Every large investment should be made with a lot of care. Real estate, for example, is always thoroughly searched by lawyers before any advances are made or loans taken. Boats here are no exception.
The main criteria to look for while purchasing a boat are:

1. Durability
2. If used boats, a boat that is not stolen
3. Good design

Boat manufacture is not immune to the defects of industrial goods. Just like all other products, boats today tend to look beautiful in the showroom, but start disintegrating irreparably within four years. Consequently, it is wise to take a trusted and known expert on boats with you while making your purchase. Also, read up on the materials used in the boating industry, and find out which combination offers good durability.

Sometimes, it may be worth your while to purchase a refurbished boat that is in good condition – these may end up lasting you longer than a new boat with the same price. However, anyone buying a previously owned boat should make sure not to end up with stolen property. The ways to check for this are:

1. Find documentation of previous ownership
2. Look at the hull number. If it has been painted over and re-carved, always look on it with suspicion. A stolen boat will typically have blurred or distorted numbers – for example, a 6 being distorted to an 8. Though builders do alter hull numbers after a boat undergoes extensive rebuilding, it is better for a new buyer to skip a good boat than to find himself in a legal mess.
3. Check the paperwork – title, registration etc – before signing agreements or advancing money.

An experienced marine surveyor will often be able to identify a stolen boat at first sight. However, if you are in doubt about a purchase even when your surveyor advises you to go ahead, it is best not to invest in that particular boat.

The third thing to keep in mind while buying a boat is design. A boat is meant to be safe, before all considerations of style and appearance. Sadly, many modern boats are designed to look good rather than to keep their owners safe in strong winds. Some of the most common design flaws are:

1. Low quality materials – wood and metal, most importantly
2. Bad joining between hull and deck
3. Inaccessible internal hull areas
4. Absence of structural bulkheads
5. Structural areas gel-coated instead of glassed over
6. Insufficient deck space
7. Improperly placed flammable equipment – fuel tanks or engines placed where water can be in contact with them are a substantial fire hazard

Before buying a boat for sale, it is imperative to have substantial experience with boating. Even better, one should sail with an experienced boatsman, who can teach the ins and outs of sailing as well as offer handy tips on caring for the boat itself. Making oneself familiar with a boat, its structure, its function and how it interacts with the waters will help the prospective boat owner understand what makes the difference between a safe, functional boat and a machine designed merely for show.