Shopping and Gifts

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.

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One of the best things about boating is the fact
that there are many boats designed for many
different activities. For the majority of boaters,
a general purpose craft that serves as a fish, ski,
and picnic boat is ideal.

To help you narrow down your search, ask yourself
how you plan to use the boat. Fishing, cruising,
water skiing, watersports, racing, or a bit of
everything is what you should be wondering. There
is a boat out there for you, all you have to do is
find it.

Finding the right size
Finding the right size of boat depends on how many
people you’ll have boating with you and where you
plan to go. All new boats have an “NMMA capacity
plate” that wil you how many people you can safely
have on the boat at a time. If you plan to use
a trailer, you shouldn’t get a boat bigger than
26 feet in length.

Power needs
Those who plan to water ski will need more power
while those planning to fish will need less. The
boaters of today will also be able to choose from
new engines that are more efficient in fuel and
very friendly to the environment as well.

Boat costs
There are boats for every type of budgets. Many
new boat owners are very surprised to find that they
can get their dream boat for much less than they
ever expected. You can get new or used boats at
a reputable dealership with financing, taking
advantage of low monthly payments.

Boating can be a lot of fun, as you long as you
don’t go overboard when you first begin. There is
a lot to know about boats, costs, and types, which
is something you’ll learn over the years. Always
have fun – and you’ll enjoy boating for many, many
years.

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If you are planning to buy a boat, you’ll first need
to evaluate what you plan to do with it. If your
primary purpose is fishing, then you’ll want to
look into boats that are designed primarily for
fishing.

If you happen to be a tournament fisherman, or hope
to be, then you probably wouldn’t be happy with a
boat less than a 150 HP motor and shorter than 19
feet in length. Those of you who plan to fish in
really deep water on a regular basis will probably
need a 200 HP motor and at least 20 feet of length.

If you don’t plan to tournament fish, but go after
bass fish instead, you’ll want a 17 – 18 foot boat
with at least a 115 HP motor. This way, you can
enjoy the lake or the river.

Those of you who like to fish for species may want
to look for a more versatile boat with plenty of
walking around room, higher sides, and a different
seating arrangement. This type of boat is ideal
for several people, even a trip out with your
wife and kids.

If you plan to fish on occasion, but not enough
to invest in a boat, you may want to look at a
fish and ski model. This is a hybrid boat, crossing
between a bass boat and pleasure boat, and can
easily serve your purpose.

The biggest part of the buying process is getting
what you can afford. Luckily, there are many new
boats available, giving you several that fit your
budget. If you prefer, you can shop and find a used
boat that fits both your needs and budget.

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