A new boat is of course the best option for those who have the money and plan to keep one boat for a significant time. However, for those who happen to be on a budget or are skeptical about owning a boat, a used boat is a wise alternative.

Despite the negative perception, buying used is a great option for some people. Even though the lake and oceans are filled with boat owners who are wealthier than most, many boat owners spend beyond their means, financing their boats at extreme levels of debt.

Being out there on the water is what really counts with a boat. Someone who spends every weekend out on the water will become a great boater, regardless of the condition of his or her boat. Some wealthy individual who only has time to ride on their 60-foot yacht once or twice a year isn't considered much of a boater at all.

Those who observe local bodies of water will notice that it seems as though the little boats are the ones that move about, while the big boats never move from their moorings. Those that are too busy earning vast sums of money and never have the time to enjoy their lavish yachts shouldn't own a boat at all.

In less than 2 years new boats depreciate, on average, half of their original value. When considering a used boat keep in mind that the previous owner will have already fixed the problems associated with shaking down a new boat. The previous owner has already dealt with all the warranty service and dealer hassles.

Typically there is very little "use" on a used boat. Most of a boat's life is spent sitting around waiting for the owner to find time to go boating, unlike used cars. It is possible to find many used boats for sale that have less than a couple hundreds hours of engine time. Compare that to the number of hours that are on the engine of an average used car.

A used boat will often already have scratches, dings, and other blemishes so the new owner won't feel half as bad when another is inevitably added. It is important to make sure there is at least a thousand dollars available after the purchase of a used boat to outfit the boat and make any necessary repairs.

Normally a used boat will come with the necessary dock lines, spare props, radio, life jackets, safety equipment, and other needed items. New boat owners must purchase these things on top of the expense of the boat, often paying hundreds of dollars or more.

Of course the purchase of a used boat is not without the element of risk. Did the previous boat owner perform the proper maintenance of the boat? It is critical to get the boat surveyed to be sure that it's in reasonable condition before purchasing it. This way it condition of the boat is known with certainty, making the used boat a sound investment.