Looking for a boat. Do I need a broker?

Right now is still a bad time to buy. Winter/spring sellers have sold the good boats. What is left on the market is the crappy ones. People planning to sell or upgrade for next season have not listed their boats yet. Once you get to the fall, your choices will increase a lot.

I would look around to nail down one or two models/years that you really like and then start looking in a month or so with focus on those models. There will be ones that have been used this summer and are in better shape. I can guarantee it.
 
Creekwood said:
Right now is still a bad time to buy. Winter/spring sellers have sold the good boats. What is left on the market is the crappy ones. People planning to sell or upgrade for next season have not listed their boats yet. Once you get to the fall, your choices will increase a lot.

I would look around to nail down one or two models/years that you really like and then start looking in a month or so with focus on those models. There will be ones that have been used this summer and are in better shape. I can guarantee it.
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I think you are right. We have a few models in mind now but having trouble finding any. Looked at a 1999 270 Larson this morning. Wasn't too bad but just not what we want. Going to take a 2nd look at a 2006 250 Crownline we looked at a few weeks ago that used to be docked near us a few years ago. It's a little on the smaller side for me but it is in mint condition.
 
northern said:
If you are worried about cost you can not afford a boat. Fuel will run you $50 an hour, Moorage will be 300 to 500 a month, insurance will be 700 to 1500 and maintenance should run you 5,000 a year on average. You can pretend the cost are not real but is 4 years you will be selling the boat to pay off the loan you can not afford.
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Yea these costs are not realistic here either. Here a covered slip is $180 a month. No cover is $120. We have a 50 gallon drum with a gas pump. We take it to the gas station and fill it up. Saves over a dollar a gallon. Insurance for me last year was $326. I do 90 percent of my own maintenance. You can own a boat if you do most of the work yourself and economize.
 
boatman37 said:
I think you are right. We have a few models in mind now but having trouble finding any. Looked at a 1999 270 Larson this morning. Wasn't too bad but just not what we want. Going to take a 2nd look at a 2006 250 Crownline we looked at a few weeks ago that used to be docked near us a few years ago. It's a little on the smaller side for me but it is in mint condition.
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It seams, good used boats are in short supply these days. Last year my marina had at least 3-4 of the specific model I was interested in for sale. Others nearby had another 5-6. A dozen or so across the big lake. This year, almost nothing. My marina doesn't have 1 listed. 2 on the other side of the lake sold before I could organize a trip. Just need to hold out knowing the perfect boat will come along.
 
FYI using a broker can be expensive!! Just received my GA tax bill. 7%:( due to use of broker. Check your state Tax office or DOR.
 
Here in NY you have to pay sales tax regardless of how, who, or where you buy the boat from.
 
We pay 6% here in PA regardless of how you get it. And no cap
 
We pay 8.625% in the County I live in here in NY.
The exact rate is fixed by each County and regardless of where in the world you buy the boat (or a car or trailer) you pay the County rate according to where you live. The State DMV collects it when you register the boat (or car, or trailer). Documented boats don’t have to display their state registration numbers but they have to display the stickers so they know you paid the tax. Get caught fooling around, and they fine you a ton of money and then make you pay the sales tax on top of that. Not worth it!
The State rate in NY is 4% and then each County or City adds their tax on top of that. My County adds another 4.625% for a total of 8.625%.
It can vary a slight bit from one place in the State to another, but they’re all pretty close to the same rate.
 
Same here. As far as I know all PA counties are 6% except Allegheny County (where Pittsburgh is) is 7%. We pay this at the notary when we transfer the title.
 
bbwhitejr said:
Me too!!!!!

Private sale in GA w/o a broker and no sales tax...very expensive lesson for me.

Bennett
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Yes, but you would have never even known your boat was for sale had it not been listed with a broker. Your seller was up to his ass in cancer alligators and moving his boat was not a priority.
 
Chada said:
Yea these costs are not realistic here either. Here a covered slip is $180 a month. No cover is $120. We have a 50 gallon drum with a gas pump. We take it to the gas station and fill it up. Saves over a dollar a gallon. Insurance for me last year was $326. I do 90 percent of my own maintenance. You can own a boat if you do most of the work yourself and economize.
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Awesome I feel fortunate that I can own a boat and enjoy the waterways . Too often people with modest means are excluded from the joys of our birthright as Canadians and Americans. The nice lakes get the shore accesses blocked by wealthier citizens . The marinas in our cottage country areas get prices inflated by tourists of better means from the cities hours away so locals can't afford boat. Anyway it's great to know there are others like me who can boat because they live frugally . Plan ahead .and learn to take care of their own mechanical and maintenance .
Good luck finding your boat
 
fwebster said:
Yes, but you would have never even known your boat was for sale had it not been listed with a broker. Your seller was up to his ass in cancer alligators and moving his boat was not a priority.
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Very true...if I also increased the purchase price by the amount of the taxes, I still came out with one sweet deal. I just hate paying taxes...

Bennett
 
Creekwood said:
Right now is still a bad time to buy. Winter/spring sellers have sold the good boats. What is left on the market is the crappy ones. People planning to sell or upgrade for next season have not listed their boats yet. Once you get to the fall, your choices will increase a lot.

I would look around to nail down one or two models/years that you really like and then start looking in a month or so with focus on those models. There will be ones that have been used this summer and are in better shape. I can guarantee it.
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I'm already crying about how quickly the season passes.
Ps we got out to frying pan bay last night with 1 baby 1 toddler my wife Melanie and her dad . Nice spot thanks . Happy to have gotten in some good fishing and boating time before the weekend . It was populated enough last night in the anchorage.
 
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