How to Buy a Sailboat - Step 1

Boat Buying
Written By BoatFools

Before you even work out a budget, before you even set eyes on the perfect boat, there are 3 questions you MUST answer first! Your answers to these questions will not only influence your final budget, they may influence the type of boat you purchase. Seriously, don’t be a fool. Check it out.

#1: Where will you STORE your new ride – when it is NOT in the water?

In short, you can’t just go buy a boat and drive it off the lot like a used car. It’s much more complicated than that – but it’s not insurmountable! You have to keep your boat somewhere. Likely it won’t fit in your garage and your spouse* may not want some new yard art. Think it through! Here are your main options:

  • In your backyard - Do you have the room? Power/water? Will you need to buy stands and a cover? Will you have to modify your yard or driveway in any way to account for your future boat?

  • In a boatyard - Do they allow for DIY work? Costs? Power/water? Do they provide stands? Covers?

  • In your parent’s yard - You’d best ask first…

  • Your friend’s yard - IBID

  • Other - We are not sure what this would be but we’re sure there in another option out there. Somewhere…

#2: Where will you MOOR your ocean-going chariot when it is IN the water? 

Look, you can’t just go throw your boat in the water and call it good. You need to have a mooring or a slip (unless you have a day sailor that you’re hauling out after every use). Some harbors have waitlists of 7 years or more! It would be awkward if you plunked down a lot of money for your new sloop and you couldn’t put it in the water. Talk to your harbormaster ASAP and see if you can get on a list (even if you don’t currently own a boat!). So consider this question - Where will your moor it?

  • On a mooring?

  • Is there a waitlist for a mooring where you live? How much does a mooring cost? Annual servicing fees?

  • On a dock/in a slip? Cost?

  • Is there a waitlist for dock space?

  • Will you haul/launch every time you go sailing?

  • Is there a dinghy dock so you can get to your boat? Cost?

  • Is there a launch service? Cost?

#3: How will you MOVE your new boat?

If you’re not towing your boat to the boatyard or to your backyard, you’ll need a Plan B. You will need to talk to a marine transport service to see if they can:

  1. Accommodate your boat size

  2. Do a site inspection of where you intend to store your boat

  3. Provide you with a fee schedule

  4. Provide you with the best times to contact them for when you want to launch and when you want to haul. It can be months in advance to it’s best to find out ahead of time!

  5. Can they transport your mast?

YOU MUST HAVE THE ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS SOLVED BEFORE YOU TAKE YOUR NEXT STEPS. OTHERWISE, YOU’LL HAVE SOME VERY AWKWARD MOMENTS AHEAD.

*Spouse: We strongly encourage you to get your spouse’s permission before you buy a boat… See “Attorneys” in our resource section if you don’t.

NEXT TIME: How to Buy a Sailboat - Step 2

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