In this near apocalyptic world, still fighting a global pandemic some 12 months on, have you ever sighed to yourself that you want to quit your job, sell the house, buy a boat and sail off into the sunset?
Or maybe you want to take your boating experience to a new level and buying a yacht is the only way forwards to guarantee that you get time on the water?
Movies and lifestyle magazines have romanticized the whole idea of yacht and sailing to such an extent that it seems like anyone who can afford a yacht buys one, but it’s obviously a huge financial commitment.
Here’s our top tips to help you out to choose the right yacht.
Get Help from Experts
In case you would like to buy a yacht that is good for you, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with the items. Talk to someone who already owns a similar boat. Ask them how they work it for them – do they use it for as many weeks a year as they thought they would? Once you’ve chosen your specific boat (a Bavaria 42 say) you should learn everything you can about it online – there will be youtube videos, Facebook groups and blogs – it’s probably also worth considering chartering one for a week to see if you like the layout, etc before you buy.
Keep in mind; if you are an ignorant buyer, you are more prone to being scammed, so read up as best you can, and have a really good search at all the options online before you and over any money.
Know what You Need
The very first step, before you buy a yacht is to ask yourself these questions below – the answers you give will influence your end choice.
- How big do you want it to be?
- What will be the purpose of the yacht?
- Do you want to get a luxury or speed cruise?
- How many passengers will it carry?
- What is your budget?
When you know what you want, it is easier to find something that matches your requirements. Another crucial question you need to ask yourself is if you are satisfied with a production yacht or would you prefer a custom yacht. They have a significant price difference.
Get to Know about the Yacht Prices
Boats can be a great investment. When you buy one, you might have to offer a considerable part of your saving. Usually, production yachts are the ones that are produced in masses and they cost somewhere around $100,000 – $200,000 brand new. However, fully customized or semi-customized yachts are more expensive.
You can also consider buying an owned yacht. It will bring down the cost to some extent, though obviously there is always a risk of it being worn. It will also increase the maintenance and upkeep costs – a newer boat will break down less, and give you less problems in your first few years, whilst you get to grips with the mechanics of it all. When you are setting a budget for your yacht, make sure that you consider its maintenance and upkeep.
Buying second-hand is a good option if you are looking for a customized yacht with some history of character associated with it. The money you save on the initial cost can be used to customize it to suit your taste.
Before you decide to buy a particular yacht, it is important that you take it on a test ride. You are going to spend a lot of money. So, you need to be careful. Ensure that you are completely happy with the ride you are about to buy. Know that once you sign the contract, there is not much you will be able to do about it.