The COVID-19 crisis has seriously impacted a wide range of leisure activities with restrictions on many of our favourite past times, especially boating. Restrictions have varied from state to state and you should review your state’s laws to confirm what you can and can’t do on the water. While a blanket ‘stay at home’ directive has been issued, heading out on your boat for fishing for food may be considered an essential service in some areas or it may not.
To keep updated:
https://roads-waterways.transport.nsw.gov.au/maritime/covid-19-update.html
https://www.bia.org.au/news/update-on-coronavirus-measures/
https://transportsafety.vic.gov.au/maritime-safety/newsroom/boating-covid-message
But for most Australians, at least for now, the boat has been secured, canopies zipped and boating for pleasure plans waiting for the COVID-19 tide to change.
With the coronavirus crisis forcing many of us into a lockdown at our primary residence, this state of living has heightened our appreciation, as boat owners, of our time on the water. Staying at home means plenty of time for daydreaming about boating beyond the bans.
During winter is a great time to start planning for the spring-summer boating months so now is a good time to get into action.
Crisis such as COVID-19 can be a time for people to reflect on their lives and focus on what they really want to achieve. If owing a boat has always been on your bucket-list, now could be the time to realise that dream.
We all need to lift our spirits, so while you’re cooped up at home, why not get to work on making your boating dreams come true.
Boats are great for day-trips, short getaways and depending on the size of your boat and number of guests, a great way to holiday. Mooring in different bays each day and exploring the extensive and expansive Australian waterways.
International holidays may be off the cards for some time to come as countries around the world deal with COVID-19 and Australia consider long-term travel bans. Purchasing a holiday house is a major commitment and major investment decision. Hotel accommodation and travel expenses for interstate holiday destinations can quickly add up, especially if you’re catering for a family.
In comparison, owning a boat can present a very cost-effective holiday option.
Whether it’s a small day tripper or a luxury model with accommodation for loads of friends and family, boating is a great way to getaway, holiday and just relax. And at Jade’s cheap boat loan interest rates, we make it as cost-effective as possible.
Start making your boating plans for beyond the COVID-19 bans.
Once the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, you will want to be ready to launch or set sail, so now is the time to put your boating plans into place.
We’ve provided a number of blogs and articles around buying a boat, but now is a good time to remind boat buyers of some of the key issues and update the information in the framework of the COVID-19 environment.
Deciding what type of boat comes first: power or sail, what size and for most people, price range. These types of decisions are personal choice but our Boat Loans Calculator is a great tool to keep at hand to quickly compare estimated repayments on different boats.
Buying a New or Used Boat is a Key Decision
With the impacts of COVID-19, many dealers may bring forward their EOFY sales in order to move stock quickly. So this can be a good time to negotiate a better purchase price.
When buying a new boat, there may be delays in delivery from some local boat builders and manufacturers and dealers of overseas brands, caused by:
- Time required to build or finish the boat to your specs.
- Delays in new boat stock being delivered from overseas manufacturers due to production shutdowns in countries of manufacturer.
- Some local boat builders may have delays in delivering new boats as they have had to slow production times to cater for physical distancing and capacity restrictions within their own facilities.
Allow for any possible delays by ordering well in advance of your anticipated launch date.
If buying a used boat, you may have to adapt the usual way you would approach the buying process to the new physical distancing and movement rulings:
- If movement restrictions are in place in your region, investigate if buying a boat is deemed a legitimate reason to leave the house.
- Physical distancing rules may limit your ability for in-person inspections of boats you’re considering. While online marketplaces do allow a lot of photos to be displayed, many buyers still like to see the boat before buying.
- You may want to consider discussing options with the seller especially if a private seller. Perhaps paying a deposit based on online viewing only and the final payment subject to inspection.
- Use the services of a professional marine engineer or surveyor to give you a condition report. As this is their work, such activities should be considered allowed under most state restrictions.
- Review the consumer protection laws for your state. If you do buy a boat online and problems do arise, you will want to know what you are entitled to in regard to a refund.
Arranging Your Boat Loan
Coronavirus has affected many aspects of our lives but we’re pleased to advise that Jade Boat Loans is still providing full service to our customers. We have moved significantly to a work-from-home set up but as our boat finance broker services are delivered primarily via phone and email, we will have continuity of our great service and cheap boat loans throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
To review our boat loans options please refer to our relevant web pages.
To discuss the options for your boat loan, contact us on 1300 000 003 to speak with a Jade Boat Loans consultant.
DISCLAIMER:THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IS FOR GENERAL CONSIDERATION. ANY REFERENCE TO OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT POLICIES HAS BEEN SOURCED FROM AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT AND STATE GOVERNMENT SOURCES. NO LIABILITY IS ACCEPTED FOR ANY ERRORS IN PRESENTATION OR INTERPRETATION OF THE FACTS AS PROVIDED BY THESE SOURCES. WE ADVISE ALL INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES TO REFER TO THEIR ACCOUNTANT OR FINANCIAL ADVISOR FOR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE SPECIFIC TO THEIR INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
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