How To Get Your First Sailboat, Things boat buyers should know

Introduction

I’ve been around sailboats my whole life, and I’ve owned quite a few myself. In fact, I have a boat right now that I’m living on while writing this article! So when I say that buying your first sailboat is exciting and fun, I mean it—being out on the water is one of the best feelings in the world. But there are also some serious considerations you need to make before signing on the dotted line for your first boat purchase. We’ll cover all that below, including tips for researching different types of boats and finding trustworthy dealers or brokers who will help you find what you want at (hopefully) an affordable price.

Research and Compare

In order to choose the best boat, you’ll need to do some research and comparison. You will want to know what is available in your price range. You may also consider the specific features that are important to you, as well as any other factors that would be important for a successful sailing experience.

You should also consider how your intended use will affect your choice of sailboat. For example, if most of your trips will be short day sails with only one or two people onboard, then buying an expensive racing yacht may not make sense—but if many of your trips will involve long voyages where there are multiple crew members on board at once and they need comfortable sleeping accommodations, then having more room and comfort could be worth it (and in fact might lead you away from choosing a smaller day sailer).

Set A Budget

You should set a budget that you can afford. This is not just the cost of the boat, but all related expenses such as insurance and maintenance, fuel for your motor, docking fees if applicable, and even storage fees if you plan on keeping it at a marina during the off-season. You may also want to consider unexpected costs like unforeseen repairs or replacement parts.

Once you have a figure in mind (whether it’s $5k or $50k), look into how much time can realistically be spent working on this boat from your job location and lifestyle needs. If there isn’t enough time available to work on the boat every weekend because of other obligations then make sure that whoever buys this vessel has that kind of flexibility as well!

Arrange Financing

Financing is a way to pay for your boat in installments over time. The lender will ask you for some details about yourself and your income, then they will decide whether or not to give you the loan. There are two main types of financing: secured and unsecured. Secured financing means that something valuable (like a car) is used as collateral for the loan; unsecured means that no collateral is required.

The advantages of secured loans are that they can be easier to get than unsecured ones, since lenders have some security if things go wrong—but the disadvantage is that there may be higher interest rates attached due to riskier lending practices by the bank or finance company involved in making the deal happen

Know what you want and need in a boat

You need to know what you want and need in a boat. If you don’t know, then take some time to think about it. What are the activities that you would like to do on your boat? Is it going fishing? Sailing around the bay for fun or for racing? Maybe just sitting in the cockpit with a good book and a cold beer sounds good too!

You will also want to consider how much time you plan on spending on your sailboat. There are many people who pick up a small trailerable or trailer-able sailboat with plans to only use it occasionally but end up spending more time than expected sailing because they love it so much!

Find trustworthy dealers or brokers to work with

Find a dealer or broker you trust. Before you even start looking for boats, it’s important to establish a relationship with a trusted boat salesman. Don’t just go with the first guy who says he can help you; instead, ask for references and testimonials from previous customers. Also make sure they have a list of past clients—especially those who recently bought similar boats—and contact them to get more insight into how their experiences went.
After checking out their credibility, find out about the types of boats they have available in your price range. Although not all dealers are trustworthy, many do offer legitimate deals on used sailboats as well as new ones (if you’re interested).

Do Your Homework On Maintenance, Boat Insurance, And Dock Fees

The first thing you should do when looking for a sailboat is to find out what the maintenance costs will be. This can include engine repairs, replacement parts and supplies, and regular cleaning and maintenance. Sailboats are very expensive to run, so it’s important not to underestimate these costs.

How much does boat insurance cost? Boat insurance is another cost that you should look into before purchasing a boat. You’ll need coverage for property damage or theft as well as liability protection in case someone gets hurt or property damaged on your boat while using it for leisure activities.

Lastly, inquire about the dock fees at potential marinas where you might store your new sailboat! It’s important that the marina offers affordable rates because these fees can add up quickly over time if not negotiated properly with management beforehand…

Take a test ride on the boat you want to buy.

Get a buddy to go with you.
Test the boat in all conditions.
Test the boat on different locations, including open water and in protected areas where other boats are likely to be docked.
Test the boat when you are tired, as well as when you aren’t tired (so that you can get a good night’s sleep beforehand).

Always get a survey before buying, even if the dealer says it’s not necessary. The survey will reveal any damage or faults, allowing you to negotiate a lower price or walk away from the sale.

A survey is a professional examination of the boat. The surveyor will carefully inspect every inch of the boat to see if there are any problems or issues that need to be addressed before you purchase it. A detailed report will be delivered to you so you can decide if this is the right boat for your needs and budget.

The cost of a survey depends on how much work needs to be done, but most people spend between $500 and $1,000 on their first survey. This cost should include several hours at sea with an experienced sailor who knows every inch of their vessel and can identify potential maintenance issues before they become problems (and expensive ones at that). We recommend having your first sailboat purchased from a reputable dealer who is willing to negotiate after completing this important step in the buying process because it’s not just about getting the best deal possible—it’s about making sure everything runs smoothly once you’re on board!

Buying your first sailboat is exciting. You should do lots of research before taking that step.

Research the boat you want to buy:

Research the history of a particular boat by looking at its log book, and make sure there are no major accidents or issues in its past.
Research the maintenance costs of a particular type of sailboat carefully, so that you don’t get stuck with unexpected bills when they come due.
Research insurance costs and docking fees associated with owning a certain kind of sailboat, and make sure those costs won’t be too high for you financially (or for your family).
Find out about resale value for various kinds of sailboats; this will help you know whether what you’re buying is likely to be worth more down the road than it is now—and if so, how much more it may be worth when resold sometime later on down the line!

Conclusion

It’s important to do your research before buying a sailboat. You need to know what you are getting into and how much time it will take for maintenance. You should also be aware of any issues that might arise down the road, such as insurance costs or dock fees. With all this in mind, we hope that you find the perfect boat for your first sailing experience!