Buying first boat...Help!

[Skotie68]

So I'm ready to buy my first boat so my children can experience the same type of fun I had going on ski trips with my parents. I am looking at the 210 or 220 select.

Can I get some hints on buying a boat. How much haggle room is there usually? Are boat shows the best place to get good deals? Is right now (winter) a good time to be buying? Any tips or stories you have would be greatly appreciated. I really want to get a good deal on a good boat but I'm so new I don't know what would even be considered a good deal.

Thank
Scott

 

[HUMPH]

Great time to buy! Unfortuneatly there are many repo's happening so maybe start by checking these out. You can also work with local brokers asking about these boats from people that could not hold on to them.

http://www.yachtauctions.com/inventory.php

 

[katricol]

Good time to buy and yes boat shows are a good place to buy. Start doing some homework on www.yachtworld.com, boattrader, and boats.com...Ric

 

[mwph]

Scott, as posted above homework is the key. I am in my first boat as well & I remember spending countless hours on this site as well as those listed above before making a decision.

So, my advice... Looking is free so spend time doing just that. Make sure you choose the boat that will fit your family's needs. Once that is decided, then your budget will determine how new of a boat you will zero in on.

 

[bushway9172]

So I'm ready to buy my first boat so my children can experience the same type of fun I had going on ski trips with my parents. I am looking at the 210 or 220 select.

Can I get some hints on buying a boat. How much haggle room is there usually? Are boat shows the best place to get good deals? Is right now (winter) a good time to be buying? Any tips or stories you have would be greatly appreciated. I really want to get a good deal on a good boat but I'm so new I don't know what would even be considered a good deal.

Thank
Scott

Great time to buy (because hopefully you won't have to pay for winterization/storage if the boat has been properly maintained). The 210 and 220 Selects are great boats.

We upgraded to a 270 Select from a 220 Sundeck, and I can't even begin to tell you how great the Sundeck was as our first boat. Great for the family, with the bow boarding ladder, and just an overall great ride. We often end up in not-so-favorable seas, and that Sundeck kept us dry 99% of the time. The Selects have a little bit of a different hull, so that they cut the waves a little differently (sharper/smoother, but you definitely will get a little more wet because of this.... but hey, its a boat right?!).

Anyway, with any of those boats, you can't go wrong, but consider taking a look at the Sundeck! Good luck.