Auction Boats

The viewing, or inspecting your boat is a very important part of the buying process. Inspecting will allow you to see what you are buying before you pay any money. You may want to use a surveyor to do this, as they will perform a very detailed inspection of the boat you are interested in. You can be present if you like, as this will give you the chance to ask questions if you like. Although using a surveyor is the best way to do an inspection, you can do it yourself if you are experienced and confident enough. There are many parts of the boat to inspect, which makes it nearly impossible for beginners. If you inspect yourself, make sure you look at the bottom of the hull, the interior, the control cables, electrical system, pumps, and be sure that everything is in working order. If the boat has been well maintained, you shouldn’t have a problem looking everything over.  The engine should also be checked, as it is very important to the boat. If you don’t know a lot about boat engines or engines in general, you should get a mechanic to look over it for you. You may want to do this anyway, as the engine can be very tough to inspect. If everything is up to par, it’s time to take a test drive. Before you fire up the engine, check to see if it’s already warm. If the engine has trouble starting or smokes when cold, the seller could have warmed up the engine prior to you arriving to disguise any problems. Check for oil leaks as well, checking the bilges at the start and end of the test drive. When moving around, see how the boat performs. You should experiment with hitting the waves from different angles, looking for any type of roll or pitch. Make sure you also test that all the instruments are working correctly, then run the engine for a period of time to see if it overheats.  If you are buying a sail boat, put the sails up and see how the boat performs under wind pressure alone. Also, make sure you examine the mast and how the boat rigs under load. If the boat you are planning to buy doesn’t pass any of your tests, don’t rule it out just yet.  If you are willing to put both time and money into making things work, you can use any problems as bargaining tools to try and get a lower price on the boat.

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.

Those of you who own boat will want to make sure you get watercraft coverage. Often times, people don’t realize that they need this type of coverage for their boats. There are many boat owners that don’t even realize this type of insurance is even available. You need boat insurance if you own a boat, it’s that simple. Before you buy boat insurance, here are some things you simply must know. – Many states now require that you carry watercraft liability coverage. What this coverage does, is protect you against any damage that you cause to other people or their property with your boat. This insurance will also cover you for vandalism, theft, fire, stranding, sinking, and even collision. You should always call your insurance agent and see what’s required with your state and what policies they cover. – There is also optional coverage that you should really consider. One type of coverage that you should strongly consider is Wreckage Removal. In most areas, the removal of sunken or wrecked boats is required by law, and the responsibility of the owner to pay for the removal, which can easily be very expensive. Wreckage Removal coverage will pay these costs for you. You should also consider adding coverage that will pay for repairs and mechanical failure as well, along with towing charges – should you ever need to be towed back to the shore. – Not all insurance companies cover everyone who operates the boat. This is something you should always ask about, find out who is covered when operating the boat. There are several companies that will only cover the owner of the boat. Make sure that the insurance agent defines who is covered when operating the boat. – When you shop for boat insurance, call your current company first, then check with other companies to see what type of rates they offer as well. Always remember that insurance agencies are in competition with each other, and they’ll work with you to get you to join them. Let one know about a better rate that you’ve been quoted and see if they’ll go one better. Before you shop for boat insurance, think about the investment you have made with your boat. Boats are not cheap, replacing or repairing them isn’t cheap either. Therefore, you should always make sure you get the coverage you need to protect you against anything that happens with your boat.

As you are probably already aware of, inflatable boats are very popular today. Each distinct group of inflatable boat is designed for a specific use and therefore equipped with different components and equipment.  If your looking for a small boat to get you from your ship to the shore, a typical inflatable boat is the best answer. If you are looking for a medium sized boat for diving or swimming, there are many choices in that area as well. For recreation or rescue work, there are large inflatable boats available as well. Dealers The location of a reputable dealer is very important, as you don’t want to travel too far to get an inflatable boat. Whether you need parts, repairs, or just technical support – a close dealer can also be a close friend. As a new boat owner, you may also have questions, need to claim your warranty, or just need regular servicing. No matter how you look at it, a close dealer is always better than having to travel. Prices Many years ago, inflatable boats were the most expensive types of boats and only a small amount of people could even afford them. The reason for this, was the use of exotic materials and the numerous hours of hand labor that went into their construction. Today, there are machines that do a majority of the construction work. Zodiac and its sister company Sevylor, are the leading low cost producers today thanks to technology. You can even finance an inflatable boat if you need to, making them available to almost everyone now. Warranty You may have heard claims from all competitors, with each one promising they have the best or even the longest warranty. A few years ago, a company offered a lifetime warranty – although they soon disappeared shortly thereafter. Many manufacturers will use an attractive warranty to substitute for quality or even proper boat design. In the back of your mind, you should be sure that the company you buy from will be around long enough to deliver on their warranty. Zodiac has been building inflatable boats for over 50 years, and offer a limited 5 year warranty on their inflatable boats. Therefore, Zodiak is one of the best you can buy today. With all inflatable boats, you should know which type you want before you purchase. You can always look around and see what each dealer offer, then plan your purchase accordingly. An inflatable boat is great to have, especially for those who own big ships and vessels. You can’t go wrong with these boats either – as they serve many different useful purposes.

