| Should you buy new or used? There are pros and | | | | Price Guide, the NADA Marine Appraisal Guide, and |
| cons to each, especially for first-time buyers. There's | | | | the ABOS Marine Blue Book. Knowing which 'blue |
| quite a bit more to look for when buying a used boat | | | | book' value your dealer is going by only gives you |
| than buying a used car. If you don't know what to | | | | more leverage when negotiating. Instead of |
| look for you could be in for trouble... Additionally, you | | | | purchasing one of these expensive books (upwards |
| will get a nice warranty when you buy new. Repair | | | | of $100 each) ask a local marine insurance agent if |
| costs in the boating world are, to say the least, | | | | you can see a copy of theirs. More conveniently, the |
| horrendous! The main advantage to buying used is of | | | | NADA guide has an excellent website that allows you |
| course price. If you can't afford new then there may | | | | to check boat values for free ( |
| be no other choice but to buy used. Even if you can | | | | I'm a big advocate of eBay. I have found prices for |
| afford it, if you decide boating isn't for you, do you | | | | boats on eBay are around 30-60% less than you will |
| really want to be stuck with the enormous | | | | find in your local paper or dealer. People selling on |
| depreciation you'll face if you have to sell? If you are | | | | eBay are usually looking to offload their boat quickly |
| a first-time buyer and decide to go used make sure | | | | rather than valuably resulting in the great deals. |
| to have someone who is boat-knowledgeable look at | | | | What's the catch? Sometimes the boats can have |
| the boat before you commit to buying. | | | | minor to severe problems. These should be listed |
| Try to take at least three boats for test runs. Each | | | | clearly in the boat's description though and quite |
| make and brand runs differently and will appeal to | | | | often there is nothing wrong with the boats. More |
| you in different ways. This is another drawback of | | | | frequently, the most significant catch will be that it |
| buying used: convincing a private party to let you | | | | can be difficult to find a boat in your immediate |
| take a test-run without a hefty deposit can be tricky. | | | | vicinity. You may have to drive a few hours to pick |
| If you buy in the summer, prices will naturally be | | | | the boat up. |
| higher. However, you will not have certain inherent | | | | In boat-pricey markets such as California and |
| off-season costs such as the price to winterize your | | | | Washington State, you can get amazing deals on less |
| boat, store it, etc. During the winter, or when | | | | pricey markets on the east-coast if you're willing to |
| approaching winter, prices will generally be lower. | | | | make the drive. If you have the time, you can literally |
| Furthermore, dealer's often have considerably more | | | | save thousands. Buying a boat can be a formidable |
| flexibility on their sticker price when faced with the | | | | task but don't let this intimidate or deter you. If you |
| threat of having to hold on to a boat for an entire | | | | do your research, determine if boating is for you (if |
| winter. | | | | you're a first time buyer), and bring your wits with |
| In the North American boating world, there are | | | | you to the bargaining table and you should have an |
| generally three recognized price guides: the BUC Used | | | | easy buying experience! |