Should You Buy a New or Used Boat?

If you are in the process of buying a boat, it’s always important to look at all the available options. The amount of money you want to spend on the boat will certainly affect your decision. A used boat will certainly cost less but there are other factors to be considered. Buying a brand new boat doesn’t necessarily mean that you made a good investment. So here are 5 questions you need to ask yourself before making a decision.

1.     Do you have financing?

If you intend to buy the boat in cash then you can buy either a used or new boat. However, for those people who are looking for financing in order to buy a boat, it’s going to be harder to get if you plan on buying a used one. Most financiers will not trust that the boat will be a good investment if it has been used before. However, you can always provide evidence that the boat is in proper state in order to secure financing. Hire your own mechanic to assess the boat before you make a purchase. Make sure whatever you are buying is worth the cost.

2.     What is the boat’s repair history?

You don’t want to buy a boat that has not been properly cared for. You’ll only spend a lot of time and money on repairs even if you bought it at a low price. Find out from the seller if the boat has any structural defects and mechanical issues. Some of these issues are quite hard to detect so that’s why you need to buy a used boat from someone you can trust. Talk to the owner’s mechanic so that you can understand the kind of repairs that have been done in the past. If the problems will keep on emerging, we would suggest you look for another boat.

3.     Have you considered the level of depreciation?

Every asset depreciates in value with time so it’s always worth considering this before buying a new or used boat. Know how much the item has depreciated and if the amount that it is going for is reasonable. Get the numbers right by comparing other used boats sold online. If the amount is too low then think twice. There are cases where people sell their used boats because they are not in good working condition. Don’t be ready to pay for a used boat because it’s offered at a low price. Ask a professional to inspect it and make sure it’s worth every dime.

4.     Will they offer after sales service?

Once you buy a new boat, there are high chances that any problems which crop up are going to be fixed by the seller. However, most individual owners who sell used boats do not offer any after sales services. This can be very risky if you are planning on making an important investment like this. You must be very confident that the used boat is in perfect condition especially if it doesn’t come with a warranty.

Posted By: Stowaway Marine http://stowawaymarine.net

Boating Terms

ABAFT - In the direction of the stern, or the rear of the boat

ABEAM - On a line that forms a right angle to the ship's keel

ABOARD - On board (of a ship or a boat)

ABOVE DECK - On the boat's deck

ABREAST - By the side of, next to or side by side

ADRIFT - Floating at random, not on the towline.

AFT - Near or in the direction of the stern of the boat

AGROUND - When the bottom of the boat touches or lodges on the ground.

AHEAD - In front of; to go in advance

AIDS TO NAVIGATION - Road signs used on the waterway, they help indicate the safety level of water

ALOFT - Above or on top of the boat's deck

AMIDSHIPS - In the middle or center of the boat

ANCHORAGE - Where a ship anchors or a suitable place to anchor

ASTERN - Towards the back of the boat

AWEIGH - When the anchor is raised and off bottom of body of water

BATTEN DOWN - To secure or strengthen the hatches and objects on the deck and hull of a boat

BEAM - The boat's width

BEARING - The direction of an object as determined by a compass

BELOW - Down below, beneath, or under the deck

BILGE - The broadest width of the bottom of the boat

BOAT - A small open vessel or watercraft.

BOAT HOOK - A pole that has a metal point and hooks that is used to maneuver logs, or retrieve objects that have fallen overboard

BOW - A boat's front section

BOW LINE - A rope that is used to tie the boat to a dock; it has a loop spliced at one end

BOWLINE A special knot that is used to create a temporary loop; there are several variations for forming a bowline

BRIDGE -Where the ship is steered or controlled.

BULKHEAD - A partition that is used to separate compartments on a boat

BUOY - A floating device used for marking locations or other hazards in the water

BURDENED VESSEL - Also referred to as Give Way; the vessel that must yield to another vessel

CABIN - The compartment used for crew members or passengers

CAPSIZE - When a boat upsets or overturns

CAST OFF - To untie or let go.

CHART - A marine map

CHINE - The line where the sides and bottom of a flat or v-bottomed boat intersect

CHOCK - Fittings used to pass ropes or mooring lines

CLEAT - Fittings used to hold ropes or lines securely

CLOVE HITCH - A temporary knot used for securing a rope or line to a piling or spar

COURSE - The direction a boat is steered.

