An offshore cruiser or blue water cruiser is a boat that is designed for extended cruising. Offshore cruisers travel at moderate speeds with a relatively gentle motion at sea and can carry large antennas that should be mounted as high above the water as possible to extend effective radio range.
There are many different styles and sizes of offshore cruiser available. No matter what your budget, there is a bewildering array of choice and there are several important decisions to make before you can begin your search.
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. Think about the essential elements like safety, comfort, performance and functionality. Knowing its purpose will assist you in choosing the right boat for you.
The process of selecting and purchasing a boat for extended cruising usually takes a minimum of six to twelve months. Be patient, ask questions and learn everything you can while keeping an open mind.
Offshore cruisers can vary wildly in price due to the large range available. Prices will differ depending on style, size, age and condition.
Think about whether you are after a restoration project, something pristine or top of the range and do a bit of research to get an idea of what the ideal offshore cruiser that you are looking for may cost.
Once you have a budget in mind and you have done your research, the first place to look when buying a boat is the internet.
Buying a used boat can be a good idea for boaters with experience. If considering a used boat, it is advisable to research the best used boat brands and models. New boaters might benefit from buying a new boat that comes with a manufacturer’s warranty.
Using a good brokerage company when buying an offshore cruiser 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.
The costs of owning and running a boat are an important consideration when you are looking at buying one. Like with any type of boat, the costs of owning an offshore cruiser will vary from boater to boater and boat to boat but working out the average running costs of owning this type of boat and how you plan to use it is very important.
A good way of doing this 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 an offshore cruiser:
Mooring fees
Insurance
Boat maintenance
Fuel
Heating
There are currently only two choices of engines for your offshore cruiser, that being either 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 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 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 advisable to have a survey done by a qualified marine surveyor. They 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.
Having the correct paperwork in place when you buy your offshore cruiser is important. This includes ownership papers, insurance, boat safety certificate etc. Make sure you have all of these in place when you buy.
