Things You'll Need:
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Step 1
Find the right boat style, size, age and equipment for your needs and budget. Know what you're looking for before you start shopping.
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Step 2
Determine how far from home you're willing to travel to shop for a boat. Unlike real estate, boats can move almost anywhere. It isn't unusual for people to travel to other states to buy a boat.
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Step 3
Contact a broker and search classifieds or the Internet for boats that fit the profile that you've developed. A yacht broker, like a real estate agent, can check listings of other brokers.
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Step 4
Set up appointments to view boats. Save time by seeing boats at the dock before test sailing.
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Step 5
Eliminate undesirable boats and schedule test sails on a short list of desirable boats.
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Step 6
Contact a licensed marine surveyor to check out the boat. This is the equivalent of a home inspection, and it's worth the investment.
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Step 7
Check classified ads and Internet listings for prices of comparable boats. Your surveyor may also have advice on price.
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Step 8
Make an offer and be prepared financially and emotionally to become a boat owner.
Comments
boatpoker said
on 5/19/2008 There is no such thing as a "licensed" marine surveyor, however you can find an Accredited Marine Surveyor on the web site of the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 You can't gage your repair cost on your boat's cost! A great deal on a boat can't be transferred on a percentage basis for repairs. Our $2000 great-deal boat will cost us $10,000 to truly come to fruition. Never gage your repairs simply on numbers. Do your own research before you buy! Repairs will sometimes cost far more than what you paid for your boat. Have a few boat wrights tell you what surveyors can't always know - the cost of repairs.