It’s no secret that a boating lifestyle can be expensive. How expensive the lifestyle is will depend on the type and size of the boat as well as where you keep it, how it is maintained and what you do with it. A simple way of avoiding high boat ownership costs is working with a boat surveyor Jacksonville trusts. The surveyor will come in handy when buying a pre-owned vessel. He will let you know if the boat has major issues that make it an unsuitable investment. You can also bring in a surveyor to inspect a boat you have had for years. The surveyor, in this case, will help evaluate your vessel and help you know if there are major issues that need to be addressed.
Owning a boat is the same as owning a vehicle. There are recurring costs you will have to keep up with. Understanding these costs will help you budget accordingly. A boat surveyor Jacksonville will also help you know the costs associated with a certain type of boat. You can use the advice from the marine surveyor to determine if the vessel you are after is within your financial reach or not.
When buying a boat, you should not just focus on the initial purchase cost. Your budget should include an additional 15 to 20 percent of the total buying cost. This will be the operating expenses. You also need to keep in mind that the bigger a boat is the more expensive it will cost to operate. Furthermore, you must be aware that boats that are more than 40 feet long cannot be put on a trailer. Taking them out of the water is also not a practical DIY. This means you will most likely have to store them at the marina.
Here are some of the expenses you will have to budget for when buying a boat:
- Mooring or dockage fees
- Hauling/launch
- Storage
- Transportation
- Cover
- Lay-up/winterizing
- Insurance
- Excise tax
- Dinghy storage
- Maintenance
- Marina fees
- Club Membership
- Trailer registration
- State boat registration
- Safety equipment
- Fuel
The above are some of the key expenses you have to prepare for once you become a boat owner. Keeping the costs down depends on the type of boat you purchase. That is why you should work closely with a boat surveyor in Jacksonville throughout the purchase process. The surveyor will let you know if the boat you are after is a good fit for your intended use and if it has any major issues.
