Even though boats cost a lot of money, it doesn’t necessarily mean that only the mighty rich can afford them. Even we regular folks can own a boat if we want to. After all, there are different types of boats available in the market and there are a lot of budget-friendly boats for sale in various boat dealerships (such as us here at Brisbane Boating and Leisure) across the country.

If you’re this type of aspiring boater, don’t let your finances hinder you from owning a boat. A boater can still enjoy the fun and excitement of boating excursions even with a slim budget. You can own a tinnie boat for just a few thousand dollars! But how can you maintain a boat with a limited budget? Here are some tips:

Know Your Budget

Before you go around your local dealerships to shop for boats, figure out your budget. Determine how much money you’re willing to spend on buying a boat and maintaining it regularly. Aside from the cost of the boat itself, you also need to consider insurance, fuel, mooring fees, maintenance, equipment, and accessories. Calculate your current income and expenses to check if this is another commitment that you can fit into your life.

Once you’ve figured out that you can shell out some money for a boat, the first thing you need to do is to come up with enough cash to purchase a boat. The most cost-effective way to do that is to save up. If you want to avoid paying loan interest, consider changing your spending habits or finding an additional source of income to afford to buy a boat.

If you need a boat but don't have enough money to buy it outright, you can consider marine financing. This option allows you to increase your purchasing power without having to pay a large sum of money upfront. As long as the interest rates are reasonable, this can be an easy and convenient way to get the boat you need, whether you need it sooner or later. Shop around with different financing providers or boat dealers to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

Try Buying Used Boats

If you’re really in a pinch why don’t you try looking for used boats for sale? Shopping for slightly used boats can help you save a lot of money. Make sure to do a lot of research and ask a lot of questions to the dealer whom you’re planning to buy from. Gather information about the boat’s background, condition, engine details, and other important information that can affect your decision.

Be Wise With Maintenance

Make sure to do regular preventative maintenance to lessen the chances of bringing your boat for repair.  If you notice that your boat or engine is having problems, it’s wise to take it to a certified marine technician or mechanic to address the issue before it escalates. Make sure the technician is qualified to tinker around with your engine to avoid damaging it. For example, if you own a Mercury outboard motor, take it to a technician who is certified to work on it. Here at Brisbane and Boating Leisure, we are a qualified Mercury Service Centre and we also do outboard and inboard servicing and repowering. All our technicians are experienced and have extensive training that makes them qualified to work on your boat engines. We also offer upholstery services. So, if your interior needs a makeover or you need to replace your boat’s Bimini, we can provide it for you. If you’re in Brisbane, come visit us and let’s talk about your boat trimming/servicing needs.

Store Your Boat at Home

Save money and avoid monthly costs by keeping your boat at home instead of at a marina.

Avoid Overbuying Stuff You Don’t Need

Try to resist the temptation to overbuy. New boat owners often overestimate how often they’re going to use the boat and get excited when they see powerful-looking or sophisticated boats. This makes it quite easy to buy a boat that’s bigger and more expensive than what you truly need. Don’t get swayed by aesthetics alone, take into consideration what activities you want to do and use those as factors for you to decide the appropriate and economical boat you will own. Also avoid buying extra boat accessories, gear, and equipment that you don’t need.

Buy the Appropriate Fuel for Your Boat

It’s no secret that boat engine fuel is more costly than fuel sold at gas stations. While you might be tempted to use that type of fuel for your boat, please avoid doing this. They are usually mixed with ethanol which can be harmful to your boat engine. Try not to do this as the repair costs can put a dent in your budget. Best to buy fuel on Marina docksides.

Pursue Other Ventures Using Your Boat

You can use your boat to help you earn money and subsidize your boat costs. If you fish regularly as a hobby, you can either use the fish you caught as your meal to save money on food or sell it to earn a few bucks. If you have extra time, you can offer charter tours. If you’re not the worrying type, you can rent out your boat for excursions.