Buying your first motorboat

Jake Kavanagh looks at the main buying choices between new and used and considers the temptation of projects

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There are many reasons why people want to buy a motorboat - the recent Covid-19 pandemic (and a generally unstable world) being one of them. With immediate turnkey power, and usually plenty of it, a mile-eating top speed, ample range, and often very comfortable accommodation, a motorboat can become a home-from-home. During the pandemic, many also became remote offices and ways to escape lockdown, so sales rocketed. Some people were even buying a 50-footer as their very first boat, because they wanted the internal space. For those looking to move from sail to power, or just get out on the water, the choice of motorboats is bewildering. However, experienced sailors generally have a good idea of the type of boat they're looking for, while newcomers will also know whether they want a boat for day trips or more serious cruising. For starters, do they need one with a cabin, or just open, like a RIB (Rigid-hulled Inflatable Boat)? Some will be buying a boat exclusively for use on rivers and canals, giving them access to thousands of miles of gentle inland cruising throughout Europe. Others are finding a motorboat a comfortable way to live aboard all year round.

Many years ago when I worked for Motor Boats Monthly magazine our reader surveys revealed just how many enthusiasts had switched from sail to power. When we asked why, some said it was the lack of leisure time. For example, a 20-hour beat to windward in a yacht could be replaced with a four-hour direct route in a planing motorboat. The crew would also be fresher on arrival, with no red-eye watchkeeping shifts required.

For others, it was having a more stable platform, and not having to brace themselves in a loo canted at 45° (another reason why sailing catamarans are proving increasingly popular). As age crept upon them, our readers didn't want to have to work sheets and halyards, despite the availability of highly efficient electric winches.