If it’s your first time buying a yacht for sale in Florida or your third time, it’s important to know what you’re getting yourself into. It takes time and research to understand the complexities of being a yacht owner. A yacht’s value is determined by its size, capabilities, price, and versatility. Every yacht you come across will generally be a minimum of 40 feet in length and have overnight accommodations.
With a size like this, yachts come with the necessary upkeep, including maintenance, storage, insurance, and other systems that will need to be put in place for operations. A good idea would be to go with a sales team that knows yachts inside and out. Here at Aspire Yacht Sales, we’ve been providing yacht sales in Florida for over a decade and know a great deal when we see one. We love to work with customers to find something that fits their budget and boating needs.
Knowing the Purpose of Your Boat
Yachts for sale in Fort Lauderdale range from the hundreds of thousands to the millions. Before finding out how much you’re willing to spend, you want to take the time to find out what you want to get out of the boating experience. Are you a fisher or are you an entertainer? Will you be going offshore and need a boat that can sustain your activity and catch? Or will you need a lot of outdoor space and indoor cabins to host several people?
Boats are there to cater to a variety of situations with an adaptable set of features. Even sportfish owners can take their friends cruising to the islands due to its cabin space and overnight accommodations.
It’s important to know a few things before you buy including:
- Are you living on the boat or is it for fun?
- Are you chartering the boat to recoup some expenses?
- Are you maintaining the boat yourself or will you hire a captain?
- Where do you plan to travel to? Will you want to go to more distant places?
- How many people will you be bringing on board?
Finding the Right Budget
After knowing the whys of your boating, and how you want to spend your time, now you can examine how much you’re willing to spend and how much you can afford. The cost of the boat can reach nearly 10% of its value yearly, so operating costs will need to be factored in. It could be of great benefit to you to peek at the listings on Aspire’s site to see what boats you’re looking for typically go for.
When determining your limit on spending, there are some things to consider. If you’re not paying cash for your boat, there are financers out there that can help you keep your cash in the bank. There are also options to put down around 20-40% as a down payment on a 20-year loan.
Other costs to consider include:
- Storage space
- Captain & maintenance
- Insurance
- Registration and taxes
- Amenities and accessories
Keep in mind that as time goes on you will be spending more on upkeep and upgrades. The positive aspects of boating and sailing do outweigh the cons of finances though. At Aspire, we help our customers find something that fits their needs with their budget so their joy outweighs the cost of finances.
The Brand You Want
Once you know how much you’re willing to pay and how you plan to use your yacht, and where you plan to keep it, you can look at the brand you want. With so many different brands out there boasting different features, you can find one that’s high quality and at your price point. The factors that go into costs include construction materials, the range of horsepower and the number of engines, the vessel size, and the appointments on board.
Boat builders differ in their aesthetics as well. Like architecture as an art form, yachts are no exception. They can be modern, sleek, and highly detailed. They can also be more ornate, regal, and luxurious. However you envision your yacht, there’s a style out there for you. Add in the features that enhance socializing and viewpoints, and you increase the amount of luxury on board.
With Aspire, you can take a look at the boats we offer, speak to a representative, and get a personalized walk-through for your own enjoyment–like a test run. As a buyer, you’re only getting the best advice so you can feel comfortable and confident in making your purchase. Honesty is our policy and we’ll give you everything you need to know beforehand, during, and after the buying process.
Surveying Your Boat or Yacht
When you purchase a new yacht, keep in mind you’ll need to have a survey carried out by the bank, for the marine insurance company, and for yourself so you can sleep at night. They’ll conduct a thorough examination through sea trial and can reveal potential issues that come up or weren’t noticed beforehand. The final negotiation depends on the results of this survey. This way, buyers can solve problems before the final closing. At Aspire, we connect you with a surveyor so you don’t have to deal with the headache of finding one yourself.
Overall
When looking for yachts for sale in Florida, there are so many factors to consider including the purpose of the yacht, your budget, the brand you’re interested in, and surveying it before purchase. With thousands of options at Aspire yacht sales, our team can help you find the perfect yacht for your boating needs and budget. Reach out to us to start a conversation.
