If you love to be out on the water to fish, ski, swim, or just relax, you’ve likely dreamed a time – or maybe one hundred times – about owning your own boat. You want to take the plunge, but you feel like it’s an unjustifiable purchase when your family needs so many other things.

Of course, a boat should never come before eating and paying your electricity bill. However, there are times when it makes sense to add this purchase to your priority list. There are other times when renting is the best option. Here are a few guidelines to help you decide.

Think About How Often You Use a Boat

If you can only make the time to go out on the water once or maybe twice a year, purchasing a boat probably isn’t the answer. However, if you’re renting a boat often enough that it would pay for several boat payments, you’ll probably save money in the long run by finding fishing boats for sale.

Is It a Dream or a Reality?

Is it just the idea of owning a boat that you love or do you actually get out on the water? Many people dream of boating, but not everyone actually enjoys doing it when they have the chance. If you don’t know for certain that you actually want to be on the water, start by renting. You can then “try out” the dream to make sure it lives up to what you’ve imagined.

Don’t Forget Storage and Maintenance

Do you have somewhere safe to store your boat? Do you have the money to keep it maintained and the time to keep it clean? If you answer “No” to any of these, renting is probably your best bet for the time being.