A pilothouse is exactly what it sounds like, it has a house for the pilot. This means that the helm station on both sides, the front, and the back is completely enclosed and can be completely sealed off from the elements which is why pilot houses are so popular in areas where the boating season may extend into the cooler months of the year, and protection from the elements is critical. You can cruise in comfort whether it is raining, sleeting, or snowing outside.
The pilot house is located in the centre of the boat with two side decks for access to the forward cockpit. A pilothouse usually does not have a living area and but can offer a proper toilet and a good amount of storage space.
Pilothouses can vary wildly in price and prices will differ depending on style, size, age and condition.
As you narrow down your search for your boat you can expect to find manufacturers offering similar boats at seemingly quite different prices. Make sure you are comparing like for like in terms of spec and equipment levels etc. And remember there is always some room for negotiation on price.
Once you know your budget, the first place to go to find a boat is the internet. You will find pilothouses on sale either through private sellers, dealers or brokers.
Using a good brokerage company when buying a fishing boat can have many advantages. They will have lots of experience, a variety of boats in one location and they can help to make it as stress free as possible.
Alternatively, you can buy through a private seller. You will always get more information on the true nature and quirks of a boat from the owner themselves and they are often more flexible.
When searching for a fishing boat, you need to know exactly what features you are looking for. Are there enough rod storage compartments etc? Is there an adequate number of rod holders? Is there a large enough casting deck? What type of livewell does the boat have? Knowing exactly what you are looking for will help you greatly in finding the perfect fishing boat for you.
The costs of running a fishing boat will vary from person to person and boat to boat but it is very important to work out the average running costs of owning a fishing boat and how you plan to use before you buy one. A good way of doing this is to ask other boaters/fellow fishermen for their knowledge and experiences on owning a boat. Some of the running costs that you will need to factor in when buying a fishing boat are mooring fees, insurance, boat maintenance, fuel and heating.
When thinking about an engine for your boat, there are two choices - petrol or diesel. Both of which have their good and bad points.
Boats with petrol engines tend to cost less to buy. This is because petrol engines are less fuel efficient than diesel engines and therefore cost more to run. Petrol engines generally cost more to maintain as more parts are required for each service (spark plugs, HT leads etc).
Diesel powered boats usually cost more to purchase as they are much more fuel efficient than petrol powered ones but will require less maintenance.
Generally speaking, petrol powered boats are also quicker than diesel ones, so this is another factor to consider when buying one. Weigh up all of the options and make the right choice for your situation but our advice is to always go for a diesel-powered boat.
When buying a second-hand boat, it is highly recommended that you conduct a professional survey on the boat. This should be done by a qualified marine surveyor and will show any potential maintenance issues, faults on the hull and with the boat’s internal systems and will highlight any issues the boat may have so you have peace of mind that you know exactly what you are buying. It can also help you to negotiate the price and will be useful with insurance companies, some of whom will not insure a boat without understanding its condition.
Having the correct paperwork in place when you buy your boat is important.
Check all the documents and the boat’s VAT status. You should receive the original VAT paid invoice, which is essential if you want to sell the boat in the future. Once the survey has been concluded and the negotiations settled, you should receive the proof of ownership, Bills of Sale for the last 5 years at minimum, Certificate of Registry, if any, and proof of VAT status. Keep all these documents in a safe place since they are not easy to replace. Make sure you have all of these in place when you buy
