Wednesday, November 26, 2014

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

Saturday, November 15, 2014

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