What type of boat?
If you haven't owned a boat before, you've got some decisions to make before you start looking:
- How frequently will you use the boat?
- What will you use it for?
- Where will you keep the boat?
- Where will you sail it?
- How many people do you plan to carry?
- How much do you want to pay for your boat?
Once you've made those basic decisions, you can use our guide Buying a boat to help you find the boat that's right for you. If you haven't firmed up on your plans, you'll find useful guidance and inspiration in the boating magazines. Or talk to your local dealer or other owners in your area.
How much will it all cost?
Owning a boat is like owning a car - to calculate the costs of ownership, you have to take into account other costs beyond the purchase price. You will need insurance for the boat, which you can either pay for in a single premium or you can spread the costs over a year. If you are taking out a loan to purchase the boat, you will need to cover the regular repayments. Boats like cars have to be serviced regularly, and you may also have to factor in repair and replacement costs if you are buying an older boat. Depending on how you use the boat, you may incur mooring and landing costs, and a licence if you are sailing on inland waterways. If you have no previous experience, you may need to pay for training. And then there are the costs of additional equipment - some essential, some good to have.
What to buy
Your boat's equipment may include some of the following items, depending on whether you buy a new or used vessel. This is not a complete list, but you can use it to create an inventory and see what you need - or want - to buy:
- Spare parts
- Tool kit
- Battery charger
- First aid kit
- Flares
- Fire extinguisher
- Life jackets
- Communications equipment
- Navigation equipment
- GPS
- Charts.
Need training?
If you have no previous boating experience, training can increase your enjoyment and, of course, reduce the risk of things going wrong. At present, there is no compulsory training or equivalent of the driving test, so the choice is yours. Ask your local yacht club or training centre for details of courses. You can also get details of courses run by the Royal Yachting Association on their website www.rya.org.uk.
Need a licence?
You will need a licence if you plan to keep your boat, or use it, on rivers or inland waterways. Licences are issued by the Environment Agency, British Waterways or other authorities. Check with the local authority to see who licences boats in the areas where you wish to sail. You do not need a licence if you plan to cruise around the coast or further out to sea. The Broads Association which covers the Norfolk Broads is introducing a Boat Safety Scheme in April 2007. Only boats that have received certification will be able to sail on the Broads.
Maintaining your boat
It pays to keep your boat in tip-top condition. If you are confident in your own skills, you may be able to carry out your own routine maintenance. If not, you can find firms in your local boatyard who can handle routine servicing and any repairs or modifications you may need.
Where to sail
The choice is massive, so it's time to get out the charts and the guide books. British Waterways provides detailed information on the facilities for inland boating on their leisure website www.waterscape.com. Local tourist information centres, as well as local and regional authority websites can also provide information on local inland destinations for boating.
Join a club
If you get really enthusiastic about boating, you might want to get involved with one of your local sailing clubs. As well as the social benefits of membership, you can also pick up a lot of valuable information about boats and the best places to sail in your local area.
