Is There a Best Time to Buy a Boat?

 

“It’s decided, I want to buy a boat!” Before making a decision, it’s always best not to rush and to keep in mind: the price of the boat, mooring availability, paperwork, repairs, as well as the best time to start the process of purchasing the boat. With the coming of Spring or the siren calls of August, so too comes the desire to buy a boat. You should, however, have a clear image of what you want to buy, how and when. August is usually a bad month to find a management company to take charge of the paperwork, or a mechanic to check the engine or a sailmaker to repair seams. The best time to buy a boat really depends on whether you want to buy a new boat or a secondhand boat, not only in terms of timing, but also in terms of the process itself. 

 

 

 

Boat shows, when it’s possible to celebrate them, are the ideal place to buy a boat since you can see and compare it against thousands of others side by side. Additionally, you can do sailing tests and major boat manufacturers tend to use this as an opportunity to present their latest models. Unfortunately, these events have had to be cancelled due to the pandemic as was the case for the Southampton Boat Show last year. The first event on the calendar is usually the Düsseldorf Boat Show, and it’s the most important show worldwide, where major boat brands show their latest models. Unfortunately, it was cancelled this year due to the pandemic, however, organisers are currently preparing next year’s show. The best time to start informing yourself about buying a boat is in the Spring boat shows (that will hopefully be possible to celebrate next year). In September and October, you can do sailing tests, making November and December the best months to start the process of buying a boat. You will have plenty of time to customise the boat after having analysed the extras offered by the shipyard and elements you want to add by yourself and install them with enough time before the start of the season. This is the best way to go about buying a new boat, to ensure that the boat is exactly how you want it. 

 

 

The first event on the calendar is usually the Düsseldorf Boat Show. Photo: Messe Düsseldorf, Constanze Tillmann.

 

 

 

Another good time to buy a new boat is between May and June. During this period, companies need to get rid of their stock to maintain the volume of sales agreed upon with the shipyard or to make room for a new model. For these reasons, they reduce prices and it’s therefore the perfect time to find a good deal. The only problem is that, in this case, the boat’s specifications are already established and it won’t be possible to make any big changes since, on top of the season already being underway, both dry docks and companies providing nautical services usually have their calendars booked. 

 

Before choosing a boat, if you have already decided on a motor boat or a sailing boat, it’s important to know what kind of sailing you wish to do, if you prefer long trips or just sailing on the weekends. You should have an idea of how much you can spend and the costs of owning a boat. Additionally, you should know that a boat is not an investment and that, if you buy a new boat, by the end of a decade and according to its condition, it will only maintain around 50% of its initial value. But don’t be discouraged! There are many options for tight budgets, including ones for the price of a used car, and if the most important thing for you is sailing, you will find the best way to do so with a boat that is adapted to your needs.  

 

It’s important to know what kind of sailing you wish to do, if you prefer long trips or just sailing on the weekends. Photo: Markos Mant on Unsplash.

 

 

 

If you want to buy a secondhand motor boat or sailing boat, the process of finding it will be very different. Once the summer ends, lots of offers will appear from owners wanting a different model or bigger boat. Logically, those selling the boats try to do so as quickly as possible. Buying a secondhand boat usually means making changes and modifications. From September, as the temperature starts to cool down, it’s also a good time to paint, take the boat out of the water to check the hull and check the boat’s registration and licence. 

 

In this case you must start looking with plenty of time, not only to find a good offer in terms of price and specifications, but also for the experience you get when visiting a boat for sale. In general, once you have defined your budget and the type of boat you want to buy, in three or four months you can visit all the boats that you have chosen and use this experience to get an idea of the market price, specifications, failures and successes etc. 

 

Additionally, it is also important, depending on the size and complexity of the boat, to consider contracting a professional to inspect the boat to avoid legal problems or issues with the boat’s condition that could represent an expense that you had not accounted for in your budget. A professional can offer you a complete survey of the boat’s condition, its estimated market value, etc. Depending on their degree of specialisation, inspectors tend to cover around £70 per metre of the boat’s length. You shouldn’t consider this an extra expense, but a priority to ensure safety, peace of mind and minimise any unwelcome surprises.  

 

Whether it's new or second hand, buying a boat will require an unavoidable investment of your time if, after purchasing it, you wish to focus on enjoyment and avoid any problems arising mid-season that could threaten to ruin your holidays and budget. 

 

 

For more information on how to find and organise the buying a boat check out: