Although sea travel is no longer the de facto way to cover large distances, boating is still something that people love to do. If you like getting out on the water often and don't want to keep paying for rental fees, you should get a boat in your name. Before you make the purchase, review this essential information.
Storing your boat is an extremely important decision. Depending on where you're located, you might have to keep your boat in storage during the colder months. This could be in a trailer on your property. However, this can make your home look unappealing and it can be inconvenient to haul it to and back from the water. If you're in good proximity to a marina, The Carefree Boater recommends that you consider keeping it posted there. You'll still need to invest some money in this, but you'll be without the extra step that comes with regular transportation.
Protecting your investment is especially important when you buy a boat. While you might not use it as often as your car, it still needs to be looked after. Having insurance is very important as well. According to LoPriore Insurance, the kinds of boats that you need insurance for are Fishing Boats, Bass Boats, Sailboats, Personal watercraft like jet skis, Jet Boats, Pontoon Boats, Ski Boats, Center Consoles, Cuddy Cabin, Bow Riders, and expensive yachts/liner boats. Make sure you keep your boat secure and in a safe place. Before deciding on a marina, ask other tenants about its reputation for safety.
How well your boat is able to hold up depends on how good you are about keeping it in shape. You need to always be on alert for issues and know how to maintain things so that your boat doesn't fall into a state of disrepair. Rinse it off on a consistent basis, inspect the battery and oil, and do not operate it if any essential safety features are out of commission or malfunctioning. For instance, if your navigation lights aren't working, you need to get them fixed before you go out. And of course, as CitiMarine points out, never skip winterizing. If there's something that you're not comfortable doing, you should find a certified boat technician to perform the maintenance. No matter how much you think you might know about boat repair, it's not worth the risk of causing further damage.
Whether your boat is a pontoon, a sailboat, or a yacht, you'll need to make sure you know what you're doing. There's a lot of pride that goes with being a boat owner, but there's even more that goes with being a responsible boat owner.
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