Buying a boat is exciting and there are times that buyers are so wrapped up in finding their dream boat, they don’t consider what actually goes into the process of purchasing it. Financing is probably the best way to get you into the driver’s seat of your dream boat and for considerably less than you might think.

How Much Boat Can I Afford?

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), an organization that represents more than 80 percent of today’s boat and marine engine makers, recommends that new boat owners consider more than the asking price of the water craft they are purchasing. Consider costs for insurance, care and storage as well.

A good way to begin assessing the affordability of the boat you are considering is to use the free NMMA Boat Loan Calculator. Enter the loan amount (minus the down payment), the interest rate and the length of the loan. The calculator will crunch the numbers and estimate the monthly payment.

It is an undisputed fact that we boat in some of the best cruising grounds in the area (well…undisputed around here anyway). Please voice your opinion and share your thoughts. We would love to hear your best harbor favorites in the New England area and comment on what others have posted. This will be the start of a new series, so please check back often for new comments and posts. We look forward to your thoughts and appreciate topics, such as: navigational issues, boatyard and marina facilities, restaurants, anchorages and favorite happenings ashore. Of course, your least favorite harbors are also welcome. Be sure to join us in discussing both. 

Great Harbor, Massachusetts

Allow me to get the ball rolling. Great Harbor and Eel Pond in Massachusetts are a couple of my favorite spots. You probably have passed this harbor by more times than you realize. Great Harbor sits just north of the Woods Hole passage. You will find the entrance to Great Harbor at buoy # 2 (red) in the actual passage. Leave #2 to your port and then look for Great Harbor buoy # 9 (green), leaving it to port as well. Easy in and easy out…assuming you are paying attention to the swift currents Woods Hole is (in)famous for. Leave plenty of buoy room and you should be fine. Please refer to your charts before attempting.

Once you make your way in, you have a few choices. Anchor in the designated areas (refer to your charts), or call the very friendly Woods Hole Yacht Club on channel 69. They may have a mooring available, but they do not provide launch or any kind of services. A dinghy dock, however, sits right in front of the club. If you anchor, do ask permission to leave your dinghy there. It has been our experience that the Woods Hole Yacht Club is one of the friendliest and most charming in New England.

An added bonus is boat-watching the ever-present traffic through “The Hole.” We had the pleasure one Sunday morning, of watching the very impressive New York Yacht Club fleet pass through on their way to Nantucket for their annual cruise.

Why I Questioned Beneteau

Having spent the first 30-plus years of my professional career building semi-custom, high-quality, sail and power boats, I like to think I know a thing or two about marine manufacturing and what it takes to build a good boat. Many of us in the business around New England were pretty proud of our efforts and questioned the quality and reliability of the much less expensive production-built boats. So, when the opportunity arose to leave the manufacturing world and join the Cape Yachts team in 2008, I have to admit, I had my nose in the air about representing Groupe Beneteau. After all, how could a boat that cost so much less than boats I built be any good – right?

Experience New England's Best Kept Secret

It’s official. Padanaram has been voted Best US Harbor in a recent contest held by USHarbors.com. The Best Harbor contest kicked off in January with 1,278 harbors across 23 states participating with Padanaram winning the title, "Best Harbor in the US." If you've never been to our little corner of South Dartmouth, Massachusetts, you don't know what you're missing. Padanaram can feel like another world entirely. Walking or cycling the quiet streets of our village, you could almost forget you’re not in a small seaside village in Europe or on a Hallmark movie set.

Why Padanaram is the Best US Harbor

If you’re looking for hustle and bustle, this is the wrong place. With its old-country charm, this harbor village is where you might bicycle from art gallery to high-end clothing shop, drink coffee and eat fresh pastries, have a leisurely lunch or share a bottle of wine.

Believe it or Not, a New Boat Might be Cheaper!

You are thinking of buying a boat and believe that buying a used boat will be less expensive than buying a new boat of the same type. This can be true, but a broader view shows a new boat might actually cost you less.    The way we come to that is to consider the Cost-to-Purchase versus the Cost-to-Own a boat over time. 

So, You want to Buy a boat do you!

Great idea. What kind of boat should you get? That decision requires some soul-searching on your part. You need to ask yourself a lot of questions about what you want to do with a boat. Who will go with you? Where will you be boating – ocean or bay or lakes? How much money will you spend? Understanding in broad brush strokes the different types of boats available and how they answer your questions can save you from making a mistake and save money at the same time.

Having spent many years selling boats, I’d like to offer my thoughts and help you in the boat buying process. The first and probably most important thing, is to think about how you will use your new boat. Consider the following: location, crew, fishing, cruising, etc. Will you be overnighting on the boat? Will you be entertaining or fishing, maybe a combination of both? There is nothing worse than spending too much money or too little, only to find that the wrong boat is at your dock. So, we begin.

It’s safe to say I have seen many poorly-staged boats in the brokerage market since starting my yacht sales career in 1996. Our responsibility as listing agents representing a seller, is to advise on best practices and work to get the best offer possible. Below are a few critical areas where sellers can help themselves.

When the time comes to sell your boat, deciding whether to do so through a broker is an important choice. A broker can take a lot of the work out of the process for sellers and buyers alike. Certified brokers offer a layer of confidence and convenience to buying or selling your boat. With a reputation for success which stretches over more than 30 years, we know the process and how to get your boat sold quickly.