Posted on July 21, 2022

What are the Pros and Cons of Owning a Boat?

Written by ShoreMaster Marketing

Maybe you’ve been renting boats for a while and are thinking of making the jump to owning, or maybe it’s always been your dream to own a boat. Boating is a great passion to have, and it can be rewarding to own a boat. If you live near the water, it might seem like owning a boat is the perfect way to complete your personal waterfront retreat. Like any significant investment, though, there are risks and drawbacks along with the perks. Keep these pros and cons in mind as you consider whether to own a boat and everything that goes along with it.

 

The Benefits

There’s no better form of summertime recreation, leisure, and entertainment than a boat. They’re great for entertaining guests and spending quality time with your family. They open up new experiences and an entirely new world to explore beyond your shoreline. You’ll be a part of a larger boating community of other boaters who are just as passionate as you are about boat ownership and waterfront life. If you get a luxury yacht or boat with a cabin and bathroom, you can even take a weekend trip out on the water without paying for a hotel. If you plan on getting a lot of mileage out of your boat, it’s more cost-effective to buy than rent one. As long as your expectations are realistic and you have a clear vision of what boat ownership will be like for you, a boat can be a great investment.

The Drawbacks

For seasonal boaters, usage can be a significant drawback. If you live where the temperature is low most of the year or there are freezing conditions, you’re not likely to be taking your boat out for both its protection and your personal safety. On a related note, if you’re not someone who’s going to use your boat frequently, whether because you don’t live near a large body of water or because you can’t get away every single weekend, it might not be the best financial decision to own a boat. Like your house or car, your boat will also require maintenance and upkeep that can be costly. You’ll also need to think about the related investments and accessories for your boat—a boat dock can be an initial upfront investment, but this does offset some of the maintenance costs since you’ll be keeping your boat out of the water where it won’t get damaged as easily.

ShoreMaster is Here When You’re Ready

If you’ve decided to take the plunge into buying a boat, that’s great news! The waterfront community is a welcoming one that will be excited to have you. At ShoreMaster, we’re all lifelong boaters and engineers with a mind for innovation and creating the best possible waterfront experiences. Let us know what you have in mind, from your boat itself to your other waterfront hobbies and future plans, and we can connect you with a local dealer that can help you find the boat dock, boat lift, and boat dock accessories you need to complete your new outdoor space. Find a local ShoreMaster dealer to get started.