This summer, I was invited to meet the new owners of a boat at my local marina. They had bought the vessel without a survey and were novices in boating. The boat wasn't large by typical standards, measuring twenty-six feet with twin gas inboard engines, a small cabin, head, and galley. I'm unsure of its exact age, but I would estimate it was built in the 1980s.
After speaking with them I realized they had no idea what they had gotten themselves into. The owner asked me "how do you shift gears?" And the "session" began. Explaining anything related to the safety of the vessel and its' occupants was first and foremost. It took almost an hour to complete. We then proceeded to go over the engines, controls at the helm and overall operation prior to leaving the dock. Our initial goal that morning was to move the boat from the service dock to their assigned slip. Half way there the port engine alarm sounded - it was overheating. We shut it down and continued on with just the starboard engine. Once secured to the dock, I explained we could not continue with the lesson on maneuvering the vessel in close quarters due to the engine problem.
They were besides themselves. "What do we do now?" they asked. I explained they would have to have the engine overheating problem solved prior to using the boat. Suggesting, as well, that a complete inspection of the vessel be done to determine any other issues and to have them addressed.
I do not know what has transpired since that meeting.
This was not the first time I had been involved in customers and their "new" boats. A number of years ago I had a very nice young couple charter my vessel several times. They introduced me to friends who ultimately became charter customers as well. I was contacted by them during the winter asking if I could lead them to the purchase of a boat of their own. "What are you looking at?", I asked. "An older (antique) wooden boat." My immediate thought was something in the sixteen to twenty foot range, perhaps to be found on Lake George in New York.
The next I heard from them they informed me they had purchased a fifty four foot Taylor Craft in Canada. I received photos and a description of the vessel and it was very nice. Completely restored and ready to go. But, it was a wood boat!
It was delivered to Kingston, New York by a captain with the owners on board. They had issues with it on the way which delayed the trip (not unexpected with any boat). I was hired on as the working captain for the next two seasons and did a lot of work on it. I replaced the hydraulic steering module, alternators, upper helm station electronic, etc.
The boat now sits on the hard in a local boat yard. It turned out it needed major work. Lots of rotting wood, both above and below the water line. The estimate was in tens of thousands of dollars. It has been abandoned.
My point. Do not enter into the world of boating lightly! Do your homework. Hire an experienced (professional) boater to assist in your quest. A buyers broker may be the choice, or an independent advisor, an experienced captain. If new to the boating world you need to determine what size and type of boat you want, what are you going to do with it? Sail, cruise, water ski? What about size? OK you can afford a sixty five foot motor yacht. You will need a captain (at least for the near future). Getting insurance for a boat that size with no experience is not going to happen without training and an evaluation by a licensed and qualified captain.
I have done evaluations for insurance underwriters and it is expensive. The minimum time it took to train and evaluate one customer was thirty hours at $100/hour - you do the math.
Keep in mind, a boat is not a car. It maneuvers differently, lacks brakes, and doesn't follow a road. In bad weather, you can't simply pull over. Traveling from point A to point B is quite different. Approach boating with caution. Being on the water is wonderful. I've been doing it for over sixty years, and it has become my profession. Just exercise good judgment when buying and using a boat.
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