The decision to purchase a pontoon boat may be easy but choosing which one to get is difficult. However, the anticipation of getting the boat on the water could easily override more practical thinking if you’re in a hurry. Purchasing a boat is a big decision so there are several questions that you need to ask yourself even before you start your search to make sure that you’re getting exactly what you’re looking for, especially if you plan to purchase one of the many used pontoon boats for sale.
Can I Afford It?
Boats, in general, are an expensive investment. Much of the cost in purchasing a boat is going to go towards the engine. Understand that if you want an engine that puts out a lot of horsepower, then you will have to pay a higher price. A new pontoon boat can range in price from $25,000 up to around $50,000 right out of the gate. These prices may simply cover the basics so for each add-on you can expect the price to go up from there.
Determine The Horsepower You Need:
When it comes to used pontoon boats, horsepower is a major decision. If you’re tight on funds a 50HP boat will be the most affordable you can find but don’t expect to go very fast with it. And if you have any plans at all for family outings or plan to engage in any water activities you will need 115HP at the very minimum. Think, the more horsepower the faster the speed so 50HP will only give you a maximum speed of 13MPH where a 250HP boat will give you a top speed of as much as 53MPH.
Storage:
When considering the purchase of used pontoon boats you also need to think about storage and that can be quite an expense as well. If you plan to park your boat in your driveway when it’s not in use then you’ll have to also make sure you have a trailer rated to tow your boat to the water when you need to. Here you will have to factor in fuel costs in your budget. On the other hand, if you plan to keep your boat at the marina you’re going to have to pay for docking fees, which could run into the thousands of dollars in storage costs alone.
Time:
For the amount of money you will spend to own a boat make sure that you’ll have enough time to get out and enjoy it. If you’re only going to get out occasionally to enjoy time on the water it may be best for you to consider renting a boat when you want to. You’ll save the extra money you’d be spending on docking and maintenance when the boat is not in use and you’ll be happier for it.
It can be very tempting when you see advertisements for used pontoon boats for sale. They are considerably lower in price than others but it would be smart to weigh the costs before you make a decision. This way, the money you put into your new boating habit will definitely be a worthwhile investment that you will be able to enjoy for many years.
