Boating will give you the work-life balance that you long for.

In our humble opinion, there are many reasons why you should buy a boat. Our country is literally surrounded by water and venturing to the beach on a hot summer’s day is something we often take for granted. In many areas we have the ability to pop over to nearby islands such as Rottnest Island off Perth or Moreton Island or North Stradbroke Island off Brisbane, just to name a few. This is a reason to buy a boat all on its own.

We could go on forever, however we believe you need to spend less time reading this and more time out on the water. So here are our top 7 reasons to buy a boat.

Bring Your Family and Friends Together

With most Australians living within 50km of a stream, ocean or river, our amazing country is meant to be enjoyed to the fullest!

Owning a boat provides an opportunity for family and friends to come together and enjoy time on the open water. Spending quality time with those important to you helps maintain a healthy work-life balance. Getting out on the water also opens the door for a number of outdoor activities including fishing, SCUBA diving, or for the thrill-seekers at heart, wakeboarding is a very popular water-based activity. But for those wanting to take a more relaxed approach, simply cruising the coast with an epic cheese platter and a cold drink has us thinking “this is living, Barry!”.

If you have kids, boating can also be an education. With numerous resources available, learning new skills and passing these onto your family can be a great way to interreact with each other and encourage a bit of downtime from those pesky digital devices.

It doesn’t really matter if you’re steering the latest model or an old faithful, you will make great memories on the water with the people that you love. We’ve all heard the saying; have a friend who owns a boat. Be that friend and enjoy the luxury of entertaining your family & friends onboard your own boat.

Provides Great Exercise

Heading out on the boat opens a range of activities to help get the heart rate up and that adrenaline pumping! From sailing and swimming through to water-skiing and wakeboarding, there are plenty of activities to get the blood flowing.

It is hard to think of a better place to inhale fresh air than out on the ocean. The salty air, which is also rich in potassium, is great for our lungs, and many water-based activities like sailing are a fantastic cardio workout.

Reduce Stress and Relax

There’s nothing quite like cruising open waters on a perfect Aussie day. Feeling the wind on your face, warm sun on your skin and getting away from the hustle & bustle of everyday life is about as relaxing as it can get. Our lives are so busy and fast-paced, we often forget to look after ourselves. Ensuring we set time for ourselves to reset and recharge helps manage our stress and anxiety.

Be A Part of a Strong Community

Boating can mean many things to people. Some are chasing the thrill of water-skiing and wakeboarding, others are looking for a peaceful daybreak casting a line out, while some are simply looking for a relaxing cruise with sunbathing and a warm afternoon swim.

But at its core, boating is about community. You will naturally gravitate towards other couples, families and groups who share your passion for boating. Your entire experience on the water will be enhanced when you connect with like-minded people.

Yacht clubs can be a fantastic place to connect with people who share your love for days on the water. We suggest you find a yacht club close to where you live. Here you will be able to spend time and get to know others who share your hobby.

Learn New Skills

Boating requires you to maintain and learn new skills. As part of the requirements to obtain a boating license, you will not only need to learn how to operate your boat, but also how to perform general maintenance and upkeep.

Learning a new skill can sometimes be challenging. But these days, there are plenty of great courses and coaches available to show you the ropes (pun intended), so you can continually up your knowledge and expertise.  There are many marine based courses you can register for, along with training for activities like sailing, snorkelling, and even water skiing. Head here for a blog we wrote on great online courses to try out.

Boat Quality

New technologies have been introduced to the boating sector in recent years that is positively changing it. The boating industry is experiencing a revolution in technology, from safety improvements to innovations that make a more luxurious boating/yachting experience. Boat operations are also becoming more eco-friendly thanks to new technological innovations.

Ways that technology is changing the face of boat operations include:

• More luxurious experience- thanks to the introduction of air conditioners
• Quieter experience – the use of high-tech materials makes it possible for boaters enjoy a quieter experience. Owners also have more options with better electric motors.
• More comfortable boating experience – new developments in gyrostabilization have made it possible to enjoy a boating experience with less rocking on the waves
• Reduce carbon footprint – Electric motor innovations are key factors as well as improved sail technology.
• Safer experience – Technology is helping boat and yacht owners avoid collisions at Sea

Explore Various Destinations

With a boat, you can access many beautiful places. These include remote beaches and islands as well as waterfront restaurants. Boat owners can pick the destination they wish to travel, anytime any day. Maybe you want to take the family on a day trip to Rottnest Island or watch the Australia Day Fireworks from the Swan River, our backyard is full of amazing destinations.

Need cover for your boat?

Perhaps you’ve been thinking about adding a boat to your list of hobbies. We believe it could be the best investment as it offers many benefits to the mind, body, and spirit. Once you experience boating, you’ll wonder why you hadn’t tried it sooner.

If you’re looking for boat insurance that matches your needs and your budget, Coast Insurance can help. Our marine underwriters will take the time to understand your boating lifestyle and then prepare an obligation-free quote for you to review. Get in touch today.