Choosing the engine (or propulsion system) for your boat is very important. Both the weight and the horsepower will have a major impact on the performance of your boat. If you have a boat that’s underpowered, the engine will work twice as hard, giving you poor performance.  Now, we will take a look at the motors available for boats and vessels: Outboard motor An outboard motor is very popular and very useful on small boats. These motors are very light, powerful, and extremely quiet. Normally mounted on the transom of a boat, there are boats available that offer a motor well or even a bracket to mount the motor to. The entire motor will swivel about, providing easy steering as the turning propeller pushes the stern about. Outboard motors come in many different sizes and the horsepower can use different types of fuel. Stern drive These motors are also known as I/O engines, and normally heavier than outboard motors. Consisting of an engine mounted inboard and a lower unit attached to the transom, these motors offer power and versitility. You can also tilt the motor up and down to help provide boat trim while you cruise. Inboards On boats that are over 26 feet in length, these motors are very popular. Similiar to the stern drive motor, the inboard motor is mounted inside the boat towards the center, giving you good weight proportion. Inboards connect directly to the transmission, then on through the hull of the boat. Then, the shaft is attached to a propeller which will turn and propel the boat. The shaft is fixed and doesn’t swivel around. Therefore, a rudder is mounted behind the shaft and propeller to help deflect the flow of water which provides your steering direction. Jet drive Jet drive propulsion systems have a big advantage – no propeller to cause damage or injury to those in the water, including marine life. Normally, they are inboard engines that will take in water that flows through a pump, powered by an impeller. Then, the water is discharged at a very high pressure through a nozzle that will propel the boat. To provide steering for the boat, the nozzle will swivel. For personal watercraft, a jet drive is the way to go. Keep in mind that when power isn’t being applied, jet driven boats will lose steering, as the stream of water that propels the boat won’t be there.  Therefore, always keep any part of your body away from the pump intake – and never operate these types of boats in shallow water.

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.

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.

Similiar to cars, there are a few pros and cons to new and used boats. Even though there are hundreds of used boats available, you should look at the newer ones first. New boats With new boats, you’ll know each and every piece of history with the boat and the motor. If something happens to go wrong, you’ll have a warranty to fall back on, so you don’t have to focus on restoring or repairing your new boat. This way, you can get out in the water immediately. When you finance a new boat, you can usually get a much better interest rate as well. By shopping new you’ll also get a better idea as to which type of boat is best for you and your family. Just like a car, the depreciation value is the highest in the first season of use.  Used boats Used boats can be a great option, especially for those who don’t know what they want to do with the boat, or those with tight budgets. Even though you may be planning to buy a new boat, it’s always a good idea to shop new ones first.  Attending boat shows are a great way to see the boats that are out there, helping you to get an idea of what you want. You can look at the many used boats that are there, then narrow your list down as to what type of used boat you prefer. Whether you plan to shop for your used boat online, through the newspaper, or by visiting one of the local boat dealerships, make sure you get a marine survey of the boat before you make the purchase. A marine survey may be a bit expensive, although it’s money well spent. Often times, structural defects or mechanical problems with used boats that weren’t cared for properly will be quite difficult to detect. A marine survey is similiar to a home inspection, as the surveyor will inspect every inch of the boat, from the engine to the electrical system and the hull to the steering wheel. Depending on the results you receive, you can use the results to get a lower price, or just stop the deal altogether if the results are that bad. The marine survey is the smartest way to buy a used boat, as it can save you a lot of time, headache, and even money – which makes it well worth it.

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.