Feature article
The Ultimate Motorboat Buying Guide for Aotearoa
Your essential guide to buying a motorboat in Aotearoa. Covers what to look for, budgets, and pre-purchase checks.
16 December 2025
The Ultimate Motorboat Buying Guide for Aotearoa
1. Ask Yourself: What Kind of Boat Life is for Me?
| Activity | Best Boat Types | Key Things to Think About | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fishing & Diving | Fishing & Diving | Centre Consoles, Walkarounds, Tinnies | Centre Consoles, Walkarounds, Tinnies | Rod holders, stability for standing, easy-clean deck, dive tank storage. | Rod holders, stability for standing, easy-clean deck, dive tank storage. |
| Water Sports (Skiing, Tubing) | Water Sports (Skiing, Tubing) | Bowriders, Wake Boats, Jet Boats | Bowriders, Wake Boats, Jet Boats | Strong engine, tow points, storage for gear, quick acceleration. | Strong engine, tow points, storage for gear, quick acceleration. |
| Cruising & Day Trips | Cruising & Day Trips | Cabin Cruisers, Cuddy Cabins, Runabouts | Cabin Cruisers, Cuddy Cabins, Runabouts | Comfortable seating, canopy/shelter, enough room for friends and whānau. | Comfortable seating, canopy/shelter, enough room for friends and whānau. |
| Overnight/Extended Trips | Overnight/Extended Trips | Cabin Cruisers, Motor Yachts | Cabin Cruisers, Motor Yachts | Galley (kitchen), head (toilet), sleeping berths, storage, fuel capacity. | Galley (kitchen), head (toilet), sleeping berths, storage, fuel capacity. |
2. New or Used? Weighing Up Your Options
3. The Money Talk: Budgeting for More Than Just the Price Tag
4. The Pre-Purchase Checklist: What to Inspect
5. What's in a Name?
6. Be a Responsible Skipper
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