Boating is a worthwhile pastime that offers fun and feelings of a lifetime. If you’ve never owned a boat, you might feel a bit lost about how to pick out one that’s right for you and your family. Much of what’s “right” for you will have to do with your overall budget, but you can also make a more intelligent decision by paying close attention to the following 5 tips.

5 things to consider

1. How are you going to use the boat?

If you want a houseboat to take out your family for vacations, you need a home away from home. If the boat is for fishing, you need a boat more suitable for this purpose. If you are just looking for some quick water activity a jet ski for your family might be more suitable. The kind of activity you plan to use your boat will help you rule out certain types of boats before buying.

2. Does it have enough storage?

A day on the water can require a lot of gear. If you’re planning to take your boat out for days or weeks at a time, you need to consider that too. This means carefully weighing the storage space of the boat to determine if it meets your needs.

3. How big should the boat be?

If it’s going to be you out on the open water, or you and a couple of friends, then you can save some money by buying a smaller boat. If you’re taking your entire 8-person family out on a body of water, then you need a large boat. Try to consider the maximum amount of people you would ever have on your boat and then purchase a boat that will accommodate.

4. Educate yourself on safety requirements.

Sometimes there are safety requirements for boats. That means you can’t take the boat out on a public body of water without meeting those requirements. Before you buy a boat, make sure the boat meets all safety requirements. If it doesn’t, you may never even be able to use it, and that would be a shame.

5. Set a budget.

Budgeting is one of the saddest things about buying anything. It means restraining yourself from buying the boat you might really want and going for one that’s almost as good. While financing is an option, you should always spend within your limits. Sit down and do a heart-to-heart with your piggy bank. Can you afford the boat you’re about to buy? If not, choose another one with similar features or speak with a boat finance professional to determine whether borrowing money is feasible. Often you can buy a used boat that has every single feature you’re looking for on a new boat, and you’re going to save a LOT of money because you bought used.

If you’ve thought about all 5 aspects and have your game plan in order, it’s time to begin your search for the perfect boat. Make sure to give it a lot of thought and care before choosing. Happy shopping!