Having a boat means you can spend relaxing holidays out on the water, fishing or just enjoying the natural surroundings when you get away from the city. Buying a boat can be a sizable investment, and you should know a bit more about them before you make that purchase.

We're not necessarily talking about the mechanical details, like understanding all the mechanics of marine electrical services or how to use computerized navigation tools. Just some basic things you need to consider before closing that deal.

Your Intended Purpose

Are you going to slowly let yourself drift along with the current, or do you plan on needing more power to go water-skiing? Not all boats are going to be ideal for all purposes and it would be a shame to finally get a great boat, and then find out that you can't really do what you want with it.

Along with this tip is that you should also consider where you intend to go boating. Deep canals can easily handle a boat with long centerboard (like a sailboat perhaps), but you'll want to stick to a design with a flatter bottom if you plan on visiting relatively shallow lakes.

Your Time Limitations

This isn't really about the boat itself, but rather your expectations on using it. If your holidays and weekends are usually jam-packed with other activities, work, or household chores, you might find that your new boat spends a lot of its life in the garage or at the marina. That doesn't mean you should or should not buy the boat, just one more thing to add into the equation as you make your decision.

The Costs

Just like with any major purchase, don't forget to think about the costs. It's easy to let yourself get carried away when you start to daydream about days out on the water but can you really afford it? Not only do you have to cover the initial cost of making the boat purchase, there will be regular maintenance, fuel and possibly docking or slip fees if you don't want to trailer your boat to and from the water. And speaking of boat trailers, you should double-check that your vehicle is capable of pulling this new boat along with the trailer if that is your plan.

If you own property on a body of water, you can avoid any of the costs associated with docking and storage. Even if you have to build your own dock, you can save a lot of money this way.

New or Used

If you are worried about the cost, you might be looking at used boats to save a little money. Just like with a used car, you will do better if you are somewhat handy and can tackle any small fixes without having to get a professional involved. Most certainly, you should take a used boat out on the water and check carefully for leaks. Even if they assure you that it's a small deal that can easily be fixed, you should seriously think twice about getting a boat that takes on water.