Once you fall in love with boating there's no turning back. It's in your blood forever. Shopping for a new boat can be challenging. So many decisions to be made and so many things to consider. It's often a bigger decision than buying a car, which is essentially a means of transportation to get you from point A to point B.

A boat is usually a multipurpose investment that can be used for leisure, fishing, riding to your favorite riverside hangout, weekend getaways, and more. And each of these events sometime require different qualities in a boat to get the most enjoyment and best performance.

Before you take the boat buying plunge let Motor Cruiser Sales share some of our boating wisdom with you, and clue you in on two of the most widely spoken quotes in the boating world. "The happiest day of a boat owner's life is the day they buy the boat and the day they sell the boat" and "Boats are nothing more than holes in the water, into which you throw money."

Sounds a little gloomy; it doesn't have to be. That's why it is so crucial for you to do your homework prior to purchasing a boat. Most people who are about to buy a boat have visions of nonstop fun on the water, but the reality is boats can be lots of work and require care and regular maintenance in order for that fun on the water to be long lasting.

If you're still up to the challenge and responsibility of being a boat owner, use following checklist to go by when purchasing a boat.



Decide what your main purpose(s) for the boat will be. Do you have kids that like to do a little bit of everything around the boat? Will it mainly be a leisure boat that you'll occasionally want to fish and swim from? These factors will determine your engine type (inboard, inboard/outboard, or outboard).



Larger and wide open bodies of water require bigger boats, or those with V-drives or inboard/outboard engines. Larger boats handle rough water better than smaller boats.



How much do you intend to spend? Saving money on a purchase up front can cost you in the long run. Be sure to buy quality. Remember to take into consideration the following costs beyond the actual price of the boat and your monthly payments: insurance, boat and trailer registration fees, taxes, fuel, docking/mooring fees, storage, and equipment such as lifevests, fire extinguishers, flares, marine radio, anchor, dock lines, and a trailer if needed. When the boat is not in use you'll want to give it proper storage. Motor Cruiser Sales can explain all of these details and storage options to you; just give us a call.

Don't over look maintenance and repair costs to the boat. This can be the most discouraging factor to a boat owner. Prices vary however they can be significantly higher, depending on if you do the work yourself, or you let a marina do the work for you. This is not an area in which you want to skimp. Good maintenance habits can add years to your boat and save you many pounding headaches.



Extremely important. No matter how new your boat is, warranties can vary tremendously. This is an area in which you do lots of comparison shopping. If purchasing a new boat be sure to go with a boat manufacturer that stands firmly behind their product and is going to rise to the occasion when things go wrong. Motor Cruiser Sales can discuss all these details with you over the phone.



Extremely important. This could make or break your boating experience. Make sure their service department is reputable and have quick turn around on repairs. MCS are a longstanding, professional boating company who standby everything they sell.



Find other people who own or have previously owned the brand or model of the boat you are considering purchasing. They can shed light on areas you may have never considered. Other boat owners will tell you the truth.



Take a safe boating course BEFORE you hit the water. There are plenty of good boating courses, contact us for details. Make sure that everyone who will be operating or just riding in the boat takes a safety course as well. Don't over look knowing the proper procedures in case of an emergency.



Three or four blade? Four blades are more expensive, however they have a quicker hole shot and has a smoother spin. Three blades allow a little more top end speed.



Boat shows are a great place to start your boat shopping. For starters, there will be lots of manufacturers under the same roof, saving you travel time to multiple dealerships. Dealers often offer boat show discounts. Popular times of the year for boat shows are in the beginning of the year and the autumn.