Tips For Budget Shopping For A New Boat
If you enjoy the water, then you may want to consider buying a new boat this spring. However, if your budget is on the smaller side, then you may be concerned about how much boat you can actually get for your money. If this is a concern of yours, then keep reading to learn how to budget shop for a boat.
Do Not Overdo It On The Motor
If you love the water and like going fast, then you may want the fastest boat you can get your hands on. This means looking for a boat with an engine that has a great deal of horsepower. Engines range greatly from about 150 to 300 hp. And while speed is tied to horsepower, you may be overdoing it a bit if you insist on that 300 hp engine. The more horsepower, the larger the engine, and the bigger your budget needs to be. Also, maintenance costs are likely to be higher if you opt for the more powerful engine
Fiberglass sports boats rarely need engines that are bigger than 250 hp. In fact, if you are looking at a smaller 19-foot boat, you may not need anything bigger than a 150 hp engine. Fiberglass boats are not that heavy, and the smaller engine can produce speed well over 40 mph.
Keeping the weight down on your boat can help to increase the speed and reduce your need for a large and more expensive engine. Skip the extras like the in-cabin kitchen, steel lights, and other gear.
Inflatable or partially inflatable boats are an option as well. These boats are less expensive than fiberglass varieties, and they typically have smaller engines, which reduces costs even more.
Do Not Consider Sleeping Size
If you are purchasing a larger boat or if you want a sports boat that can also function as a sleeper, then you may want to know how many people can sleep on the boat. This is called sleeper size, but you need to consider the realistic possibility of whether or not you will actually have people sleeping on your boat or not.
If you think that you will spend more time fishing or enjoying day trips, then consider the seating on your boat. A sleeper boat will be bigger with more accessories and storage. A general use one will have more seating and will be a bit smaller and less expensive.
Also, you need to consider that any boat that is made for "specialty" reasons will cost more. General use boats are more common, and you are likely to find one that is on sale or used. For more information on new boats for sale near you, contact your local boat dealership.
