If you’re considering getting a vessel of your own, there are a lot of things to know before you go off on your maiden voyage. Owning and operating a boat can be a liberating experience. Especially when it comes to Miami, you can’t help but feel as though you need to ride the glowing waters to truly capture the magnificence of the Magic City.
A boat brings a new lease on life, but it can also bring about serious responsibility regarding maintenance, mobility, and expenses. To help you navigate these waters toward treasures and away from the treacherous, here are some tips to take into consideration for buying a boat.
Find the Boat’s Purpose
The most important question to ask is where you see yourself with the boat. Very similar to how you wouldn’t want to ride an off-terrain vehicle on a highway, you need to find the boat that suits your activities and needs. Boats are even more specialized than cars.
For instance, do you expect it to be docked or on a trailer most of the time? Will you be engaging in activities such as water-skiing or fishing? Will your excursions go overnight? Each of these questions require a different type of craft to work with.
Find the Size You Need
How many people do you expect to be with you usually? Are you just going to ride out on a two-person adventure? Will you be on family trips, with models taking selfies on the sunset, or with your crew getting the big catch? It’s important to know the size of the boat and what it can offer in terms of comfort, amenities, and the overall performance.
Select Your Engine
There are four different types of motors for a boat. For larger boats such as yachts, you want an inboard motor that facilitates equal weight distribution. Outboard motors are better for small boats and have the most horsepower, which makes them easier to control. Jet motors are the safest and most eco-friendly for marine life, but you cannot use them in shallow waters. Stern Drive or (Inboard/Outboard) engines are the heaviest but the most powerful and feature a balance of benefits between the inboards and outboards.
Test the Waters
You should tour the environment before deciding on the perfect boat for your needs. We recommend setting up a charter yacht tour to explore what oceanic sights and pleasures await. It’s recommended to have a true appreciation of and familiarization with the waters, so you can find the boat you enjoy the most.
Finding Room to Store and Move the Boat
You need to know how far you will have to travel to get from the garage to a place to launch the boat. If the boat is a large one, will you be able to transport it with a vehicle that you own? You may need to pay to have the boat docked at a marina.
Budget for Maintenance
You need to know a few facts before buying a used boat or rather, a “doer-upper.” All boats require maintenance, and every boat has its story. It is a good idea to get a very detailed account of the boat’s past. Talking to the former owner of the boat and with an experienced broker is an absolute must. Once you get a taste of the boat life, you’re also going to want to budget for other items. Put aside money to buy an airplane online, for instance, or take an exotic trip.
Educate Yourself
Prior to buying a boat, you should learn how to operate such a craft if you don’t already know. Becoming well-versed in how the different boats run will also prove helpful. This will help you get the best from your boat.
These Tips For Buying a Boat Helped You? You Know What’s Next!
If you are looking to buy a yacht in Miami, we can help. The Advantaged has experienced yacht brokers who can help you get the perfect boat for you. Contact us today to get started.