I CAN’T AFFORD A BOAT! Yes you can! There are plenty of options out there.

It starts with a dream—gliding across the water, sun on your face, a cooler full of snacks, and not a care in the world. But then reality hits: boats aren’t exactly cheap. Or are they? If you’ve ever caught yourself scrolling through listings or lingering too long at the marina, wondering, “Can I actually afford a boat?”—you’re not alone. In this post, we’ll explore ways to delve into the boating community without breaking the bank.

1. Start Small. It’s ok to not have the biggest or nicest boat. If it floats and no leaks you have what you need. Our first houseboat was a 1974 Nautaline and she did not run, but she was very clean. We were ok with the fact that she didn’t run, we just wanted to be part of the boating community.

We had a smaller boat also at the time that we used if we wanted to go out on the water. We didn’t want to invest a lot in the boat just incase if the lifestyle wasn’t for us. We knew it wouldn’t be hard to sell it and get our money back.

2. Rent A Boat from A Private Owner. You can enjoy it like it’s yours without the commitment. Some owners allow you to take the boat out on the water. If not, you will have to enjoy it while docked.

3. Join A Boaters Club. Most all marina’s have Boating Clubs. This comes with a commitment, but you aren’t responsible for the upkeep or storage. You just come with your family and friends with all your essentials, the boat is gassed up and ready for you. You will have a certain number of hours to enjoy it. When your time is up, return it and that’s it, you will have your own boat for the day! Contact your local marina for info.

4. Find a friend with a boat. Show up with a bottle, some gas money and enjoy the day!! No pressure, no stress. Just follow the captain’s orders to ensure you are invited back.

If you are interested in purchasing a boat, but not sure where to start looking, Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace are great starting points. We found our first houseboat, our pontoon boat and our sons fishing boat on Facebook Marketplace. There are always hidden gems on these sites. You must be patient and be ready to purchase when you find the one you want.

Good Luck!!

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