Desmond Last. Suffolk Park. Byron Bay. Australia

My answer to Why do Western people buy boats?

Answer by Desmond Last:

I owned and operated Sydney Boat Sales on Sydney Harbour for 12 years. I sold boats to every type of demographic until a nasty group of criminals destroyed my business. These are some of my observations.

There are several groups (types) of boat buyers.

The first are the dyed in the wool lovers of the water and boats. I include myself in that group. There is nothing more exhilarating than taking to the open water. Every time you go out it is an adventure. Never is there a boring moment. From the skill and knowledge required to the unexpected you are constantly in a state of anticipation or total relaxation. No traffic lights, no yellow lines and for the majority of the time it is you alone with the elements.

I have sailed up and down the coast of Australia and berthed in the centre of Sydney in Darling Harbour. I enjoy the level of professionalism required and the test of being in stormy weather. The lovers of boats are involved with a passion in their choice of lifestyle. When you add the sport of yacht or motorboat racing the fun and excitement is doubled.

Included in this group are the recreational fishers. They are totally devoted and love their sport. Their equipment level is very high and expensive.

Next is the weekender. These are normally families who see the water as an alternative to wandering the shopping malls and want to spend the weekend away with the family. They require a lot of educating and tend to not keep the same boat for too long.

Then there are the emotional buyers. They get swept away with the glamour of it all but tend to lose interest very quickly as they struggle with winds and tides.

Within this group there is a sub group. You will see them trying to go unnoticed as they spend the night on their boat with their wife at home and the glamour girl snuggled up next to them.

One final sub group are the drug dealers and people smugglers. They will use their boats to collect drugs from offshore boats to transport waiting on shore. They are easy to spot but the Police resources required to stop and search are very high so they mostly get away with their crimes.

Finally there are the sea changers. They want to leave the rat race and sail the World. Some do. Many give up as the level of preparation and planning required is very high.

One golden rule for all boat buyers. Never ever, even if Hell freezes over buy a boat without a full inspection in and out of the water by a qualified marine surveyor.

Why do Western people buy boats?