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Monday, 9 June 2014

As a small island nation, we’re never too far away from the sea. So it’s no surprise that a good number of us enjoy messing about on the water. If you’ve always fancied being captain of your own vessel and buying a boat or yacht, then read on for five steps to finding and buying the perfect used boat for you.

Answer Key Questions

As you’ve no doubt realised by now, boats are not cheap, even used ones, so always be sure to ask yourself key questions about the type of boat that’s best for you before rushing out to buy. If you’re reasonably experienced then you should have a good idea of what you want, but any prospective boat owner should at least consider these points first:
  • Where you intend to use the boat
  • How often you’ll be using it
  • Who will be accompanying you on the boat
  • What you intend to use it for (eg, cruising, day sailing, fishing)
  • Your budget


Many boat owners who are dissatisfied with their boat have simply bought the wrong one. So don’t be one of them!

Finding a Suitable Boat

When buying a used boat, you have two main options. Buying privately from boat listings, or using a yacht broker. There’s nothing wrong with buying privately, but it can be a risky option if you don’t have much experience with boats. However, if you use a good ABYA (Association of Brokers and Yacht Agents) registered broker such as  http://www.ancasta.com/. They’ll not only find the perfect boat for you, but help you through the entire buying process. Brokers not only have a thorough knowledge of the market and current prices, but enough experience with boats to identify and find the right type of boat for you.

Take a Sea Trial

Once you or your broker have found a boat and you have made a conditional offer, you should always arrange a sea trial. Unfortunately, this can’t normally be done before making an offer, but viewing a boat in a marina can’t be compared to seeing and feeling the boat in action, so a sea trial is still a critical step in the buying process. During a sea trial with the owner, you should get a good idea of how it handles, how the engine performs, and any leaks or other potential problems. If desired, you can take a marine surveyor with you to help assess the boat for you.



Order a Marine Survey

Again, a marine survey is a critical part of the boat buying process to ensure your boat is safe and without any major flaws. Your broker can arrange one for you, or you appoint a marine surveyor yourself.

Finance

There are many types of marine finance on offer if you need to borrow to fund your purchase. However, be sure to factor in other essential costs such as mooring fees, wintering costs, insurance, and the deposit amount. Talk to your broker about finance options.
Featured images:
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  • License: Image author owned 
By Harry Price
 
Harry Price is a writer, personal trainer and entrepreneur. He enjoys traveling, hiking and working out. 

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