boating
in the kawarthas
by Heather Jackson Fenelon Falls Marina
PURCHASING A BOAT? WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BUY Buying a boat is a big financial decision, much like purchasing a car. Before you begin looking for a boat it is essential to consider many factors so that you choose the perfect boat for your family’s needs. Points to ponder before you begin your search: What type of boat/style would you like? How are you going to use the boat? Where are you going to use the boat? How many people must the boat accommodate? Will you keep the boat for many years? How much will the boat maintenance /storage costs be? Will you need a trailer? •What is your total budget?
Exterior Visual Inspection Points Propeller damage; Hull damage – recent painting, different paint tones; Bubbling or blistering of fibreglass;
Once you have considered all of this you need to make the biggest decision. Should you buy a new or a pre-owned boat? New boats are more reliable and require much less maintenance. They come with a warranty, are sold through dealers and eliminate some of the risks of buying a preowned boat. If you plan to own the boat for a long time, it is worth spending the extra money to buy a new one. If a new boat is out of the question, there is plenty to learn before you purchase a pre-owned boat. The Pre-Owned Used Boat Buying Process When searching for the ideal pre-owned boat it is important to get an idea of the general price range for similar boats for sale. There are many websites for selling boats that will give you a fair idea of what the value of the boat is. Ensure you do a lot of research on the brand as there are brands that have had persistent issues that will affect the value of the boat. Another source to check the value of a boat the Boat Value Book (published anually). Once you have an idea of what the value of the boat is you should check out Boattest.ca or Boattest.com to see people’s unbiased reviews. Page 28
Rotten wood in the deck, flooring, transom; Loose, broken, or missing rails, snaps, rope guides; Windshield condition; Condition of bimini /covers; Broken or missing navigation lights; Upholstery condition. Water Test/ Drive You wouldn’t buy a car without test driving it first, would you? Same holds true with a boat, even more so than a car. Boats are finicky creatures. They tend to require more attention and maintenance than cars. When you test drive the boat, pay close attention to the following things while underway. It’s a good idea to take along a few people on the test drive. Added weight in a boat can affect its performance and quickness. Be attentive to the following on your test drive: Vibration - This could mean many things Functioning Trim - For Inboard/outboard, does it work?
