There are several major factors to discuss right out of the berth here: propulsion and length!
What’s your budget? Are you a hobbyist with $20k to spend or $200m for a superyacht? There are plenty of boats all along the budget spectrum.
Set your budget, include a buffer for works to get the boat up to your standard. A general rule of thumb is: If you have $100k to spend, look for a $90k boat and keep $10k set aside for the upgrades/works you want to carry out first.
Do you want to sail, or do you want a power boat? Are you looking for a 10 meter dayboat or a 50 meter superyacht?
How do you plan to use the boat? Short fishing trips, wakeboarding, weekends away, live aboard cruising, racing, chartering? Think of how you and others will be spending time on the boat.
Clearly though there are far more types of boats once you have made these decisions, here are just a few of them:
Bowrider:
Ideal for watersports or days out with family & friends, seating in the bow & easy access to the water
Cuddy Cabin:
A small day boat with a large cockpit and small cabin for storage and shelter
Cabin Cruiser:
A day or weekender boat with a cabin & creature comforts for the family
Center Console:
For the fishing lovers! Also known as a Walkabout, this design maximises deck space for better fishing
Dinghies & Tenders:
Lightweight, portable boat for easy transport to a mooring or simply having fun at the beach
Flybridge Cruiser:
A flybridge gives a glamorous upper deck with helm station, adding up to 50% more room than a similar length boat
Jetski & PWC:
The boating equivalent of a sportsbike: fast, furious and great fun.
Multihull:
Boats with 2 or more hulls, usually Catamaran or Trimaran. These offer larger living space with a shallow draft.
Sailboat:
From smaller day sailors to larger racing keelboats, a perfect way to start sailing and enter club races
Sailing Yacht:
Typically 10m or above with enough accommodation for holidays or even living on board
Trawler:
Combining sea-keeping ability with comfort, long-distance cruising and style
Superyacht:
When you have made it and want to celebrate it, a Superyacht is a big statement
Made up your mind already or just want to see what boats are available? Browse our current brokerage fleet here:
Need some more help? Read our next guide on choosing the right boat for you based on how you want to use it