#BUYING A BOAT - With all the excitement that comes with buying a new boat, there are a number of important factors that every prospective purchaser should keep in mind, according to website Mad About Yachts.

First and foremost, any decision to buy a boat must be based on your specific requirements and your available finances. It's easy to get carried away with the idea of owning a large size boat, but it's pointess if you can't affort the time or resources to maintain such a valuable asset.

Figure out first what you want and need the boat for, then from that work out your estimated running costs - which include not only maintenance but also mooring and club fees. This will give you a good guideline to narrow down your options before you venture into the marketplace.

Always bear in mind that "one kind of sailing vessel cannot be the perfect choice for all kinds of water based activities".

Mad About Yachts has more advice for boat buyers HERE. And don't forget to check out Afloat's dedicated Boats for Sale site for the latest deals.