For many people, owning a boat is the sign that you’ve “made it”. Whatever that means, there’s no denying that there’s a great allure to owning a boat.
But if you’re thinking about getting one for yourself, you should read this article first. New boat owners tend to make a lot of mistakes. Here are the steps you need to take!
Do you know how to use one?
This seems like an obvious step. But so many people out there seem to buy boats for use as trophies. They have no intention of actually using them. If that’s how you want to go about it, then good for you! But the rest of this article might not be that useful for you. For the rest of you, learning how to use one is pretty crucial. Some states may not require you to do so, but how can you fully enjoy your new boat if you barely know how to drive it?
Getting the right boat for you
There are way too many types of boats out there for you to simply say you’re “getting a boat”. It’s likely that you’re looking for a simple cruising boat. These are mostly for leisure and general travel. But there are also fishing boats as well as sporting boats to consider. You should also have a think about whether you want to buy new or if you’re willing to go for something used and cheaper.
Where are you going to keep it?
A lot of people buy a boat without having a clue about where they’re going to put it! If there’s a pier near you with space that you can rent, then you can look into that option. This, of course, isn’t always the perfect option for everyone. If you own property that extends out to a body of water, then you might want to think about installing a pier on your property. This keeps your boat close and on your private property. Look at this new info from Summerset Marine if you think pier installation is for you.
Sorting out the insurance
You’ve probably sunk quite a bit of money into this new endeavour. (Is it bad taste to use the word “sunk” in an article about boating? Sorry about that.) And just like any other asset for which you’ve paid big bucks, you’ve probably going to want to look into insurance. Insurance for the boat itself is an obvious starting point. But you’ll also need to look into insurance for any items you have on board. They’re unlikely to be covered by your home insurance! See if you can find the right quote for you at BoatUS.
Keep it maintained!
The biggest mistake any new boat owner makes? It’s the same as the most common mistakes of owners of other vehicles. They simply don’t take the time to keep it maintained properly! You need to wash it frequently. Don’t think that just because it’s in water all the time that that keeps it clean! Make sure you rinse it and polish it as often as you can. You should also make sure the propeller is in full working condition every couple of weeks. And be sure to change the oil now and then!