CUDDY - A small cabin on a boat

CURRENT - The course in which the water flows

DEAD AHEAD - Straight ahead

DEAD ASTERN - The position behind the boat

DECK - Floor like coverings of the compartments of a ship

DINGHY - A small rowboat or open boat

DOCK - A pier or wharf

DRAFT - Depth of water necessary to cause the boat to float

FENDER - A cushioning device that is used to prevent the sides of a boat from damage

FLARE - Where the boat's sides spread outward, near the bow of the boat

FLUKE - Where the anchor fastens to the ground

FOLLOWING SEA - A sea swell

FORE-AND-AFT - The length of the boat from the bow to the stern

FOREPEAK - Used for storing cargo, a small section within the bow of the boat

FORWARD - Toward the front of the boat

FOULED - The encrusting of foreign matter or debris on the hull of a boat

GALLEY - The boats kitchen area

GANGWAY - The side of the boat used for the boarding of passengers

GEAR - Nautical equipment such as ropes, tackle, etc.

GROUND TACKLES - The anchor and its accessories

GUNWALE - The top of a boat's side

HATCH - Located in the deck, it is an opening that has a secure cover

HEAD - A nautical commode

HEADING - The direction that the bow of the boat is pointed in

HEADWAY - The progress the ship makes as it moves across the water

HELM - The wheel that steers the ship

HELMSPERSON - The one who steers the boat

HOLD - A compartment used for storing cargo, located below the deck

HULL - The boat's main body

INBOARD - The inside of a boat

INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY - ICW: A body of water that is used for boats to travel upon

JETTY - A structure that extends or jets out from the shore

KEEL - The line of the boat that extends through the center; also a barge

KNOT - A unit of speed that is understood to mean per hour (6080.27 feet)

LATITUDE - The distance north and south of the equator; latitude is measured in degrees

LEEWARD - The direction in which the wind blows

LEEWAY - The direction a boat drifts to leeward of the steered course

LINE - The rope or cords that are used on a boat

LOG - A record of nautical activities

LONGITUDE - Distance measured in degrees that determines east and west from the Prime Meridian

MIDSHIP - The middle of a ship; between the bow and stern

MOORING - Anchors or fastenings used to secure a boat

NAUTICAL MILE - The unit used for measuring nautical navigation; one nautical mile equals 1,852 meters or 6,076 feet

NAVIGATION - The act of passing over water in ships or boats

NAVIGATION RULES - Steering and sailing rules that govern how boats and ships pass over water

OUTBOARD - The outside of the hull of a boat

OVERBOARD - The place located outside the side or edge of a boat

PIER - A wharf or structure that is used as a landing place

PILE - A pole made of wood, stone, or metal used to support a pier.

PILING - Used for driving piles; or a structure composed of piles

PILOTING - Coastal navigation that utilizes soundings and buoys

PORT - Place in the water that is used to provide shelter for boats

PRIVELEGED VESSEL - A vessel that has the right of way according to Navigation Rules

QUARTER - The upper sides of a boat; between the stem and the mast

RODE - The line or rope attached to an anchor

RUDDER - Used for steering a boat; a hinged plate made of fiberglass, wood or metal that is mounted to the stern

RUNNING LIGHTS - Required lights that are displayed on a boat between sunrise and sunset

SATELLITE NAVIGATION - Navigation that uses satellite transmission via radio waves and equipment located on the boat

SCREW - The propeller on a boat

SCUPPERS - Holes in the side of a ship, used to allow water to drain.

SEAMANSHIP - The skill of navigating a boat or ship.

SEA ROOM - A location in sea where there is no obstructions; the space that is safe for navigating a boat or ship

SEAWORTHY - A boat that is deemed fit and safe for navigating or passing over water

SECURE - Tighten, or make fast

SET - To put forth in a specified direction

SLACK - To loose, not secure, or fast

SOUNDING - The measurement to determine the depth of water

SQUALL - A brief windstorm; usually comes on suddenly and is accompanied by either snow or rain

STARBOARD - It is the right side of a boat when one is facing forward

STEM - The part of the bow that extends the most forward

STERN - The part of a boat or ship that is in the rear

STERN LINE - A line or rope, used for docking that extends from the stern

STOW - To arrange or place items where they belong

TILLER - A lever that is used for steering a boat's rudder

WAKE - Waves, path, and the tracks left when a boat passes over water

WATERLINE - The line on the hull of a boat used to determine the depth a boat sinks

WAY - The movement of the boat as it passes over water: may be leeway, headway, or sternway

WINDWARD - Of the side that is exposed to the wind

By: Kathryn Ali

Copyright [http://boating.actual-facts.com] 2007

Kathryn Ali is the Owner and Author of [http://www.boating.actual-facts.com]

Posted By: Stowaway Marine http://stowawaymarine.net