Persistent Than The Next Guy

That weird listing with spelling errors and no photos? Well, it could be a scam, or it could be a sweet deal on a fishing boat and a seller who doesnt know how to use the internet! Youll never know unless you email them. Same goes with sellers who dont get back to you, send them a follow up email.

Read Also: Cost To Join Freedom Boat Club

Beginners Guide To Boat Lingo

Before we get into the more detailed information about boats and boat buying, lets take a quick look at some of the most common boat lingo and terms used by boaters. Hull the main body of the boat, including the bottom, sides, and deck, but not the masts, engine, and other fittings

Bow the front end of the boat

Stern the back end of the boat

Aft moving from the front to the back of the boat is called going aft

Underway the term used for when a boat is in motion

Ahead when the boat is moving in a forward direction

Astern when the boat is moving in a backwards direction

Port the left side of the boat

Starboard the right side of the boat

Start Small And Gradually Work Up To The Bigger Boats

Boat Rentals: Which Boat Is Right For Me?

Beginners would be advised to start with the smallest boats in order to develop their piloting skills, gradually moving up to the larger models as they become more experienced.

However, choosing to start out with a small boat does not mean lowering your requirements far from it. BENETEAU offers several different boat ranges that include small, highly equipped models that guarantee top-level comfort and performance.

With its sporty hull and sleek lines, the Gran Turismo 41 combines both speed and elegance

To sum up, the aim is to identify which model of boat you are best able to handle while still making your sailing dreams a reality. Choosing the right boat means you are more likely to sail regularly. This way, you will quickly gain experience and, above all, be able to cruise safely and comfortably. As your confidence builds, every trip you take will be a memorable experience, creating precious, lifelong memories of days out with family and friends.

Recommended Reading: How To Clean Vinyl Boat Seats Of Mildew

Boat Shows Marinas Brokers And Meet Ups

If you are already in the boating world finding auctions is easy as tapping into the community. Staff at marinas and folks who go to boat shows are often good resources to ask about marine auction events. Boat or Yacht brokers are also in the know on these events and in fact could be very helpful in securing a boat through auction. They may be helping several owners who have boats being featured.

Who Will Fix It When It Breaks

Who is going to do basic maintenance on the boat each spring and fall? Who will do major projects like an electronics upgrade or an engine replacement? With the boom in boat sales as a fallout of COVID, yard work and mechanics are at a premium. Before you buy the boat, its important to have a plan to both protect and improve your investment.

Hypothetically speaking, its July and there is a red-hot bite going on offshore and you have one engine down! Whos going to fix it and when? If youre connected and have good to great relationships with yards and mechanics which you have cultivated over the entire year, you have a chance of being up and running in a week. If you have no relationships and start calling around, you will be lucky if your back running in a month!

Buy the boat this winter but absolutely create a relationship with a yard or independent mechanic or both and give them some winter work! It never hurts after buying a boat to have a professional go through the entire boat and identify problems that must be addressed now as well as issues you should address at your own pace. My approach for 25 years has been to spend my maintenance money proactively in January or February, which is both cost-effective to me and also helps create a positive relationship for the future, so my call will be answered!

Don’t Miss: Keep Birds Off Boat Canopy

Which Type Of Boat Is Best For You Top 10 Choices For Boaters

Cruiser, bowrider, freshwater fishing, runabout, sailboat, saltwater fishing, speed boat, trawler, pontoon, or watersports boats which is right for you? Well help you make the best choice.

Whether youre a beginner boater whos still trying to figure out basic boat terminology or an old salt who stays in tune with the latest boat design trends, you probably know that choosing the ideal boat for you and your family is no simple endeavor. Different kinds of boats can be broken down into dozens of classes, but we have simplified most popular choice into our top 10 classes of boat.Read on to learn all about each of these boat types.

Listing Sites And Magazines

Bass Pro Shop Boats! Tracker Classic XL! BEST Jon Boat for the Money! Which Boat is Right for Me?

While youre not likely to find a free boat on any of the paid listing sites there are some websites and magazines that only list cheap boats for sale. Its worth checking the following places regularly:

Boat Angel sells donated boats for cheap with all proceeds going to charity.

Free-boat.comscours the web weekly for free and cheap boats and post them on their site and Facebook page.

Good Old Boat magazine has a page listing project boats selling for under $5,000. This is a good place to look if youre interested in a cheap or free sailboat.

Wooden Boat Magazine has a free boats section in every issue and lists free wooden boats online

Boneyard Boats is another great Facebook page to follow for free boat listings

Don’t Miss: Boat Vinyl Mildew Remover

Owner’s Advice: Top Tips For Buying Your First Yacht

Buying your first yacht isnt something anyone should enter into lightly. Without knowledge or experience, it is easy to find yourself led astray by the inspiring yacht concepts of boundary-pushing designers or talked into building a super-fast yacht with technical capabilities youll never use.

With this in mind, BOAT spoke to a number of experienced serial yacht owners who know a thing or two about the buying and building process. Here are their top tips on what to look out for, what to avoid and how to make sure you get the yacht you really want.

Which Boat Is Best For Your Favorite Activities

You wouldnt use a kayak to pull a water skier, and you wouldnt buy a yacht for stream and river fishing, right? Right.

So, instead of first thinking about boats, lets talk about activities.

Which Boat Is Best for Fishing?

If youre a deep sea fisherman, then you need a boat suitable for use on the high seas, of course. That likely means either a center console boat with a permanent roof and optional enclosure attachments, or even a cabin cruiser.

If youre headed far off shore, youll want a boat that can protect you and your fellow fishermen against inclement weather and tall waves.

The Barker 26 OpenandCobia 261CC are both great examples of largely open, center console boats. Theyre also relatively affordable.

On the other hand, a Grand Banks 44 Eastbay cruising trawler may be outside the budget of most people, but its a dreamboat, so to speak.

For fishing excursions where you head out to sea but wont be too far from shore to simply head in if bad weather threatens, make ideal platforms for fishing. They offer plenty of open space so multiple anglers can cast lines at once and make it easy to set up areas to prepare rods and reels, clean your catch and even grill up some fresh fish right there aboard the boat. I love the well-pricedTahoe 2150for fishing, cruising and fun in general.

Which Boat Is Best for Speed?

If you want a speedboat for the sheer thrill of, well, speed, then you have a surprising number of rather affordable options at your disposal.

Recommended Reading: What Kind Of Paint To Use On A Aluminum Boat

Popular Articles
Related news