Buy a boat, yacht or motorboat: offers from sellers
Start with what you need the boat for
Fishing on a reservoir, trips on a lake or river, water sports or nights on board are different jobs, and each has its own type. For quiet fishing a rowing boat or an inflatable PVC boat is enough. If you want speed, look at speedboats, motorboats and jet skis.
For sea trips and nights on board, consider yachts and catamarans. For calm trips on rivers a kayak will do.
The engine often matters more than the hull
An old hull can be repaired, but a motor is usually more expensive and fussier. So look at outboard motors separately: two-stroke or four-stroke, power in hp, shaft length (S, L, UL), manual or electric start. For an inflatable boat the engine power is limited by the maker's plate, so do not exceed it.
What to put in your request
- type of boat — rowing boat, motorboat, yacht, kayak, jet ski;
- size and capacity — length, number of people, load capacity;
- hull material — PVC, aluminium, fibreglass, wood;
- engine — make, power, year, running hours;
- kit — trailer, cover, anchor, fish finder, navigation;
- condition and papers — new or used, and registration if it is required;
- city and delivery — where to collect it or where to deliver;
- budget, if you want to state it.
How to compare offers
First make sure the offers are for the same kit: a boat with a motor and trailer and one without them are different sums. Ask about the age of the hull, any repairs, and any cracks or weak spots on the transom. On PVC boats, look at the condition of the seams, valves and floor.
For a used motor, ask to hear it start and run at idle, and have the compression checked. If the boat must be registered, ask who does the paperwork and whether it is in the price. Do not forget transport: a big motorboat on a trailer is harder to move than an inflatable in the boot of a car.
Season and timing
Demand rises sharply before the season, while in the off-season owners are more willing to bargain. If you are not in a hurry, a request in the off-season can bring more offers with flexible prices.
Work out storage and running costs in advance: a berth or garage space, fuel, insurance, seasonal care of the engine. For a boat on a trailer, check that your car can tow it.
If you buy from a private owner, agree on a test run on the water: you will see at once how the motor works, whether the boat holds its speed and whether the hull takes in water. Inflate an inflatable boat and leave it for a day before the deal to see whether it loses air. And if it is your first boat, find out which papers and licences apply to your type and engine power.
How BlaBlaPrice works here
You describe your request in your own words, and sellers of boats, motors and watercraft reply in the chat with price, photos and terms. The platform shows the best-value offer first, and seller reviews are visible next to each one. Contacts stay hidden until you choose a seller yourself. Start with a request or see how it works. A wider choice of vehicles is in the “Vehicles” section.
