Month: April 2018

Buying a boat is a lot like purchasing a home. If you choose the wrong one, it can lead to frustration. When done right, it can be a dream come true. This is especially true when you are buying your first boat. Sure, you may have grown up on the water and you may have spent plenty days on your friends’ fishing boats, but until you own a boat yourself, you can’t fully appreciate everything involved in the process. To help you make the right decision, remember these important tips for buying your first boat.

Determine Your Budget

It can be all too easy to overspend on a boat. If you’re not prepared and disciplined, you could easily spend more than you can afford. Before you buy, write down a specific number for total price (not monthly payments), and stick to this number throughout the entire process.

Don’t Forget Costs Of Boat Ownership

When estimating your purchasing price, you also need to realize your total cost of boat ownership. Again, this relates to being a first-time owner, as there are many expenses that you simply don’t see when you’re riding on a friend’s bay cruiser. For example, there will be costs for fuel, storage, insurance, and fishing gear. You’ll need safety equipment, seasonal maintenance, and the occasional repair. Make sure you know how much it will cost, in full, to own the boat.

Visit A Boat Show Before Purchasing

Boat shows are a great chance to see some of the finest crafts on the market. In one location, you’ll see multiple models from dozens of manufacturers, helping you make a fully informed decision when buying your first boat.

Buy The Boat That Fits Your Needs & Experience

It’s tempting to go out and purchase the most powerful speed boat on the water. It’s also tempting to buy the largest offshore vessel you can afford. On the other hand, if you’re concerned about pricing, it might seem like a good idea to buy a smaller boat. However, you need to think about your needs and experience level. A larger or more-powerful boat may be too much for a first-time owner, while a small boat may not give you the comfort and space you prefer.

Complete A Safety Course

Finally, before purchasing your first boat, we’d encourage you to complete some form of boat safety training. It may not be mandatory, but safety training can allow you to have more fun with less chances of injury. With proper training, you’ll always be ready on the water.

Find The Perfect Boat With Scout

Whether you are a first-time buyer or a seasoned boat owner, Scout Boats has a world-class vessel that will keep you happy for years. Thanks to outstanding features and a meticulous build process, our boats give you comfort, relaxation, and adventure every time you head for the water!

Safety is important for everyone on the water. Some states require a boating license for anyone operating a vessel. If you are headed for the lakes, rivers, and bays, it’s crucial that you verify whether or not you need a license. To help make the process easy, here’s some info on how to get a boating license.

Why Is Boating Education Important?

Boating safety is crucial on the water. The more people who have at least some form of education in boat safety, the safer everyone can be when they go for a cruise. Some states, in fact, legally require you to have a license (more on that later), but regardless of laws, it is the right thing to do. Having your boating license can make you a safer boater, allowing you to enjoy your favorite activities with less risk and more fun.

When Do I Need a Boating License?

While many of us grew up driving a boat without any formal education or licensing, there are now many laws that require people, especially younger boaters, to complete boater education courses. The American Boating Association has compiled a complete list of state laws for you to reference. For example, in Arkansas, anyone born on or before January 1st, 1986 must complete a boater education course. In Connecticut, anyone wishing to boat more than 60 days a year must have their license, and in New Jersey, anyone operating a powered vessel must have their license, regardless of their date of birth.

Alaska, Wyoming, South Dakota, and the Virgin Islands, on the other hand, have no requirements for boating licensing. As you can see, a lot will depend on where you live. Make sure you know the requirements in your area.

Typical Boating-Safety Course

There are many ways you can complete a boater’s education course. While you can take the course in person, you may also be able to complete the requirements with an online education class.

Online boating classes can take many forms. Most of the time, however, the course will consist of learning, quizzes, and course completion. The learning section generally includes different aspects of boating that are broken down into different sections. These sections can include safe operation, boating etiquette, emergency response, and legal requirements.

These learning sections are usually followed by a short quiz that tests your knowledge of the previous information. You’ll need to get a passing score before you can move to the next phase. If you don’t pass, you can usually study the learning section and attempt the quiz again.

After you complete all of the units, you can move into the final step, which is obtaining a license or certificate through the state. You will need to demonstrate that you completed the course successfully to get your boater education license.

Excellent Boats For Your Favorite Activity!

When you are ready for the water, make sure you have a high-quality boat. Contact Scout Boats today. We’ll help you find an outstanding craft that will give you superior performance on the water.

Whether you’re looking for a boat for offshore fishing or simply cruising the lake, we have the right boat for your needs!

