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.

Normally, the prices for new boats will vary depending on the size and make, although many dealers
and manufacturers will be willing to sell you one for less than the cost of a new car payment.

Financing your boat

Financing your boat is just like financing a new car.  Similar to car and home loans, loans for boats have became even easier and more flexible in recent years.  The terms will generally range from two to 20 years.  To get the most from financing, you should compare rates online.

Outfitting

All new boats are offered with a variety of options and accessories.  When you are pricing boats, make
sure you factor in the costs of electronics, accessories, and water toys - then buy what’s appropriate for your boat type and size.

Most modern marine electronics are very reliable,loaded with features, and more affordable than ever before.Today’s accessories can make boat trips more fun, safer, and easier than you ever thought possible.

Operating costs

Boating isn’t like driving, as you aren’t using gas all the time.  If you fish or swim with your boat, your actually not using the motor at all.  If you happen to own a sailboat, the motor is used less.

Most boats today are less than 21 feet in length.  All of these boats don’t require a lot of gas, with most using less than 50 gallons of gas per season.

Maintenance

Simply washing down your boat and trailer with fresh water after each use will keep them covered between boat trips.  If you don’t have the time to do it yourself, you can always hire a professional.

Insurance

The insurance for boats will vary by length and type. Therefore, you should consult your insurance agent for quotes, or simply shop online.

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.

The first thing you should know when choosing a boat is that no single boat will do everything.  If your
looking for a boat that inspires confidence, don’t expect it to shine in light air.  Boats that are exciting to sail on the weekends aren’t the ideal boats for a passage through the ocean.

You shouldn’t expect to find quick acceleration and load carrying capacity together with the same boat.
You can buy a boat now to race or fish, then sail around later - as you can only do one or the other with a specific type of boat.

The logic to choosing the right boat is determining how you plan to use the boat.  Think about why you
want to own a boat, what you plan to do with it, and how you plan on using it.

For some, beauty is the first consideration.  For sail boats beauty is very important, as you’ll spend a majority of time floating and sailing around, with many people looking at your sail boat.  With people looking at your vessel, you want to make sure that it looks nothing short of amazing.

If you are planning to race instead of cruise, then speed is your primary consideration.  There are many cruising sailors out there who simply can’t be happy unless their boats are moving very fast.  The ideal boat for speed demons are those that can cut through the water, creating plenty of waves.

Fishermen on the other hand, want to look towards fishing boats.Trackers and other boats that are designed for fishing are ideal here.  Fishing is one of the most popular boat activities, meaning that you’ll have plenty of boats to select from.

When it comes down to it, selecting the right boat is up to you and what you plan to do with it.  Take
your time, weigh your options, and you’ll have the right boat before you know it.

If you are going on a big fishing trip or just an outing there are several important things to consider before committing to your pontoon boat rental.   The first thing is what kind of trip you are going on.  For the most part pontoon boat rentals are broken up into three categories – fishing boats, pleasure boats, and house boats.  Each of these pontoon boat rentals tailors to a specific kind of customer and you will need to know what you wish to accomplish with your pontoon boat rental beforehand.

If you are looking to go fishing than this is probably the most common pontoon boat rental you will see.  Most places should offer you an extensive selection of boating options to choose from.  In addition, before you select what boat to rent see if the company is offering any specials or coupons.   There are many different fishing boats to choose from so think wisely before you pick one.   If you are planning to go deep sea fishing, the pontoon boat rental company should have boats specifically equipped for this task.  By the same token, if you are looking to leisurely cruise around the lake or ocean a pontoon boat would probably be more your speed.   Some places will even offer high performance racing boats for those of you who are looking for something that just goes fast.  Be sure you have experience and are able to control a boat of this caliber.

Renting a pleasure boat can be a great way to experience the lake or ocean without interruption.   Many times you can find packages that will include wine tours and other tours of the surrounding area.  If you are willing to pay you can even have the tours chartered so that you are completely free to enjoy the experience.  These tours will offer you a unique look at the surrounding terrain and culture.  If you have a never been on this type of tour, I highly recommend taking a charter of the area to really get a feel for what it is like.

The last option is to rent a house boat.  These boats offer you the chance to get out and sleep on the water.  This is the perfect get away for a family vacation, or an outing with friends.

As you can see all f these options offer their own unique way to get out on the water.  Take advantage and sea the ocean at your leisure.

