Having a boat is really nice when you just want to get out into the wind and get away from everyone, and fish in places you normally couldn’t get to.

Getting a boat is the somewhat easy part, depending on the kind you want. Your smaller John boats are a lot easier to get, while bigger boats can get really expensive. Now while saying buying the boat is the easiest part, it doesn’t sound it, but it will be the easiest part in the process of getting your hands on a boat.

After getting the boat bought and at your home, you will then have to take the information to a DMV and register the boat trailer to your name. The next step is finding out your boat information and register a renewal and transfer to your name through the DNR(Department of Natural Resources) and wait until it gets approved, or a transfer and new registration if it is from out of state. Then of course, you need your boaters insurance, which can vary by boat size and specifications and use of the boat.

Now you have all that done, the next step is completing your Boater’s Safety Course and securing your essential equipment. With a boat, you are required to have a certain set of items on your boat at all times, such as a whistle, a type IV floatable, a class B & C fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and enough life jackets to cover every person on board. Then there are items that are not legally required items, but the items that you will need in order to dock and run the boat. These include an anchor, although if you have a Bass boat with a little trolley motor with a point set feature, an anchor won’t be needed as badly, and some docking rope and utility rope.

Before buying a boat, take into consideration the costs you’ll incur before you can even take it out on the water because if you don’t, there is a possibility it can break your account.