If you are purchasing a boat, you should seriously consider boat insurance. While it may not be required, boat insurance provides financial support is certain situations, and can also give you greater peace-of-mind when you take to the water.

What Does Boat Insurance Cover?

Like car insurance, boat insurance come in many forms and, depending on the plan you purchase, will cover a wide variety of issues. Collision damage, for example, can cover repairs and replacements for your boat. There is also liability insurance, including property damage and bodily injury, that covers you financially if your boat were to cause an accident. Additional coverage can include medical payments, roadside assistance, vandalism, and even theft.

How Much Does It Cost?

It will vary depending on the type of boat you have, what waters you use, and selected coverage, but boat insurance can run from about $75 to $500 a year.

You May Need Boat Insurance When…

…It’s Legally Required

The first and probably most common reason to get boat insurance is when it is legally required by your state or region. Many states will require that you have some form of insurance, usually liability insurance, which simply covers you in the event that you damage someone else’s property or cause injury when driving your boat. This is similar to minimum requirements for car insurance. It’s required as a protection for other people on the road, or in this case, on the water.

…You Took Out a Loan for the Purchase

The second situation that may call for boat insurance is when you took out a loan to purchase the vessel. Lenders will want to make sure their investment is properly covered, and insurance reduces the risk that they will not be able to recover all of their assets in the event that the boat is destroyed and the borrower stops making payments. The type and amount of insurance required by the lender may vary, but virtually all boat loans will require insurance of some kind.

…Storing the Boat at a Marina

The other situation that generally requires boat insurance is when you are storing your boat at a marina. There are dozens or even hundreds of boats moving through these areas, and this can create a lot of liability for the owners of the marinas as well as the boat owners themselves. By requiring insurance, especially liability insurance, marinas are better able to protect their financial security. If you are going to store your boat at a marina, be ready to purchase boat insurance of some type.

There are other situations that call for insurance, but these are the three most common reasons.

Enhance Your Experience On The Water

If you are looking for a wonderful vessel, check out the full selection from Scout Boats. We have outstanding boats for inshore, offshore, saltwater, and freshwater fishing. No matter which Scout you choose, you’ll have incredible comfort, advanced technology, and some of the best fishing features you can find!

If you want to enjoy a good time on the water, Scout has the boat you need. We have a full selection of top-notch boats, including many options that make perfect party boats. You’ll enjoy luxury, space, comfort, and technology when you travel in a world-class boat from Scout. Explore our lineup below for some of our best party boats!

420 LXF

If you want an outstanding experience on the water, the 420 LXF is one of the top boats available, and it’s perfect for entertaining thanks to the large size and bountiful amenities. You can take to the water and enjoy music thanks to a full line of JL audio speakers, including two ten-inch subwoofers, and a USB connection. There is plenty of room for your friends and family, and this boat even has a drawer fridge on the deck and cabin.

380LXF

With over 38 feet of length and 12 feet of width, the 380 LXF is a great option for hosting a large crowd. You can take to the water and enjoy comfortable seating throughout the deck, and if you want to treat your guests, you can cook a meal on the optional Kenyon grill. You could also add the upper helm flybridge, which has two speakers, Garmin screens, and full helm controls.

355 LXF

The deck on the 355 LXF was designed for the Seakeeper 3DC gyro stabilizer, which creates a comfortable ride for everyone on the boat. This makes it a great party boat, as everyone will be comfortable from start to finish. It has plenty of seating made with the finest materials, as well as high-quality Fushion speakers to keep the party going. You can even add underwater lights to create an impressive look during boat parties at night.

350 LXF

It has comfortable seating at the front and the back. There’s plenty of room for everyone, making it ideal for parties yet small enough to cruise through bays and smaller waterways. Whether you are joining your friends on the beach or having guests on your boat, the 350 LXF has the features you need for an outstanding experience, including speakers with an amp, a 12-volt refrigerator, and an ice chest with a high-quality counter.

Responsible Boating Is Always Top Priority

No matter which boat you choose, always remember that maintaining safety at all times is crucial. We all want to have a great time on the water, but don’t let the party get in the way of safety. By keeping everyone safe, you can ensure your guests want to come back for your next boat party!

Get The Right Boat For Your Needs

Contact Scout today to learn more about the extensive options in our full lineup. We have the right boat for any water activity, including fishing, cruising, or throwing a party with your friends.

Use the Build Your Scout feature and you’ll be able to create the exact boat for you!