Business and EDU

Renting vs. Buying a Boat or Personal Watercraft (PWC)

Renting vs. Buying a Boat

You know you love the lake or ocean and you want nothing more than to spend the weekend soaking up the rays on a boat deck or skiing across the water behind a speedboat. However, you aren’t sure if it would be worth it to put down a large chunk of money to purchase a boat of your own. You also aren’t sure if you want the limited accessibility that comes with relying on renting a boat. As you go back and forth, there are a lot of things to consider on both ends of the spectrum.

Renting

The obvious advantage to renting a boat is the fact that you don’t have to fork over huge sums of money to have access to a boat. You also don’t have to worry about where you will store your boat when it isn’t in use, another area where money could rack up pretty quickly if you can’t keep it in your driveway or yard. Arguably one of the best things about renting a watercraft is the fact that you don’t have to haul it to wherever you go. By renting, you can save gas money or have the luxury of flying to your desired water-filled area, rather than trekking across the country with your watercraft in tow.

Renting a boat or PWC also means that you don’t have to do maintenance or cleaning, for the most part. At the end of the day, all you have to do is return it to where it came from and you’re home free. Overall, renting is a smart option for those who don’t go out on the water more than a few times a year or those who aren’t quite sure if they are ready for the boat life yet.

Renting vs. Buying a Boat

Buying

Buying your own boat or PWC gives you the satisfaction of knowing that what you are taking out for the day is all yours. Having the watercraft under your name also allows you to keep all your lifejackets, skis, and other boating accessories stored in your boat, so you don’t have to lug everything back and forth every time you want to go out on the water. Although you will have to take care of maintenance and cleaning, you will have the satisfaction of knowing your watercraft is in tip-top shape and won’t be subjected to sub-par care. You will never have to worry about a place not having the boat you want and you have the freedom to take to the water whenever you feel the need.

In the end, buying a boat is the best option for those who plan to go out on the water in all seasons, many times a year. If you are someone who plans to boat pretty frequently, watercraft rental fees can add up quite quickly, losing the appeal of being a more cost effective option.

When it comes to the big picture, it really depends on your preferences when trying to decide whether renting or buying a boat or a PWC is a better option for you. Take into consideration how much you plan to use a boat each year, where you want to use the watercraft, the budget you have available, and how much flexibility you prefer. Your answers to these questions can often prove helpful in making the decision on whether to rent or buy a boat.

Written by Carey Wooldrige, owner of Yacht Club Powersports. Based out of the Lake of the Ozarks, Yacht Club Powersports is the leading seadoo dealer in the state of Missouri, serving Kansas City, St. Louis, Jefferson City and more!

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