There are many reasons to get a sail boat charter.  I will say right up front however if you are simply looking to cruise around the lake or ocean then you may be better served with a pontoon boat rental.  If you are looking for something more than a sail boat charter just might be up your alley.  There are many things you can do with a sail boat charter that you cannot do with a simple boat rental.  Let us take a look at those things so that you can make the right decision for you and your family.

The first benefit is that you will not have to sail the boat on your own.  You can sit back, relax, and let the captain guide you to where you need to go.  Whether it is a winery or a state park you will not have to worry about getting there, you can sit back and relax in style as the captain guides you to your location.

The second benefit is that if you ever have wanted to learn how to sail a charter offers you a great chance to learn the basics without getting into trouble.  Consider the charter to be a free lesson on how to get around the lake or ocean, just be sure not to be too pushy and absorb as much as you can on the trip as possible.

Sailing also offers the added benefit of being very environmentally friendly.  It is possible to get around easily on just wind power alone.  If you never have sailed it is very difficult to describe the allure of being able to get out on the open water with just the wind at your back.  It is a very empowering feeling that makes you feel one with nature and what is around you.  It cannot be replicated out on a powerboat.

There are some drawbacks to sailing however.  One it can be quite expensive to rent a sail boat charter.  The second is that if the weather does not cooperate you are not going anywhere.  A sailboat needs wind to sail and without it you are dead in the water.

Weighing the pros and cons of sailing and not sailing I will always lean towards sailing, but that is just the naturalist in me.  It is completely your decision as to how to travel, but if you have not tried sailing I highly recommend it.

If you are looking for a fishing boat rental but cannot decide on what to get, I can tell you a little bit about a boat I had great experience with and why.  While when looking for your fishing boat rental you may not be able to find this exact model, hopefully you can use what I describe to help pick out one that will work for you.

I had planned a fishing trip up into northern Michigan for many years and when I finally pulled the trigger on it I knew I was going to need a fishing boat rental.   I did my research and finally settled on what I thought was the perfect fishing boat rental – a 24 foot Stamas.  This boat appeared to be the perfect fishing boat rental.  One of my buddies was pushing for a sail boat charter, but I decided that that would be more work than it was worth, so we settled on the Stamas.

The Stamas is a great lakes fisherman vessel that has a 198 Mercruiser Engine and Outdrive with a 10 horsepower Evinrude trolling and safety engine.  The 198 provided more than enough power for us to get where we needed to go quickly.  The Evinrude was perfect for trolling and looking for fish once we got there.  In addition our boat had a depth finder and GPS, a marine radio and all the needed safety equipment.  As a bonus it came with extra rods and reels, but for the most part we had our own.

The best feature of this boat was the cuddy cabin.  With 2 bunks, a porta potty and other bench seats there was more than enough room for me and my buddies and we were able to sleep on board with sleeping bags.   This fishing boat rental gave us the freedom to explore and fish where we wanted to.  Because of it we were able to catch a plentiful amount of fish and even stop, set up camp and cook some right there.

Whatever your needs, if you are looking for a quality fishing boat rental I highly recommend the boat from Stamas.  It met my need and the needs of all my friends perfectly.  If I had to do it all over again there is not another boat I would look at or chose.  Take a look at one and make the decision for yourself.

Having done boat charters before I can confidently tell you that it is one of the most pleasurable things you can do while on vacation or just for a weekend get away.   There are many things available to you with a boat charter that you would never be able to experience otherwise.  The first of which is the open water.   While you may be able to take your own boat out on the open water, when you sign up for a boat charter you leave all responsibility on shore.

Advantages Of A Boat Charter

The first advantage of a boat charter is the freedom it gives you.  Instead of plotting a course, filling up the gas or running the rigging, you can simply sit back and enjoy a nice trip on the water.  I myself am an avid sailor, but I enjoy a good boat charter as much as the next person.   When you have others in charge of running the ship and that accompanies that you can sit back and truly see the ocean or lake for what it is and soak up its beauty.

There is another aspect to being on a ship that is run by someone else, and that is you can consume alcohol and leave the ship.  There are many wine tours that are offered through boat charter and I recommend this experience.  Firstly you get to enjoy sailing and see the surrounding terrain without having to worry about how to get there, and second if you are on a wine tour you can sample and drink from the wineries without worrying about how you are going to get from one to the next.

