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Questions to ask when buying a Day Cruiser

What is a day cruiser?

A day cruiser is a powerboat up to 7 meters long with a small forward cabin. The cabin lacks standing headroom but is long enough for a single or double berth. Day cruisers are the most affordable type of powerboat for short day or overnight cruises.

One of the most popular forms of boating is day cruising. This term can include almost limitless activities. You may want to take the kids cruising to a beach for swims and picnics, visit a historic town by water, head across a bay for a meal at a waterfront restaurant, or just meander up a river to see the sights. All of these are different forms of day cruises.

Another great thing about day cruising is that it can be done from a wide range of boats. A simple, inexpensive runabout can get the job done. Yet you can also go for a day-long cruise on a yacht. After you have bought a day cruiser and filled it with fuel, few experiences are more likely to entertain the whole family.
Day cruisers can be towed on a trailer and launched into the water at many stunning locations. Alternatively, there are thousands of berths and moorings in the UK.

What is your budget?

Day cruisers can vary wildly in price depending on the boat’s size, style, condition and age. Think about how you plan to use your boat, where you plan to use it and whether you are after a restoration project, something pristine or top of the range. Do some research to get an idea of what the sort of day cruiser you are looking for may cost.

Something else you need to remember is buying a day cruiser does not just stop at the purchase price, there are also ongoing fees to consider like mooring costs, running costs (such as fuel prices) and maintenance costs.

What type of engine is best for my day cruiser?

There are two choices of engine for most day cruiser boats. An inboard engine and an outboard engine, the latter offering more cockpit space.
An inboard motor is mounted inside the boat and usually at the hull. An outboard engine means the engine is placed outside the boat, typically in the back or stern of the craft.

These come in both petrol and 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 cost more to purchase as they are much more fuel efficient than petrol powered ones but will require less maintenance.

Petrol powered boats are usually quicker than diesel ones, so this is another factor to consider when buying one. Weigh up all the options and make the right choice for your situation.

Where can I buy a day cruiser from?

Once you have decided the type of day cruiser you want and roughly how much you want to spend, the first place to begin looking is the internet; you will find thousands of day cruisers on sale on the internet either through private sellers, dealers or brokers.

Buying through a private seller or dealer has its advantages as 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. Avoid private sellers and dealers that do not have a credible reputation.

Alternatively, you can use a brokerage company. Reputable brokers will have a great deal of experience in buying day cruisers for customers, enabling them to detect a good deal when they see one. They will also have a variety of boats in one location and they can help to make the buying process as stress free as possible. Find a good broker either through by checking their advertisements or through recommendation from previous customers.
Buying a used boat can be a good idea for boaters with experience. New boaters might benefit from buying a new boat that comes with a manufacturer’s warranty. If considering a used boat, it is advisable to research the best used boat brands and models.
It is advisable to take the time to visit a few showrooms, take a tour through a marina and look around as many boats as possible in order to have a better picture on what day cruisers are for sale.

What are the estimated running costs of owning a day cruiser?

Like with any type of boat, the costs of owning a day cruiser will vary from boater to boater and boat to boat but working out the average running costs of owning a day cruiser and how you plan to use it is very important.

Boat maintenance for example can be a grey area as the cost of this will depend on whether you plan on doing most of the technical work yourself or whether a boatyard or marine engineer is engaged to do the work.

A good way of finding out about the estimated running costs of owing a boat is to ask other boaters for their knowledge and experiences. Below is a list of some of the running costs that you will need to factor in when buying a day cruiser:

Mooring fees
Insurance
Boat maintenance
Fuel
Heating

Consider what you want to use your boat for, where you plan to use the boat and how many people you expect to be on board etc and most importantly what features you require. Knowing its purpose will assist you in having a greater idea of the running costs before you buy.

Has the boat had a recent a survey?

When buying a second-hand boat, it is advisable to have a survey done by a qualified marine surveyor. A survey is essential in providing both peace of mind and protection when buying second-hand boats and ensuring no important elements are missed in the vessel’s long-term maintenance.
The surveyor will advise on any faults on the hull and with the boat’s internal systems and highlight any issue the boat may have so you have peace of mind that you know exactly what you are buying.

What documents and paperwork will you need to buy a day cruiser?

Having the correct paperwork in place when you buy your day cruiser is important. This includes ownership papers, insurance, boat safety certificate etc. Make sure you have all of these in place when you buy.

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