Sunday, September 25, 2011

After Your Boat Purchase

Once you've made the purchase on a brand new boat
you'll be very excited - as you should be!  The
first thing to do is celebrate with your family and
friends, you deserve it.  You shouldn't rush out
on the water immediately after the purchase, as
you have some things to take care of first.

If you are new to boating, you should take a
safety course first.  There is a lot to know about
boats.  Being out on the water is a lot of fun,
although there are things you should know and
things you should always be aware of.

After buying your boat, you should register it and
re-title the boat and trailer if you need to.  Pay
your sales tax and apply any up to date registration
stickers if you need to.  Also, make sure you buy
the proper insurance for your boat, as it will
protect you while you are on the water.

When you make your first trip on the water, you
should do so with an experienced boater.  You can
have them show you turning in tight spaces, even
trailering and docking.  Practice docking in
different currents and take the helm with the
boater there to help you.  Get comfortable at the
helm enough to where you'll feel comfortable taking
others out for a ride.

The world of boating can be very fun, offering you
many things to do and a lot to see.  Boating offers
plenty of freedom as well, especially for those who
are completely new to boating.  Your first boat
purchase is very important, as it opens up new doors
in life. Your family will enjoy boating, all you
have to do is give it a chance!

Financing A Boat

Once you decide to buy a boat, you'll find yourself
wondering how you are going to pay for it.  This
type of purchase will involve some type of  financing,
whether it's a credit line through the home, an
unsecured loan, or a boat line.  Choosing the right
financing source can be just as important as
choosing the right boat.

When choosing a source of financing, there are
several things to consider.  The first factor is
how long you plan to keep the boat.  If you are
buying a first boat, it'll make more sense to find
a loan that will be flexible enough for an early
payoff via private party or even a trade in.

If you are purchasing the boat of your dreams, you
should expect to have it financed for a long time
which makes it important to get a fixed rate loan
with terms that allow for a low monthly payment.

Another factor you'll need to consider is the
down payment.  Most lenders or dealers would like
to see at least ten percent down.  Zero down
payments do exist for those with good enough
credit.  Normally, the down payment doesn't
significantly change the monthly payment for your
boat loan.

Choosing the right type of boat loan is a very
important part of the entire buying process.  You
can start with a boat finance brokerage, which
will show you how each one of the available options
fit into your profile.

Doing this will give you the knowledge and ability
you need to find the loan that best fits you and
your budget.  The, you can concentrate on the
important things - taking your new boat out on the
water.

Finding The Perfect Boat

Finding the perfect boat is an undertaking for an
experienced boater.  For the first time boater, it
can be a very difficult task to accomplish.  To
help you with your quest for the perfect boat,
there are a few things you should know.

Deciding what's important
Choosing the right boat is all about knowing what's
really important to you.  You need to decide whether
you'll be using the boat for your own private use,
fishing, or cruising.  You should also consider your
families feelings, as buying a boat for your own
personal needs without consulting your family will
probably lead to disappointing experiences or less
time spent on the water.

Types of boats
Typically, boats will fall into five categories -
fishing boats, power boats, sailboats, personal
watercraft, and self powered boats.  To help you
find the perfect boat, we'll take a look at what
each one offers.

Fishing boats
The designs for fishing boats will vary quite a
bit, as are the places you can use them.  The boats
that are meant for shallow waters of inland lakes
and rivers aren't the same boats meant for deep
seas and great lakes.  There are many different
designs, even boats that serve no other purpose
besides fishing.

These types of boats normally have stowage and
holders for bait, fishing poles, tackle, and
even special tanks to hold live fish.  Other types
of fishing only boats feature an open platform
where anglers can fight fish from all sides of
the boat.

Power boats
Power boats are the most popular boats sold.  The
designs with power boats are as varied as their
uses.  Boats with seating in the front are
called bowriders, which are mainly used for towing
skiers or rafts.  Most boats can also be used for
fishing as well.  If you want to do both,
there are ski and fish combinations available.

