Generally we advise first time buyers not to buy a boat that might need a lot of work as they might not know what they are doing.

Houseboat buying guide. TIP 1 have a look at How to Buy a Houseboat ebook. In this guide well start with the assumption that youve identified a suitable vessel. This way you can be confident in the boats history meaning no concerns about the boat having been misused and you know youll be able to take it out on the water straightaway without having to make any repairs or adjustments.

Canal Junction suggests walking the towpath of the area youd like to moor in and talking to the boat-owners to see if theyre aware of any that might be up for grabs as well as visiting boatyards to check availability. By talking to boat owners you will find out what problems they have encountered and how different kinds of boats handle. Try before you buy at Essex Boatyards to mention but a few.

Boat Buyers Edition presented by. Fancy a new boat. Learn the terminology of boating hang out at the local marina and talk to people about boats.

Surveyors work for the people who hire them so use them as much as you can. This boat-buyers guide aims to provide assistance on each step in the buying process. Sometimes they deduct the age of the boat from the term of the mortgage.

If the boat is brand new much of the following will be handled by the boat dealer as a matter of course but its still worth reviewing each step so you can go through the process with your eyes open. Remember to always check the engine compression of a used motor before purchasing. We cover all the bases in itranging from budgets and finance to what type of vehicle you may need to tow your boatbecause our mission is to make sure you end up being a happy boater.

A short list of DOs DONTs to help you find the perfect houseboat. It will save you thousands of dollars by knowing how to NOT buy a lemon. Find the details about other considerations that come into play when choosing the right boat in our Boat Buyers Guide.