Shopping for a boat isn’t easy. There are hundreds of different styles of boat from sailing dinghies to powerboats. To help you decide which boat is right for you, it’s important to consider a few factors. These will help you to narrow down your options and select the right vessel. Below are 10 important factors to consider when buying a boat.
Budget
Let’s start by considering your budget. Boats range widely in price from under £100 for an inflatable canoe to over £1 million for a luxury superyacht. Consider exactly how much you’re willing to spend. Here is a brief idea of what you can expect to pay for different types of boat:
- Canoes: £100 – £1,500
- Jon boats: £1,000 – £5,000
- RIBs: £1,000 -£60,000
- Sailboats: £5,000 – £200,000+
- Powerboats: £10,000 – £100,000+
- Pontoons: £15,000 – £50,000
- Centre console boats: £15,000 – £80,000
- Cabin cruisers: £20,000 – £150,000+
- Houseboats: £50,000 – £500,000+
- Yachts: £100,000 – £10 million+
You may be able to buy used models of all of these boats for cheaper. Like cars, boats can also typically be bought on finance. Spreading out the cost may be more affordable, but you’ll also have to factor in all the running costs. This includes fuel, maintenance, insurance and mooring/storage costs.
Location
Next, think about what types of waters you’re going to be using your boat in. Will you be sticking to shallow rivers and lakes? Or do you want a vessel that you can navigate through the high seas?
Shallow water boats like jon boats, bay boats and pontoons typically have a flat bottom with wider beams for stability. They may be possible to use around coasts and estuaries, but should never be taken out into the middle of the sea as they can capsize.
Ocean boats like off-shore fishing boats, powerboats and yachts meanwhile have a deep v-hull for cutting through waves. You have to be much more careful of these boats in shallow waters as they can bottom out.
Some boats like centre console boats can come in flat-bottomed form for bay exploration or V-hull form for deep sea fishing – make sure you choose the right one.
On top of where you use the boat, consider where you will buy the boat from. You may have to pay a lot of money to import a boat from another country. Being able to sail a boat straight out of the marina you bought it in will save you a lot of money, but you’ll need to buy the boat in the location that you plan to use it.
Purpose
Different boats are designed for different purposes. It’s important to think about exactly why you want to buy a boat. Some of the main purposes typically include:
- Sailing: For the option to ride the wind, you’ll need to buy a sailboat. It’s worth noting that many sailboats also have engines.
- Fishing: Many boats are designed for fishing and may have features like rod holders and bait storage. Centre console boats are a popular fishing option due to 360 degree deck access.
- Watersports: While some boats are quite slow and unsuitable for watersports, others like powerboats (especially speedboats) are designed primarily for activities like wakeboarding and waterskiing. Powerboats with more deck space and storage space may also be useful for activities like diving.
- Day exploration: Many types of boats are great for simply exploring rivers or the sea by day such as pontoons and small cruisers. Having plenty of seats could be important for family outings.
- Overnight exploration: Choosing a boat with cabins to sleep in such as a cabin cruiser could be important if you plan to stay overnight somewhere in your boat.
- Luxury living: Yachts are typically the best choice if you want the luxurious amenities of a home, while superyachts will provide luxurious amenities beyond this.
It’s worth noting that many boats may be able to serve two or more purposes. Pontoons for example can be great for day exploration or fishing, while sportfishing boats are designed for both fishing and watersports.
Size
Boats come in many different sizes. Smaller boats tend to be cheaper and better for shallower water, while larger boats are more expensive and are primarily designed for deeper waters.
Even if you have the money to buy a large boat, a small boat could still be more suitable for your lifestyle in many instances. Jon boats are a popular option because they can be stored at home and towed to various locations, as well as being easy to steer through narrow waters and very convenient to moor. Large boats will need to be kept in the water and could be more difficult to manoeuvre (certification may be required for larger vessels).
That said, a small boat is no good if you want to take your family out with you or need space to store equipment or sleep.
Condition
Will you buy a brand new boat or a used boat? Most first-time boat owners choose to buy a used boat because it’s cheaper. When doing this, you need to consider the condition of a boat.
Taking the time to inspect a boat in person is always recommended as photos will not always tell the whole truth. It’s important to do a full inspection of the boat including checking the hull for damage, checking for mold/stains in the cabin, making sure the engine is not rusty and checking the battery/wiring. Always ask for service records so that you can check the boat’s maintenance history. Annual boat services are recommended to meet warranty requirements, and with some large vessels regular servicing may even be required by law.
Manufacturer
Just like cars, boats are made by a variety of manufacturers. Certain boat manufacturers are known to be more reliable. The brand of a boat can also impact the resale value.
Some brands are known to sell very cheap boats, while being very reliable. These are excellent manufacturers to focus on if you’re looking for an entry-level boat. Examples include Mako, Bayliner, Carolina Skiff and Lowe.
If you’re investing in a luxury yacht, it could be worth working with leading luxury yacht experts to help you find the best brands and models. You want something that is going to last for many years to come and not lose value too much. Examples of luxury boat brands include Lurssen, Feadship and Sunseeker.
Speed
Some boats are designed to be faster than others. This speed can be important to consider if you want to get around quickly or are simply looking for a boat that can provide some thrills on the water. Below are some of the different styles of boat and speed that you can expect from each of them:
- Small fishing boats: 5 – 10 knots (6 – 12 mph)
- Sailboats: 7 – 10 knots (8 – 12 mph)
- Pontoons: 15 – 30 knots (17 – 34 mph)
- Speedboats: 60 – 100 knots (69 -115 mph)
Range
Range is also important to consider as it can affect how far you can travel on a single tank of fuel and how often you are likely to top up fuel. Newer boats tend to be more fuel-efficient than older boats. Sailboats can meanwhile save fuel by giving you the option to use the wind.
Smaller Jon boats may only have a range of 13.3 to 85.3 nautical miles before they need to be refuelled. Large yachts can meanwhile travel 400 to 1500 nautical miles on a single tank of fuel.
Insurance
Insurance is mandatory if you want to use inland waterways or moor up in marinas and harbours. This covers you if you get into a collision with another boat and cause damage. Insurance can also be taken out to cover you against fire, theft or vandalism.
Different types of boats cost different amounts to insure. This is dependent on various factors such as the size of the boat, value of the boat, location used and safety features. This guide explains more about boat insurance.
Amenities
Finally, it’s worth considering what amenities you get with your boat. Some boats are extremely basic, while others come with all the luxuries you could imagine. This very much affects the price.
Amenities are typically most important when considering cabin cruisers, houseboats and yachts. In these cases, you’re not just going to be sailing but living in the boat – so things like a toilet, sink and appliances can be useful. Make sure that these are good quality and actually work when out at sea.
Superyachts have the most luxurious amenities. Some have hot tubs, gyms, saunas and helipads. When buying brand new, you may even have the option to choose amenities and completely customize your boat to fit your vision.
Something that shouldn’t be overlooked is safety features. This includes life jackets, fire extinguishers, lifeboats, marine radios, tow lines and bailing pumps. You’ll hopefully never need these features, but it’s comforting to have them just in case disaster strikes. Of course, you may be able to buy some of these separately.
