Buying a boat is a significant investment both in terms of money and the memories and experiences you'll create with it. That’s why you want to take all possible measures to ensure you pick the perfect vessel for your marine adventures.

When buying a boat, partner with a boat dealer with the expertise and selection of vessels that match your needs. This will help you find a boat that suits your budget and unique requirements perfectly. Keep reading this guide to learn key questions to ask your dealer before purchasing. If you want more information, don’t hesitate to contact East Coast Flightcraft, Inc.

1. What’s the Cost of Owning a Boat?

First, you want to understand the costs involved with owning a boat. You want to determine the sticker price range of vessels that match your marine lifestyle, including maintenance expenses, insurance, taxes, registrations, and more. Although the exact cost will likely depend on many factors, such as the brand and model of your choice, the bodies of water you hope to frequent, and the frequency of using your boat, among others, your boat dealer can help you ascertain how much money to set aside for your boat.

2. What Type of Boat Is Ideal for Me?

Next, you want to explore a few brands and models in person. But before you dive into the details, discuss your goals and expectations with the dealer. Be open about your planned activities on the water, your boating experience, and how frequency you hope to use your vessel. The boat dealer can consider these factors and suggest models that fit your requirements.

3. Can I Test Drive the Boat?

Once you’ve identified your dream boat, you want to test drive it to see how it handles the water.

Ideally, observe the vessel's performance, weight handling capacity, and how comfortably you can operate it. You can’t discern these from specs and brochures alone—so don’t hesitate to ask your boat dealer to arrange a test drive.

We hope these tips come in handy when you are purchasing your dream boat. If you need more advice or help to pick the perfect boat for your marine adventures, visit East Coast Flightcraft, Inc. We are in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, so swing by today.