Buying a new (or new to you) boat is an exciting experience. The right decision can lead to wonderful times. Regardless of your level of boating and ownership experience, the buying process requires due diligence. Marinas are often full of disappointments that never seem to leave the dock. Buying a neglected boat can be like standing in the shower while ripping up $100 bills.
My first shopping rule is to make sure the boat I want to buy will be as good as, or better than, whatever boat it is replacing. Don’t give up any of the features you enjoy, but do consider adding to them. Buying a factory-fresh model from a dealer often involves choices of engines, accommodations layouts, interior furnishings, and standard versus optional equipment. The factory warranty can be great, but prepare yourself for a learning curve, particularly with mechanical and systems updates.
A boat owner once told me that his purchase was easy, and the break-in period was uneventful, save for one rather eye-opening experience. His boat had electronic engine controls with an emergency backup set to use if the main throttles and clutches failed. He wanted to try out the emergency controls to understand how they worked.
With both engines running in neutral, he engaged the controls—only to discover that they had been installed incorrectly. When he turned the switch to forward, the boat lurched in reverse, and the transom slammed into the bulkhead.
The boatbuilder made good repairing the transom and the controls, and the owner learned the lesson that things can go wrong, even on a brand-new ride.
While early thoughts may lead to the hunt for a new boat, happiness really floats when the budget is secure. For many people, buying a larger used boat can be a better fit than a smaller new boat. With regular maintenance and occasional updates of major equipment such as engines and electronics, and comfort accessories like air conditioning and entertainment systems, an older boat can often do almost everything a brand-new one does for considerably less money.
However, there’s a key difference. You have to make multiple decisions when buying a new boat, but the used boat is what it is. Its value is inherent, as are its blemishes and neglect. The used boat has what I call the “out-of-sight warranty,” meaning you are on your own after taking delivery.
While it is normal and recommended to have a qualified surveyor inspect a used boat to determine its value, seaworthiness and overall condition, I also encourage first-time boat buyers to bring along a set of experienced eyes with new boats, too. A smart old salt likely could have prevented the problem with the emergency controls. In addition, chatting with a surveyor while he inspects the boat is a good way to gain information about what should be on the short list for repairs.
Beyond that, surveyors will not always be qualified or willing to make engine or generator assumptions, so it is best to inquire about an additional mechanical survey from someone familiar with the boat’s brand of power.
If you are the potential buyer, make sure you are aboard for this sea trial. Ask the surveyor for his observations. You will likely need that surveyor’s report to obtain insurance for the boat if you choose to buy it, so make sure you understand the contents of the written survey before completing the purchase.
This article was originally published in the November/December 2024 issue.
