Before you go out and purchase your boat, remember that boating is a hobby and you shouldn't go  overboard with it.  Unlike your house, boating isn't really worth going into debt for.  First  time buyers who aren't sure about boating should always make sure they spend well within their budget.

To get the most out of your boat, it's always a better idea to scrape up your recreational dollars, sell a few of your belongings, and simply save up for a while.  In the meantime, you should carefully study the boating market.  When you manage to  save up 3,500 - 25,000 dollars, go ahead and buy the boat you want.

Whatever you do, make sure you don't spend all of your money on the just the boat itself.  When you purchase the boat, you'll need to have enough  money for taxes, registration, storage, towing  insurance, gas, equipment, and even minor repairs if your boat requires them.

When buying a boat, used or new, cash is always better than financing.  You can save money with  cash, as there are no finance charges.  Financing charges can get high, very high in fact if you  don't know a lot about it.

If you simply must finance your purchase, it's a smart idea to use a home equity loan instead.  This way, it'll be tax deductible.  Always be on the lookout for boat show financing, and never, ever use it.  Several boat show financing ploys will extend the loan out over the course of 10 - 15 years.

A new boater will either advance with boating or get out of it all together.  Most boaters don't keep their boat for more than 10 years, which is reason enough not to get an extended finance loan on your boat. 

If you are planning to buy a boat, you'll first need to evaluate what you plan to do with it.  If your primary purpose is fishing, then you'll want to  look into boats that are designed primarily for fishing.

If you happen to be a tournament fisherman, or hope to be, then you probably wouldn't be happy with a  boat less than a 150 HP motor and shorter than 19 feet in length.  Those of you who plan to fish in  really deep water on a regular basis will probably need a 200 HP motor and at least 20 feet of length.

If you don't plan to tournament fish, but go after bass fish instead, you'll want a 17 - 18 foot boat with at least a 115 HP motor.  This way, you can  enjoy the lake or the river.

Those of you who like to fish for species may want to look for a more versatile boat with plenty of  walking around room, higher sides, and a different seating arrangement.  This type of boat is ideal  for several people, even a trip out with your  wife and kids.

If you plan to fish on occasion, but not enough to invest in a boat, you may want to look at a  fish and ski model.  This is a hybrid boat, crossing between a bass boat and pleasure boat, and can easily serve your purpose.

The biggest part of the buying process is getting what you can afford.  Luckily, there are many new boats available, giving you several that fit your budget.  If you prefer, you can shop and find a used boat that fits both your needs and budget.

The right way to use an anchor is probably one of the least understood areas of boating.  If you are new to boating, you may be thinking - how hard can it be?  You simply throw the anchor in the water, wait until it hits the bottom, then tie it off, correct?

Anyone who is experienced with boating has probably  seen the types of problems that type of attitude can cause.  Just like everything else in boating, anchoring requires the right equipment, careful thought, and a  lot of practice. 

The starting point is selecting the right ground  tackle (the proper term for the anchor, line, chain, shackles and swivels) for your boat and your style of boating.  There is no single anchor that will do everything perfectly.  Each style has its own unique benefits and drawbacks, and each one performs best under its given conditions.

The Danforth anchor
The Danforth anchor is one of the most popular,  being easily identified by its two long, sharp pivoting flukes and long shank.  The Danforth is  also a great choice for small to medium sized boats as well.  The anchor is light and easy to store,  digs well into sand and mud, and releases easy when pulled from different directions.

The flukes on the Danforth pivot so that the shank can be pulled at a more vertical angle.  It's ideal for fishing, which requires quick release and moving around to different locations.  If you fish overnight a lot or travel to different areas of water you may want to consider a different anchor, which will  hold better in changing conditions.

The plow anchor
The CQR, or plow anchor, features a single shaped  fluke that pivots at the end of the shank.  This design works well on many bottoms.  The plow shank pivots from side to side, while remaining parallel to the fluke.  This design also makes releasing a  snap when the anchor is pulled vertically.

The Bruce anchor
This anchor was originally created for offshore gas and drilling rigs.  The more scaled down version  of this anchor is popular with boaters.  The anchor holds fast, yet it will still come loose when  pulled vertically.

Always make sure to select an anchor system that matches the length of your boat, displacement, and the windage.  If your looking for strength, elasticity and durability, you should use only top quality braided nylon anchor line.

It's very important that the size and length of  your anchor line is appropriate for your boat and it's requirements.  Small or medium boats should use a section of galvanized steel chain between the  line and the anchor.

If you are new to boating, anchoring is something you should become familiar with.  As you use your  boat more, you'll pick up the proper anchoring  techniques.  Or, if you prefer, you can always take classes and learn everything you need to know about anchoring from a qualified professional.

As you are probably already aware of, inflatable boats are very popular today.  Each distinct group of inflatable boat is designed for a specific use and therefore equipped with different components and equipment. 

If your looking for a small boat to get you from your ship to the shore, a typical inflatable boat is the best answer.  If you are looking for a  medium sized boat for diving or swimming, there  are many choices in that area as well.  For recreation or rescue work, there are large inflatable boats available as well.

Dealers
The location of a reputable dealer is very important,  as you don't want to travel too far to get an inflatable boat.  Whether you need parts, repairs,  or just technical support - a close dealer can also be a close friend.  As a new boat owner, you may also have questions, need to claim your warranty,  or just need regular servicing.  No matter how you look at it, a close dealer is always better than having to travel.

Prices
Many years ago, inflatable boats were the most  expensive types of boats and only a small amount  of people could even afford them.  The reason for this, was the use of exotic materials and the  numerous hours of hand labor that went into their construction.

