Advice needed on buying a personal boat

I've never owned a boat in my life and now that I live near the sea I would love to own a small boat to travel along the coast from one city to another.

I have no experience with boats so that's why I would love to hear some advice if you have any.

Would you recommend a used one or a new one?

And should I get a sailing boat or a motorboat and what type would you recommend? I don't think I'll have enough means to get a boat with a room inside, unless it's relatively cheap.

And is learning how to navigate a sailing boat a long process?

jordanlund ,
@jordanlund@lemmy.world avatar

An ocean going boat isn't for a beginner. I'd stick to a car. :)

A sailing boat is tricky to manage solo, if you're on your own, I'd steer clear.

SurpriZe OP ,

Is it ocean going if you only stick to near-shore? And maybe close to shore islands, too

jordanlund ,
@jordanlund@lemmy.world avatar

Ocean wave action isn't for first timers:

https://professionalmariner.com/eleven-killed-when-charter-boat-capsizes-on-oregon-coast/

DarkDarkHouse ,
@DarkDarkHouse@lemmy.sdf.org avatar

A small one person boat like a Laser is a great beginner boat and isn’t too tricky once you know what you are doing. Might need some help getting it in and out of the water, but they are very popular near me.

son_named_bort ,

Eh, a car doesn't do too well on the ocean.

reallyzen ,
@reallyzen@lemmy.ml avatar

Not a boat owner, but trained on sailboats: if you feel like it, take sailing lessons and get a feel for it, it's fun and relaxing. I hate motorboats for the noise, the environmental impact. And it's kinda dull.

In any case, navigation and boating in general has rules, depending on where you are you may have to get a license.

Got to your local sail club, take lessons. When you're trained you will be able to rent boats from time to time. Almost nobody sails enough that buying is reasonable. And anchoring in a proper port means an annual fee to pay.

kersploosh ,
@kersploosh@sh.itjust.works avatar

This is the answer right here. Hook up with a local sailing club and take classes. If you love it, make friends with other sailors and rent the club's boats.

If there's interesting stuff to see near shore, and the tides are manageable, then kayaking is also great. It's cheap and easy to get into, and great exercise.

DarkDarkHouse ,
@DarkDarkHouse@lemmy.sdf.org avatar

Depending on the availability of crew, skippers may even train you up on their boat.

SurpriZe OP ,

Thanks! Solid advice. Unfortunately no sailing clubs here but I'll see if I can meet up with some sailors and try out a boat or two.

MedicPigBabySaver ,
@MedicPigBabySaver@lemmy.world avatar

IMO: look into "boat sharing". Unless you have a lot of $$ and/or lots of experience with boat maintenance.... You do not want to own a boat.

Old cliché is (it's true): "It's better to have a friend with a boat."

SatansMaggotyCumFart ,

The best two days of owning a boat is the day you buy it and the day you sell it.

Revan343 ,

In a similar vein, a boat is a hole in the ocean that you throw money into

Peppycito ,
@Peppycito@sh.itjust.works avatar

I'll introduce the concept of 'Boat Bucks ': Boats are expensive and spending $1000 is really just getting started so it eases the pain a bit to convert to Boat Bucks. 1BB = $100 and then you say "wow, gas is pretty cheap today! Only cost 3 Boat Bucks to fill up!"

son_named_bort ,

Boat = bust out another thousand

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