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Yacht Purchase: Steps in buying a Yacht

 Determining what will serve your needs and that of the people you will be spending the most time together sailing is the most important thing when considering to make a yacht or boat purchase.

Read the difference between a boat and a yacht

Think about the reason you need the vessel...For business, for leisure or to keep the bond between you and those close to you? 

After making this crucial decision, you can now consider the important steps involved in buying the vessel.

 

Here's the list of the process involved in buying a yacht or boat

Choose the right yacht type and decide to buy new or used 

Decide on a hull material.

Choose the right size

Consider the Yacht's or boat's  Maintenance 

Consider the draft

Consider the keel

Look for a proven yacht design.

Dealership Experience

Inspect the Boats

 Sea Trials

Marine Surveys

Now, let's take it one after the other...

1. Choose the Right Yacht or Boat Type and Decide to Buy New or Used 

  There are many different kinds of yachts and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you first start looking. To find a yacht suited for you, first you need to know what type of sailing you’ll be doing and narrow down the type of yacht or boat you’re looking for. An offshore yacht ready to cross oceans will need more gear and be set up differently to a live-aboard yacht that is mostly berthed in a Marina or used for harbour cruising. 

2. Decide on a hull material.

Three major types of yacht hull are: Monohull, Catamaran and Trimaran

Monohulls and catamaran’s are both popular liveaboard vessels. Most catamarans have great living spaces and will get you closer access to shore due to their shallow draft, although typically these are much more expensive than a similar sized monohull. Trimarans are often identified as a racing vessel, but many are liveaboard ocean cruisers. Understanding these types will help in making great decision.


3. Choose the right size 

 It’s a natural tendency to think that you need to buy the biggest boat you can afford. Surely it’s better to be on a large boat which will go faster and have way more space? It sounds good, but a bigger yacht may not always be the right boat for you.

When it comes to determining the right size for your boat, there are a number of factors to consider:

Your budget: How much do you have or are you willing to spend in purchase the yacht

People: How many people will you regularly have on board? Will you host just your immediate family or will you bring extended family and friends?

Location: Think about where you’ll be using the boat. If you’re planning to boat on larger waterways, then a slightly larger boat with a deeper hull might make more sense. Smaller waterways or shallow water might require a smaller vessel.

Towing: If you are trailering your boat, keep in mind that the size of boat will directly impact the size of the vehicle needed to tow it.

Storage: If you are storing your boat at the marina, boat size will likely impact monthly storage costs. If you are storing it at your personal dock, what space constraints already exist? You’ll also want to talk to your dealer or marina manager about the potential need for winter storage. 

However, the bigger the size the more expensive it is to maintain


4. Consider the Yacht's or boat's Maintenance 

Finally, it's time to enjoy your purchase. Get out on the water and have fun, not just in the immediate future but in the months and years to follow. One key component of that fun is regular maintenance to keep your boat in tiptop running condition, from a regular wash and wax to scheduled maintenance. Another is to expand your boating knowledge, whether through one of many fun programs offered by local dealers or an online resource.

5. Consider the draft

The draft is the vertical distance between the waterline and the bottom of the hull (keel). 

This will determine how much water your boat needs before it touches the bottom. Offshore yachts typically have a deeper draft (5-6 feet or more) but this can limit how close to shore you can get, when sailing in inlets, in areas of island reefs and lagoons. It’s also a consideration for navigating harbours and channels and crossing sandbars. 

The yacht draft is measured from the water line to the bottom of the keel.

6.Consider the keel

The keel underneath the boat is a crucial part of a yacht design. 

It provides important functions such as stability and control. As the boat heels sideways with the forces of wind and waves, the keel provides counterbalance to keep the boat upright and prevent it from capsizing. Within the keel is typically the boat’s ballast which is usually lead, sand or water. 

7. Look for a proven yacht design.

If possible, buy a yacht by a well known designer. 

There are many well proven yachts designers recognised globally, that will help keep you safer and more comfortable at sea, and be likely to hold their resale value. 


The age of the boat will often be a major factor in the make of boat you’re looking at. Some of the popular cruising yachts were hand built with great care and durability in the seventies so are now considered to be an older boat but if they’ve been well maintained by careful owners will likely outlive a manufactured boat built for economy of production that’s been thrashed as a charter boat. 


8. Dealership Experience

For many boat buyers, it's important to be able to feel, touch, and see the boat that they are purchasing. Working with a dealer can help make the buying process easy and simple. While you’re comparing boats, don’t forget to compare boat dealers. The quality and location of the dealership is an important part of your boat-buying and ownership experience.

While you’re comparing boats, don’t forget to compare boat dealers. The quality and location of the dealership is an important part of your boat-buying and ownership experience.


9. Inspect the Engine and other components

Once you narrow down your search and are seriously considering one particular boat, it’s important to have a thorough inspection of other major components such as the engine, steering system, electrical systems, propeller, bilge (inside a boat’s hull)  and fuel tank.


10. Sea Trials

The boat you test with just two or three individuals may have to handle complete family and friends. Hence, it is important to look into the future during the trial

11. Marine Surveys

If you aren’t confident in your technical knowledge, you can enlist the help of an independent marine surveyor, you should be able to get a good surveyor from sailing clubs around you. Very similar to a home inspector, a surveyor will inspect the boat from top to bottom and inside out so you know exactly what condition the boat is in.


12. Discuss the total cost and close the deal

Unlike cars, there are often a few additional costs not listed on the sticker price. Dealer fees, insurance, registration, accessories, storage and upkeep should all be discussed with the dealer early in your shopping to determine the full cost of boat ownership and to avoid surprises later. Don't forget to ask for all necessary accessories. It is important to get a certified yacht as well, so check the certified logo and ask your dealer about the certification

And finally, arrange for the delivery and ownership


There is an old saying “The two happiest days in a sailors life are the day he buys his boat, and the day he sells it”. If you are a realistic individual though, who planned and worked well on choosing the right vessel and also gives it proper maintenance. There are several days in between this buying and selling length that would be filled with joy as the feeling of having one is priceless.



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