Five Tips for Buying Your First New Sailboat

A Sailboat is a major purchase, somewhere between a car and a home. Here are some tips to help you get started.

Determine your needs.
How and where you plan to use your boat will be factors in what kind of boat you buy. Will you be sailing in freshwater or saltwater? Do you plan on coast hugging day trips or long ocean voyages? How many people do you want to take along?

Create a budget.
Whether you save up or finance, not only will you have to pay for the boat, but you have to account for marina costs, insurance, maintenance, and often fuel.

Don’t forget upgrades.
Most new sailboats need to be customized before they can be taken out. Find out what your needs are and allow room in your budget for them.

Use a broker.
An experienced sailboat broker will help you assess your needs, filter through available options, and handle all the legal and financial legwork for you.

Hire a surveyor or inspector.
Even with a new sailboat, safety is paramount on the water. When you find a boat your are interested in, you will want to make sure there are no problems.