It is advisable to have a survey done. Osmosis or grounding damage may be impossible to spot yourself and you may end up buying a boat that will cost you thousands to put right.

Many insurance companies want to see a survey which is another reason to have one done before you buy unless the seller can give you one done with in the last year or so.

If you keep your boat in the UK, your mooring fees will almost certainly be your most expensive regular annual expense. Cost vary greatly from several hundred pounds a year to many thousand depending on the location, type of mooring and additional services.

'Swing' moorings where the boat is tied to a buoy in a harbour of river are generally cheapest, especially if the boat is not afloat at all states of the tide. There can be many other advantages such as more privacy than a marina but the biggest draw back is having to get to the boat - either by your own tender or by water taxi if such a service is offered by the harbour or yacht club.

Marinas - especially those on the south coast of England are very expensive and it is not unusually for even a moderately sized boat to pay £5,000 - £6,000 year for a marina berth. There are many advantages, mainly being able to step on and off, having access to water and electricity, facilities such as restaurants, bars, laundrette, toilets and showers and the peace of mind of security guards and CCTV.