Buying & Owning Your First Boat
For anyone who has a love of the sea and boats, there can be few more satisfying moments than stepping aboard your newly purchased boat for the first time.
It doesn't matter whether it's a beaten up second hand tinnie or a spanking new speedboat, the feeling of ownership is hard to beat. Much like buying a car, however, it's well worth doing your homework before you take the plunge - so to speak.
If you're a first time buyer, then the whole process can seem quite intimidating, so it's well worth getting some advice from the experts. One person who knows more than most about these matters is Paul Glatzel.
Paul has masses of boating experience and his RYA Powerboat Handbook is chock full of useful tips and pointers. This excerpt from the book should give you a bit of a steer as you navigate through the minefield of the boat market.
Paul explains: "Buying a boat can be stressful, but it really doesn't have to be if you follow a few golden rules. Hopefully these tips will help ensure you don't fall into any obvious traps so you can get on with the most important thing: having fun".
A Few Pointers
There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a boat:
- Intended use: A boat to be used mainly for fishing in the winter will be somewhat different to a boat mainly used for water-skiing in the summer. Each boat is designed with a particular use in mind and it is important to choose one that will meet your needs.
- Budget: Boating can be expensive, but it need not be. A small second-hand boat can be bought for the same price as a PC system and can be an ideal starter boat. A large budget doesn't necessarily equate to more enjoyment.
- Running costs: Buying the boat is only the first part of the cost. Fuel, equipment and storage should also be budgeted for. To store the boat in a marina, boat park or even to have the trailer serviced can cost a small fortune, so shop around. Insurance and servicing, plus the initial outlay on safety equipment can all add up and bite a large chunk out of your bank balance, so do your sums and get quotes on running costs before buying.
- Area of use: The intended area of operation will be a major consideration. An area with open water and often choppy conditions requires a boat with the hull characteristics, strength and power to match. This will differ if you plan to do most of your boating on calm flat in-land waters. Check what fuel is available at the marina or boating club if you plan to keep your boat in the water. This may influence your decision when deciding to go for petrol or diesel.
- Do your research: Check magazines for boat tests on the boat you are interested in, many publishers make back issues of boat tests available. Use websites web-based forums to learn of other people's views and experiences. Build up as much background knowledge as possible on the type of boat you want to buy.
- If you're after a new boat, then Boat shows are also an excellent place to shop around, ask dealers a few questions and often pick up a healthy discount.
- Always seek proof of ownership via original invoices. As with a car a good service history and receipts indicate a good ownership trail. If buying from a dealer, is it a brokerage boat or one of their own craft? If it is their own boat you will have protection under the Sale of Goods Act.
- Establish that no finance company has a charge or ownership right over the vessel.
- Invest in a hull and engine survey – damaged and worn engines can be extremely expensive to fix.
- A 'low mileage' boat is not always the best. A boat that has been well looked after and run regularly can be a very good buy.
Insurance
Once you have bought your boat, insure it. Most marinas and harbours stipulate that you must be insured to keep your boat there.
Storage
Smaller boats are often stored on trailers, therefore trailing from home becomes an option. Many boatyards offer 'store and slip' facilities. Increasingly popular is storing your craft on a 'dry-stack' rack system where a forklift retrieves your boat then launches it when required. Keeping a boat out of the water removes the need for antifouling and allows it to dry out when not in use.
Larger boats are usually kept afloat in marinas or on moorings, although even boats up to 10m can be kept ashore. Storage costs vary enormously. Popular marinas and storage sites are far more expensive than boatyards or other secure storage in less congested boating areas. Mooring buoys and pile moorings will be cheaper than a marina for larger vessels, but at the cost of convenience.
Boat Care
Boat care is largely a matter of common sense:- Wash the boat after each outing to remove salt deposits.
- If possible, flush water through the engine water intakes to avoid salt crystallisation in the cooling system.
- Keep batteries charged through the winter (remove them if they are not being used).
- Grease battery terminals with petroleum jelly to ensure the electrical connections remain good and spray all electrics with a water repellent spray to keep moisture out.
- Consider spraying other exposed parts with a silicone spray.
- Have your engine serviced regularly, according to the manufacturers' recommendations.
- High-usage boat engines may need to be serviced more than once a year, whereas boats used less frequently will benefit from an end of season service and winterisation if they are not to going to be used during the winter.
Paul concluded: "These are just a couple of basic pointers, but it's worth using them as a checklist when you're looking around. It could save you a lot of stress in the long term.
"Other than that, the best advice I can give you is to get out on the water and get every last cent's worth of value out of your boat. That is where the real rewards are to be had".
Excerpts taken from "RYA Powerboat Handbook" ($49.90) by Paul Glatzel, available from Trans Pacific Marine 0800 422 427 sales@transpacific.co.nz
Practical powerboat courses are available from RYA Training Centres throughout New Zealand, administered by Coastguard Boating Education: Contact 0800 40 80 90 or www.cbes.org.nz
