Roger Taylor in his book Good Boats wrote “the key to choosing the right boat is perhaps self-knowledge more than it is expertise in naval architecture”. In the world of boat shopping, we are always trying to understand where you are trying to go-not physically but emotionally. Yes, boats take you somewhere physically, but youContinue reading “The Key! Or maybe just some self-awareness”
Tag Archives: buying a used boat tips
The Gripers#$@&!
Boaters are Gripers. I do it, other boaters do it, it’s a thing. And we are griping about a completely optional activity! It is not like someone is forcing us to be boaters. We complain about insurance -they require too much training, it’s too expensive, they want a periodic insurance survey. Granted we ask themContinue reading “The Gripers#$@&!”
A Little Self-Reliance= Less Boating Stress
Boats are complicated and they have gotten more complicated as time moves on, just as everything else has. When was the last time you looked under the hood of your car, I mean, why would you, what is all that stuff? If it quits working just call AAA or the dealer. With boats, we doContinue reading “A Little Self-Reliance= Less Boating Stress”
Six-percenters & Somedayers
There is a common stat out there that only 6% of people follow through on their goals. Which means there is a whopping 94% of people who think about having a boat and never will. That is a pretty staggering number when you think about it. Only 6%! Some will decide that a boat isContinue reading “Six-percenters & Somedayers”
Is it Really Work?
One of the constant refrains I hear from folks looking for a boat is that they want zero wood on the exterior and certainly do not want to see any varnish. They are looking for minimal maintenance because maintenance conflicts with the boating experience. I have an older Grand Banks with a varnished transom, railsContinue reading “Is it Really Work?”
Expectations-By the Numbers
In May we discussed setting your expectations correctly when looking at an older boat. Again, for this discussion, “older” is a boat built in 2005 or before. (sounds so new! Jeez I am getting old!). A reader quickly came back with a question-what does that look like in actual numbers? Which prompts the question, whichContinue reading “Expectations-By the Numbers”
Set Your Expectations
Let’s switch back over to one of my favorite topics-older boats. Not the first time I have discussed the great opportunities that you can find here, however, you do need to set your expectations correctly. One of the main attractions of an older boat is price-they have depreciated and will cost less to purchase. ButContinue reading “Set Your Expectations”
Quit Moving the Goal Posts
Back in January we discussed a variety of barriers that can slow down your boating adventures. Now let’s look at how we derail our boating before we even get started. We all know it as “Moving the Goal Posts”. A technique we employ from time to time to avoid making decisions. Owning a boat isContinue reading “Quit Moving the Goal Posts”
Barriers in Boating
I was at a boating event (yes even in January!) and got into a discussion on the different barriers that boaters on the Inside Passage typically talk about. If you are starting in the Puget Sound the first big step is getting to the San Juan Islands, then it is crossing the border into CanadianContinue reading “Barriers in Boating”
The old boat opportunity.
When does a boat become “old” and once designated “old”, are those boats no longer any good? Apparently, they were acceptable at one point, but now they are not? Perhaps it is our never-ending fascination with the new, which clearly must be better, more efficient, easier to take care of, less likely to break down,Continue reading “The old boat opportunity.”
Todd Powell Boats 