PMvdb395DA
New Member
- Oct 12, 2006
- 1,165
- Boat Info
- 360DA '03 6,5 kw kohler generator, AC, etc.
- Engines
- Yanmar 315Hp diesels
I found this list and think there are some good points.
10 Boat Buying Mistakes
Avoid this "Top 10 List" and you'll be ahead of the game!
If you’re like most people, chances are when you bought your first new boat you made a mistake or two that ended up causing you money and causing you aggravation. Now you’re older and wiser, you’ve decided to move up in size, or purchase something different to fit your needs, but boat-buying is still full of pitfalls. To help you save money and find exactly the right boat for you, we interviewed six veteran dealers and asked them to describe the 10 most common mistakes boat buyers make. Let the buyer beware.
Buyers fail to understand their needs. Before you buy your next boat, you should also reexamine your needs and ask yourself the following questions: What will you primarily use this boat for? Is this boat right for your family? Do you have a boating partner? Will you be boating alone? Perhaps you want to fish, but your kids want to ski. Is this boat capable of both? Do you really need a cuddy, or does a bowrider offer more useful space? Talk it over with the family and make sure their needs are taken into consideration. Just because it looks nice doesn’t mean it’s going to accommodate the needs and activities of each family member.
Buyers fail to understand the true costs of owning a boat. When you purchased your first boat you may have thought your major expenditures were over. There’s much more than that, obviously, and it can add up to a considerable amount. Storage and moorage are probably your biggest expenses. First, before you buy you should have a place in mind that has a slip or storage rack big enough for your size boat. Second, take the time to itemize taxes, winterizing, spring commissioning, maintenance, repair, insurance and fuel costs. Add these costs up, divide by 12 months, and add the number to your monthly boat payments. Now you have a better picture of what your boat will cost. (Remember, you are not buying a boat to save money. If you want to do that put it in the bank and enjoy your 1.5% annual interest.)
Buyers fail to understand the commitment required. Boating is not only a recreational activity, it is a commitment, and owning a boat is more time consuming than you may think. Boats, even new ones, need some TLC on your part. Boating will also compete with other aspects in your life; so scheduling some boating time may not always be easy, especially when you have several members in a family pulling you in different directions. If you’re a weekend boater, you may be tied up at your son’s football game, daughter’s ballet rehearsal, morning golf game, lunch with friends and many other countless commitments. If you’re an individual who is generally busy to begin with, you should realize right away that your boating time will be cut in half. If not, you’ll find yourself in a constant dilemma between choosing your hobby or sticking to your commitments.
Buyers fail to ask the question: “When is the best time to buy a boat?†There are several best times to buy a boat. During a boat show dealers are usually offering some of the best deals. They not only want to move the merchandise, but they also have all their competition surrounding them also offering their own boat show deals. Builders often sweeten the pot at boat shows with rebates. But buyers should realize that these incentives are usually also available from the winter months up until the start of the boating season. In addition, you may find a great deal during late spring with dealers who have inventory they need to sell in order to make room for new-year models.
Buyers don’t listen to their partners. Rule of thumb – if they’re not happy, you won’t be either. You may be damned either way you look at it, buy your partner’s opinion will either put you through the ringer in terms of added costs and headaches, or be worth its weight in gold.
Before you make your next plunge, ask yourself how many times your partner has gone boating with you since you’ve owned the boat. Do they enjoy it or do you have to drag them out? Does your partner still get sea sick? Do they complain about the boat, if so, about what? Remember you’re not the only one who’ll be on the boat. Take their needs into consideration as well as your own. The more input they have in the boat buying decision the more they’ll enjoy it, and the better your ears and head will feel at the end of the boating day, making it a memorable experience for you both.
Buyers often finance too much and a year later want out. Buying a boat should not be financially stressful. When it comes time to purchase, make sure your boat payments plus monthly operating expenses add up to a comfortable number. If it is not, make a larger down payment, or look at a smaller boat, or at a less expensive one. Possibly, you should even consider a used boat, but if you do, count on far larger maintenance and repair bills. There is a boat for almost everyone’s pocketbook; you just need to find it. Remember, you are boating to enjoy life, not to worry about making ends meet.
Buyers are often unconcerned about construction. If you use your boat regularly and travel long distances, top-quality construction should be at the top of your “must-have†list. A well-built boat may cost you the most to begin with, but it will end up saving you money in the long run because your maintenance and repair bills will be lower.
Most boat veterans will tell you to buy the best boat you can afford. Construction details are the foundation of a good product. These details may not seem too important when looking at a glossy new boat in the dealer’s showroom, but they will be on the water, when cheap, plastic fittings start breaking. Crawl around and go through all of the boats you are looking at. Ask the salesmen about the construction features. Don’t be embarrassed about asking questions.
