| The majority of boats sold in the U.S. each year are | | | | dealership of the brand of boat in which you are |
| pre-owned boats. In fact, it is estimated that used | | | | interested to check out their inventory or new and |
| boat sales dollars are more than 4 times those of | | | | used boats. From there, it will pay to check out |
| new boat sales. The average boat owner that buys | | | | newspaper ads (Sunday editions seem to be more |
| a new boat will keep his/her boat for only 3.4 years | | | | complete), and the local edition of "Boat Trader" |
| before selling it. (It's been suggested that boat | | | | magazine as well as their online version called |
| owners come down with a rare disease called 'foot | | | | Boattrader Online - One nice feature of the online |
| and foot' disease. When you have that malady, you | | | | search tool is the ability to specify a brand, year, and |
| must buy a boat that is a foot longer or a foot wider | | | | or price category and then narrow the search to |
| to cure the disease and, therefore, it can be an | | | | boats in you part of the country. |
| expensive illness to cure!) In any event, there are | | | | There are lots of considerations in shopping for a |
| always many quite good used boats in the market, if | | | | pre-owned boat. Mechanically, you need to ensure |
| you know how to seek them out and to evaluate | | | | that the boat has been maintained and not abused. |
| them. | | | | You can evaluate the number of hours on the engine |
| In selecting a pre-owned boat, it is very helpful if you | | | | if it has an hourmeter. The average boat is only run |
| are familiar with the various boat brands and their | | | | about 60 hours per year of service. An engine with |
| respective reputations for quality, length of time in | | | | more than 350-400 hours can be expected to require |
| business, and market share. If you know, for | | | | some repair expense in the next year or two. It |
| example, that boat is manufactured by a tried and | | | | would pay to have the engine looked at by a |
| proven boat builder who has a reputation for quality, | | | | qualified technician to get a professional opinion on |
| you will have fewer worries than if the manufacturer | | | | the engine and it may be worthwhile to pay for a |
| has only been in existence for a year or two! | | | | compression check and hookup to a diagnostic |
| Naturally, better made boats are going to hold their | | | | computer. Most of today's engines employ an |
| price somewhat better than lesser known boats. You | | | | Electronic Control Module (ECM) computer which |
| should also be aware of the various engines, whether | | | | keeps track of many metrics on an engine. For |
| inboard/outboard, straight inboard, or outboard as | | | | example, by hooking up a diagnostic tool to the ECM, |
| well as their respective drive units. If there is a | | | | a technician can learn the actual engine hours, RPM's |
| certain drive or engine that is known for problems, it | | | | that it has been run at, any electrical, fuel, or |
| would probably be good to avoid. If you are the | | | | mechanical problems that the engine is having. All of |
| least bit unsure of this, it will pay to do your research | | | | this is quite good to know and can usually be had for |
| or make contact with a knowledgeable friend in the | | | | less and $100. That may be a fee well spent. |
| industry. | | | | It is always a good idea to test drive any boat you |
| Of course, there are certain advantages to buying a | | | | are considering before you purchase it, whether it is |
| new boat versus a pre-owned boat. New boats and | | | | new or used. All boats tend to look seaworthy when |
| engines always come with a manufacturer's warranty | | | | sitting on a trailer or boat rack, and you can only |
| so that you can be certain of your maintenance and | | | | really tell about the adequacy for the engine's power |
| repair costs for some period of time, at least. | | | | by driving under a load. |
| Financing is generally easier on a new boat and the | | | | You also need to observe the upholstery and canvas |
| length of the financing period is usually longer on a | | | | for rips, tears, and worn areas. If the boat is more |
| new boat. Down payments are smaller or | | | | than a couple of years old and has a wooden floor |
| non-existent on many new boats. Of course, having | | | | under carpet, be sure to check for soft spots that |
| that brand new feel and smell and knowing that you | | | | may indicate rotting. They should resist the probe of |
| are the only family to use it - also has considerable | | | | an ice pick; if they don't, there likely is a problem. The |
| appeal. That appeal can be expensive, however! | | | | fiberglass gelcoat surface should be free from 'dock |
| Boats depreciate more than 20% in their first year, | | | | rash'. A few minor scrapes may be acceptable, but if |
| on average. Many times, if you can find a year old | | | | they are deep enough to go through the colored |
| boat in good condition, it may likely be just like a new | | | | gelcoat, they may require some expensive fiberglass |
| one and at a much better price. Also, you may find a | | | | repair. Be sure to inspect the boat thoroughly. |
| dealer with prior year models in inventory that can be | | | | With a little homework, the decision about whether |
| bought at a discount and still have the new boat | | | | to buy a new or a pre-owned boat will be easier and, |
| warranty, etc. It really pays to shop and to keep | | | | in any event, you will be more confident in making |
| your options open. | | | | your purchase! Have a great voyage! |
| Your search for a used boat should begin at the | | | | |