Buying a new trailerboat: Boating Advice

10 Top Buying Tips!
>> Determine how, where and why you plan to use your new boat
>> Take your time and do your research
>> Join a boating or fishing club and seek advice
>> Consider crew seating, shelter and storage space
>> Where will you store your new boat?
>> Can you tow the new boat behind your family car?
>> Factor in the cost of safety gear and insurance
>> Narrow the field: create a short-list of preferred boats
>> Ask for a test drive
>> Buy within your budget

OVERVIEW
Pay a visit to ant one of the many boat shows across the country in the next few months and you will discover literally hundreds of different craft to choose from — with a great variety of configurations and layouts.

If you're in the market for a new rig, the scenario prompts the question: how do you get started? Should you consider a runabout or a half cabin? A side console or a centre console? A walkaround cabin boat or hard-top cabin cruiser? And what about alloy vs fibreglass?

Manufacturers and dealers use boat shows to release brand new models, like this Signature 495F launched during the 2017 boat-show season.

The first step to choosing the right boat is to figure out why you want a boat in the first place. Do you want to go offshore fishing? Or is cruising about the harbour with family and friends more your speed? Do you want to take the kids wakeboarding or tubing? What about smooth-water fishing in the dams and impoundments? Could that be your thing?

Budget-priced alloy runabouts like this Horizon Stryker are great for boating newcomers, with ample deck space and seating options to accommodate the family.

BOATING APPLICATION
Once you have figured out what type of water sport or activity interests you the most, you should narrow your choice of craft down considerably.

 If you're looking for a boat for sheltered water fishing applications, consider a good tiller-steer open alloy boat like this Quintrex 390 Outback Explorer.

Selecting the right boat is harder if you want to enjoy a range of boat activities, but if you have a particular sport or leisure activity in mind, then getting into the right boat becomes much easier.

For example, if you want to try your hand at water skiing or wakeboarding — and nothing else interests you then you can concentrate your time and effort on comparing apples with apples and the many different ski boats at your local boat show or dealer.

For a mix of inshore, bay and offshore fishing, an alloy centre console could be the ideal choice. The only shortcoming is a lack of weather protection. Pictured is the excellent Surtees 575 Pro Fisher.

Similarly, if the thrill of offshore fishing for marlin and other sportfish is more your speed then you can discard all other types of boats and concentrate on sifting through the specifications and features of the various offshore fishing rigs on the market.

Sounds easy right? Of course, you then have to figure out which fishing boat to buy, and there is a wide range of models and sizes with greatly varying features, and accessories. Not to mention price ranges!

Big, trailerable centre console fishing boats, like this twin 200hp Verado-powered Wellcraft 242 Fisherman, can easily double as a family day cruiser and sports boat thanks to large bow and stern seating areas, and the inclusion of a head compartment beneath the console. 

The ability to find the right model is not over yet. Not by a long way! But one good tip is to garner opinions from like-minded boaters and fishers before you start shopping in earnest. This can be done online, where opinions are plentiful but not always impartial, and at fishing, cruising and water-skiing clubs.

Even a casual chat down the boat ramp can lead to some great advice about what boats work and what don't. You can also see the popular brands and models in your local area.

Remember, not everything you hear will be accurate, but you should be able to sift through the huge amount of information and use it to your benefit.

In fact, with so much user-generated content and opinion these days, and the internet to do all your research, you should be able to narrow down your choices well before you reach the boat show.

We've got plenty of boating advice on our sites, too, covering everything from how to finance a boat to family boating and having fun, buying a reliable boat to 20 Reasons to Buy a Boat in the first place.

Having said that, there are some basic considerations that you can start dealing with right now.
Family boaters will likely gravitate toward a cuddy or half cabin — like this Horizon 485 Scorpion Cuddy. Package prices for alloy cuddies like this start at around $32k.

SEATING/CREW COMFORT
Okay, it sounds pretty obvious, but you need to make sure your new boat is comfortable and has enough seats for your family or regular crew members. Most runabouts, bowriders and cabin boats are well appointed in this regard, but that isn't always the case with smaller open boats, or offshore fishing rigs.