Buyers don’t form a relationship with their dealer. After you decide on a boat, shop around and do your homework on the local dealer(s) that sell the model you’re interested in. Do your own interview of the dealership and its services. Do they represent themselves well? Are there people to help out and answer your questions? Do they appear knowledgeable about the product they’re selling? Will they stand behind the product if it needs service? A good relationship with your dealer could be the deciding factor in your satisfaction with your next boat. It’s important to note that a boat dealer is not just selling the product, but everything else that stands behind it, including their dealership. Get to know your dealer, and what that dealership has to offer in terms of value and customer service. Most importantly you should leave the dealership with a sense of security, knowing that you’ll receive a level of service you expect and are comfortable with.
Buyers will purchase a name instead of what a boat has to offer. When it comes to boats, certain names just stand out. Whether it’s a sportboat, fish-boat, cruiser or yacht, there’s always a name or two that come right to mind. New-boat buyers should do their research on several brands and compare the features and costs to see which one offers them the best value for their needs as well as overall investment. Some people prefer to have more boat, while others feel more comfortable buying a name. One can never do too much shopping around.
Buyers do not spend enough time on “Due Diligence.†There are three primary areas where most buyers need to spend more time investigating these subjects:
Not Enough Product Knowledge You’ve heard the term location, location, location! Well number ten is research, research, research! As a buyer, you can never do enough. The more knowledgeable you are when you walk into a dealership the happier you’ll be when you walk out. Before you buy, try to understand every nook and cranny, and mechanical part to the boat. Go down to your local marina and look for someone who owns the boat you’re thinking of purchasing. Ask them questions. They’ll be more than happy to talk to you about their boat, and you’ll learn plenty.
Resale Value In most cases a boat is a depreciating asset, but they don’t all depreciate at the same rate. A manufacturer’s reputation in the marketplace is also important when you’re considering the resale value. You’ll want to find out how long the company has been in business and what their reputation has been throughout the years. So again, buy the best you can afford, because in most cases it will benefit you in the end with a better resale or trade-in value, and the used boat will certainly sell faster.
Picking the Wrong Dealership Always shop around not only for the best price, but for the best dealership. Picking the wrong dealership will just end up costing you aggravation, if not money, too. As you walk into the dealership look around and take mental notes of what you see. What’s your first impression of the place and its staff? Find out all the services they provide. Find out if they stock enough parts. Is the place clean, neat and professional, or does it look like no one cares? Let your first impression of the dealership be your guide.
Before making your next purchase, remember the “Top 10 Mistakes†You’ll end up making a better long-term decision, and you’ll also walk away much happier knowing you did everything possible to ensure a successful boating and ownership experience.
10 Boat Buying Mistakes
Avoid this "Top 10 List" and you'll be ahead of the game!
If you’re like most people, chances are when you bought your first new boat you made a mistake or two that ended up causing you money and causing you aggravation. Now you’re older and wiser, you’ve decided to move up in size, or purchase something different to fit your needs, but boat-buying is still full of pitfalls. To help you save money and find exactly the right boat for you, we interviewed six veteran dealers and asked them to describe the 10 most common mistakes boat buyers make. Let the buyer beware.
Buyers fail to understand their needs. Before you buy your next boat, you should also reexamine your needs and ask yourself the following questions: What will you primarily use this boat for? Is this boat right for your family? Do you have a boating partner? Will you be boating alone? Perhaps you want to fish, but your kids want to ski. Is this boat capable of both? Do you really need a cuddy, or does a bowrider offer more useful space? Talk it over with the family and make sure their needs are taken into consideration. Just because it looks nice doesn’t mean it’s going to accommodate the needs and activities of each family member.
Buyers fail to understand the true costs of owning a boat. When you purchased your first boat you may have thought your major expenditures were over. There’s much more than that, obviously, and it can add up to a considerable amount. Storage and moorage are probably your biggest expenses. First, before you buy you should have a place in mind that has a slip or storage rack big enough for your size boat. Second, take the time to itemize taxes, winterizing, spring commissioning, maintenance, repair, insurance and fuel costs. Add these costs up, divide by 12 months, and add the number to your monthly boat payments. Now you have a better picture of what your boat will cost. (Remember, you are not buying a boat to save money. If you want to do that put it in the bank and enjoy your 1.5% annual interest.)
Buyers fail to understand the commitment required. Boating is not only a recreational activity, it is a commitment, and owning a boat is more time consuming than you may think. Boats, even new ones, need some TLC on your part. Boating will also compete with other aspects in your life; so scheduling some boating time may not always be easy, especially when you have several members in a family pulling you in different directions. If you’re a weekend boater, you may be tied up at your son’s football game, daughter’s ballet rehearsal, morning golf game, lunch with friends and many other countless commitments. If you’re an individual who is generally busy to begin with, you should realize right away that your boating time will be cut in half. If not, you’ll find yourself in a constant dilemma between choosing your hobby or sticking to your commitments.
