Re: Boat value
The boat business is different from the automobile business. You can purchase automobiles for $100-200 over cost on domestic cars, and car dealers operate off volume.
Boat dealers have expenses all year round, even though they're just selling boats 6 months of the year. Also, mounting engines and accessories are much more time consuming than a quick "new car git ready." Car dealers have manufacturer funds withheld and other incentive funds they get later for profits. Boat dealers don't have such incentives.
Simple truth: If a boat sold for $20K a year ago, the dealer probably paid $17K for the boat. Because can replace your pontoon for $17K, he's probably going to offer you $15K for a used boat. He's in business to turn a profit, and the boat business generally sucks.
Suggestion: Put your boat on CraigsList.com, BoatTrader.com, local newspaper or anywhere you can sell it Retail. A little effort will be $2K in your pocket. Good used pontoons are in demand--especially so new.