Following the boat show, take a test drive. You need to confirm your potential new boat meets your expectations with regard to handling, ride and performance.

Most runabouts and cuddy/half cabins will have seating for a minimum of four adults, with a comfortable bucket chair for the driver and forward passenger, along with a full width folding bench seat stretching across the transom in the rear cockpit.

Some sports runabouts and bowriders may also have a back-to-back helm seating arrangement. This is a low set, fixed structure with one forward and one aft facing seat. Two of these up front, along with two rear jump seats, or a padded, full width rear bench type seat provides seating for six of seven adults.

Open boat configurations such as tiller-steer tinnies, and smaller side and centre consoles will generally have minimal seating. However, most of the larger size fibreglass centre console boats on the market now come with a large bow seating area/casting platform… similar to many family bowrider boats.

Big fibreglass centre-console sportfishers, like this Sea Fox 286 with spacious bow and fold-down rear seating, can easily double as family leisure boats.

Crew shelter is something else which should be considered when buying a new boat. While many new boats will be used in protected waterways, consider whether you might need an overhead bimini cover and side clears to provide protection from the elements.

If you're looking at buying an entry-level runabout for your first boat, check the height of the windscreen is suitable for you. On many runabouts, the windscreen offers little or no wind protection. If wind protection is important to you make sure you sit down in the driver's seat to check the windscreen height. Or better still, take the boat for a test drive before buying.

The ability to handle rough and tumble of Aussie boating is one reason why plate-aluminium is popular in the trailerboat market.

ALLOY VS FIBREGLASS VS POLY PLASTIC
Most new powerboats are made from aluminium (with either a pressed or plate alloy type of construction) and fibreglass. Both are excellent materials for manufacturing boats. We've got a detailed article about alloy v fibreglass boats here.

In Australia, aluminium boats are the most popular for boats sizes under about 5.2m in length. Above that, fibreglass boats tend to be preferred as fibreglass boats generally provide a softer, more comfortable ride - something that is essential in a sea-going boat.

Traditional fibreglass cuddy cabins like this Streaker Bluewater 5700 combine cabin shelter and protected seating with enough cockpit room two or three keen anglers. 

Another good option for offshore boating and fishing is the plate aluminium boat. Plate boats are heavier, better built and more capable of operating in offshore waters — at least compared with light weight pressed aluminium boats.

With regard to pros and cons, fibreglass boats are generally more attractive, handle and ride better, and can be built with more intricate and more sophisticated hull shapes.

Conversely, aluminium boats tend to be lighter than fibreglass boats, so they require less power, use less fuel, and are easier to launch and retrieve. If these attributes appeal to you, then an aluminium boat could be a sound option.

If high performance sports boating or water skiing is envisaged, then a fibreglass boat is unquestionably the best choice. But if you just want to poke around the harbour with the kids, do a bit of fishing, social water skiing, or wake-boarding, etc., then a pressed aluminium boat deserves consideration.

For something a little different, another option is to purchase a craft made from ultra-tough, durable polyethylene plastic — virtually the same stuff used to make you wheelie bin. Bundaberg's Polycraft are the leaders in this field and the company has a full range of models to 6.0m in length.

CAN YOU TOW IT?
The transport authorities around Australia are becoming increasingly stringent about what you can and can't tow behind your car or SUV. Make sure you are aware of the legal and practical limitations of your tow vehicle before you buy a new rig.

Generally speaking you should abide by the towing limits set down in you tow vehicle's operations manual. Failing that, in most states the rule is that you can not tow more than one and half times the weight of your towing vehicle.

Can you tow it? Think about the size of your tow vehicle before signing up for a big family cruiser like this superb Whittley SL26.

In a practical sense, most large cars and mid-size SUVs will be capable of towing boats up to about 1.4 tonnes. Beyond that weight, you should be looking to a more powerful 4WD vehicle because the family car and regular SUV will struggle - especially when it comes to hauling your boat out of a slippery boat ramp.

With regard to the boat trailer regulations, be aware that when your boat, engine and trailer combination exceeds a weight of 750 kg, your trailer must, by law, be fitted with trailer brakes.

