Getting Started in Boating
Dipping your toe in the water Never been boating before? Thinking of buying a boat? But not sure if it is for you? In that case, we have two useful suggestions to help you get started: Try an on-board experience for a short period Get independent, professional advice on what sort of boat would best suit you Try before you buy – onboard experiences There are numerous options you can try at a relatively modest cost. Go Earth offers the following ‘on-boat experiences’. The lowest cost is simply to stay on a 34 foot sports cruiser that we have moored in a beautiful part of north Wales. The boat will sleep up to 4 people in 2 cabins, each with a comfortable double bed. In effect you are using the boat as a small apartment and can stay from 2 days upwards and use it as a base for a different type of holiday experience. Note that driving the boat is not included in this package. At a slightly higher cost a 43 flybridge sports cruiser is available, with a skippered short trip up a beautiful part of the Thames is available. Again you can stay on the boat for 2 or more nights; with plenty of space for up to 4 people to stay overnight. Moving up the cost scale, but still reasonably economical, we offer a great charter in a power catamaran from the south of France – Cannes or St Tropez. This has 4 cabins, sleeping up to 8 people; and a skipper is included. In this option, the skipper stays with you all the time. The skipper knows the area very well, and can take you to some really great restaurants around the Nice/ Cannes / St Tropez area. This option is certainly much cheaper than many other commercial charters. We can also offer a bespoke service – if you discuss your requirements with us, we can design a cost-effective package to suit you. Any of the above will give you a real – and a pleasant – experience, and provide a strong foundation for ‘next steps’ . At a minimum you should have a nice short break – so think of it as a holiday. Introductory training If you want to regard this as a real learning exercise, and if your current knowledge of boating is limited, each of the above can be combined with our day’s course – Introduction to Boating. This is a combination we really recommend if you are new to boating. It is a good and sensible investment of your time and money to ensure that you make the best decisions and help you avoid any expensive mistakes. If your ‘crew’ (such as a partner) is also new, then maybe this is a great opportunity for both of you to discover boating, so this becomes a shared experience.Of course, if you are really new to boating, you will not be ready yet (or safe enough) to take a boat out by yourself. So, following one of the on-board experiences, you should take one of the many training courses available. Go Earth, as part of its course, can provide you with a training plan to ensure that you get the required level of future training. Refining your thinking The advantage of getting some actual experience on a boat is that it helps you think about all sorts of things that you might not have considered before. Below is a small random selection illustrating the sorts of things you might need to think about. Beds. Yes, beds. If you are going to stay on a boat overnight or longer, does the cabin layout and the bed suit you? For example:- Do you want to be able to get out of the bed either side? The smaller boats may have one side of the bed against the bow or a bulkhead, so the person sleeping that side has to climb over the other if, for example, they want to go to the loo in the middle of the night. Do you read in bed at night? If so, is there enough space above the bed for you to sit up in bed. In cabins in the bow, on smaller boats, there might not be enough room to sit up. On the smaller aft cabin boats, the cabin may be spacious, but the headroom above the bed may be limited. Check this before you buy. Friends staying? If you plan to have friends staying, you may want cabins that provide a degree of privacy. Do all the cabins have doors? On smaller sports boats, there may only be a curtain. Some smaller sports cruisers have the mattress on the floor (aka deck!). Not a problem at all if you are fairly agile; but it could be an issue if you are not. Ease of crewing. On motor boats, the main activities you may need the crew (such as your partner) to perform are putting the fenders out, and getting them back in. For this you need at least one good side deck or (on smaller sports boats) an easy to climb through opening front window. Check this out before you buy. Also, you ideally want somewhere to easily store the fenders – or at least somewhere to mount fender baskets that you may want to buy. There are many, many other practical things that you will learn about boating by having these on-board experiences coupled with suitable training. Go Earth will help you all along the way. Getting advice We recommend getting advice from a variety of sources. However, at Go Earth, we are the only professional and independent company dedicated to providing professional advisory and procurement advice to the boat buyer. A chat with us is free of cost, hassle or commitment.
Common Mistakes People Make When Buying a Boat and How to Avoid Them
Buying a boat is an exciting step, whether you are moving into sailing for the first time or upgrading to a larger vessel. However, it is also a process where small mistakes can become costly, stressful, and time consuming. Many buyers rush decisions, overlook key checks, or underestimate the ongoing responsibilities that come with ownership. At Go Earth Boating, we regularly see the same avoidable errors repeated by buyers. Understanding these mistakes before you begin your search can save you significant time, money, and frustration. 1. Not Defining Your Real Needs Before You Start One of the most common mistakes is starting the search without a clear idea of how the boat will actually be used. Buyers often focus on appearance or size rather than practical requirements. You should consider how many people will regularly be onboard, whether you plan coastal cruising or longer passages, and how much time you will spend on the water each year. Storage, sleeping arrangements, and handling capability also matter more than cosmetic features. Without clarity here, it is easy to end up with a boat that looks right but does not suit your lifestyle. 2. Ignoring the True Cost of Ownership Many first time buyers focus only on the purchase price. In reality, the ongoing costs are just as important. These can include mooring fees, maintenance, insurance, winter storage, fuel, safety equipment, and potential refit work. Larger boats can quickly become expensive if these costs are not planned for in advance. A realistic budget should account for both purchase and annual running costs. This helps ensure long term enjoyment rather than financial pressure. 3. Skipping or Rushing the Survey Process A professional marine survey is essential, yet some buyers are tempted to skip it or choose a minimal inspection to speed up the purchase. This is a major risk. Boats can have hidden structural issues, moisture ingress, osmosis, engine wear, or electrical problems that are not immediately visible. A full survey provides clarity on the true condition of the vessel and can be used to renegotiate price or request repairs before completion. 4. Buying Based on Emotion Rather Than Practicality It is easy to fall in love with a boat at first sight. However, emotional decisions can lead to overlooking important practical issues. Layout efficiency, engine condition, sail plan, maintenance history, and ease of handling should always come before aesthetics. A well maintained, practical boat will always deliver more value than a beautiful but unsuitable one. 5. Not Researching the Model Thoroughly Different boat models can vary significantly in performance, reliability, and build quality. Some are better suited to blue water cruising, while others are designed for coastal sailing or leisure use. Failing to research the specific model can lead to unexpected limitations or higher maintenance demands. Speaking to owners, brokers, and industry experts can provide valuable insight before committing. 6. Overlooking the Importance of Mooring and Location Where you keep the boat is just as important as the boat itself. Mooring availability, tidal access, marina facilities, and annual costs vary widely by location. Some buyers purchase a boat before securing a berth, which can lead to delays or higher costs than expected. It is always best to consider location and mooring options early in the process. 7. Not Getting Proper Guidance The boat buying process involves many technical, financial, and logistical decisions. Without experience, it is easy to miss key details that impact long term ownership. Working with experienced professionals helps ensure you avoid common pitfalls and make informed decisions from the start. Support throughout the process can reduce risk and improve confidence in your purchase. Final Thoughts Buying a boat should be an enjoyable and rewarding experience, not a stressful one. Most problems arise from rushed decisions, lack of research, and underestimating ownership responsibilities. By taking a structured approach, defining your needs clearly, and seeking expert guidance where needed, you can avoid the most common mistakes and choose a boat that genuinely fits your lifestyle and long term goals.