Is a boat more like a car... or a home?

On the one hand, a boat does get you from place A to place B--but instead of doing so for purely practical purposes, it serves as a sort of floating escape where family and friends gather to laugh, relax, and enjoy each other's company like they can't do on dry land.

In this way, a boat is much more similar to a "home away from home" than a car alone. As you shop for a boat, keep this in mind and choose a boat you can see growing with your family. For tips on how to do that, take a look at the blog below.

Turn boat shopping into a family affair

If you're torn between what model of boat to pursue, don't feel the need to make a decision on your own! Think about who will be using the boat most--most likely your family--and try to get input from them, if need be. Your family might want certain features that you hadn't considered (like a large cabin space, or deck large enough for multiple people to fish at once). They might also simply help reassure you that the boat you already had in mind is just perfect! Either way, input from the people you trust most can definitely help you find a boat that, well, fits.

Buy for what you want...

...not only what you "need." A boat is your one-way getaway ticket, your chance to remove yourself from the hustle and bustle of life on land and return to your floating "home away from home." So don't feel the need to make practical decisions at every step of the way. While budget it always worth considering, don't be afraid to consider those luxury features if they will provide for a ride that's more "you," or more special in some way.

See your future

You may not be clairvoyant, but you can certainly look ahead toward your future and pick a boat with that in mind. Maybe you're retiring, and want your weekend routine to stay just the way it is--on the other hand, if you're growing your family, you can bet that your kids, as they get older, will want to run around the boat and claim it as their own. In that case, it's always worth considering a boat with plenty of space--one that can grow with your family, not out of sync with it.

At Monterey, we know that a boat needs fuel, maintenance, and maybe a space in your garage--but it's so much more than just a vehicle! We hope that today's blog helps you find the boat that's perfect for your family needs--now, and years down the line.