Buying or Donating Boats

Those seeking new forms of leisure, relaxation or recreation during the warmer months of the year may consider boating as a source. Many people will initially gain exposure to the world of boating in one of its simplest forms, such as taking a canoe trip or going out with someone to a local lake to do some fishing in their rowboat. Some people will begin considering whether they should purchase a powerboat to further enjoy being out on the water. The decision to purchase a boat will require you to evaluate a variety of factors in order to avoid common pitfalls.

Will You Really Enjoy the Watercraft?

If looking to invest in purchasing a powered boat, it is best to decide what activities you will enjoy participating in with the vessel and whether you have reasonable access to bodies of water that are appropriate (suitable) for the desired sports or other activities. One way to obtain a “preview” of what the experience of being a boat owner will be like is to rent a watercraft. Boating rentals are fairly common among the watercraft that are considered lower-speed vessels, such as smaller fishing boat or pontoon cruising vessel. The laws and requirements associated with renting, for example, a 60 horsepower watercraft, are likely to be more stringent. Many states and municipalities have requirements that can consume both your time and resources in order to be eligible for such a rental. Although actually needing to obtain a formalized license in unlikely, common pre-requisites may include the possession of written documentation indicating that the renter has completed a boating skills course or boater safety-related program of some sort. Again, bear in mind that these restrictions vary considerably from one locality to another.

If you anticipate using the boat in more volatile marine settings with waves or currents, you will need to determine if you (or someone such as spouse) and those likely to join you on the watercraft are susceptible to “sea-sickness”. Motion sickness occurs in varying degrees to many boat passengers. Generally speaking, roughly 10% of passengers who climb aboard a vessel in turbulent waters experience the extreme cases of motion sickness where nausea and other undesirable conditions occur. A percentage of these individuals are able to overcome their susceptibility to sea-sickness by simply taking one of the popular over-the-counter medications prior to boating. If you determine that you or your “would-be passengers” are predisposed to motion sickness, then perhaps pursuing another hobby would be advisable.

Financial Considerations:

Boat ownership comes with some costs. The price of your desired watercraft may not be financially feasible if purchasing a new vessel when you consider the costs of storage, transport, fuel, insurance and equipment needed. Alternative options include pursuing a pre-owned model, which are likely to be more affordable. One emerging option is to consider an organization that facilitates the process of donating boats.  For additional information concerning this possibility, one resource to consider is Rawhide Boats, who has plenty of information available on the topic found at http://www.rawhide.org.