{"id":8644,"date":"2021-07-12T07:59:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-12T07:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/301webdemo.com\/oegema\/?p=8644"},"modified":"2026-02-06T04:57:56","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T04:57:56","slug":"your-guide-to-buying-a-new-boat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ona.ca\/blog\/your-guide-to-buying-a-new-boat\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Guide to Buying a New Boat"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Buying a new boat is an exciting prospect. However, it can also be overwhelming if this is your first time. There are many things to consider, not just about the type and size of boat you want, but also recommendations that will ensure you transport and operate it safely. Here, we provide a guide to buying a new boat and help walk you through the process. With these tips, you\u2019ll be ready to make your purchase and enjoy your boat for many summers to come.<\/p>

Considerations for Your Boat Purchase<\/h2>

First, you want to consider what type of boat will suit your needs. What do you plan to use it for? Is it something simple, for example, such as for fishing? Do you need to accommodate just yourself, or friends and family? Will you be taking long trips and sleeping on the boat? Maybe you might even plan to live on the boat for the summer or all year round. Where you operate your boat is also important. Is it for the cottage on a small, enclosed lake? Is it intended for larger bodies of water or even the ocean? Last but not least, consider your storage and transportation needs. Do you have a boat house at the cottage? Do you need to transport your boat to and from your home for fishing trips? Are you planning to keep it at a marina? All of these things will help determine the right boat for your needs.<\/p>

Budget<\/h3>

Budget is always a concern. However, boats go beyond the purchase price alone. Many of the questions asked above also apply to your budget. For example, if your boat will be transported to the cottage once and stored in your own boat house, then your budget isn\u2019t really impacted by anything other than maintenance and fuel. However, if you need to rent space at a marina or invest in a hauler for the boat, then the prices start to rise.<\/p>

Research<\/h3>

When you have a good idea of your budget and boat type, do some research online. This will help you get acquainted with the terms, and show you what is available for your price point. If time allows, consider attending some local boat shows. This is an excellent place for new boat buyers, as you can speak to the representatives and\u00a0learn more about boating<\/a>. You can also step onboard the boats and see them up close.<\/p>

Shop Around<\/h3>

Your research should have helped you narrow down your list. Now, you can start shopping around. Just like buying a car, you want to see the boat firsthand, get onboard, consider the space and features, and if possible even go out on the water to see how it handles. From there, you can make your decision and purchase. Keep in mind that some dealers might have changed how they operate due to COVID-19. Call ahead even post-pandemic just to see if you require an appointment.<\/p>

Consider Renting for a Trial<\/h3>

Before you commit, see if there are options to rent the type of boat you want for a few days. This way, you can get a real feel for it, learn how to operate it, and consider if it really does meet your needs.<\/p>

New vs. Used<\/h3>

Sometimes, budget concerns might make it difficult to get your ideal boat. However, you could consider buying a used boat. While this does open you up to possible issues since there won\u2019t be any warranties, it could be a good way to find out with less investment if boat ownership is for you. You certainly won\u2019t be short on options with the huge used boat market in Canada. However, buyers beware. Make sure you arrange for a boat survey to ensure the boat is seaworthy and in good condition. A marine survey also helps set a fair price, so you don\u2019t overpay. It provides a record of what repairs and maintenance are most likely to come up, and can even make it easier to find financing. You\u2019ll also find that many insurance companies require an appraisal before they offer you a\u00a0boat insurance policy<\/a>.<\/p>

Get Your Pleasure Craft Operator Card<\/h3>

Don\u2019t even start looking until you\u2019ve obtained your Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC). You\u2019ll need it to operate a boat in Ontario. It will also keep you and others safe when you are out on the water.<\/p>

Register Your Boat<\/h3>

Keep in mind that you\u2019ll have to register boats powered by an engine of 10 horsepower, so you\u2019ll have your Pleasure Craft License (PCL) issued by Transport Canada. You will only have 90 days after purchasing the boat to register, but it just takes a few minutes online. There is actually no fee, and it lasts for 10 years.<\/p>

Get Boat Insurance<\/h3>

Last but not least, you\u2019ll need boat insurance. It will cover a variety of things including:<\/p>

  1. Physical damage to your boat:<\/strong>\u00a0To pay for repairs or replacement after insured damage, such as collision in the water, vandalism, sinking, thef<\/li>
  2. Bodily injury liability:<\/strong>\u00a0This covers medical bills and legal expenses should someone become injured while using your boat.<\/li>
  3. Property damage liability:<\/strong>\u00a0This covers damage you may cause to someone else\u2019s boat, dock, or other property.<\/li><\/ol>

    Although boat insurance is not required by law, you really don\u2019t want to take your chances without it. So many accidents can occur that will cause permanent damage to your boat, and you\u2019ll also be vulnerable to theft.<\/p>

    Insure Your Boat Trailer<\/h3>

    This is an added step if you buy a boat that you plan to haul around. Your trailer will not be covered by your\u00a0auto<\/a>\u00a0or boating insurance and requires its own policy. You also will need a license plate for your boat trailer. If you are ready to learn more about boat insurance in Ottawa,\u00a0speak to our team at Oegema, Nicholson & Associates<\/a>\u00a0today.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Buying a new boat is an exciting prospect. However, it can also be overwhelming if this is your first time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":8798,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8644","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-insurance-advice"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ona.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8644","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ona.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ona.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ona.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ona.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8644"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.ona.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8644\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14985,"href":"https:\/\/www.ona.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8644\/revisions\/14985"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ona.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8798"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ona.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8644"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ona.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8644"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ona.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8644"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}