It might still be snowmobile season in Minnesota, but summer will be here before you know it. If you’re looking for a way to make the most of your time outdoors this summer, there’s no better way than buying your own boat and spending your days on the water. But while a boat purchase is an exciting decision, it’s also a big decision one requiring a lot of thought.
At Canvasworks in Cokato, we manufacture custom boat covers to protect your investment. In this post, we’re sharing our top list of things to consider before making your boat purchase. After you’ve bought your boat, give us a call to learn more about our custom boat covers!
1. Pre-Owned or New?
This is the first place to start when you’re thinking of making a boat purchase.There are advantages and disadvantages to both pre-owned and new boats. New boats are more expensive, but they come with the protection of a warranty and aren’t going to need major maintenance in the near future. Pre-owned boats cost less, however it’s likely that the boat is going to need more maintenance than a new boat.
2. Ongoing Expenses
There’s a reason boat owners jokingly refer to the acronym Bust Out Another Thousand when talking about their boats. Boat ownership can get expensive! When considering your boating budget to include the yearly expenses. These can include: boat maintenance, mooring or dock fees, insurance, registration, gasoline, and winter storage. One way to reduce long term interior maintenance costs is to invest in a high quality, heavy duty boat cover to reduce UV exposure during the summer. Another is to invest in an environmentally friendly, reusable winter storage cover.
3. Boat Size
The biggest consideration when it comes to boat size is where you plan to use your boat. If you’ll be spending most of your time out on larger lakes and rivers or on rougher waters, an 18- to 40-foot boat will have everything you need for a day on the water. On smaller and calmer waters you can go even smaller. If you’re thinking about overnight stays on the water, you’ll probably want to invest in a larger boat with a cabin. It’s also a good idea to think about how many people you’ll be taking with you when you hit the lake. Keep in mind that larger boats generally cost more to maintain.
4. Type of Boat
Think about what you plan to use your boat for. Are you purchasing a boat to kick off summer family adventures like tubing and water skis? Or do you plan to mostly use your boat for fishing or cruising? There are boats to fit every type of lake activity and many that can easily be multi-use.
5. Storage and Transportation
Storage and transportation are also important aspects of boat ownership to consider before purchasing. Are you going to dock the boat at a marina for the summer and take advantage of their winter storage? Or are you planning on storing it at home and trailering to different bodies of water throughout the season? This will affect all of the factors we’ve discussed above.
Boat ownership can help you make the most of your summers, but it’s not a decision you should jump into without taking the time to think it through. If you’re unsure how often you’ll use a boat or how much you will enjoy boating, there are boat clubs and rental services in most areas that will allow you to try out boating without committing to ownership.
Heavy-Duty Boat Covers for Minnesota Boats
Once you’ve chosen the boat you’ll be taking out this summer, you’ll need to plan for protecting your investment. At Canvasworks, we offer a wide range of custom cover solutions for your boat, from travel coers to mooring covers and everything in between.
Check out our online gallery to see our custom boat covers in action. Then give us a call at 320-559-0165 to order your custom boat cover or contact us online to find out more about our marine product fabrication today!