Purchased A Riverfront Lot? What Type Of Boat Will Fit Your Lifestyle Best?
If you've recently purchased a lot with riverfront access, you're likely already shopping for your next watercraft. However, the wide variety of options available can stymie even nautical experts, and you may wonder which boat will work best for your lifestyle. Read on to learn more about the factors you'll want to consider when looking at the boats for sale.
Storage Space
The way you store your boat can be crucial to extending its lifespan, not to mention minimizing your repair costs, so it's important to ensure you have adequate storage space (or funds) for whichever boat you purchase. Dry docking tends to be more expensive than wet docking, but can shield your boat from the ravages of quickly-moving water, marine life, and pollution.
By that same token, even if you're reluctant to spend the extra money on dry docking, you may be even more reluctant to give up dozens of feet of your river frontage for boat storage, opting instead to build a family-friendly deck and dock your boat elsewhere. By surveying the amount of space you have available (and thinking about the size and storage needs of the boat you'll eventually purchase) you'll be able to make a wiser decision than simply finding your dream boat and only later deciding where to keep it.
River Current
Riverfront lots aren't usually well-equipped for sailboats, unless there's a trolling motor attached; while you may be able to sail downstream at a high rate of speed, getting back to your site can be much more of a challenge. However, depending upon the speed and force of the downstream current with which you're dealing, you may be able to get by with a fairly low-powered motor or instead require a heavier-duty motor to ensure you'll be able to access your dock in any type of weather.
If you have several boat-owning neighbors, it may be worthwhile to talk to them about the types of motors they've found work best in the river's current and which (if any) you may want to avoid due to lack of power or speed.
Passengers
If you've purchased this riverfront lot to have a "getaway spot" with your spouse, a boat built for two (or perhaps four) may be all you'll ever need. On the other hand, those who hope to turn this space into a family campsite will want to consider getting a larger boat that allows for a full-family excursion on the open water.
By taking these factors into account well before you begin boat shopping, you'll be able to avoid making any impulse purchases and ensure you wind up with a boat that can fill your nautical needs for years or even decades.