Used Boat
Buying
- by: Patricia Brown
A new boat is of course the
best option for those who have the money and plan to keep one
boat for a significant time. However, for those who happen to be
on a budget or are skeptical about owning a boat, a used boat is
a wise alternative.
Despite the negative perception, buying used is a great option
for some people. Even though the lake and oceans are filled with
boat owners who are wealthier than most, many boat owners spend
beyond their means, financing their boats at extreme levels of
debt.
Being out there on the water is what really counts with a boat.
Someone who spends every weekend out on the water will become a
great boater, regardless of the condition of his or her boat.
Some wealthy individual who only has time to ride on their
60-foot yacht once or twice a year isn't considered much of a
boater at all.
Those who observe local bodies of water will notice that it
seems as though the little boats are the ones that move about,
while the big boats never move from their moorings. Those that
are too busy earning vast sums of money and never have the time
to enjoy their lavish yachts shouldn't own a boat at all.
In less than 2 years new boats depreciate, on average, half of
their original value. When considering a used boat keep in mind
that the previous owner will have already fixed the problems
associated with shaking down a new boat. The previous owner has
already dealt with all the warranty service and dealer hassles.
Typically there is very little "use" on a used boat. Most of a
boat's life is spent sitting around waiting for the owner to
find time to go boating, unlike used cars. It is possible to
find many used boats for sale that have less than a couple
hundreds hours of engine time. Compare that to the number of
hours that are on the engine of an average used car.
A used boat will often already have scratches, dings, and other
blemishes so the new owner won't feel half as bad when another
is inevitably added. It is important to make sure there is at
least a thousand dollars available after the purchase of a used
boat to outfit the boat and make any necessary repairs.
Normally a used boat will come with the necessary dock lines,
spare props, radio, life jackets, safety equipment, and other
needed items. New boat owners must purchase these things on top
of the expense of the boat, often paying hundreds of dollars or
more.
Of course the purchase of a used boat is not without the element
of risk. Did the previous boat owner perform the proper
maintenance of the boat? It is critical to get the boat surveyed
to be sure that it's in reasonable condition before purchasing
it. This way it condition of the boat is known with certainty,
making the used boat a sound investment.
About The Author
Patricia Brown contributes to several web sites, including
http://great-product.com
and http://productstips.com