Tips for Buying Your First Boat

Making the decision to buy a boat offers its own set of specific of challenges and rewards. At SouthState, we want to help you buy the boat of your dreams and enjoy your days relaxing on the water.

Check out our tips for buying your first boat below:

1. Decide What Kind of Boat You Want

How and where you will use your boat is an integral part of deciding what kind of boat you should buy. What kind of activities will you be using your boat for? These activities will determine what kind of waters you’ll be in and the size of the boat. If you enjoy waterskiing, then you will need a different kind of boat than if you intend to live onboard and move from port to port during the summer.

2. Do Your Research

This tip is important for all major purchases. For buying a boat, your research should include the hidden costs like insurance and docking fees, how you intend to transport the boat and the maintenance considerations of the type of boat you want.

3. Talk to An Expert

For some details, like what kind of engine you need, it’s best to talk to a boat expert. There are dozens of choices when it comes to boats and it can be overwhelming to find the right one for you. Talking with someone with a good understanding will prove invaluable.

Decide New or Used

This depends on the kind of boat you want. If you’re looking for the latest technology on a cruiser, then a new boat will probably deliver a better product. However, if a center console boat is what you’re looking for, then you should be able to find what you want in a used boat.

5. Inspect the Boat

After you’ve selected the kind of boat and found a seller, you’ll need to give the boat a thorough inspection before talking price. Look at the boat on land so you can see everything, even things that would normally be hidden by water and take it out for a sea trial. If everything looks good, then you might have found yourself your perfect boat!

Selecting a major purchase, like a boat, is a big decision and spending time to find the perfect match is a good idea. At SouthState, we can help when you’re ready to make it official. Contact one of our bankers today to discuss our competitive rates and the simple process for our boat loans.