There are many wine tasting boat charters that you can find, even some that include a full house boat rental.  Some of the wine boat charters will not even require that you go to the wineries, with experienced sommeliers bringing wine right onto deck for your enjoyment.   Fine cheeses, crackers, and chocolates will accompany these wines giving you the intimacy of having your own boat, captain and wine tasting combined into one.  All you have to do is sit back relax and enjoy the experience.

As you can see a boat charter offers you the chance to enjoy many things that just renting a boat would not.  If you get a chance I highly recommend trying it and seeing the water from a truly unique perspective.

If you are planning a big fishing trip or just a leisurely outing there are several important things to consider before committing to your boat rental.   The first thing is what kind of craft you need for your boat rental.  For the most part boat rentals are broken up into three categories – powerboats, sailboats, and jet skis.  Each of these boat rentals tailors to a specific kind of customer and you will need to know what you wish to accomplish with your boat rental before hand.

If you are looking to go fishing than this is probably the most common boat rental you will see.  Most places should offer you an extensive selection of boat charters to choose from.  In addition, before you select what boat to rent see if the company is offering any specials or coupons.   There are many different powerboats to choose from so think wisely before you pick one.   If you are planning to go fishing, the boat rental company should have boats specifically equipped for this task.  By the same token, if you are looking to leisurely cruise around the lake or ocean a pontoon boat would probably be more your speed.   Some places will even offer high performance racing boats for those of you who are looking for something that just goes fast.  Be sure you have experience and are able to control a boat of this caliber.

Renting a sailboat can be a great way to experience the lake or ocean without interruption of a loud engine.   Many times you can find sailboat packages that will include wine tours and other tours of the surrounding area.  If you are willing to pay you can even have the tours chartered so that you are completely free to enjoy the experience.  These tours will offer you a unique look at the surrounding terrain and culture.  If you have a never been sailing, I highly recommend taking a charter of the area to really get a feel for what it is like.

The last option is to rent a Jet Ski or wave runner.  These provide the most easily portable and mobile way to tour an area.  They are not good for groups or long travel but can be extremely fun in a smaller closed in area.  Lakes, lagoons, and other tightly packed waterfronts offer the best experience for these machines.   If you have never been they offer complete and absolute freedom on the water and I highly recommend the experience.

As you can see all f these options offer their own unique way to get out on the water.  Take advantage and sea the ocean at your leisure.

It could be easily argued that the boat trailer wheels are the most important part towards the safe operation of a boat trailer.  This is due to the fact that if a wheel goes out not only will the boat be in jeopardy, but the safety of the vehicle pulling the trailer could be compromised.

Therefore, it is important to maintain the boat trailer wheels.  In understanding this statement it is important to realize what could go wrong and ways that the boat trailer wheels can be maintained.

Boating can be a pleasurable recreational hobby.  Generally, boaters transport their boat, canoe, or other water vessel to the water using a boat trailer.  Once the boat or watercraft has been launched then the individuals enjoy fishing, water skiing or just floating on the water.

However, things can go wrong.  Sometimes those occurrences happen while the family is on their way to the outing.  One of those mishaps can happen to boat trailer wheels.

Also, many boaters opt to go the route of boat rentals.  Often this is cheaper, but still does not release the boater from insuring the safety of the boating experience for that individual or the family.

Therefore, if an individual owns their own boat trailer, one of the important preventative measures that can be taken is to care for the boat trailer.  Specifically, boat trailer wheels.  That is because they take the most punishment and if the boat trailer wheels fail they can create a real safety hazard.

Therefore, the treads should be checked prior to any aquatic outing.  In particular, the tires should be checked for any uneven wear, bald spots or bulging.  Also, the boat trailer wheels should be checked so as to make sure that the proper air pressure is maintained.  Often the recommended air pressure can be found in the manual or near the wheel well.  Maintaining the proper air pressure will not only help with gas mileage, but will help to minimize any needless pull or sway exerted upon the vehicle that is pulling the boat trailer.

Therefore, because the boat trailer wheels are often immersed in water, it is important to check the wheel bearings.  Specifically, these wheel bearings must be greased according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Also, many manufacturers of boat trailers suggest that the wheel bearings be repacked on a consistent basis.  Often that recommendation for repacking the wheel bearings is every three months.  Again it is important that the owner follow the recommended timetable to ensure the safe operation of the boat trailer.