...I want to pay cash and I only have so much to work with while having to allow substantial output to close the deal and perform necessary service. The platform is solid and has my preferred options. So bottom line is that I may be over extending a bit to purchase but we all know that it is the least expensive part. I have the long haul budgeted for. And I am oh so close to fitting this one in to the purchase budget! I guess time will tell.
Russ,
This is what I believe is partially derailing your negotiating ability. I have posted before that I believe it is financially unsound to pay cash for a boat because it is a depreciating asset and I can earn more on the cash with my investments than it costs me in interest. You are limiting the boat you can by and/or fix up by paying for it cash you have in hand. If you alternatively put 50% or even 75% down and financed the rest, the $6K difference would be immaterial if it truly was the best boat on the market for you. I understand completely all the risks of being leveraged but what are the risks of putting all or most of your available cash in a "toy." The other financial impediment to your negotiations is you still own another boat. That's rule #2 for me which is never own two boats or houses at the same time since both are illiquid investments. Selling your existing boat first, gives you additional equity and or cash to put into your next boat. By paying 100% cash and not selling your 370 first is tying at least one hand behind your back when negotiating for your next boat in my opinion.