Buying a Boat?
Boating Tips > Buying a Boat?
Boating Tips > Buying a Boat?
Define Your Primary Activity
Buying a boat is an exciting milestone, but it is also a significant investment that requires a clear strategy. At Dolphin Marine on the Sunshine Coast, we specialise in quality used boats and see firsthand what separates a successful purchase from a costly mistake. By following a structured method, you can ensure that your new vessel perfectly matches your lifestyle and your budget.
The first step is to decide how you will actually use the boat, as most designs are built for one main purpose. If you are focused on fishing, you will need ample deck space and rod holders. If family cruising is the goal, prioritise seating, shade, and storage. For watersports like skiing, engine power and towing points are essential. While some boats handle multiple activities, no single design does everything perfectly, so choosing a style that fits your most frequent use is the best way to ensure long-term satisfaction.
Boating Tips
Match the Boat to Your Environment
Picking the right rig is a massive call for any Aussie boatie. Fibreglass boats are heavier and slice through the chop for a silky-smooth ride, though they need regular gelcoat care to stay mint. Tinnies (aluminium) are light as a feather, making them a breeze to tow and tough enough for river work, even if they’re a bit bumpier in rough water.
Matching your boat to your environment is vital; calm estuaries are fine for small hulls, but heading offshore requires a larger vessel with higher sides built for the swell. Safety is non-negotiable, so never exceed your boat’s carrying capacity—it’s dangerous and strictly illegal. Before you buy, ensure your vehicle can legally tow the combined weight of the boat, motor, fuel, and trailer. Regardless of your choice, stay on top of regular outboard and trailer servicing so you aren't left stranded.
Boating Tips
Choose the Right Construction Material
Choosing between fibreglass and aluminium is a massive call for any boatie. Glass boats are heavier, slicing through waves for a silky-smooth ride, though they need a bit of elbow grease to keep the gelcoat mint. Tinnies (aluminium) are light as a feather, making them a breeze to tow and tough enough for river work, even if they’re a bit bumpier in the chop.
Safety is the top priority, so don't be a numpty—stick to your boat’s specific carrying capacity to avoid a dangerous and illegal situation. Regardless of your rig, keep the salt off the alloy or the glass polished, and always budget for regular outboard and trailer servicing to ensure you aren't left stranded.
Boating Tips
Conduct a Thorough Inspection and Budget
To buy a used boat without getting stung, you’ve gotta do a proper thorough inspection of the hull, motor history, electrics, and trailer. Don't forget to budget for the "on-water" extras like rego, servicing, and safety gear (think lifejackets and EPIRBs). To make life easy, the team at Dolphin Marine on the Sunshine Coast inspects all their stock and will even sell your old rig for free to help you upgrade.
Questions to ask yourself when buying a boat
There are many different uses for boats, so you need to decide what you want to do with your used boat. Are you going to be fishing, skiing, cruising or sailing, with your boat? Boats are designed for different activities & are generally built for one main purpose. Multiple activities can be done from some boat designs but keep in mind, there is no perfect boat. you won’t find a boat that will do everything well.
- Will the boat be used in fresh water, salt water, calm waters or open sea.
Check the towing capacity of your tow vehicle if you are thinking of purchasing a trailered boat. The vehicle must be cable of towing & stopping the weighted trailer. Strict transport laws apply here so this is certainly something to look into.
How many people at any one time would you like to have in your boat? Boats have a limit of people & weight that can be carried in them. This is for safety. A boats carrying capacities is calculated on size of the boat & the amount of flotation that the boat has. With this in place you will be limited as to how many passengers your boat will handle. Another factor to consider, is the boat going to used offshore? If so, it needs to be able to handle rough seas. This is determined by the styling &
size of the vessel.
The 2 most common constructed boats are built from either fibreglass or aluminium. There are a few pros cons for both types. Fibreglass boats are heavier than aluminium boats of the same size, therefore will need a larger vehicle to tow it. On the plus side for fibreglass is the ride, because they are heavier, impact into a wave is much softer resulting in a smoother ride. As an aluminium boat is much lighter, it tends to shutter when hitting a wave causing the passengers an uncomfortable ride. This is also determined on the design of the hull. Some aluminium boats have a hull that is designed to help with this problem. As it is lighter this makes it easier to tow & handle.
Once again the construction of the hull will have a small factor with the maintenance of your boat. Fibreglass boats take a little more looking after than an aluminium boat due to the finish of the hull & the interior. Fibreglass boats tend to also be more plush with the interior therefore take a little more looking after.
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