You might never have owned a boat before, or you might already have your own boat, but it doesn’t suit you. Here are the things that you need to consider before purchasing a boat.

How will you use it?

Are you going to be boating mostly alone? Or will you typically be fishing with one or two other people? It can be disappointing to buy a boat and then find out that it is too small for your whole family, and so you don’t get enough use out of it. Conversely, if you buy a boat that is too big, and it is only you who use it, you might find it too much of a hassle to take out. Think of how you want to use it. It is probably a safer bet to get one bigger instead of smaller just in case. You don’t want to leave your kids or your friends on shore! (Except maybe if you do: then you can get a small fishing rig just for you and for some peace and quiet!)

How often will you use it?

If you are only going to be a pleasure boater, or if you don’t live near water, you will probably want a boat that can fit on a trailer. If you will be taking it out more than just on weekends, you will want to consider keeping it in a marina. Remember to account for the costs of storing your boat when you are making your budget: a typical rule of thumb is to double your monthly payments to find out how much you will really be spending on upkeep, maintenance, and storage.

Where will you use it?

Get a boat that you will be able to access, no matter how you plan to do it. If you live far from the nearest lake or river, then you will want to figure out how you will be getting to your boat. Consider also if you will be using your boat in freshwater or saltwater, because that can sometimes make a difference to the materials that you want to buy.

If you will be in the Great Lakes or in the Ocean, you will want a different type of boat than if you are going to be in rivers. For these types of lakes, or lakes with very choppy waters, you will want a boat with a deep-V hull so that your ride isn’t as bumpy.

What kind of boat do you want?

Buying a kayak is completely different than buying a schooner. You will probably have an idea of the type of boat that you want when you go to make your purchase. Do you want one that has a motor? Do you want one that is specialized for fishing? There are many different types of fishing boats and other specialty boats. Perhaps you are interest in a sailboat.

The best way to find out what kind of boat you want is to talk to other boaters. They will be happy to tell you about their best purchases (and sometimes their worst, too, which you can learn from). They might even take you out for a spin in their boat when you are considering your options.

In the end, you will know what boat is right for you. Do your research and you will feel well-prepared to buy any boat you want!

If you are buying a used car, you probably want to save some money. This means that you need to prioritize what is most important to you in a car. This article will help you assess your needs and your wants, so that you can find a car that suits you perfectly.

Cost

Look at the cost of a car. There is no point in window shopping at fully-loaded $40,000 trucks if you will only be able to afford a $4,000 truck in the first place. When you are establishing your budget for your car, be sure to account for how much the insurance will likely be, how much gas you will be spending (although this figure does change, it is best to go in having at least an idea), and regular maintenance. To budget for maintenance, you will need estimate the costs of 4 oil changes a year, plus some extra money just in case. Used cars are, well, used: they aren’t new are generally not under warranty. If you want a warranty, consider buying a used car from the dealership, who can often offer warranties even on used vehicles.

Suitability

What kind of driving do you do? You probably don’t need a four-wheel drive behemoth of an SUV if you do mostly city driving. Conversely, if you live on a gravel road, you might feel more comfortable driving in winter if you have something larger than a neon. For most drivers, the way that you drive a car will mean that you are open to many options. However, if this is a limiting factor, it is important to take into consideration.

If you are a commuter, then you will have to take other factors into consideration. You might not want to buy a car with a very high mileage, because you will be adding the miles to that odometer. You might want to find a car that has very comfortable seats to make your ride go better. Things that could be less important, like the stereo, become much more important when you spend a lot of time in your car each day.

Look

Some people would rather have a car that looks good or prestigious. It’s okay to admit that you are one of those people. For instance, for $3,500 you might be able to buy a 6 year old Honda civic; this same money could also buy you a much older BMW. If you value appearances, don’t lie to yourself when you are shopping. You want to get a car that you will love, and there’s no point looking at Ford Focuses if the only thing that will spark your delight is a Ford Mustang.

Load

How many people do you normally travel with? What is the most number of people that you have taken in your current car at once? If you don’t already have a car, estimate the number of people you will have with you on a regular basis. If you only drive around 7 people during the hockey tournament once a year, you can probably skip buying a minivan. However, if you normally drive three people around, it might be a pain to get a two door vehicle. For truck drivers, you will want to consider the amount of load that you generally put in the back of your truck to help you judge your purchase.

Your Loan

Not only do you want to get the right car, you want to get the right car loan. It is wiser to have your financing lined up before you go to a dealership. You can set up used car loans at any bank: but one often overlooked type of used car loan is to go to a credit union, where you can generally get lower interest than at a major bank. For more information on loans, (and we won’t even try to sell you a loan!) visit www.theguideto-carloans.com.

In the End

You will be the one driving. Make the decisions based on your needs and what you feel is right. Though it is great to get lots of advice (and sometimes it helps to take someone savvy about mechanics along with you to check out the car), considering these facts will help make you capable of choosing the right car.

Owning a boat costs much more over time than the actual purchase and the fuel to run the boat. There are two types of costs associated with owning a boat: one-time costs like the actual purchase, titling and outfitting of the boat and ongoing costs like fuel, insurance, maintenance and docking.

When you purchase a boat, the first decision is to buy new or used. Used boats obviously cost less but may have fewer features and more wear than a new boat. Additionally, new boats often come with warranties. Buying a boat is similar to buying a car and shopping around for the best deal and the best financing can save you a lot of money up front. If you’re buying a new boat, dealers often charge a "commissioning" fee to cover the installation of any special equipment, tuning the engine and other post-purchase items. You will also have to pay sales tax and some states have a personal property tax that must be paid on boats over a certain size.

Most boat owners a responsible about budgeting for the initial purchase and outfitting of their boats, but underestimate the ongoing costs, which are the bulk of the costs of owning a boat. Insurance is the most important of these costs and the most complex. Getting quotes from several companies will ensure you get the best rate. Also, agents that specialize in boat insurance will be able to help you understand any language specific to boats that you may not be familiar with.

Dockage is another ongoing cost, unless you are lucky enough to own waterfront property. Slip fees vary by size and amenities offered. For example, in San Diego a slip with water and electricity for a 32-foot boat costs around $300 per month. Many boat owners also do not realize that if they want to tie up at a different marina or dock than their own that there may be a docking fee.

Maintenance is such a persistent ongoing cost that it has become almost a joke among boat owners. Before you purchase your boat, you should study the owner’s manual and the manufacturer’s website to get an accurate idea of yearly maintenance costs. Maintenance costs include more than just engine maintenance. Consider the costs of replacing sun-faded fabric, hull painting and sail replacement as well.

Finally, you need to estimate gas costs. Many a novice boat owner has been tripped up by assuming that gasoline costs the same at a marina as it does at the gas station. However, gas costs are marinas are significantly higher than at the gas pump. Visit a few marinas to get a sense of what boat gas actually costs.