Boating is a great pastime to get involved in; however with the price of new boats these days, it can also be quite expensive. If you're considering getting out onto the water, your best option might be to buy a good one owner boat to suit your budget. There are many things you'll need to consider when buying a boat, so here we provide some useful tips.

What do you want to do out on the water?

The first thing you'll need to consider is what it is you want to do out on the water. Do you want to go fishing? Do you want to explore the bays, harbours and rivers with the family? Do you want something that will get you from A to B in the quickest possible time? Do you want to experience the thrill of sailing and battling the elements? These are all very important questions to answer before you even start looking. Boats are highly specialised vehicles and a boat that suits one type of use may not be at all practical for another kind. Speak with your family and ask what they want from their boating experience. When you've done this, then it's time to start your research.

Work out your budget

Okay, so you're buying a good one owner boat, but you'll still need to determine how much you can afford to spend. Even used boats can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars so you need to set your budget and stick to it. No matter how much you have to spend, you are sure to find something that you can enjoy out on the water.

Inspect some boats before you buy

Before you decide on your boat, you'll want to inspect quite a few. Don't jump in and buy the first boat you come across. When you inspect a boat, firstly look to see that it has been properly maintained and well looked after. A boat that has not been well loved will be easily spotted. Check to make sure it is clean inside and out. This goes for the equipment too. Everything should have been well cleaned after each outing.

Engine troubles can end up costing a fortune to fix so make sure the motor, whether an outboard or inboard, has been well maintained. Ask to hear the engine running. Does the engine start straight away? Does it sound like it is running properly? If you are not mechanically minded, take someone along with you who is.

You'll also need to check on what equipment will come with the boat. Does it have the necessary safety gear such as life jackets, flares, radio and anchors?

Buying your boat

When it comes to buying your boat, you'll need to treat the exercise just like you're buying a car. Check how much registration the boat has, and if it's a trailer boat, check the trailer's registration too. As with buying a car, you'll also need to check that the boat has no encumbrances by doing a REVS check. When organising your REVS check you'll need the boat's Hull Identification Number (HIN), the engine number and the registration number.

It will also be a good idea to organise for a professional inspection of the hull and engine before handing over your cheque.

You'll also need to consider marine insurance. Organise this before you take possession of the boat.

If you follow these simple suggestions and use your own common sense, you'll be sure to get the most out of your boating experience. Remember, do your research first and don't just jump straight in at the deep end.