10-08-2003, 04:02 PM
Road,
Insurance is a good idea, even for an older boat. It's pretty cheap on an older boater. Interestingly, State Farm would only insure older boats with outboard motors, not inboards. They said it was because of dry rot. Also, while trailering down the highway the damage a boat causes in an accident is covered by your car's insurance if the boat stays attached to your car. Once the boat is lose, it is considered a separate vehicle and without insurance YOU are liable. The main point of insurance for an older boat is liability coverage. If something happens and you cause damage to another boat or person(I know we would all like to nail a jet skier *grin* ) the insurance will save your butt for a relatively low expense. I was only paying about $50 a year and felt like it was well worth it.
About buying the boat. You should at least see the motor start and run even if it is only with a water flush unit in the driveway. And everyone is right, a boat is a money pit, especially older boats. I finally got rid of mine because I was spending more time fixing it than using it. I still get boat envy once in a while so I am not saying not to buy the boat, just be careful that it is in good working order so that you enjoy it on the water, not hate it as it sits like a lump in your driveway. Good luck.
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Insurance is a good idea, even for an older boat. It's pretty cheap on an older boater. Interestingly, State Farm would only insure older boats with outboard motors, not inboards. They said it was because of dry rot. Also, while trailering down the highway the damage a boat causes in an accident is covered by your car's insurance if the boat stays attached to your car. Once the boat is lose, it is considered a separate vehicle and without insurance YOU are liable. The main point of insurance for an older boat is liability coverage. If something happens and you cause damage to another boat or person(I know we would all like to nail a jet skier *grin* ) the insurance will save your butt for a relatively low expense. I was only paying about $50 a year and felt like it was well worth it.
About buying the boat. You should at least see the motor start and run even if it is only with a water flush unit in the driveway. And everyone is right, a boat is a money pit, especially older boats. I finally got rid of mine because I was spending more time fixing it than using it. I still get boat envy once in a while so I am not saying not to buy the boat, just be careful that it is in good working order so that you enjoy it on the water, not hate it as it sits like a lump in your driveway. Good luck.
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