Boats4Buyers
Buy your next boat with confidence
Honest reviews, survey checklists and kit guides from people who actually spend their weekends on the water.
Featured reading
Six guides worth your time
Where to Start When Buying a Used Boat in the UK
Begin with a budget that covers berthing, insurance and winter lift-out, not just the asking price. Shortlist three realistic hulls, view them on a dry day, and always ask for service history. A patient buyer nearly always pays less and gets more.
Why a Pre-Purchase Survey Is Never Wasted Money
A qualified surveyor spends hours on the hull, keel, rig and electrics so you do not inherit somebody else problem. Osmosis, soft decks and tired stern gear rarely show on a sunny viewing day. The report also gives you real leverage on price.
Marine Diesel Checks Every Buyer Should Make
Cold start the engine yourself and watch the exhaust: blue means oil, white can mean water. Check the oil for creamy emulsion, squeeze the coolant hoses, and look for salt trails around the raw water pump. Ten minutes here saves a long refit.
Sail Trial Tips for Judging a Boat Honestly
Insist on a sea trial in a decent breeze rather than a flat calm. Feel how the boat tracks, how quickly she tacks, and how heavy the helm becomes when pressed. Take a friend, note every rattle, and write your impressions before you step ashore.
Paperwork, VAT and Title: Getting the Boring Bit Right
Check the VAT status, registration papers and any outstanding marine mortgage before money moves. Ask for the original bill of sale chain and match hull numbers to the documents. Clean paperwork protects your resale value as much as clean gelcoat.
Your First Season Afloat: What New Owners Learn Fast
Plan short trips before ambitious passages, and keep a running jobs list rather than one huge refit. Join the local club, learn your tides, and budget roughly ten percent of the purchase price each year for upkeep. Confidence builds faster than skill.
TIPS
Maximising Your Catch: The Complete Guide to Fishing Boats and Modern Bite Alarm Systems
The world of fishing has evolved significantly, with technological advances enhancing both the fishing experience and success rates. Whether you’re casting from a trusty vessel or monitoring multiple rods from the comfort of your bivvy, understanding the synergy between fishing boats and modern bite alarm systems can dramatically improve your angling results.During daylight hours, bite alarms with receiver allow anglers to:
– React quickly to subtle bites
– Maintain awareness while moving around the boat
– Monitor multiple rods whilst preparing tackle
– Focus on other tasks without missing opportunities
From the blog
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Clean, Restore and Polish Your Yacht’s Gelcoat
Hulls which have a gelcoat layer are bound to become dull sooner or later. Once this happens, you should consider trying to restore the shiny, polished look it once had. It can be done in a nice three step process…
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The World is not Enough Yacht
Known as one of the fastest yachts in the world (reaching 70 knots), the World is not Enough was built by Millennium Superyachts in 2005. “The World is Not Enough holds a progressive dead-rise V hull giving the boat a…
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Floating Restaurants
A lot of people are attracted to canal channels and great environment surrounding them, so getting out on the water is very popular. Lots of businesses take advantage of this, such as with barge B&B’s, but something which can also…
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The Basics Of Cleaning A Boat
Cleaning your boat is an essential part of making sure your boat looks the part when in the water. A boat should be washed after every trip it takes. You will find salt residue, which can ruin the boat’s finish…
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Sailing Yachts
Sailing yachts are an entirely different breed of boat than a cruising yacht, in that they rely primarily on a sail in order to get from a to b. This means that a lot more technique is involved in the…
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How To Varnish A Wooden Boat
Varnishing is a brilliant way to show off the natural beauty of the wood on your boat. So here’s a few ‘how to’ tips on varnishing your boat. First tip is, if you’re varnishing your boat outside, choose a day…
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