| If you're a first time boat buyer the choice of boats | | | | classes of boats but generally they fall into one of |
| available for purchase can be bewildering. How do | | | | the several common groups of boat: Fishing boat, sail |
| you make sense of all the choices? Well, the first | | | | boat/yacht, motor boat and self-propelled boat. |
| time boat buyer needs to avoid buying on impulse | | | | Fishing boats are generally for inshore use and will |
| and take a close hard look at how they intend to use | | | | have few mod cons for comfort but will have |
| the boat. If not, your romance with boating will be | | | | equipment suitable for the boats use. You may |
| short-lived as you quickly realize you have made the | | | | choose a boat with storage tanks for your catch or |
| wrong choice for you and your family. The wrong | | | | with holders for your rods. A fishing craft will |
| choice could be dangerous, financially costly and at | | | | generally have a platform area or deck to carry out |
| the least uncomfortable. | | | | your fishing activity from. |
| The first time buyer needs to assess how they are | | | | Sail boats/yachts come in all sizes dependant on your |
| going to use the boat. Will the boat be used by just | | | | use or experience. They differ from fishing boats in |
| yourself to aid recreational fishing or sailing or is your | | | | that decks are smaller and they are designed with |
| boating going to be a family leisure experience? How | | | | the sailing activity of the user. Some may have a |
| often do you intend to use the boat? A once in a | | | | cabin with a berth, galley and table whilst a basic |
| blue moon trip in the summer months would require a | | | | inshore day trip sail boat may be as small as a row |
| different boat to an avid sailing enthusiast. | | | | boat with no comfort extras. |
| A recreational fisherman who likes to fish in different | | | | Motor boats come in all shapes and sizes and can be |
| waters will probably only need a small transportable | | | | used for leisurely cruising or water skiing excursions. |
| boat. A family looking for a recreational boating | | | | Large boats will often have a cabin with facilities for |
| experience will probably want a small cruiser with | | | | sleeping or cooking but a day tripper can find a small |
| some home comforts such as comfortable seats and | | | | craft with a small deck, towable for use with skis. |
| a small galley. A boating enthusiast with some prior | | | | Self propelled boats (rowing boats or pedelos) are |
| experience looking for a regular excursion may look | | | | ideal for day trip activities where you may not be |
| for something a little larger that can be moored for | | | | looking to stray to far off the beaten track. Ideal for |
| safe keeping rather than towed away at the end of | | | | gentle rivers, quite lakes or inshore trips. Can be |
| each trip. | | | | hitched behind a car and towed and stored relatively |
| Planning on overnight trips? You will need something a | | | | easily. |
| little larger to sleep on. Larger boats that require | | | | Once you have decided on how you will use the boat |
| mooring will also incur more operating costs so if you | | | | and assessed the correct type of craft for your use |
| choose to go for something larger always check the | | | | be sure to check for the safety equipment you will |
| hidden overheads to ensure your budget will fit the | | | | require, then talk to a dealer, find out about the |
| total cost. | | | | various brand name boats and costs, then rent the |
| Once you have assessed your likely boat use you | | | | boat of your choice to make sure you are choosing |
| can then decide on the type of boat you are likely to | | | | wisely. |
| need. There are a multitude of sizes, shapes and | | | | |