Aluminium and Wooden Boats Equipment

Buying A Used Boat

2009-02-11T13:47:00.000-08:00

Those of you who have the money and plan to keep one boat forever, should buy it new. If you happen to be on a budget and skeptical about owning a boat, you should buy it used.

Buying used is great for some, although it isn't always the most glamorous decision. The oceans and lakes are filled with boaters who are far wealthier than most. Many boaters go well beyond their means and finance their boats at extreme levels.

What really counts with a used boat is being out there on the water. Someone who is out there every weekend on his beat up boat is a great boater. A businessman who only has time to ride on his 60 foot yacht once or twice a year isn't considered a boater at all.

If you look around the water, you'll se that the little boats are the ones that move, while the big boats are the ones that never move. Those that are too busy earning money and never have the time to go boating shouldn't really have a boat at all.

New boats can lose half of their value in less than 2 years. With a used boat, the previous owner has already fixed the problems that are associated with new boats. The previous owner has also already hassled with the dealer to get the warranty service taken care of.

A used boat normally hasn't be used very much at all. A boat will sit a majority of the time, which is nothing like a used car. You can find many boats with less than a couple hundreds hours of engine time. For the sake of comparison, look at how many hours are on the engine of your car.

A used boat will already have scratches and dings, so you won't feel half as bad when you add a few of your own. When you purchase your used boat, you should leave at least a grand to outfit the boat and make any necessary repairs.

A used boat will normally come with dock lines, life jackets, spare props, a radio, safety equipment, and other nice additions. New boat owners will have to pay hundreds of dollars for these kinds of things.

The wild card is, of course, whether or not the previous boat owner did the proper maintenance of the boat. Prior to buying you should always get the boat surveyed to be sure that it's in reasonable condition. This way, you'll know your getting a great used boat.

Buying A Fishing Boat

2009-02-11T13:44:00.000-08:00

Selecting the right fishing boat can be a real challenge and also a lot of fun for someone who is new to boating. If you haven't experienced buying a boat before, it can also be a daunting task to say the least.

Before you start looking, it's important to consider the purpose of your fishing boat. A fishing boat serves but one purpose - fishing. You have to decide if you plan to fish in the ocean, or in other bodies of water, such as lakes. This is very
important, as there are different types of fishing boats available.

If you plan to use your fishing boat for ocean cruising and overnight stays, it would be ideal to buy one that has a hull. This design is meant for rough waters, riding the waves, and providing more comfort for anglers while they fish.

When you buy a fishing boat, you should know if it includes a warranty. If it does, you should really study the warranty as not all are the same. Buying your boat from a dealer is always a smarter decision, as dealers will provide repair services is the
boat is found to be defective.

It's also important when buying a fishing boat to note if the boat is certified by the NMMA. This agency will guarantee that the certification they give to every boat passes the agency's standards of excellence.

When it comes down to it, you should do more than just look around when it comes to a fishing boat. You should learn how to look for the best details to ensure that your boat is worth the money. If you take the time to look around, you'll find a boat that you can truly be proud of.

Buying A Cruising Yacht

2009-02-11T13:41:00.000-08:00

Everyone out there likes the idea of a shiny new boat. While buying a new yacht is an accomplishment in itself, you shouldn't spend over your budget then be unable to take it anywhere. When you buy a yacht, always look at what comes with the boat
and decide if it's everything you want.

Types of construction

GRP

Almost all cruising yachts out there today are made of GRP construction. GRP material is long lasting, strong, and easy to repair. Osmosis is the only real problem here, as the blisters it leaves can be sometimes costly to repair.

Steel

Steel is always a great a idea, as it is by far the strongest material. There have been steel boats ran into reefs and banks and received just a few mere scratches. Even though steel has many advantages, rust is the true enemy here. You must keep all surfaces thoroughly painted, primed, and ready to avoid all types of rust.

Aluminum

Although rare in the normal cruising market, aluminum is very popular with the construction of top quality custom built yachts. If you are looking for an aluminum constructed yacht, always make sure that it wasn't constructed by an amateur yacht
builder - as this can cause major problems later on down the road.

Wood

Even though it's the most traditional building material, wood still has a lot to offer. If you get the right kind of wood, it can last just as long as any other type of material. The maintenence costs are very high with wood, especially if you do your own painting.

Ferro-cement

Concrete type boats have been around for a long time. A cheap method of hull construction, it was very popular in the 70's. If done properly, it can be a very strong method of yacht construction.

