Here you are. After years of renting a catamaran, chartering motor yachts, and sailing on various crewed vessels, you’ve decided to purchase your own boat.

Buying a yacht in Singapore is not precisely the same as purchasing a new vehicle or a personal watercraft if you’ve never done it before. Buying or selling yachts is a reasonably difficult procedure that generates several questions:

Which sort of boat best suits you?

What is the optimal boat layout?

Should you purchase a brand-new boat or one that has already proven herself?

Well, this article will help you in your decision-making process by highlighting 5 things you need to consider when buying a yacht.

1. Select the type of boat you wish to purchase.

All types of yachts have their advantages and disadvantages. In certain situations, a single boat may be ideal, yet in others, it may not be. If you are seeking a catamaran to sail the shallow seas of a tropical island, your demands will differ from those of someone planning a transatlantic voyage.

Therefore, your first inquiry should be to establish what you will use your boat for most of the time and where you will travel the most.

Purchase a boat corresponding to your primary usage and the locations you intend to explore. You may always lease a better-suited yacht for these additional activities incompatible with your vessel.

2. Evaluate the comfort requirements for the boat you intend to acquire.

Knowing the level of comfort you anticipate is crucial. The comfort of your boat is directly proportional to its size, its equipment, and whether or not it requires a crew or particular expertise to manage.

If you pick a too-tiny vessel, you may be able to sail it alone and minimise the overall cost, but you may confront size, comfort, and crew-hiring restrictions.

In contrast, if you buy a too-large yacht, you may have an exceptionally luxurious vessel, but you will likely need a staff to manage it, and the purchase and maintenance expenses will be greater.

Size and comfort are not always the best solutions.

3. Determine the desired boat performance.

Not everybody wants the quickest yacht. But let’s be honest, sailing speed might be one of the most addicting aspects. Some vessels are better suited for long-distance travel, others are better suited for short-distance cruising, and many balance the two.

So you may choose to sacrifice performance in favour of cruising and range. Or, you can simply choose the quickest vessel in your category.

4. Estimate your annual boat maintenance budget.

As enjoyable as sailing is, it can be an expensive pastime. The price of your boat is significant, but many additional expenditures will accrue each year, and it’s crucial to anticipate them accurately.

A boat requires upkeep, repairs, insurance, and moorage. In most situations, the larger the boat, the more these expenditures, particularly when staff are included.

5. Examine the various boats on the market.

Examine the market and determine which boats are for sale and why. Before purchasing a pre-owned boat, it is essential to have a thorough understanding of the market. Once you do, you will immediately find that fantastic offers are always available.

Do your study, and do not be afraid to call a well-established sales broker who can advise you on the various models and who will often be able to guide you in the direction of “off-market” boats, which are frequently the finest chances.