"You are happy the day you buy it and the day you sell it."

That is what some owners think, and I understand it. But a bad experience with a boat is not inevitable. It is almost always the result of bad advice.

Three points make the difference

• Sell the use, not only the looks.
• A serious survey before the sale. A boat in poor condition means an owner paying for repairs instead of cruising.
• Be clear about the real costs. Allow about 10% of the boat's new value per year, depending on type, age and use.