Useful Tips When Looking At Boats For Sale
Yacht World is one of the largest databases listing new and used boats for sale. You can buy and sell power boats and sail boats, as well as learn more about different brokers, manufacturers, boat loans and insurers. A lot of boat shopping occurs online these days, although that is not the only way to find the sailing vessel of your dreams. Before you begin looking at boats for sale, remember the wise words of JP Morgan: “If you have to ask how much it costs, you can’t afford it.”
Going through a certified yacht broker is a great way to discover both used and new boats that are up for sale. In this way, you will find your dream boat much the same way you would find your dream home; by enlisting the help of professionals who have access to multiple listing services, insider connections and sweet deals that have not been advertised. The broker will work with you to define your needs and find all the amenities you desire. Brokers can also help you with financing, deal brokering, setting up an inspection, title clearing, procuring docking space and yacht services to ensure a smooth closing and transition to boat ownership. Check out www.yachtcouncil.com for more information on yacht brokers.
In addition to the initial cost of sailing yachts comes the fuel cost, which is an important consideration when perusing boats for sale. If you are rich, then this caveat will mean less. For instance, physician Chris Troupe spends $12,000 to fill up his massive $4 million yacht. Burning through 40 to 50 gallons of fuel an hour just while idling, this fill-up will last him about four days on a sailing vacation, he says. Gary Abbamonte drives a more modest, six-person fishing, whale watching and bay cruising boat that burns 7 to 10 gallons of fuel an hour. Even so, that can add up to $400 for an overnight trip. However, there is a silver lining. “Catamarans are lightweight and burn about one-third the fuel as a mono-hull,” says Cory Gracy, VP of Everett’s Sharp Yachts. Owners of sail boats don’t suffer like the powerboat owners and diesel-powered boats consume gas more efficiently as well.
One pitfall for consumers looking at boats for sale is that they tend to gravitate toward the bigger boats. In the age of “keeping up with the Joneses,” it is easy to be seduced by the thought of pulling up in this magnificent monolithic vessel in the Captain’s hat and waving from the command wheel. However, bigger also means needing more hands on deck, paying more in storage, paying more upfront, paying more in fuel, paying more in maintenance fees and less maneuverability. The beginner boater should stick to one of the nice mid-level or smaller sailing yachts to get a feel for sailing first. In fact, boat manufacturers are packing their newest mid-sized models with a lot more amenities to meet consumer demands.
