Buying My First Boat May 2026

Enroll in a boating safety course to learn navigation rules and local regulations [24, 28].

For larger or more expensive vessels, hire a professional marine surveyor to conduct a pre-purchase inspection [11, 26]. 4. Getting Started Safely Once you bring your boat home, the learning curve begins. buying my first boat

Life jackets for every passenger, fire extinguishers, flares, a marine radio (VHF), and an anchor [15, 24]. 3. Inspecting a Potential Vessel Enroll in a boating safety course to learn