5 Things to Consider When Buying a New Boat!

Great tips and things to keep in mind when you are looking to purchase a new boat.

The first thing you should consider when you’re buying a new boat is....

the vehicle you'll be using to tow the boat.

A big mistake people make when buying a boat is selecting a beautiful boat in the showroom and thinking how great it will look in the water—and not realizing they only have a small car to tow it with.  

tips-boat-buying-fishtv-1

1. what's The Size of the Boat vs. size of your vehicle?

This is the first thing you should determine before you buy a boat. You need to think about the vehicle that you have to tow it with. If you own a car, maybe think about a 14 ft Lund with a smaller Mercury on it so you don’t wreck your car or small truck. If you own a full-size truck and you like to travel to a number of lakes, a bigger boat may be better for your purposes.

tips-boat-buying-fishtv-2

2. What type of Boat would suit your needs?

When buying a boat that you want to leave at the cottage, you might want to think about an all-around boat that works for fishing, waterskiing, or just a late evening cruise. If this is your thought, perhaps a deck boat or a Lund pontoon might be the boat for you.

You also have to consider the size of the lake you are on. If you are on a smaller lake you might only need an 18 ft boat with a bit smaller Mercury on it but if you are on a bigger lake you might want a 20 or 21ft boat with a bigger motor. You want something that will be able to get you to your fishing spot and back to the cottage quickly if there is bad weather moving in.

tips-boat-buying-fishtv-3

3. How many riders will be on your boat?

You also have to think about how many people in your family love to be on the water. If you have a family of four, you might want a bowrider style and if you have a bigger family or you bring friends out on the water, you might want a boat with a lot of seating to accommodate everyone.

tips-boat-buying-fishtv-4

4. Do you need a top?

Often overlooked is whether or not you'll need a top or roof over the boat. Most people boat when the water is calm, the sun is shining, and then the water is slick which means the sun is intensified. If you want to spend a lot of time on the water, you might want to consider a boat that has a roof option or something portable that you can put up or down in the sun or in the rain.

tips-boat-buying-fishtv-5

5. Where will you store your boat?

And finally, you should think about boat storage. Where you are going to store your boat for the winter? Do you have indoor storage that can fit your boat or, if you shrink wrap it, is there a place to park it for the winter?

These are all things to consider when purchasing a boat because your boat should be enjoyed by you and your family for many years to come.

About Ron James

Ron has been fishing for over 35 years. He started fishing when he was just a youngster with his father Bill James (God rest his soul). He moved onto tournament fishing as his passion grew. With numerous wins and top finishes, the next step had to be taken. He met Leo, and the unstoppable force of Fish TV "is the best thing that has happened.

Recommended Articles

Northern Bass High

3 surprising things to know about trophy smallmouth bass fishing in Northern Ontario

Calmwaters Fly Fishing

Bringing in Fresh Faces to the Sport

Dreams of Bass at Waterfalls Lodge

This drive-to lodge is the perfect location for anyone looking to get a little R&R.

Best of The Musky West

Have you fished these top 3 musky lakes in Northwestern Ontario?

The Legendary Brook Trout of the Albany

Experience a once in a lifetime remote fishing adventure.

La Place Rendez-Vous on Rainy Lake

Fish for big northern pike, musky, smallmouth bass and walleye.

3 Secret Tips for Landing Ontario Muskies

Muskies aren’t easy to catch. So here’s a simple formula to change that.

Top 5 Flies for Smallmouth Bass

The inside scoop on bass flies from the hosts of The New Fly Fisher.

Creatures on the Fly: On the Hunt for Brook Trout

Angling in Algoma Country means a chance to reel in some of the best brook trout in the world.

Bear Creek Cottages

Multi-Species Fishing on Lake Nipissing

Beaded Lures

Find out why these chintzy plastic beads are the perfect lure.

The Inside Scoop

The fall is the perfect time to hit the water when the fish are starting to feed.

Whopper Walleye

Discover the 3 lodges in Ontario’s Sunset Country that offer trophy walleye in big waters.

Northern Pike Aplenty

Why the pike are so active near the end of the ice fishing season.

Off-Grid Ontario Fishing Adventures

Escape to one of these 4 remote Ontario outposts this summer

Drive-to Ontario Lodges

Ontario has the perfect easy-to-access fishing oasis for every angler!

Dream Fishing Trips

These two Ontario lodges, just across the border from Minnesota, offer anglers the chance to fish multiple species.

Different Strokes

From jigging and buzzing to chunking' and windin', there's no right or wrong way to work a fishing lure.

Como Lake Resort

Genuine hospitality and excellent fishing is found here.

Kesagami Wilderness Lodge

Kesagami Lake has just under a million acres of fishable water that is chock full of pike and walleye.