Tips That May Help With Buying Your First Boat - http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/113116-tips-that-may-help-with-buying-your-first-boat/

Tips That May Help With Buying Your First Boat

It seems there are always questions as to what boat is best suited for any given situation we have. There are so many options out there, how do we know which one is right for us?

Here are a few guidelines that may help you with your decision.

First things first when you consider the purchase of a new (or new to you) boat.

1.The first item to consider has to be safety, without a doubt, This is the most important factor when you are considering a boat purchase, used or new. What could be wrong with a new boat? Plenty. Don't overlook the importance of anything when you are out there looking, It could be a boat that has been bought back or repossessed for any number of reasons. Dealers and sellers can be a tricky group of people. You could be getting a great deal or you may be getting shafted. Don't assume anything when you are in the market and leave nothing to chance when it comes to your safety and the safety of others on your vessel.

If this is your first boat, or you have never driven a boat, or have little experience, make sure before you even open the first page of looking for a boat that you have at least a little experience. Even though it's not a requirement, you will find this to be very helpful. It is in your best interest that you have at least some experience on the water. Rough water can be tricky to navigate, especially your first time. Finding out that your boat is under-powered in these conditions is not a fun time to be on the water. It's always a good idea to have your experience be, if at all possible, with someone who knows how to navigate and safely operate a water craft. If not, take a boaters safety course (if you have not already done so) before you make that leap. You can often find them as a hands-on class. Take a boat out on the waters you want to fish,. It's not hard to find someone willing to rent a boat or teach you the responsibilities that go along with ownership. You just have to look, but your very first step should always be to be prepared and know the guidelines, not only for your safety but for others you may have with you as, well as others on the waterways.

While we are on the subject of safety, be sure to look up good qualified marine service centers, they will/can be instrumental in the decision making process, should you have the need for one. Nothing beats a once-over by a good qualified tech.

2. The second guideline is financial. Make sure the boat you are looking at is well within the financial means of your pocket book. If you want the biggest, baddest boat on the water, just make sure you are prepared to cover the cost of what a new engine can cost you for the boat after it is out of warranty, especially if you had to break the bank to get that Ranger you really, really wanted. Think about the long run, don't just think about right now. Look at how well it will hold value. You may want to trade it or sell it, or even upgrade it with lots of electronics in the future. If you want to run it at night, it's going to require navigational lighting if it does not already have it. These kind of expenses can all add up, even though some seem small, they can be more than you wanted to spend on a given project, if you don't know how to do it yourself then you will have to pay someone on top of that. Labor hours are not cheap for marine applications if that may be your only resource. Further, consider the cost of boat insurance. Make sure that you have at least $100,000 of liability. If you plow into someone's tricked-out Ranger, it's going to cost a wad.

3. The third guideline is to ask yourself, "Is Is it the right boat for me?" We have already made ourselves failure with the safety of the waterways and now we have found a boat that looks really good in our price range. Take the time to sit down and figure out what exactly you wish to accomplish with your new boat. Where will you be fishing? Will it be on large or small lakes, ponds, river systems? All of these areas play a key roll in what your craft is able to safely traverse and navigate. Will you be alone? Think about all of the safety equipment you will need. Will you have enough room for all of these things, plus your fishing gear and maybe a friend or two? Trust me, you will have new friends.

Fiberglass or Aluminum? That is a question for the ages. When we members on the forum get this question, we always want to know the specifics of your water ways. Since this is an information highway and not a waterway, it's hard for us to help you with that decision if we can't get a good feel of what hazard lurk in your water system. Take strongly into account what you will be doing with this boat. As above, the right boat for you is going to have to perform and navigate and be durable enough to withstand whatever punishment you have in store for it. If it's mostly rocky waters, of course you need a metal type hull, Fiberglass hulls are not meant for the daily beating of a rocky river system, one bump from a rock on a glass hull and you could be in deep deep trouble in a hurry. It will also be advisable for you to navigate your new waters at a slow pace until you know where all the hazards are located. Not all waterways have everything marked the way they should be. Take your time when exploring new waters and enjoy your new surroundings. Pay close attention while you are on the move.

One big thing to consider with each is stability, not so much with glass boats. Most all glassers are fairly stable to begin with. If you should choose to go with an Aluminum boat, make sure it's as wide as you can possibly get it. The wider the hull and beam the more stability it is going to have. This is particularly important if you wish to want to raise the seating platform or put a fishing deck on the boat. Most standard "V" hulls are not really good for modifications that add any height added to them. They become very unstable and easier to roll over the higher you set your seat, if you should find that a "V" hull is what you want then try to find a deep "V" these are much more stable and will allow some modifications you wish to install should the vessel not already have them. Modifications are based on what the boat can safely handle and still be able to perform. Keep in mind, aluminum boats that are not built with these mods, are not intended for modifications, factors are height, and width primarily, plus the weight of the people fishing from the vessel and the added gear, this also adds to the draft, (how deep the boat sets in the water.) Keep your modifications low. The smaller and more narrow the craft is, the lower you need to keep them. Alll of these things are important when considering your investment.

When you consider a glass boat, or any boat for that matter, be absolutely sure! If the boat has some age on it, there are many hidden areas that could potentially have problems. The transom at the stern is always a potential weak link,. The wood inside the glass could be weak or rotten. It's one area that requires a really good inspection. The floor of the boat may have weak spots or may have been recently replaced. The engine may not be in as good a shape the seller says it is. The steering and shift cables may soon be an issue if they are not already. The electrical wiring may be in poor shape and may need lots of attention. This is why it is so important to know a good marine service center. If you have no experience with fiberglass boats, it's best if you have a good qualified tech or someone who knows what they are doing look it over for or with you. A few bucks spent here will save you big time headaches in the long run.

Once you decide on a boat that you really like, have good relations with the seller if you can, It makes it much easier for both of you. Don't settle for anything. Make sure you get a test drive in the boat and that you get familiar with the settings and how everything is supposed to work. Check it over for leaks. Talk the seller into going fishing with it even if it's only for a brief period of tim. You may find it's just not right for you and there you are stuck with something you can not use or really don't like to use.

Take your time! I just can't stress that enough. There are boats everywhere for sale or trade. Be true to what you want from a boat, "your boat", and get the most bang from your buck you can. Trust your instincts! If for any reason you feel it is not the right one for you, then walk away from the deal and keep looking.

Owning a boat, especially your first boat, should be fun and adventurous. You want to enjoy your time on the water. Problems are going to come about; no ifs, ands or buts about it. Be prepared for bad days and it won't be as difficult to handle. B.O.A.T. (Break Out Another Thousand) or, a hole in the water that we just keep throwing money into. We have all heard that time and time again, but if you make your decisions wisely and keep a close eye on the service of your vessel and it's trailer, boating can be and is a lot of fun and gives you a lot of freedom to enjoy the outdoors.

Hope this helps!!

Good luck and be safe !!!