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22 October 2021
OWNING A BOAT FOR THE FIRST TIME

It can be a lot of fun, scouring used boats for sale via the market’s various online brokerages. But if you’re new to boating and you want to do more than just window shop, you need to look beyond the initial appeal of pretty pictures and tempting prices and think about what you really want from a life on the water. Yes, getting a boat that excites you is important. But what about deck layouts, propulsive options, sizes, types and features? And what about a mooring that gives you easy access to your boat, a tempting spread of cruising options and all the service facilities and back-up you need to make ownership straightforward as well as pleasurable? With proven experience and extensive networks of contacts and offices throughout the key yachting heartlands of England, Germany, Marbella and the Balearics, Argo Yachting is perfectly placed to turn your first-time boat ownership experience into something very special.

New owner: the right yacht

 

In terms of size, there’s a fine balance to be struck. Think hard about who you want to share your boating life with, how many people you want to have on board for day trips and how many people you need to be able to accommodate overnight. And whatever size of boat you favour, be aware that, as a first–time boater, it pays to get a boat that is easy to operate in tight marinas. Look for good all-round visibility, a side door at the helm, easy access to the foredeck and some intuitive modern driver aids.

The size conundrum will also be influenced by your assessment of how you want to use the boat. If you can visit some good boat shows, step on board a few yachts and compare your favoured models like-for-like, that can be a great help in understanding what kind of size and layout works best for you. If you can also go out on friends’ boats to get a feel for the kinds of features and activities that are most important to you, that’s an even more useful step in nailing down what you need. But if, as a first-time boater, you really can’t decide what kind of boating you’re likely to favour, then try to opt for a yacht that treads the middle ground. But whatever you buy, investing in some RYA training is a great way to build your confidence and maximise your enjoyment of your time on the water.

 

New owner: European cruising hotspots

 

With established offices in London, Southampton and Plymouth, as well as Germany, southern Spain and the beautiful Balearics, Argo Yachting has a very intimate understanding of some of Europe’s most coveted cruising regions. If you want to put yourself amongst the throng of England’s historical yachting scene, with a brilliant mix of nautical towns, world class regattas and charming rural hideaways, the Solent is a very exciting place to be. If you prefer a more remote, almost oceanic form of yachting, England’s southwest is a place of astonishing loveliness. The stretch from Dartmouth to Salcombe in south Devon is particularly renowned for the dramatic landscapes of its winding deep-cut estuaries. And further west, in south Cornwall, the stretch of coastline from Plymouth to Falmouth, with Looe and Fowey in between, gives you access to some lovely little fishing towns and some magnificent wildlife – and it also puts you within easy reach of the otherworldly delights of the Channel Islands and the Isles of Scilly.

The Schleswig-Holstein peninsula, perched up in the north of Germany, with the Baltic on one side and the North Sea on the other, is an equally versatile cruising spot. But if warm, sunny weather is at the top of your priority list, some of the Mediterranean’s most alluring destinations are as practical as they are engaging. Whether you look towards Cala d’Or, Port Adriano or Puerto Portals, Mallorca is a place where buzzing party hubs, unspoiled fishing towns, natural beauty and five-star refinement coexist very naturally. And with its year-round yachting season, its wonderful food, its beautiful beaches and its resolutely upbeat vibe, Marbella is also one of the finest yachting destinations in the whole of Spain.

 

Better brokerage at Argo Yachting

 

Whether you’re a serial seafarer or you’re just getting into the wonderful world of boating, Argo Yachting has the expertise to help you make the right choice. As the sister company to Princess Motor Yacht Sales, our extensive UK and European network has more than 50 years’ experience in yacht brokerage, sales and technical backup. Our brokerage listings regularly include a wide range of premium used yachts from the likes of Windy, Riva, Galeon, Azimut, Cranchi, Chris Craft and Sunseeker. And as a long-standing member of the Association of Brokers & Yacht Agents (ABYA), we are also able to make the process of buying a yacht refreshingly straightforward. We take a clear and transparent approach from start to finish, with comprehensive documentation and the reassuring backup of Professional Indemnity and Public Liability Insurance. For more on investing in your first boat, make sure you don’t miss our ‘Boating for Beginners Guide’.

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