Sailboats
When you first learn to pilot a sailboat, it can
be very challenging, although very rewarding as
well.  A sailboat requires more skill and
knowledge to operate than boats, although they
are considered more rewarding once mastered.

With all available sailboats, the single masted
sloop is the most popular design.  For those who
only boat on occasion, catboats, daysailers, and
dinghys are small and easily trailerable.

When you finally decide on the perfect boat for
you, look at what each one offers and how you
plan to use it.  The perfect boat for you is
out there, all you have do is find the one that
best matches your needs.

Types Of Boats Available

There are many boats out there on the market, with
something for everyone.  If you are new to boating,
selecting the right boat can be hard.  There are
boats for every purpose on the water, all you have
to do is find the one for you.

To help you in your quest, we'll go over the several
types of boats available.  This way, you'll know
the differences when you head out to buy one of
your own.

1.  Vessel
The vessel is the most common name for a boat, as
it's the description used or capable of being used
on the water.  Basically, it's another name used for
a boat or anything capable of being on the water.

2.  Power boat
A power boat is any boat or vessel that's propelled
by machinery.  Fishing boats are great examples,
as they are powered by motors or engines.

3.  Houseboat
A houseboat is fitted for use as a living vessel or
for leisurely cruising.  Normally, a houseboat will
include living accomodations such as sleeping
quarters, kitchen facilities, and even a full bath.
The cruising models are normally propelled by
power.

4.  Sailboat
A sailboat is any boat that's under sail along with
no mechanical means of propulsion.  The modern
sailboats range from one person boats to luxury
yachts that can accomodate several people.  They
are divided into three basic types:
1.  Daysailer - This is a small boat that's
designed for comfortable sailing without sleeping
accomodations.  It offers a roomy cockpit and can
also contain an outboard auxillary engine as well.
2.  Cruiser - Cruisers are medium sized or
large boats that contain a cabin with sleeping
quarters, toilet, food area, and usually an auxillary
engine that's built inside.
3.  Racer - Racers are boats built for speed
and ease of handling - normally at the expense of
comfort.

5.  Zodiac
The Zodiac brand of high performance aluminum boats
are some of the most popular in the entire boating
industry.  These boats are constructed with a
conventional rigid hull with increased buoyancy and
stability.  The deep V hulls offered by these boats
are made to take any weather.  They are well known
for their prowess and are used all over the world
for commercial search and rescue operations.

6.  Catamaran
These boats come with twin hulls.  They provide
safety, comfort, speed, and stability that's
unmatched by single hulled boats.  Popular with
boating, they offer you a new twist to hitting
the water.

Reasons To Buy A Boat

Many studies have shown, and many people already know
that being with friends and family, relaxing in the
outdoors and being close to nature are the best reasons
to buy a boat and spend time on the water. Your family
doesn't need to spend a forture or travel to a theme
park to have an experience that everyone will enjoy.

Boating is family
If you've ever felt that your family is going in
different directions, a boat can help to bring things
back together. When you spend time with your family
on a boat, it's all quality time. No matter if you're
fishing, tubing, swimming, or just cruising, your
doing it together - as a family.

There are no distractions on the water, so you can
focus your attention on each other. You can share
stories, laugh, have conversations, or reconnect and
create all new memories together. To put it in simple
terms, a boat will make life much better.

Boating helps you relax
Being on a boat makes it easy to relax. There are no
faxes, computers, or interruptions on a boat. You
have the open water, fresh air, the warm sun, and
adventure that you won't be able to find anywhere else.

With a boat, a great getwaway is all but a weekend
away. You may be a few miles from home in reality,
although you'll feel like your a million miles away.

Having fun
On a boat, the fun will never stop. There are always
things to do, places to see, fish to catch, and new
memories to create. Buying a boat is easy to do,
even if you are on a budget. If your ready to start a
new journey in life - a boat is something you and your
family simply must have.