Norfolk Yacht Agency - Guide to choosing a boat for the first time buyer

CHOOSING A BOAT

With more than 80 boats, we can offer you a huge choice, with a wide range of formats, sizes, ages and prices. We would always suggest that, before you start your search, you consider how you want to enjoy your boating and how much you are prepared to invest to achieve it.

If you are buying a boat for the first time, you may find our Managing Director's notes helpful.

ADVICE FOR THE FIRST TIME BUYER

The key governing factor for any boat buyer is how much you can afford - or how much you are prepared to spend. People often come into our office full of good advice they have received from their friends. They reel off of a list of requirements:- e.g. must be GRP, diesel, 6 berth, aft cabin, shaft drive in good condition etc. and under £7K. Boats like that would be nice, but they don't exist.

My advice to first time buyers is not to get caught up in your friends' opinions. What suits them may not suit you. Do not have too many pre-conceived ideas about inboard/outboard, petrol/diesel, shaft drive/outdrive etc.

The main thing is to be realistic. If you are buying a two year old Sunseeker you would expect it to be just about as new and certainly would not expect significant defects. If you are buying a 30 year old ex hire cruiser, it will probably be covered in osmosis and have had several coats of paint in its life. However, it will still give years of good service. If it suits you and suits your budget - fine.

Pick your dealer

Obviously boat dealers and brokers have the best choice. Most now have a sales area that you can wander around and see several craft without hassle. A professional broker will be a member of the ABYA. (Association of Brokers and Yacht Agents.) This means that they adhere to a code of conduct in terms of the way they handle the sale (check title etc.) and your money.

Remember, brokerage boats are sold as is and without warranty. They are open to survey and mechanical inspection but once you have signed on the dotted line she’s yours for better or worse.

A boat that belongs to a dealer is a different story. At Norfolk Yacht Agency, we prepare all our own used stock including valeting and a pre-delivery inspection. The peace of mind this gives to a buyer is obvious.

Find the right boat for you
Look, first, for a boat that has accommodation that suits you and is of an age and condition that you are happy with.

Walking onto a boat is like walking into a house, it either feels right or it doesn't. The key is to look at several boats in the flesh. You cannot get a real impression of a boat from a magazine advert. Once you have found something that appeals consider whether it is suitable for your use and find out about running costs.

Outboard or outdrive
Most people's ideal boats would be shaft driven with the engine fully enclosed in the boat. However, for smaller boats, there are performance or accommodation benefits from outdrive or outboard motors. The engine is kept right aft in the boat, giving better accommodation. You also gain full steerage astern and, on a sports boat, you gain better performance per horsepower because you do not have the drag of rudders and brackets.

With an outdrive, the engine is in the aft of the boat, with the drive mechanism outside the boat. An outdrive will need regular out of the water maintenance (at least every 2 years). The cost of a service varies dependent on the make of drive, but £300.00 - £400.00 per drive every couple of years is a good average. It is absolutely essential to have an outdrive inspection carried out by a qualified engineer before you buy a used boat.

Most small boats are powered by outboards – a self-contained engine mounted on the transom.

The new generation of 4-stroke outboards are much quieter, smoother, less smelly and much more economical than owners of older boats might be used to. With an older 2-stroke, oil will need to be mixed with the petrol – usually automatically, but there are still some around where you need to measure it out yourself.

We're here to help
At Norfolk Yacht Agency, we will endeavour to make the looking and buying process a pleasure. Our staff are well informed and have the backup of the longest established boat brokerage company in the area. You will find them friendly and they have a good sense of humour.

Make an appointment
If at all possible let us know you are coming so we can make an appointment for one of our sales team to spend some time showing you around and answering your questions.

Our policy here is ‘if we can, we will' and we look forward to being of service to you.

James H Fraser
Managing Director