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Monterey, CA 93940

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Do This Before Buying a Boat

Table of Contents

Ahoy there sailors! As you begin your sailing journey and gain more experience on the water, you may find yourself in consideration of buying your own sailboat. However, before taking the plunge, there are some crucial factors you need to consider before buying a boat to ensure a successful ownership experience. Here’s 4 things we recommend our sailing students think about before they buy their first boat.

How far do you plan to sail your new boat?
How far do you plan to sail your new boat?

Boats are expensive!

Understanding fully what a boat costs is the most important thing to evaluate on this journey. Many people make the mistake of thinking a boat costs what you initially pay for it. In reality, boats come along with a host of costs that can make your wallet weary. Here is a short list of all the aspects of boat ownership that will have you pulling out that checkbook.

  • Purchase cost
  • Storage costs (Whether in a slip, a mooring, or a dry storage $80 – $500/month)
  • Insurance costs
  • Maintenance costs
  • Property taxes
  • Tow Boat US membership (Not required but strongly recommended)
  • Annual Registration Fees
  • Miscellaneous (Consider the cost of fuel, supplies, upgrades, safety equipment, etc.)

In essence, be aware of what boat ownership entirely costs, not just how much it costs to buy your boat. If you evaluate this properly and budget within your financial means, the cost of ownership is manageable.

haulout job before buying a boat
haulout job before buying a boat

Boat ownership takes up a lot of time

Owning a sailboat takes a lot of time. You must be willing to invest time in learning, cleaning, maintaining, and most importantly, sailing your boat. At Sail Monterey, we suggest that new owners are prepared to spend at least one day a week with their boat. Some days you sail, some days you clean, and some days you fix what needs fixing. All in all, make sure the time your boat will require aligns with your current and future lifestyle. 

Sailboat size matters

The size of your sailboat is a significant consideration. The size determines where you can sail and how many people you can bring aboard. For example, here’s how many passengers we can comfortably fit on our sailboats at Sail Monterey

  • Cape Dory Typhoon 18 ft – about 4 sailors
  • Custom Carol 24 ft – about 5 sailors
  • Hunter 30 ft – about 6 – 7 sailors
  • Hunter 340 34 ft – about 8 – 9 sailors 

Consider also your ultimate goal of boat ownership? Do you want a small fast boat to race? Or a larger boat you can comfortably live on while sailing to different destinations? As well, don’t be naive about the desires of your friends and family. Sailing isn’t for everyone, and if you plan to involve a loved one, make sure you are aware of what they want out of this lifestyle as well. 

Before buying a boat, have you tried sailing different kinds?
Before buying a boat, have you tried sailing different kinds?

Maintaining your sailboat

Maintenance is another critical factor to keep in mind. As a sailing student, you may have some experience with maintenance tasks, but owning a sailboat requires regular maintenance to keep it in good condition. This includes cleaning, painting, and replacing worn-out parts. It’s essential to have the skills or the financial ability to hire someone to do the necessary maintenance. Learning to do simple maintenance jobs yourself can help you save money, but don’t forget that marine grade boat parts are often much more expensive than you might think. At Sail Monterey, we spend hours every week on preventative maintenance like oil changes, rigging inspections, filter cleaning, and replacing parts that break.

maintenance on your new boat can be a lofty exercise
maintenance on your new boat can be a lofty exercise

In conclusion, as you consider buying your sailboat, it’s crucial to carefully consider the entirety of the cost, your available time, the right boat for you, and how much maintenance is involved. Don’t forget that a better option for the short term may be renting a sailboat. Sail Monterey rents sailboats by the day to all qualified sailors. Also, renting costs far less and comes with none of the pains of ownership like cleaning, maintaining and huge ongoing expenses. If you have already decided to buy your first boat, don’t forget that Sail Monterey is here to help so you end up with a positive experience. 

Check out these links if you’re in the process or have already purcahsed a new boat. Sail Monterey can help you Inspect a Boat Before You Buy It, Learn How to Operate Your New Boat , and Move Your New Boat.

Fair winds friends, and good luck buying your first boat!

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