Today, there are machines that do a majority of the construction work.  Zodiac and its sister  company Sevylor, are the leading low cost producers today thanks to technology.  You can even finance an inflatable boat if you need to, making them available to almost everyone now.

Warranty
You may have heard claims from all competitors,  with each one promising they have the best or even the longest warranty.  A few years ago, a company offered a lifetime warranty - although they soon disappeared shortly thereafter.  Many manufacturers will use an attractive warranty to substitute for quality or even proper boat design.

In the back of your mind, you should be sure that the company you buy from will be around long enough to deliver on their warranty.  Zodiac has been  building inflatable boats for over 50 years, and  offer a limited 5 year warranty on their inflatable boats.  Therefore, Zodiak is one of the best you can buy today.

With all inflatable boats, you should know which type you want before you purchase.  You can always look around and see what each dealer offer, then plan your purchase accordingly.  An inflatable boat is great to have, especially for those who own big ships and vessels.  You can't go wrong with these boats either - as they serve many different useful purposes.

Those of you who own boat will want to make sure  you get watercraft coverage.  Often times, people don't realize that they need this type of coverage for their boats.  There are many boat owners that don't even realize this type of insurance is  even available.

You need boat insurance if you own a boat, it's  that simple.  Before you buy boat insurance, here are some things you simply must know.

-  Many states now require that you carry watercraft liability coverage.  What this coverage does, is  protect you against any damage that you cause to other people or their property with your boat.  This insurance will also cover you for vandalism, theft,  fire, stranding, sinking, and even collision.  You should always call your insurance agent and see  what's required with your state and what policies they cover.

-  There is also optional coverage that you should really consider.  One type of coverage that you  should strongly consider is Wreckage Removal.  In most areas, the removal of sunken or wrecked  boats is required by law, and the responsibility of the owner to pay for the removal, which can  easily be very expensive.

Wreckage Removal coverage will pay these costs for you.  You should also consider adding coverage  that will pay for repairs and mechanical failure as well, along with towing charges - should you ever need to be towed back to the shore.

-  Not all insurance companies cover everyone who operates the boat.  This is something you should  always ask about, find out who is covered when  operating the boat.  There are several companies  that will only cover the owner of the boat.  Make sure that the insurance agent defines who is  covered when operating the boat.

-  When you shop for boat insurance, call your  current company first, then check with other  companies to see what type of rates they offer as  well.  Always remember that insurance agencies  are in competition with each other, and they'll work with you to get you to join them.  Let one know about a better rate that you've been quoted and see if they'll go one better.

Before you shop for boat insurance, think about  the investment you have made with your boat.  Boats are not cheap, replacing or repairing them isn't  cheap either.  Therefore, you should always make  sure you get the coverage you need to protect you  against anything that happens with your boat.

Selecting the right fishing boat can be a real  challenge and also a lot of fun for someone who is new to boating.  If you haven't experienced buying a boat before, it can also be a daunting task to say the least.

Before you start looking, it's important to consider the purpose of your fishing boat.  A fishing boat serves but one purpose - fishing.  You have to  decide if you plan to fish in the ocean, or in otherbodies of water, such as lakes.  This is very  important, as there are different types of fishing boats available.

If you plan to use your fishing boat for ocean  cruising and overnight stays, it would be ideal to  buy one that has a hull.  This design is meant for rough waters, riding the waves, and providing more comfort for anglers while they fish.

When you buy a fishing boat, you should know if it includes a warranty.  If it does, you should really study the warranty as not all are the same.  Buying your boat from a dealer is always a smarter decision,  as dealers will provide repair services is the  boat is found to be defective.

It's also important when buying a fishing boat to note if the boat is certified by the NMMA.  This  agency will guarantee that the certification they  give to every boat passes the agency's standards  of excellence.

When it comes down to it, you should do more than  just look around when it comes to a fishing boat. You should learn how to look for the best details to ensure that your boat is worth the money.  If you take the time to look around, you'll find a boat that you can truly be proud of.

Those of you who have the money and plan to keep one boat forever, should buy it new.  If you happen to be on a budget and skeptical about owning a  boat, you should buy it used.

Buying used is great for some, although it isn't always the most glamorous decision.  The oceans  and lakes are filled with boaters who are far wealthier than most.  Many boaters go well beyond their means and finance their boats at extreme  levels.  

What really counts with a used boat is being out there on the water.  Someone who is out there  every weekend on his beat up boat is a great  boater.  A businessman who only has time to ride on his 60 foot yacht once or twice a year isn't considered a boater at all.

If you look around the water, you'll se that the little boats are the ones that move, while the big boats are the ones that never move.  Those  that are too busy earning money and never have  the time to go boating shouldn't really have a boat at all.

New boats can lose half of their value in less than 2 years.  With a used boat, the previous owner has already fixed the problems that are  associated with new boats.  The previous owner has also already hassled with the dealer to get the warranty service taken care of.

A used boat normally hasn't be used very much at all.  A boat will sit a majority of the time,  which is nothing like a used car.  You can find many boats with less than a couple hundreds hours of engine time.  For the sake of comparison,  look at how many hours are on the engine of your car.

A used boat will already have scratches and  dings, so you won't feel half as bad when you  add a few of your own.  When you purchase your used boat, you should leave at least a grand to outfit the boat and make any necessary repairs.

A used boat will normally come with dock lines,  life jackets, spare props, a radio, safety  equipment, and other nice additions.  New boat owners will have to pay hundreds of dollars  for these kinds of things.

The wild card is, of course, whether or not the previous boat owner did the proper maintenance  of the boat.  Prior to buying you should always get the boat surveyed to be sure that it's in reasonable condition.  This way, you'll know  your getting a great used boat.