You are attracted to the yachting lifestyle, and now you want to buy a boat. Where do you start? There are two main possibilities; you can go to a boat show and look around the glittering array of new offerings, or you can look through the pages of a boating magazine. Either way, you will be overwhelmed by the range of options. There could be over 100 boats to choose from at any boat show, and if you are new to boating, it can be difficult to know where to start.

Even before you start looking at boats, there are some basic questions that you should ask yourself. First, there is the choice between sail and power boats. If you are new to boats, then you will almost certainly be going for a power boat. At least then you won't have to cope with all those confusing ropes and sails, and what they do. For first time boaters, the simplicity of turning a key and heading out on to the water is a major attraction. But this is only the beginning.

The second question you should ask yourself is how much do you want to spend? This question alone will narrow down your choice significantly. If you plan to handle the boat yourself, then you shouldn't be thinking of anything too much over 50 feet in length. If your budget will allow for a larger yacht complete with crew, then the choice is much wider but the costs go up considerably.

Remember when considering your price range that buying the boat is only one part of the exercise. You will also have to consider the expenses in running the boat, and this includes the cost of fuel, insurance, mooring, crew and maintenance. All of these can add up and it is better to have a smaller boat that does not stretch your finances too far than opting for something larger that you cannot really enjoy because the costs are too high.

The most important question you need to ask yourself is what you will be using the boat for. This will help you determine the type of boat that you need and, in some circumstances, the size of boat that you should go for. It can also help you decide on such things as speed and other performance factors. Ask yourself, will you be using the boat primarily in open seas, or in the more sheltered waters offered by rivers, harbors and lakes? Then you need to think about whether you want to go fast or adopt a more gentle speed for cruising. Part of your answer on speed vs. cruising comfort may be partly answered by where you plan to use your new boat. For instance, you do not need a powerful sports cruiser if you plan to cruise at low speed exploring relatively sheltered waters.

By asking yourself some basic questions, you can narrow down your choices considerably. Ultimately, they help make your time at a boat show more likely to result in the right boat for you.