Similarly, once a boat, motor and trailer package exceeds 2000 kg, then the boat trailer must be fitted with a break-away braking system - whereby the brakes are automatically applied and locked-on in the event that the trailer becomes disconnected from the towing vehicle.

We've got a great article titled the 5 things you need to know about trailer brakes.

STORING YOUR BOAT
Finding a secure, yet accessible place to store a boat is a problem for many people. Small tinnies and open runabouts can probably fit into a garage, but it will be a tight squeeze for anything larger.

Will your new boat fit in your garage? The author was able to squeeze this Signature 540F in the garage, but only after removing the bimini and the trailer dolly wheel.

If you intend to stow the rig in the garage, make sure you measure the length and height of the rig before you buy it. Be sure to measure not just the boat length, but the overall length of the rig… from the trailer coupling to the back of the engine, boarding platform, or rear most extremity.

In my experience, only 4.5-4.7m rigs will fit in the average garage, so if you're looking at a bigger rig, make sure you've got somewhere to stow it. This is especially important with glossy fibreglass sports boats and family cruisers - many of which have luxurious interior upholstery which is easily damaged by exposure to the weather.

Parking the rig out on the front lawn might be okay, but providing the boat is behind a fence, and that it has a very good boat cover. Some sort of trailer locking device is also recommended.

If you live in a town house or unit, you may not have the luxury of a driveway or front lawn. In this case, storing the boat in a fenced off compound or dry storage rack at a marina may be the only option.

DON'T FORGET INSURANCE
To put it bluntly, you would be crazy not to insure your new boat. When you are spending big dollars on a new craft there's really no excuse for not having boat insurance - especially given that it is not all that expensive.

When shopping for insurance, it is important to find out whether the insurance company works on an "Agreed Value" basis, or whether they will only pay "Market Value".

If your boat is in better than average condition, or it has been improved from new, then the Agreed Value policy is the best bet. In this case, if the boat is stolen you will receive the mutually agreed value, rather than what a similar, average condition model is worth on the open market.

Most insurance companies will insure you for loss (sinking), damage, fire, explosion, vandalism, salvage, towing accidents (providing the trailer is registered and roadworthy), and loss of clothing and personal effects - though usually to a maximum of $500 - $1000.

If you want to water-ski or wake-board behind the boat, note also that you will almost certainly have to pay an additional premium over and above the standard fee.

Take a read of the Top 5 causes of boating insurance claims.

SAFETY GEAR
Safety gear requirements differ from state to state, and also depend on whether your boat will be used in open or protected waters.

The list of safety gear that you may be required to carry includes lifejackets (or PFDs) distress flares, a first aid kit, a "V" distress sheet, an EPIRB, a compass, fresh drinking water, fire extinguisher, a paddle or oars, waterproof torch, bucket, bilge pump, anchor, signal mirror, whistle, horn, marine radio, etc.

To find out how many of the above safety devices will be required for your class of vessel, contact the Australia Boating Industry Association in your state, or your boat licensing and registration authority.

There's no point considering big offshore fishing rigs in the $100k plus bracket if you're budget is stretched to the limit at 40 grand. When shopping for a new rig, be it a small tinnie, sports bowrider, centre console fishing rig or family cruiser, be realistic and consider only those craft which you can afford.

Set a budget before you go shopping at the boat show. As a rough rule of thumb, it will cost you about 10 per cent of the purchase price each year to keep your boat registered, reliable through scheduled maintenance, and up and running.

With regard to how much money you should set aside to buy a new boat or water craft, only you can make that decision. It will depend on the priorities within your individual family.

For example, if you live and breathe to go offshore fishing then clearly you will be prepared to spend a greater proportion of your income, or available funds on a new fishing boat.

Conversely, if you're just a casual angler and family boater, with a hefty mortgage and four kids to put through school, then you are better to be more conservative with regard to how much money you allocate toward buying a new boat.

At the end of the day, the best boat is always the one you use most often. And that often gets back to keeping it simple, trailerable and easy to maintain.