advice on 1st boat purchase new or used what length

Good day all

I am 43 yers old, live in nova scotia and am ready to buy a boat. It will be my 1st boat purchase and i am quite nervous about it, New or used and what length to buy. I am so worried about buying someone elses problem that a brand new boat seems the logical choice. I have located a 2012 searay 260 express cruiser, reg 138,900 and on for 91,000 plus i need to add 2000.00 for a closed freshwater cooling system and 7000.00 for a trailer so we are talkin 100,000...... 40,000 down 550.00 a month........ if i finance through them at 7%. If i get a line of credit it would be 3%.

Very doable

What do you guys think? Any and all comments, observations and advice will be well received.

Many thanks in advance

Ben

Re: advice on 1st boat purchase new or used what length

With this budget you can aford a professional marine mechanick for regular maintenance and should do a survey prior to purchase.
So the only question left is whether this boat will suit your needs or not...
Have you learned about the regular keep-up costs for a boat like this? Make sure you do so there will be no surprises later...
O.

Re: advice on 1st boat purchase new or used what length

You have figgured out the financing and selected a boat - - have you given much thought on what you plan to use a boat for and where?

Also give some thought on trailering - What is your tow vehicle? Is it adequate for a 26'er? I had a 27 1/2' flybridge on a triple axle trailer and it scared the crap out of me.

Re: advice on 1st boat purchase new or used what length

With the $40k down payment, you could get a used boat of similar size and do without the loan. If you are worried about maintenance and/or repairs . . . getting a new boat often does not escape those issues. the only difference is that you have a warranty to cover the costs.

You should learn as much about the engine and other systems of the boat. Knowledge will help you with the nerves

Re: advice on 1st boat purchase new or used what length

I grew up boatingon lake ontario, grew up with a bunch of guys who owned boats and they are all my fondest memories. I want a 26 ft boat so i can trailer it to many different lakes esp. 1/2 way accross the country back to lake ontario. My wife on the other hand wants 30 to 34 feet, since we live on the ocean her dreams are boating all along the coast esp. up to p.e.i. trailering these boats would be a giant pain in the ***. I hold a ocean navigator 1 license and ran supply boats in the north atlantic, north sea and all accross the west coast of africa so the ocean is not much of a concern to me. All the fun is large lake cruising, restaurants with docks, sandy beaches, beautiful places to swim. As for trailering i have a dodge 2500 diesel set up for trailering so i think im good there.

thanks Ben

Re: advice on 1st boat purchase new or used what length

On the water your boat is never big enough. Off the water it is never small enough. Before you take the plunge, might look at operating expenses, docking or storage costs, transportation expenses including size of tow vehicle necessary if your trailer it, insurance, registration, and throw in some money for upkeep which is a no-brainer.

HTH,
Mark