When you live in Michigan, you may dream of buying a boat. With all of its lakes and rivers, there are ample opportunities to find yourself on a new adventure. Boating is a popular hobby that you can enjoy alone or as a source of entertainment and bonding with family and friends.
The possibilities are endless when you own a boat, it provides you the chance to go boating, fishing, exploring, partake in water sports, and diving. There are many reasons to be interested in purchasing a boat.
If this is your first time buying a boat, you may be unsure of the type of boat you want or need. Fortunately, there are ways you can determine what type of boat is best for you and the activities you would like to use your boat for.
Let’s explore everything you need to know about buying a boat in Michigan.
What kind of boat is right for you
The type of boat you purchase depends on the waters you’ll be going on. If you are only using your boat in smaller bodies of water, smaller boats will suffice. But, if you plan on taking your boat out onto one of the Great Lakes, you will want something larger and safer than a paddle or rowboat.
The following are the types of boats that are best suited for each type of water.
Inland lakes
- Aluminum fishing boats
- Bass boats
- Bay boats
- Bowrider boats
- Cabin cruisers
- Deck Boats
- Dinghys
- Fish and ski boats
- High-performance boats
- Pontoons
Rivers
- Bass boats
- Bowrider boats
- Cabin cruisers
- Deck Boats
- Dinghys
- Fish and ski boats
- High-performance boats
- Pontoons
- Tow sports boats
- Trawler boats
Great Lakes
- Bowrider boats
- Cabin cruisers
- Fish and ski boats
- High-performance boats
- Sailboats
- Tow sports boats
- Trawler boats
This is a general idea of which boat would be ideal for the different types of water that you may encounter in Michigan. Making the final decision about which boat matches your lifestyle will require you to decide what you want to use your boat for.
Buying from a dealership or private seller
Now that you know what type of boat you want to invest in, you will need to decide where to purchase it. Lucky for you, there are several options and pros and cons to each option, so it is wise to do your research before making this large purchase.
Dealership
You may feel more confident purchasing your boat from a dealer instead of a private seller, knowing that sellers at a dealership are likely boat experts and offer warranties. If something were to go wrong with your boat, your warranty could help with future repairs. A dealer can also help you with financing, proper licensing, and boat delivery.
Private seller
Buying from a private seller may take a bit more trust than buying from a dealer. They are unable to give you a warranty and may be dishonest with you about the condition of the boat.
Still, when you buy from a private seller, you may get your boat for a lower and more affordable price. You can also learn more about that specific boat, as the seller will be familiar with it.
Fortunately, even if you buy from a private seller and cannot get a warranty, you can purchase boat insurance to protect your purchase and cover costs in the case of an accident.
Things to inspect when buying a boat
One of the first things you will want to check for before buying your boat is cracks and leaks. You wouldn’t want to get out on the lake only to discover water seeping in or fuel lines leaking.
To be sure that the boat is waterproof, you should check that the hatches have latches, gaskets, and gutters. If they don’t, there’s a possibility of flooding.
You will also want to ensure that the hull doesn’t have any cracks or make any high-pitched or dull sounds when tapped on. These issues indicate that the boat has been in an accident.
Extensive tests to guarantee that the engine is running properly are critical, especially when buying a used boat. You will also need to check the engine oil for water, grit, color, and odor, and the fuel lines and fuel filter for debris.
An actual boat inspection can take anywhere from a day to a couple of days. For a more extensive list of everything that should be inspected before purchasing your boat, you should research and look for a full boat inspection checklist.
Registration and insurance requirements in Michigan
In Michigan, all watercraft that is not exempt must be registered with the Michigan Department of State. At the time of registration, you will receive a registration number, and decal that must be displayed on your watercraft.
The only watercraft that does not need to be registered in Michigan is:
- Watercraft that is 16 feet or shorter, propelled by oars or paddles, and not used for commercial or rental purposes
- Non-Motorized canoes and kayaks, rafts, surfboards, sailboards, and swim floats
- Watercraft being temporarily used in Michigan, that is registered in another state
While boat insurance is not mandatory in Michigan, it is necessary to protect your boat, and wallet, from potential damages. If you are buying a new boat from a dealership, insurance is usually required for purchase.
Until the boat is paid off, the dealership will want to ensure that the boat is repaired or replaced if an unfortunate accident does occur.
Accidents can happen at any time, so you want to be prepared for the unexpected.
To find out what type of coverage you can receive for your dream boat, you can schedule a phone meeting or virtual appointment with expert insurance agents.
Avoid rough waters with Frost & Remer
Buying a boat in Michigan is a big responsibility, which is why we are here to help you choose the level of protection that is best for you.
At Frost & Remer, we give our customers peace of mind so they can enjoy all the great things that life has to offer. We can help you protect not only your boat, but your wallet too.
Contact us today to learn more about our policies, discounts, and offers for a free policy review and risk assessment.