Got to drive a boat yesterday. Thinking of buying one now. Is it best to rent for a season first. Advice?Cost?

Answer 1

Renting is very expensive in the long run. A man at our marina rented an upscale 20' boat for 1 month at $ 10000. He could have paid for it in 6 months. Another good way to get the feel of boating is to join a boat club where you pay a fee to join and get to use different types of boats for the season. Freedom Boat Club is one, although your marina may also have something like it. Mine has a club and rental fees go toward a boat purchase. If you buy, you can get some great deals on low hour used boats, Yachtworld.com is one source that list all types and sizes, Boat Trader online is another. If you buy used make sure you get it surveyed and completely checked over.

Answer 2

I would say rent one or two more times to see if you like it as much as you think. Then buy a cheap used boat for your first season. DON'T waste money and buy a nice new boat right out of the gate. First off - your learning the in and outs of boating, so you are going to make mistakes and damage the boat here and there, so I'd rather damage a cheaper older boat that already has some scratches, secondly - you really don't know how much you will end up using it, and a new boat will lose 15% to 20% out the door. After you have gone a season with the used boat - and figured out how to drive, dock, trailer, maintain, etc - trade that sucker in and get something you will really like

Answer 3

I owned a boat for about three years. A Bayliner 19 1/2 cuddy cabin with a 4 cylinder Merc cruiser stern drive. I took it out about 4-6 times a year with my wife and two kids. Launching can be troublesome because my wife had problems backing it up while I would be aboard to start and move it to the slip.

We got it after awhile, I did most of the work which is okay. I guess I would have it today if I didn't have to sell it for the need of cash, the wife got hit head on in our Isuzu Trooper by an unlicensed, uninsured, Mexican national. We used the proceeds of the boat to buy another vehicle.

Boats are fun,we even incorporated it into our vacation to the coast once. The kids are still pissed that I had to sell it. So am I. The only way I would suggest for you is to pay cash, and burn the pink slip.

Buy used, boats depreciate better in the winter. People like me who need money now because of pre-existing circumstances will sell for a loss anytime off the year.

If you do get into the market be patient, don't buy the first one you see unless it's a steal and make sure to test drive with a competent impartial boater aboard.

Kelly Blue Book has pricing for boats just like cars, go forth and surf the web. Happy boating man.

Answer 4

Hey, i have 2 pieces of advice for you to answer 2 of your questions. Boat renting is good of course to get a feel for it, so as long as it's not too expensive i would say rent. however if your going to boat a lot, i would definetly buying a used boat. I say used because you can buy a great boat thats a few years old for 10-20 thousand less than a new one.

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"Dear Valued Customer,


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hope that helps!

Answer 5

I say, if the guy is still good enough to make the team, and would improve the overall skill level of the team, why not give him another shot. I think they need him all the more BECAUSE they are not a contender right now. A boost like Forsberg can do nothing but help the team towards the postseason. If he does end up in Colorado once again, I do believe it will be his final chance. One more injury, and he is done. There's only so many times you can come back from foot surgery, and he is right at that limit. I can't see him playing for more than a year (maybe two) before hanging them up. I say go for it.

Answer 6

Drive a boat around all day then pull into a marina and fill it up. This may diminish your love of boating. A boat is a hole in the water you throw money into. Think about it!!

Answer 7

SLEEP ON IT!
Always give a big decision lots of time to weigh the pros versus the cons. I am a recent buyer of a used boat-searched and searched on www.craigslist.org for a local seller. Fuel costs, my boat holds 45 gallons @ 3.00/gallon adds up--the bigger the motor the more expensive it is to run all weekend...120.00-140.00 to fill'er up! NOW, add the cost of insurance (which is fairly reasonable) taxes, licensing, equipment and supplies--be prepared.

Answer 8

I have aboat and have owned a few different types - my advice is this..
The bigger the boat - the less times you will use it. Only get what you really need - and buy as new as you can afford

Answer 9

Great in the begining ,will you use it much?,have a place to keep it? , Able to repair an do maintiance?, A truck to pull it ?If no than Rent an leave the problems to others>?