The fundamental decision to buy a boat is rarely made overnight. It usually takes months, if not years, of pondering and deliberation. Inextricably linked to this is the question of what kind of boat to consider: new or used, small or large, fast or comfortable, made of wood, GRP or aluminium? These and other aspects should be clarified before embarking on a concrete search for your dream boat. Otherwise, there is a great risk of getting lost in the variety of offers - without finding what you are looking for in the end. Below are the most important points that prospective boat buyers should think about.
Lawn or travelling?
How do you want to travel, sporty and ambitious or relaxed and with as much comfort as possible? In other words, it should be clear whether the focus is on competitive spirit or pleasure. If you want to go on sporty day trips with manageable fuel consumption, then a fast glider such as an Axopar 22, a Saxdor 205 or a Beneteau Flyer Sundeck could be a suitable boat for you. If you intend to use the boat mostly for day trips, but also want to be able to stay overnight occasionally, then you should look for a boat like the Beneteau Antares, a Ryck 280, a Bayliner or even a SeaRay 320. If the boat is intended as a means to an end for long journeys, then a Nimbus 365, for example, would be ideal for fast journeys, while a displacement boat such as a Linssen would be a good companion for safe journeys in all weathers.
Binnen or buten?
Where do you mainly want to be travelling with your boat: exclusively on the lake or river around the corner, on different inland waterways, on the coast or also on the high seas? Depending on the answer, your dream boat may need to be trailerable or suitable for shallow water, such as an Axopar, Quicksilver or Oechsner SX20. If, on the other hand, the home port is to be on the North Sea or Baltic Sea, you may be better off with a more robust sea-going vessel that offers the crew sufficient protection and comfort even in bad weather, such as a Beneteau Swift Trawler or a heavy displacement boat like a Grand Banks. For summer holiday cruises in the Mediterranean, for example, the popular cruising models from the large series shipyards are ideal, equipped with a bimini and, if necessary, air conditioning. For example, a Beneteau Gran Turismo, a Sealine or a Bavaria Vida.
Hours, days or weeks?
If you just want to get out on the water quickly after work to switch off from everyday life, you should focus on simple and open boats without a cabin, such as a fast bowrider. If you are planning occasional weekend trips, the boat should at least have a small cabin for overnight stays. Those who regularly go on longer trips will be looking for a fully-fledged cruising yacht.
Alone, as a couple or with family?
Depending on the answer, conclusions can be drawn about both the size of the dream boat and its handling. A couple of friends who want to go water skiing and have fun at the weekend will use a boat in a completely different way to a couple of older people. Children, especially when they are still small, also have specific needs that parents should not ignore when buying a boat. In short, ask yourself whether you feel comfortable and safe on the boat you have chosen, whether it offers enough space and whether you can cope with it in all situations. Of course, this also depends on your own experience at sea. An experienced skipper may have no problem steering a 40-foot yacht alone. Beginners are better off looking for a boat that suits their sailing skills, which may not yet be fully developed. In other words, not too big, not too complicated to handle and not too overloaded with all kinds of technology and additional equipment.
Driving - or cherishing and caring?
The boat needs some work in winter at the latest. How much depends entirely on the type, age and condition of the boat. If you have two left hands or simply don't enjoy swinging a paintbrush in your spare time, let alone using a sander, you are better off with a modern GRP yacht than with an old wooden or steel boat. Likewise, a used boat should not be too old. Unless, of course, you can afford to have any necessary work carried out by a repair yard.
Six, eight, ten metres or more?
Of course, every additional metre costs money. New boat prices do not increase linearly with increasing boat length, but exponentially. And the follow-up costs for mooring, insurance and maintenance also climb. So the advice is to buy only as big as you need. You also want to equip the boat extensively and keep it technically up to date. All this costs money.
But this is precisely where the opportunity lies: in doing without. Instead of saving on the length of the ship, save on unnecessary equipment at the beginning. The latter can always be purchased later. Space, on the other hand, cannot be retrofitted. It either exists or it doesn't.
This tactic applies to the convinced long-distance rider. If you prioritise excellent performance first and foremost, you should buy one size smaller for the same budget. There's nothing worse than not enjoying your new boat because the hull is too cumbersome or the engine too weak. On the other hand, if you are planning to go on a long voyage, you should buy as big as possible. At sea, even a 40- or 50-foot yacht looks small.
One or two hulls?
A monohull is the classic variant. However, cats are increasingly gaining fans, even on the Baltic Sea. No wonder, marinas are gradually upgrading and also offering berths for the wide multis. And if there is nothing free, they anchor close to the harbour or shore. Due to their shallow draught, this usually works well. Compared to monohulls, catamarans offer greater living comfort anyway. The disadvantages are the much higher purchase price and the equally higher follow-up costs for maintenance, mooring and insurance. Popular catamarans that can also be found on the second-hand market come from Leopard, Lagoon or, more recently, Prestige, with the new M-48.
So let he who binds himself be tested
The points listed reflect the most important criteria that should be considered when choosing a boat. In addition, things such as brand awareness, personal aesthetic perception of shapes and colours and many other soft factors also play a role. So take your time when looking for the right type of boat. And don't just look at the hard facts, but also pay attention to your gut feeling.
This article is part of the Used boat purchase special. All contents:
- Buying a used boat: The key to success - How to do it right!
- The advantages and disadvantages of used boats
- How to find the right boat
- Typology - The most important types of motorboat
- Boat exchanges: Your guide through the online jungle
- You should look out for these weak points
- Checklists for the test drive and inspection
- How to avoid traps in the purchase contract
- What new owners need to know
- You need these insurances for your boat
