Expert Tips for Buying a Boat
Buying a boat is the fulfillment of a long-awaited dream for many sea lovers and water sports enthusiasts. Pick up speed, feel the power of the water and enjoy pure luxury. Especially in times of social distancing and travel restrictions, the demand for boats and yachts has increased enormously.
What to Consider when Buying a Boat?
When buying a new or used boat, there are some factors to consider. Especially the purchase of a used boat often involves risks that many buyers do not take into account.
In this article, we have compiled helpful tips for buying a yacht and reveal how a yacht broker can ease the yacht purchase process.
Advantages of New and Pre-Owned Boats
At the beginning of the buying process, you should be clear about whether you want to purchase a used yacht or a new yacht.
The decision to buy a new or pre-owned boat depends on the buyer’s situation. However, both alternatives bring advantages and disadvantages, which we would like to present to you here:
Advantages and Disadvantages of Pre-Owned Yachts
- The purchase cost of a used boat or yacht is less than buying a new model. Therefore, a used yacht can often turn out larger than a new one.
- When buying a used boat, there are no delivery periods or long waiting times. Normally, the new owner can take over the boat shortly after receipt of payment.
- Pre-owned yachts are often already well equipped and you acquire high-quality equipment at a lower price.
- If your are lucky, you might also acquire berth along with your purchased boat.
- When buying a used boat from a private person, the entire risk lies with the buyer. This also applies to defects not recognized during the inspection.
- The offer of pre-owned yachts on the Internet is enormous. Thus, there is substantial danger of falling into the trap of a fraudulent advertisement.
- When buying a used boat, there is usually no warranty. Be it for the engine, the hull or the equipment.
- When it comes to older models, the hull design is usually outdated, meaning it cannot compare to the newer, more stable and comfortable hulls of a new boat.
Advantages and Disadvantages of New Yachts
- You can have a new yacht built and configured from the scratch so that it exactly matches your own vision and ideas.
- If a new boat has defects, these must be rectified by the manufacturer.
- Buying a new boat or yacht through official dealers does not entail any risks when it comes to warranty issues.
- When you buy a new yacht model, you are also at the cutting edge of design and technology. This means you don’t have to compromise on functionality, comfort and looks.
- The purchase cost of a new yacht, depending on the model, size and construction, is usually much higher than for a pre-owned one.
- The waiting times for a new model are often long. Thus, as a yacht owner, you have to exercise patience until the first trip with your new gem takes place.
- As in the automotive industry, the depreciation of yachts and boats is relatively high. A new yacht loses about 20% of its original value in the first year. In the following years, about 5% is depreciated per year.
Carefree Yacht Purchase with a Broker
Whether you choose to buy a new or pre-used yacht depends entirely on your individual preferences.
However, buying a pre-used boat involves much more risks than buying a new one. Therefore, we recommend that you seek the assistance of an expert.
Experienced yacht brokers can provide the necessary expertise in yacht trading to assist you with the purchase of a pre-used boat. Thus, as a buyer, you can be sure of the comprehensive and objective advice when it comes to the evaluation of your potential yacht.
In addition, a reputable and competent yacht broker has both a broad network and sound knowledge of the market, as well as the necessary sensitivity for his customers. Before searching for a boat, he should intensively deal with the concerns and needs of potential buyers. This is the only approach for finding the ideal object for the customer.
Buying with a Yacht Broker – The Advantages at a Glance
- Market and professional knowledge, which is especially important when inspecting and valuing a used boat
- Broad, international network of correspondent brokers
- Less time needed for the boat search needed
- Protection of financial and contractual interests
- Purchase without regret – through the use of experts, the object is checked and inspected for all defects
- Support in all administrative matters (registration, insurance, etc.)
There are Brokers – and there is Merk & Merk
Whether you are looking for pre-owned boats in Croatia, or you are interested in a new yacht. At Merk & Merk you are in the best hands when it comes to buying a yacht.
The team of Merk & Merk consists of passionate water sportsmen and boat enthusiasts. So, combined with unrivaled commitment and extensive market- and technical knowledge, we know exactly what you, as a yacht owner, value.
We are aware that buying a yacht is a matter of trust. Therefore, the wishes and needs of our customers have the highest priority at Merk & Merk. In order to provide you with the best possible advice, we always take enough time to get to know you and your requirements for a yacht. This way, we have already helped many interested parties in finding the yacht that suits them perfectly.
In our portfolio we offer not only the most modern yacht models, but also high-quality boats from previous ownership.
Compared to a yacht broker in your home country, at Merk & Merk you benefit from our geographical location. Because we are exactly where you need us. When buying a yacht in Croatia, we are on site to conduct inspections. Even if you are outside the country, we can accompany you during a live boat inspection via video tour, as if you were on board yourself.
Yacht Purchase with Merk & Merk
With this guide to buying a yacht, we have tried to cover the basic questions about buying a (pre-used) boat to provide you with the best tips for your purchase.
You still have questions or need more information about buying a yacht in Croatia? Please feel free to contact us and we will get back to you shortly!
You are in search for your dream yacht? Let’s talk about it! Contact us for a non-binding consultation: