FAQs

Both have merit. If you buy a new boat, you will pay more. With a new boat, you should be able to rely on the dealer’s reputation (do get good referrals — picking the dealer is important and the manufacturer’s warranty for peace of mind and service. You will generally be able to finance a new boat for a lower rate and, perhaps, with a lower down payment. A new boat provides the most modern systems. It’s hard to beat the “bragging rights” and pride in ownership of a brand new boat.

Used boats can be had for less money than new boats. Many used boats might still come with a remnant warranty from the manufacturer and, if purchased from a dealership, might come with a 30-90 day warranty (varies by locality). In any event, we recommend you hire a licensed marine surveyor to conduct a pre-purchase survey of any used boat you are considering. Add this cost — which can be roughly $20/foot— to the cost of the boat.

Used boats do not have the latest upgrades, though many have been refitted with new systems and motors. Used boats generally suffer less from depreciation compared with new boats. Used-boat financing usually requires higher rates, bigger down payments and shorter terms.

When comparing new and used boats, one is not better than the other, but each offers benefits that the other does not. It’s up to you to decide in which camp you are more comfortable.

How to Buy

Boat costs range from under $20,000 for a new small fishing boat or PWC to millions of dollars. Perhaps more useful is that, according to the latest data from NMMA, the average price of a brand new powerboat hovers at about $40,000. For some, this seems high, but experienced boaters might ask that these folks consider the following before dismissing boating as expensive.

Boating is a commitment in time as well as money, like other recreational activities. Few of those provide the return that boating does. For example, a boat allows a family to go fishing, participate in watersports, cruise to interesting places, and see and do things together that the land-bound cannot. Boat owners always have a weekend getaway on tap.

Boating is also an investment in the ties that bind. It’s harder to get a more “captive” audience with family and friends than taking them out on the boat. The bonds that come from learning new skills together, experiencing new things together, and just being in a different environment together are tough to beat.

No bones about it: It costs money to go boating, as it costs money to do many other activities. The benefits, though, as millions of boaters will attest, are unique and just plain tough to beat.

Check out our Affordability Myths & Tips for more information.

Experience. New boaters need to start off slowly and expand their range of operation as they gain experience. Operating a boat is very little like operating a car.

For example, there are no painted lines on the water, and buoys serve a different purpose than traffic signals. But, by attending a boater-safety course, boaters can gain understanding of navigation aids.

Then there is the water. The height under bridges and overpasses changes constantly with the stage of the tide — sometimes you can fit under and other times you cannot. This type of knowledge is localized, and learned best by boaters who go out slowly at first, increasing their range of boating over time.

The surface of the water is bumpy and can change from hour to hour; this too takes some time on the water to predict. But, with time, boaters come to understand how much wind, and from what direction, affects their waterway adversely.

There are charts published and inexpensive marine electronics that show the depth of water one is operating in and any hazards, such as underwater rocks, stumps, shell banks and sandbars. It’s prudent for boaters to purchase and understand the use of charts and marine electronics.

Current and wind can confound new boaters who are not prepared for them, especially while docking. But those boaters who proactively seek out knowledge of these forces and practice maneuvering can catch on quite readily. Operating a boat requires the gaining of experience — but that experience comes from going boating, so it’s all good!

Truly motivated boaters jump-start their learning. There are good books on the subject of boat handling and many expert magazine articles.

As you would expect, taking a boater-safety course is a great idea and will up your safety and enjoyment of all aspects of boating. Professional captains can also be hired, if one desires, and there are many schools that teach boat handling on the water. Needless to say, nothing beats the firsthand learning gained by taking the helm!

There are the obvious activities such as wakeboarding, fishing, tubing and cruising (which in this context means spending one or more nights aboard your boat with family or friends.)

But there are loads of ways to enjoy your boat that might not be obvious to a beginner. For instance, boaters often pack some food and drink to spend an afternoon slowly touring the coastline of some lake, cove or bay, enjoying the scenery and checking out the houses, and spending time with family and friends. Other times, a boat is a great way to go out and view fireworks. Still other boaters enjoy going to big-city waterfronts, visiting sporting events by boat, going out to eat by boat, or enjoying concerts by boat.

If you stick around boating, you’ll hear the term “rafting-up.” This refers to an activity in which a bunch of boaters gather and anchor or tie up beside one another, often at a scenic cove (aka “party cove”) or sandbar to simply socialize. Raft-ups include visiting other boats, swimming, kayaking, enjoying music and more.

High-performance boaters enjoy racing. Of course, there are also “poker runs,” the watery equivalent of auto rallies. In a poker run, like-minded boaters gather and cruise to some location together — perhaps for lunch — and then return. The goal is camaraderie and adventure. Everybody is a winner at poker runs.

As a platform for paddle sports, boats make a great conveyance for transporting a stand-up paddleboard or kayak to more-remote locales. Boats are, of course, great for those who’d like to dive or snorkel. If you’ve never seen the stars from miles out in the ocean, where sea and sky appear to be one, well, you just haven’t seen them!

What you can do aboard a boat is limitless. All you need is imagination and a desire to be outdoors. Got a boat? Just add water!

What you will do if your boat breaks down can vary. If you are on a small lake or bay near a populated area, you may simply paddle the boat into shallow water, anchor it, and then wade ashore and walk to assistance. On the other hand, you might be far from land — or far from a city center — and need to call for assistance and a tow back home. But who would you call?

If you keep the boat at a marina, that might be your first call. Many marina’s provide towing — either as a courtesy or for a fee — if you will have them do the repair work. There are also towing services which will come and get you, offer minor mechanical assistance (or fuel, if you ran out of gas) and towing. There are variable fees for these services, but generally, purchasing an annual plan with either service can prove most economical.

Another option is to call a friend with a boat. They might be able to come and get you. In fact most boaters understand that you cannot walk home, and will offer to help. So flag down passing boats or hail boats using the VHF radio. Chances are a good Samaritan might tow you in.

Finally, there are rescue beacons, such as Emergency Position Indicating Radiobeacons (EPIRBs) and Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) that can be purchased. These are to be used only in life-threatening emergencies, such as you broke down and the boat is sinking, or there is some medical urgency. (Do not use them because you are out of fuel or because you will be late for dinner.) Push the button, and the satellite-based signal will call in the authorities.