You've got this and we've got you

Step one for buying your first boat is simple — choose your ride. Will you be cruising, fishing, sailing, wakeboarding, waterskiing or hunting for sunken treasure? Next, think about how many people you plan on taking out and what size boat you’ll need.

Do you plan on taking it offshore?

Tinnies tend to be lighter, which is great for towing and means you can also get a bigger boat. However, tinnies can be noisier and don’t usually have the same ride quality as fibreglass boats.

Fibreglass or GRP (glass reinforced plastic) boats tend to ride softer and faster due to their smoother lines and relative heavy weight. However, that weight comes at a cost.

Outboard engines are popular because they allow the lower unit of the motor to be kept clear of the water for trailering or when not in use. If you’re still unsure about what type of boat you want to get, a good idea is to head to a boat show where you’ll be able to jump aboard everything from a tinnie to a super yacht.

In most cases, a boat will immediately lose value the moment it sails off the showroom floor. In the long run, this can be a small price to pay compared to buying a second-hand boat which may have serious issues.

When buying new from a boat dealer, the BMT (boat, motor and trailer) will come with warranties, you’ll get a full rundown on how everything works in the handover and you’ll always have someone to call if you’ve got any questions or problems. If you do decide to buy second-hand, ask the owner to supply the boat’s HIN (hull identification number) so you can check the online database to make sure it’s (a) owned by the seller, and (b) no finance companies have a claim to it. Like a second-hand car purchase, you should always ask to see the motor’s service history and receipts for any work allegedly done.

Read the full article.

Consider getting protection for your boat. NRMA Boat Insurance includes cover for accidental damage on or off the water, up to your agreed value.

1. Check oil levels in a four-stroke motor. The black, slippery stuff helps dissipate heat from mechanical components and removes nasties.
2. Gearbox seals can leak due to ingress from fishing lines, eventually causing mechanical failure. A regular gearbox oil change will keep things in good condition.
3. A water-separating fuel filter is designed to catch the impurities and water before they reach your engine.
4. The cooling system helps to dissipate heat before things go BOOM! Key items to monitor are cooling levels (for inboard motors), gauges, alarms and the telltale emanating from the leg of your outboard.
5. Check all skin fittings, valves, hoses and hose clamps. These can be found on the engine and also on the lower surface of the hull.
6. Batteries should be fully charged, secured to the vessel and all connections tightened.
7. Check the anodes. To do their job properly, anodes need to be exposed and in good condition. Painting them or covering them in antifoul will render them useless.
8. Fuel for thought. Buy the best fuel you can, from a reputable source. 98 octane has the longest lifespan of any fuel in Australia and is guaranteed to contain no ethanol.
9. Trailer failures. Lack of trailer maintenance can leave you stranded on the highway. Be sure to check the wheel bearings by jacking up the trailer and making sure the wheel has no lateral (side-to-side) movement.
10. Pre-trip check. Make sure you’ve got the keys to the boat, bungs, safety gear, electronics, provisions (including water) and plenty of fuel for your trip. Whatever you do, don’t forget the bait!

To prevent overheating, most marine engines rely on seawater to cool things down. But the salty stuff that stings your eyes can also sting your wallet if it’s not flushed out of the motor after use. After each trip, wash the whole boat down with warm soapy water. Don’t use alkaline detergents on aluminium boats. Then open all the compartments and let the boat dry out. When completely clean and dry, cover your boat from the sun. That big ball of fire in the sky can quickly dull your brand-new tinnie or fibreglass boat, fade upholstery and potentially cook your electronics.

Consider getting protection for your boat. NRMA Boat Insurance includes cover for accidental damage on or off the water, up to your agreed value.

You’re almost there and it should be smooth sailing from here. Let’s get your boat off the trailer.

Step 1: If you’re solo, it can be handy to have a bow rope attached so you can lead the boat off. If you’ve got a skipper, tell them to lower the engine slightly into the water. If you tilt it down too far, you risk hitting the propellor on the ramp when your boat slides off.

Step 2: Now, remove the safety chain, attach the winch handle and use it to take the pressure off the cable. If your trailer is particularly slippery, you may need to put the boat in forward gear to remove the tension. Unclip the winch cable and give the thumbs up to the skipper letting them know they are free and clear to reverse the boat off.

Step 3: With your boat afloat, try and park it in an area that doesn’t impede other ramp users. If you’re pulling up to a wharf or pontoon throw out your fenders to prevent scuffs. Once the boat is secure you should then move your vehicle and trailer off the ramp as quickly as possible.