Compass Headings, Selecting a Vessel



	The Checklist: Home Maintenance Weather Planning & Resources Spare Parts & Boat Outfit Troubleshooting Navigation & Equipment Celestial Navigation Vessel Conduct Rules of the Road Safety Equipment & Vessel Paperwork Trip Planning Maneuvering, Anchoring & Enroute Checks Bar Entrances, Passes & Narrows Distances Reference Mariner Math Port Information Panama Canal Information Vessel Delivery Selecting a Vessel Selling Your Boat Service Providers Purchase Checklist	The Boat Selection Process In a perfect world, your boat would be an ideal blend of Form and Function that is just right for you and your boating desires. But as we know, life is a series of compromises and boats are no different. We can however attempt to be more objective in what can be a very emotional and subjective process. Before the Search Ask yourself these questions: Why do I want a boat? The fantasy or dream of adventure? A specific purpose. Fishing, Cruising, Condo, Entertaining, Live-aboard, ect. Where will I go? Cruising protected waters? Transiting large bodies or offshore. Weekend trips or extended cruising. Will this be owner operated or will you have a captain. Consider the following factors: Looks Size Layout Number and types of staterooms. Range/performance/fuel economy Engines Hull design Sea keeping characteristics Stabilized? Equipment/ Electronics/ Systems Redundancy? Number of hours on the engines Gensets and systems. Tank capacities Water/Fuel/Holding And don’t forget: Future resale Brand Name Vessel history Maintenance history The Search Educate yourself. Yachtworld.com Make a list of your parameters/needs/likes/dislikes. Is there a particular boat/make/model you have in mind? Are there are other boats/makes/models that may work? Talk to other owners, captains. When you find something you like: Spend as much time onboard as you like. Let yourself get a feel for each one. Take your time. Consider each piece of equipment, appliance and system. For type, name, location, installation and maintenance. Don’t allow yourself to be hurried or pushed. Keep to your list of parameters. The Survey/SeaTrial I cannot stress the following enough! Get personally involved. Work closely with your surveyor. Ensure that he/she is doing a thorough job. Be apart of the process. The seatrial is to demonstrate the vessel. Spend as much time on the seatrial as you require. Conduct a second or even third seatrial if needed. Remember, you can walk away from any boat during this process before you have officially accepted the vessel. Make sure this is the right boat for you.

The Boat Selection Process