Rigs

The most popular choices of yacht rigs include sloop, cutter, and ketch - in that particular order. Sloop has the virtue of simplicity, while ketch and cutter
rigs will split the sail plan into more easily managed areas. A ketch rig can sail under mizzen and headsail alone, while cutter rigs can offer a simple twin headsail with downwind option.

Essentials versus desirables

Before you begin looking for a yacht, make a list of what you must have then make a list of what would be nice to have. There are many additions and add ons you can get for yachts, although they can get very expensive in a hurry.

When you shop for a yacht, always plan out your budget before you even start looking. A nice yacht can cost a lot of money, which is something you may need to save up for. Yachts are great to sail on, especially for those who have a lot of money to spare.

Buying A Boat Trailer

2009-02-11T13:37:00.000-08:00

A boat trailer is something you really can't go wrong with, as it is a dual purpose device. It provides a convenient way to store the boat, and also allows you to explore new areas by taking your boat down the road. Good trailers must perform both duties equally as good.

Most people buying boats are into getting the boat, and not the trailer. They are more than willing to spend money on a boat, then end up getting a cheap trailer. If you want the most from boating, these tips will help you with buying a trailer.

- The total weight of the boat, gear, and motor should be in the mid range of trailer's carrying capacity. You shouldn't pick a 2,500 capacity trailer if you have a boat with the same weight.

- Go for larger diameter tires and wheels. The larger tires will rotate less times per mile, producing less heat and wear on the tread. The wheel bearings will last much longer as well, as they rotate less times per mile.

- You should look for trailers with "drive on" capabilities. These drive on trailers will allow you to drive the boat onto the trailer, close enough to the winch so that you only need to winch the boat up a few inches.

- Select trailer lights (for the highway) that are protected and sealed against water.

- Pick your trailer based on the environment it will be operating in. If you plan to launch in salt water, you'll need a trailer for that purpose. There are many types of trailers available, each one designed for a specific type of boating.

Although most are protected against weather and rust, you should always pick the one designed for the type of terrain you will be using your boat with. This way, you have no worries about your trailer not doing the job it should be.

There are some trailers that include a spare tire, which is an excellent investment for those who plan to travel long distances. Even though it can be hard to find trailer tires in the dark, it's still great to have a spare if you get a flat while you travel.

All in all, a boat trailer can save you a lot of time and money. You can store your boat on your trailer when it isn't be used, even take it to other lakes or oceans. A trailer will open up new roads for you and your boat - all you have to do is find one that you need.

How To Test A Boat

2008-11-11T00:39:00.000-08:00

If you think you've found the boat of your dreams, it's time to test it. Testing your boat is more than just taking it for a test drive around the harbor. You should look at everything closely, as a professional boat tester would.

Sometimes, it can be hard to tell a top quality boat
from one that may have problems later on. To an
untrained eye, both can look good on the surface.
When you start to break everything down and give it
a careful inspection, you'll be able to tell a great
boat from a not-so-great boat.

By opening up all doors and access plates, you can
get great insight on the the construction of the
boat. You should also stick your head into the
anchor locker of any boat you are considering to
buy, as if they've cut any corners you'll normally
be able to see it here.

Looking into the anchor locker also lets you look
at the hull to deck joint. If there is light
coming from through, or if the fiberglass around
the joint can be seen through, it normally means
the boat has poor construction.

When you buy a boat, you should put it through a
rigorous visual inspection. It's also equally
important to conduct a vigorous test on the water
as well. A private seller or dealer will
normally want to stack the deck, ensuring that
the boat will perform well.

Normally, this involves a near empty gas tank,
no gear or extra passengers, and keeping the
boat in sheltered water. Therefore, it's up to
you to insist on a more realistic test. Think
of the test as an actual day out on the water,
and you'll find out if the boat is indeed something
you should spend your money on.

During your water testing, you should determine
if the boat performs well and meets all of your
expectations. You should determine if the boat
travels at the right speeds, and whether or not it
is capable of doing everything that you plan to
do with it after you buy it.

When test driving the boat, you should put it
through all paces in open water, cutting waves at
all angles. If you plan to test a saltwater boat,
you should bring along a 5 gallon bucket and try
throwing some water onboard. Any boat you plan
to use offshore should quickly shed water through
the scuppers. Some boats will pool water in the
bow and drain slowly - which can be very dangerous
in rough waters.

If a seller or dealer balks at the mention of any
requests you have, simply find yourself another
dealer or another boat. There are plenty of great
quality boats available, ranging in prices. Make
sure to check everything very carefully before
you make any decisions.

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Reasons To Buy A Boat

2007-11-25T00:11:00.000-08:00

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 fortune 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.

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