6 Things You Should Know Before Buying a Cruiser Boat for Sale
Are you thinking about buying a cruiser boat, yeah? All the same shiny blue sky. And the energetic ocean waves…no matter where you go. Freedom and enjoyment at their finest. But what should you look for in a cruiser boat? Which best practices should you follow? Not to worry! I am going to take you through all the things you should consider before buying a boat, we will cover everything you need to know!
What are Cruiser Boats?
Wikipedia described cruiser boats as a special type of powerboat with onboard accommodation for the owners as well as guests. Cruiser boats are designed for overnight stays and are suitable for those planning to live aboard their craft.
These boats have almost all of the comforts of a modern home. They come equipped with a galley, a head, and at the very least, a berth. They come with heating and air conditioning systems, power generators, and a few other amenities you’ll find in a modern home.
Cruiser boats range in size mostly from 25ft to about 45ft. They have most of the amenities of larger yachts. Compared to yachts, they cost significantly less and are operable by the owner rather than a special crew.
(NOTE: Are you thinking of buying a cruiser boat? You can check out here some boats for sale)
The uses of the cruiser boat
People buy cruiser boats for lots of reasons. Some people use them as live-aboard vessels. Others take them out occasionally for weekend getaways. Some entertain guests regularly while others just enjoy being out on the water now and again. Some people like going fast while others prefer a leisurely pace. So, it depends on how you use it.
The most common use for this type of boat is to cruise on the sea with friends and family, but you can also use it for recreational activities such as fishing, water skiing, and wakeboarding.
The 3 Steps Involved In Buying a Boat
In our article on “How to Buy a Boat in 3 Stages”, we discussed in detail the processes that would make your boat purchase a trouble-free one.
All of the things discussed in that article still apply to buying a cruiser boat as well.
In this article, we'll talk about the things you'll need to consider if you want to buy a cruiser boat.
Things You Should Know Before Buying a Cruiser Boat
Buying a boat is a major decision. It makes sense to plan everything carefully along the way from the decision-making phase to the actual buying stage.
If you’ll be buying a cruiser boat, check out these tips below to make your boat buying and boat-owning experience a happy and satisfactory one.
1. First-time buyers should avoid fixer-uppers
Boaters commonly buy used boats that require extensive repairs and reconstruction. However, it might not be the wisest choice when starting out. As a first-time cruiser owner, you want to spend your time enjoying your purchase, not working on it. Don't settle for a fixer-upper.
New boats, on the other hand, are quite expensive. You’ll also probably have to wait a long time to get your order delivered. The major advantage here is that you’ll expect to get your boat in excellent working condition.
2. Consider the boat type and size
If you already know the type of boat you’ll be buying – a cruiser boat, for example – you still have to consider a few other factors that will help determine which particular type of boat will suit your lifestyle. First, size. This depends on how many people you expect to be on board most of the time. Second, features. These will determine what extras the boat has and what features it doesn’t, as well as its overall value.
Fortunately, you’ll always find cruising boats with excellent features and specifications you’ll like. Some of these cruising boats can easily pass for luxury yachts. Check thoroughly to see if the boat of your choice has enough features and amenities you’ll need for your time onboard.
3. Consider your budget and financing options
You can’t just head over to the market without having a clear budget limit within which you’d operate. If you won’t be paying cash, it’s also better to have a financing option in place.
The cost of your purchase will depend on a lot of things. Some of these include the size as well as the features and specifications. The more you want, the more you’ll have to pay.
New boats have become more expensive due to the rising costs of production.
4. Running and maintenance costs
When buying a boat, plan to take into account the costs for maintenance, mooring fees and other running costs. Don’t forget to factor in the costs of maintenance all through your decision-making process.
Maintenance costs are typically 10% of the purchase price of a new boat, but this can vary widely depending on the type of boat you buy, but you can calculate this more accurately with the boat buying costs worksheet, just contact us for a copy of this.
Will there be room for this in your budget? These are some of those things you’ll figure out when you’re at the point of buying the cruiser boat of your dream.
5. Conduct a survey or sea trial
Surveys, walkarounds, and sea trials can help you determine the condition and value of a boat. Before you buy a boat, consider getting a survey, a walk-through or a sea trial to learn about the boat.
You can save yourself a lot of money by figuring out the condition and value of the boat before you commit to buying it. It will only cost you a little to find a surveyor to ascertain the condition and value of the boat.
You may also need a sea trial to experience how the boat works as well. All of these will help you to either bolster your confidence in the boat you’re about to buy or perhaps expose some of the flaws and issues you may have to otherwise deal with in the long run.
6. Close the deal
Once you’ve found the boat of your dreams and are sure it’s the right fit for you, you can then take the plunge and close the deal. You’ll need to be at your best to negotiate a good price for your purchase.
Be sure to ask if there are outstanding liens or bills on the boat too, especially if it is kept at a marina. You’ll also have to take care of all the legalities and then complete the paperwork.
Conclusion
Buying a cruiser boat is a great way to enjoy the boating lifestyle. You can sail with friends on your local waters. If you want something more, you can even sail away and enjoy the weekend in your favorite spot, beyond your current waters. The cockpit will usually have enough space and the passengers can easily get to enjoy amazing views of the sea while sailing away to the chosen destination.
It’s a whole lot of fun if you get a hold of a good one. It just happens that many people end up with the wrong boat due to either being uninformed or misinformed.
It doesn’t hurt to talk with an expert to help with your boat decisions. If you need to speak with a credible and reliable, independent professional, don’t hesitate to contact us at BASCO Boat Advisory Services.
At BASCO we provide independent and trusted advice that takes risk and uncertainty out of boat ownership. We are well experienced to help you make sense of your boat purchasing process so you can end up a happy and fulfilled boater.