At the BMEEA, we know that buying a boat is more than just the purchase itself. There are many things to consider and usually these are learnt on the fly which can be frustrating and costly.

We will be running a series on "10 things I wish I'd known before I bought my first boat" and round 1 is 10 things Derek Gilbert, BMEEA Chairman, wishes he'd known before he bought his first boat - Enjoy!

5 - I wish I’d known how friendships would change

I wish I’d known that following an initial interest in my boat, most of my friends would be unexpectedly unavailable almost every weekend when I needed them to help me take the boat out and I would be faced with either trying to sail singlehanded or sit on the boat in perfect weather, ruefully watching other boats cast off, while I sat there on my own!

Simple tasks such as manoeuvring a boat in a marina is multiples of levels easier when you have a few extra hands available onboard.

It is interesting so see how quickly ‘friends’ help you into a purchase with promises of help and support, yet fade away when there is real hard work or commitment needed.

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At the BMEEA, we are experts in all aspects of the boat owning experience, so please do get in touch with your nearest BMEEA member for assistance!