The smell of sea salt in your hair, the undulation of the waves—there’s nothing quite like boating when the weather is fine, even more so when you’re the one who owns the boat. Many people believe you must be a millionaire with a yacht and an exclusive boating club membership to enjoy the boating lifestyle, but that isn’t the case. Here’s how you can own your boat on a budget.
Consider taking out a boat loan
If you’re serious about boating or considering transitioning to a marine-based career, you could take out Boat Loans. This will help with boating-related expenses such as boat purchasing, insurance, and maintenance and storage costs.
Buy a used boat
Perhaps the most obvious step toward owning a boat on a budget is to buy a used boat. Buying a second-hand boat is similar to buying a second-hand car, with similar pros and cons. One big thing to always keep in mind when searching used boats for sale is why the current owner wants to sell the boat: whilst they might have upgraded to a new boat, there is always the risk that the boat has problems that you’ll unwittingly buy. Make sure the boat is functional before you buy it. Otherwise, you might end up paying a lot of money to repair it and make it seaworthy.
If there are only minor problems, like needing new inboard boat propellers, you might find the cost of replacing parts still outweighs the cost of buying a new one. Furthermore, buying a used boat means that any upgrades you want to undertake are more affordable. This allows you to customise and improve your boat without breaking the bank. Whether you want to install an outboard extension kit from baymfg for better performance, upgrade the navigation system, or enhance the interior, a used boat provides a flexible and cost-effective option.
Purchase a portable boat shelter
Renting a spot at your local harbor to keep your boat can be extremely expensive. You must join the local boat club and pay a high yearly membership. On top of this, you may not always be able to access your boat via the slips. A cheaper alternative that enables you to retain full control of your boat is to purchase a boat shelter.
These are available in various sizes to fit your boat and other boating equipment like sails and motors. Built from industrial steel and tear and UV-resistant polyethylene, a portable boat shelter offers all-purpose protection while your boat isn’t in use without being tied to an expensive harbor spot.
Rent out your boat
After you have purchased your boat, you find that you’re not using it as much as you anticipated; why not make your boat work for you by renting it out? With platforms like AirBnB proving popular for renting out vacation homes, boat owners are imitating this model to rent out their boats using platforms such as Boatsetter.
With a few monthly rentals, you can keep your boating costs down and perhaps earn some profit. If you’re worried about newbies damaging your precious boat, don’t worry—you’re free to accept or decline each potential renter as you deem fit.
