Rookie looking for advise

[Medevack1]

Hi all, and thank you for all the advise way in advanced. I live in Winston Salem NC , I’m very close to many lakes and also not too far to the intercostal waterways, and I guess you can say I have been bitten by the boat bug ? never owned or had a boat. This would be my 1st. I have been looking to buy a used boat to get my fix, I’m currently looking at several cabin boats but when it comes to inspect and buying I have no clue to what I should be looking for. Any advise would be great.
thank you

 

[Wansworth]

How were you bittern?......find a friend or mosy along to a sailing club to make a start Ishould imagine sailing on a major canal needs attention and lake sailing can have its moments where knowing what your doing can be important.Learn how to sail before spending money on a cabin boat.

 

[V1701]

This is a good book to start you off, but yes take someone who knows about boats as well, if you're spending a lot of money you would be advised to have a professional survey carried out...

 

[RJJ]

I would start by offering your time and company to anyone wanting an occasional crewmate/helper. I am sure there are clubs and Facebook groups local to you for keen sailors. The fella that promises some elbow grease and a bottle of wine and "really keen to get any old experience available" can, in my experience, gain a few sailing miles.

Once you have a few owner friends, whole helping them out, you can bleed them dry about the pros/cons of different boats and what to look for.

Do be willing to look "through" advice. What suited Bob may or may not suit you. All boats have pros and cons; of more interest than "X is a great boat" is "X is great in the following ways but has these other drawbacks".

 

[Brentwales]

Before you consider buying a boat, find out where you would keep it and how much it will cost. Berthing/mooring/storage fees can quickly make a cheap boat a very expensive purchase. Cost it.

Next, think about how you will get to and from the boat, will you need to buy a tender and will you be able to row it or will you need an outboard. Cost it.

A cheap boat with old rigging and equipment that needs replacing will be a big money sink.

Spending more on a boat that needs little work/equipment refresh can be more cost and time effective in the long run.

 

[LadyInBed]

I’m currently looking at several cabin boats

Is that sailing or motor boats?

 

[KompetentKrew]

I liked this book: Surveying Fiberglass Sailboats: A Step-by-Step Guide for Buyers and Owners: Mustin, Henry: 9780070442481: Amazon.com: Books

Very easy to read, accessible, informative - gives a beginners' high-level overview of GRP construction and repair methods. I finished it in a couple of evenings.