Buying a boat for the 1st time

[Mischief Managed]

If I was selling and a prospective buyer that wanted to do what you say he isn't getting my boat. A water test OK but not with the entire family and stuff for a picnic. Next they will want to tube behind the boat and have a shore lunch. I have heard of some people wanting a day on the water with the family and zero intention of buying a boat.

My wife and I had a fantastic day on the water with the folks that bought our previous boat last year. We cruised around 50-70 miles and had a nice lunch at a waterfront restaurant on Lake Winnipesaukee. They clearly had a great time too, and happily paid full asking price. The boat was really nice, but I think the lifestyle we introduced them to really convinced them to spend enough money to have a reliable, powerful (it had the biggest engine offered), and well-maintained boat. That said, we love boating and we are always up for a boat ride, so it would have been no big deal if they did not buy it. It would have just been another fun day of boating for us; oh, the horror!

FWIW, we also gained a couple of new friends from that experience and we still keep in touch. They had a tremendous Summer in our old boat and they say they can't wait for next season.

 

[bowler]

I had a 3.0ltr merc on 17 foot Maxum. It was easy to fuel and adequate for cruising, but pulling skiers etc with people on board was a struggle so I ended up changing to a Nautique with a 5.8 after a couple of seasons. A friend has a 4.3 merc in a similar boat and it is way more capable than my 3.0ltr was. If you plan to do water sports I reckon you will end up changing the boat sooner rather than later.

D.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

My wife and I had a fantastic day on the water with the folks that bought our previous boat last year. We cruised around 50-70 miles and had a nice lunch at a waterfront restaurant on Lake Winnipesaukee. They clearly had a great time too, and happily paid full asking price. The boat was really nice, but I think the lifestyle we introduced them to really convinced them to spend enough money to have a reliable, powerful (it had the biggest engine offered), and well-maintained boat. That said, we love boating and we are always up for a boat ride, so it would have been no big deal if they did not buy it. It would have just been another fun day of boating for us; oh, the horror!

FWIW, we also gained a couple of new friends from that experience and we still keep in touch. They had a tremendous Summer in our old boat and they say they can't wait for next season.

I'm glad it worked out for you. I still stick to my statement. Maybe it's my age. 30 years ago I might have thought differently. I don't know.

 

[Mischief Managed]

I'm glad it worked out for you. I still stick to my statement. Maybe it's my age. 30 years ago I might have thought differently. I don't know.

I have only sold three boat in my lifetime and I have never actually dealt with a "tire kicker" when selling a boat. The last two boats I sold were fairly significant purchases for the buyers and the distances (1100 miles and 180 miles) they traveled to see and sea-trial them were key indicators of their willingness to buy. The boats were exactly as described so there was no disappointment in person, and the sea trials sealed the deal in both cases. The only other boat I ever sold, was a crappy old Sunbird boat that was ugly but functional and priced to move. The first person to look at it bought it without asking for a sea-trial. They were impressed that VP AQ125A in it started without difficulty and didn't smoke. I saw it being used for years after the sale, so I think they were pleased with the deal.