Thinking About A Used Boat?
Well, the fact is, you can find a great deal on used boats, IF you are
careful. You do not need a barrel of money to find a great fishing boat or
pleasure craft if you follow some basic rules.
One of the first rules to finding a great deal is the timing of your
purchase. Boats, probably more than any other large purchase, can be had well
under the current value if you purchase them during the fall in a cold weather
climate like the Midwest or East. Let's face it. Boats can be real money pits.
The owners, especially new owners, unload them at the end of the boating
season after they look back at all the money spent "having fun". Often, a
new owner doesn't find out until they spend tons of money on their new hobby,
that they simply cannot afford it. This belated buyers remorse often manifests
itself in low, fire sale pricing in order for them to get their unit moved so
that they can shut off the "I told you so's they hear from their spouses
everyday!
Boat Dealerships And Repossessions
In addition to private owners, owners of boat dealerships want to move
inventory in the fall at any reasonable and sometimes unreasonable price. They
simply cannot afford the interest charges that will pile up until the end of the
coming spring. You cannot only find great deals on the units they own, but often
they will have repossessed units available at blowout prices, consigned to them
by the local banks and credit unions. The last thing a bank or credit union
wants to keep on their books is a boat...Especially during the winter.
Don't Get Burned On A Bad Motor
Let's be clear. Whether you purchase a boat that looks like new or one that
is offered as a deal because it is in rough condition...get it checked out by a
certified boat mechanic before purchasing it. Regardless of how much you think
you know about boats, you cannot tell the condition simply by looking at
it...and certainly not by taking the word of the party trying to unload it! Boat
quality cannot be judged by looks either by you nor by a professional mechanic!
They need to be properly inspected. Believe me, used boats can be
incredible money pits if there are problems you do not plan for before you make
that purchase. Know how much you will have to spend on it BEFORE you purchase
it. You will be glad you did!
Inflatable Boats
Don't think that a used boat is the only way to get a fishing boat or
pleasure craft at a reasonable price. A new, rapidly expanding niche in the boat
market are inflatable boats. Trust me, these are no longer your "father's
inflatable boat"...You can now purchase fishing boats, kayaks, pontoon boats and
many other incarnations that are portable, and can be equipped with motors. The
exciting thing about these incredibly versatile inflatable boats is that they
can be purchased BRAND NEW for under a thousand dollars! In our estimation, the
premier vendor of these remarkable vessels is Sea Eagle
.
To check out their
offerings Click Here.
You can check out their Special Fall Sale on Sea Eagle Boats Here.
Great Deals
If you are set on a non-inflatable boat and want to find a great deal, the
internet is awash in them. As repossessions are among the best ways to cut a
great deal, just Google "boat repossessions" and you will find more used boats
at great deals than you could ever imagine. Just remember, no different than any
seller, whomever is selling the repossession is going to be trying to get the
most they can for the boats. At the same time, the actual owner also wants it moved
as quickly as possible.
Do Your HomeWork
Determine a price that you figure would be a drop dead bargain and
then offer the seller an amount far enough below that to allow for negotiation.
Don't fall in love. Be prepared to walk from the negotiation table. Being in sales for the
past 35 years, I have always lived by the adage, "He who wants the deal the
worse, gets the worse of the deal". No matter how much you may want a boat you
find, do not convey your excitement to the seller. If you don't get that one, I
can assure you, there will be a similar one available somewhere else. Just be
prepared to make your play in the fall. And PLEASE...Have a certified mechanic
check out the boat you choose BEFORE you purchase it. The hundred dollars or
less you will be charged will pay dividends in the long run!