Buyers fail to ask the question: “When is the best time to buy a boat?†There are several best times to buy a boat. During a boat show dealers are usually offering some of the best deals. They not only want to move the merchandise, but they also have all their competition surrounding them also offering their own boat show deals. Builders often sweeten the pot at boat shows with rebates. But buyers should realize that these incentives are usually also available from the winter months up until the start of the boating season. In addition, you may find a great deal during late spring with dealers who have inventory they need to sell in order to make room for new-year models.
Buyers don’t listen to their partners. Rule of thumb – if they’re not happy, you won’t be either. You may be damned either way you look at it, buy your partner’s opinion will either put you through the ringer in terms of added costs and headaches, or be worth its weight in gold.
Before you make your next plunge, ask yourself how many times your partner has gone boating with you since you’ve owned the boat. Do they enjoy it or do you have to drag them out? Does your partner still get sea sick? Do they complain about the boat, if so, about what? Remember you’re not the only one who’ll be on the boat. Take their needs into consideration as well as your own. The more input they have in the boat buying decision the more they’ll enjoy it, and the better your ears and head will feel at the end of the boating day, making it a memorable experience for you both.
Buyers often finance too much and a year later want out. Buying a boat should not be financially stressful. When it comes time to purchase, make sure your boat payments plus monthly operating expenses add up to a comfortable number. If it is not, make a larger down payment, or look at a smaller boat, or at a less expensive one. Possibly, you should even consider a used boat, but if you do, count on far larger maintenance and repair bills. There is a boat for almost everyone’s pocketbook; you just need to find it. Remember, you are boating to enjoy life, not to worry about making ends meet.
Buyers are often unconcerned about construction. If you use your boat regularly and travel long distances, top-quality construction should be at the top of your “must-have†list. A well-built boat may cost you the most to begin with, but it will end up saving you money in the long run because your maintenance and repair bills will be lower.
Most boat veterans will tell you to buy the best boat you can afford. Construction details are the foundation of a good product. These details may not seem too important when looking at a glossy new boat in the dealer’s showroom, but they will be on the water, when cheap, plastic fittings start breaking. Crawl around and go through all of the boats you are looking at. Ask the salesmen about the construction features. Don’t be embarrassed about asking questions.
Buyers don’t form a relationship with their dealer. After you decide on a boat, shop around and do your homework on the local dealer(s) that sell the model you’re interested in. Do your own interview of the dealership and its services. Do they represent themselves well? Are there people to help out and answer your questions? Do they appear knowledgeable about the product they’re selling? Will they stand behind the product if it needs service? A good relationship with your dealer could be the deciding factor in your satisfaction with your next boat. It’s important to note that a boat dealer is not just selling the product, but everything else that stands behind it, including their dealership. Get to know your dealer, and what that dealership has to offer in terms of value and customer service. Most importantly you should leave the dealership with a sense of security, knowing that you’ll receive a level of service you expect and are comfortable with.
Buyers will purchase a name instead of what a boat has to offer. When it comes to boats, certain names just stand out. Whether it’s a sportboat, fish-boat, cruiser or yacht, there’s always a name or two that come right to mind. New-boat buyers should do their research on several brands and compare the features and costs to see which one offers them the best value for their needs as well as overall investment. Some people prefer to have more boat, while others feel more comfortable buying a name. One can never do too much shopping around.
Buyers do not spend enough time on “Due Diligence.†There are three primary areas where most buyers need to spend more time investigating these subjects:
Not Enough Product Knowledge You’ve heard the term location, location, location! Well number ten is research, research, research! As a buyer, you can never do enough. The more knowledgeable you are when you walk into a dealership the happier you’ll be when you walk out. Before you buy, try to understand every nook and cranny, and mechanical part to the boat. Go down to your local marina and look for someone who owns the boat you’re thinking of purchasing. Ask them questions. They’ll be more than happy to talk to you about their boat, and you’ll learn plenty.
Resale Value In most cases a boat is a depreciating asset, but they don’t all depreciate at the same rate. A manufacturer’s reputation in the marketplace is also important when you’re considering the resale value. You’ll want to find out how long the company has been in business and what their reputation has been throughout the years. So again, buy the best you can afford, because in most cases it will benefit you in the end with a better resale or trade-in value, and the used boat will certainly sell faster.
Picking the Wrong Dealership Always shop around not only for the best price, but for the best dealership. Picking the wrong dealership will just end up costing you aggravation, if not money, too. As you walk into the dealership look around and take mental notes of what you see. What’s your first impression of the place and its staff? Find out all the services they provide. Find out if they stock enough parts. Is the place clean, neat and professional, or does it look like no one cares? Let your first impression of the dealership be your guide.
Before making your next purchase, remember the “Top 10 Mistakes†You’ll end up making a better long-term decision, and you’ll also walk away much happier knowing you did everything possible to ensure a successful boating and ownership experience.
