Boat Buying Basics

The boat-buying process in today’s environment can be confusing, whether you’re looking for a fishing boat, a sailboat or powerboat, or a yacht, and whether you’re planning to spend weekends offshore or become a live-aboard cruiser. The typical consumer has many options, from searching for boats on eBay or Facebook Marketplace to engaging a buyer’s broker to stand by your side and guide you through each step of the process.

Boat Buying Basics takes you through how to find and purchase the boat that will best fulfill your dreams and needs. The process is presented chronologically, starting at the very beginning—when boat ownership is just a dream—with a focus on educational steps, such as attending boat shows and the pros and cons of renting or chartering. From there, veteran broker Melanie Sunshine Neale provides clear, step-by-step guidance on researching and analyzing boat listings, understanding the survey process, making the purchase, navigating the complexities of the closing process, and securing insurance and financing. This guide also includes suggestions of further resources that will enable you to enjoy your new boat to the fullest. Helpful checklists and questionnaires throughout make this an accessible resource to bring with you on your search.