Purchasing a boat is a big decision and it’s important that you consider several factors. There are many questions you should ask yourself such as:
- What is my budget?
- What do I want to use the boat for?
- What weather conditions will I be sailing in?
- Do I want to captain the boat myself? Or do I want to hire a professional crew?
- How often will I use the boat?
- How much do I want to pay for fuel?
Owning a boat is a wonderful thing to do to enjoy days out on the water with friends and family or to create memories of a lifetime.
Five Types of Boats and Yachts Enthusiasts Love
Motor Yachts
Motor yachts come in a range of different sizes, they are typically above 100 feet (30m) and need to have a professional captain at the helm. Motor yachts are appealing because they do not require wind power and can be used in a range of different environments. Motor yachts, however, are also one of the most expensive boats available but have an abundance of luxury features.
Sailing Yachts
A sailing yacht is a vessel over 80 feet (24m) that requires wind power to move. Sailing yachts offer one of the most authentic on-water experiences. And for this reason, many sailing enthusiasts want to buy sailing yachts. You can buy a range of classical sailing yachts that are made of beautiful wood or more modern designs with exceptional up-to-date technology on board.
Browse Sailing Yachts for sale.
Sail Boats
A sailboat or sailing boat is a vessel propelled partly or entirely by sails and is smaller than a sailing yacht under 79 feet (24m). These vessels are smaller, more economical, and cheaper to buy, so they are an excellent choice for a first-time boat owner. Sail boats often have overnight accommodation so can be used on longer journeys.
Performance Boats
A performance boat is an overarching term that often means smaller motor yachts that are very powerful and fast – also known as speed boats. A performance boat is a go-to choice for first-time boat owners and are great options for cruising on lakes and close to the shore. Performance boats are often used as ‘day boats’, so many do not have accommodation options.
Browse Performance Boats for sale.
Center Console Boats
Center console boats are often used for fishing or leisure activities. Similar to performance boats, they can be extremely fast, but center console boats also offer several amenities that are tailored to anglers. For example, many center console boats have walkaround decks for 360-degree accessibility, a hard top to protect from the shade, fishing equipment, and live wells.
Browse Center Console Boats for sale.
Catamarans
Catamarans offer the best of both the sailing and motor yacht experience. Catamarans are dual-hulled vessels that offer stability and comfort at sea and are available in either power or sail. Catamarans are extremely popular to sail in Europe. Thanks to the unique design of a Catamaran, there is a huge amount of outdoor space to enjoy the warm weather and beauty of the cruising grounds.
What Boat Should I Buy as a Beginner?
As a novice sailor, you may have very little or almost no knowledge of how to run a boat. For this reason, it is recommended that you buy a boat that is tailored to beginners.
A day boat, a small RIB tender or a speedboat are great options for new boat buyers.
If you are a more experienced boat owner or a yacht owner, you can branch out and discover larger yachts or ones that are more technologically advanced.
What Boat Should I Buy in My Location?
What boat you should buy is very dependent on your use of the boat and the environment you live in. A boat is a great purchase if you live somewhere warm, such as Florida. This region of the United States has many boat owners because of its warm waters and ample sunshine. However, if you live along the northeast coast of America or in areas of Europe such as Mallorca in Spain, you may want to consider a sailboat or sailing yacht. These destinations are popular with sailors because of the excellent wind.
What Boat Should I Buy in My Budget?
When you are buying a boat or a yacht, the first thing you need to understand is how much money you have to spend. It is also imperative that you understand that a boat’s maintenance cost is a substantial amount of money per year. It is estimated that maintenance on a boat is 10% of the value of the boat, so if you buy a boat for $50,000 you can expect to pay an average of $5,000 per year for its upkeep. When you are looking at what boat to buy, you must also consider if you will be hiring a professional crew to help you run the boat.
For larger vessels, it is required that the captain of the boat has relevant qualifications.
Should I Buy a Boat with a Yacht Broker?
Ultimately buying a boat is an exciting life choice. However, make sure you are equipped with the knowledge before you go ahead with the purchase. If you have questions about what boat you should buy, we recommend you speak to a trusted broker or boat dealer who will be able to help you in your boat ownership journey. Boat dealers and yacht brokers not only understand the boating industry very well, but they also will be able to offer insight into boat prices, the use of your boat, specific amenities on the vessel and what boats suit your lifestyle.
