Boating Newsletter 5

What should I do first when buying a boat?

To answer this question simply - you should sit down with family and friends and come up with a plan for what type of boat you want, where it will be used and so on. Even a few minutes talking about what kind of boat the family wants, and what uses it will be put to, will help eliminate some of the stress and doubt that may come after the purchase is made. Plan to buy from October to January to get the best deals.

For more information on boat buying, go to www.boating.cooloolabusiness.com and read the eBook , "Enjoy Your Boat: A Guide To Safe Boating." .

Is one type of boat better than another?

The best advice from a boater who went through some of the wrong steps first: Unless you are planning to compete in wakeboard contests, the type of boat hull is not extremely important. However, there are different hulls for different types of water activity, so be careful to get a design that fits with what you want to do. For example, skiers prefer a smaller wake for a smoother surface. Some boat dealers recommend the direct drive boat for this activity (the engine is inboard and powers the propeller by a drive shaft).

How many people can I take along?

If there will be a couple of family members in the boat while one person skis or rides a tube behind the boat, a small craft will be just fine. But don’t be fooled into thinking that a small boat is just fine for what you want to do. Some people find, in the first season, that they feel limited because they chose a small boat when they could have gone with one two or three feet longer. It is not safe to try and overload a small boat.

What should I plan to spend?

Prices can range from a few hundred dollars to $35,000 or $40,000 for top ski boats, depending on the length, engine size and onboard extras. For this reason, it is highly recommended that you and your family spend plenty of time shopping, studying and looking before you buy. As one experienced boater and consultant emphasizes, there are a lot of good boats for sale that have only been in the water a few times because the seller didn’t plan well and is not happy with the choice.

A helping hand

For more on how to start the boat-buying process, go to www.boating.cooloolabusiness.com and get the eBook, "Enjoy Your Boat: A Guide To Safe Boating."

Watch for next week’s tip:

Money and ski boats

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