The area in and around Salem, Oregon, is full of too many boating opportunities to ignore. Whether you want to go freshwater boating on the Willamette River or hitch up your trailer for a short drive to the beach to launch your boat on the open ocean, Salem—and the whole of northern Oregon—is a paradise for boaters. If you’re interested in racing sailboats, you can do that in Oregon; if you just want to relax with your family on a sunny day, there are plenty of places to do that as well. All you need is a boat! Of course, many people assume that boat ownership is the domain of only the very wealthy, but this needn’t be the case. Actually, if you know how to go about it, you can find a great boat without breaking the bank. Here are five tips for buying one of the many boats Salem, Oregon, has waiting for you:
Don’t Rush
Here’s our first tip: when you’re shopping for a boat, there’s no need to hurry! All too often, people rush into their first boat purchase and end up unhappy. Since a boat is such a big purchase, it’s worth putting a little thought into it. If you aren’t sure if you even want a boat, take some time to think about it. Do a little research. Try to find out which, if any, boats are right for you. What size boat do you want? How much are you prepared to spend? How about maintenance? Do you want an easy, low-maintenance boat, or are you looking for an aesthetically pleasing vessel that you’ll need to put more time into? You’ll need to decide what kind of boat you want too. Do you want a simple motorboat? Or a sailboat? A catamaran, perhaps? If you aren’t sure, it’s actually possible to test drive boats—just ask your dealer—and you’ll get a better idea of what suits you.
Shop Around
Since boating is such a huge industry in Oregon, there are plenty of dealers out there that might have your dream boat. You won’t know which one until you start shopping around! Exactly where you should be looking depends on a number of factors: for example, are you buying new or used? Or are you unsure? If you’re thinking about buying used, you might consider contacting a boat broker. Essentially, a boat broker operates a bit like a real estate agent: you are hiring them to find you the right boat. Usually, these brokers earn their commission from the seller—so using a boat broker shouldn’t cost you any extra. Note that it’s probably best to hire a boat broker for a larger boat. If you’re looking for a smaller used boat, you can often have a lot of success online. There are websites that specialize in selling pre-owned boats; you can even try looking on eBay or Craigslist. Be aware, though, when buying online there can be a risk of fraud. Always try to verify ownership information before making any large online purchases. If you’re looking to buy a new boat, one of the best ways to get the ball rolling is by heading to a boat show. There, you can meet many different dealers and even talk to other boat owners for advice. They’ll tell you about their experiences and make recommendations.
Don’t Buy Anything Until You’ve Had It Surveyed
Just like you wouldn’t buy a car unless you were sure it was in good working order, you shouldn’t hurry to buy a boat until you’ve ensured that it is seaworthy. Sadly, the world of boat sales is rife with fraud, and many unscrupulous sellers will try to unload a boat on you that looks fine but is full of unseen problems. You can avoid dealing with this by hiring your own surveyor to inspect the boat before you buy it. They will be able to look over the boat you’re considering and tell you if there are any major problems with it. Surveyors will also help you determine if the boat truly is worth what the seller is claiming—sometimes, the boat will have small problems that, while not enough to deter you from purchasing, can bring down the value—and a good surveyor will help you negotiate for a fair price.
There Is Plenty of Financial Help Out There
You don’t have to be wealthy to experience the joys of boat ownership. Actually, buying a used boat doesn’t need to be any more expensive than purchasing a used automobile. Of course, while boats don’t necessarily have to be expensive, they’re still a big purchase. If you need it, financing is always an option. Your best bet for financing a purchase of one of the boats Salem, Oregon, has is to visit your local credit union. In the Salem area, that’s Central Willamette Credit Union. You can easily apply for a boat loan with them. It can be done online or in any one of their branch locations. Or you can do it by phone. A credit union like Central Willamette Credit Union is a better option for financing than a large chain bank because of the fixed rates, flexible financing and helpful financial advice they offer.
Make Sure All Your Paperwork Is in Order
By the time you’ve made it this far, you’ll almost be the proud owner of your very own boat. You’ll have given your dream boat careful thought, then found that boat, had it inspected, and negotiated a price. Finally, you visited your local credit union to take out a loan for the cost of the boat. Now, the only thing that’s left is to finalize the paperwork and buy the boat. If you’re buying from a dealer or through a broker, this process should be relatively easy. Most dealers have their own contracts ready to go. Of course, make sure you read these thoroughly. If you’re buying directly through a website like Craigslist, you’ll still want to make sure you have access to all the proper paperwork, such as proof of ownership. Once you’re done with all this, it’ll be time to take your boat to the water and enjoy the Oregon sunshine!