How important is buying a used boat locally?

[Nandy]

Re: How important is buying a used boat locally?

The only good thing about getting a boat now is that generally they are cheaper. In april since the season is opening soon or open most people will not sell their boat cheap. Like everything in life, there will be exceptions...

 

[ondarvr]

Re: How important is buying a used boat locally?

If you want a light boat to tow with a mini van, go with an O/B and it's best if there's a dealer for that brand of O/B close to you, and unless the hull is still under warranty it won't make much of a difference, if any, if there's a dealer for the brand of boat near you or not.

I picked up my boat (used, 1.5 years old) in Florida and towed it back to Seattle, it was made in Oklahoma and there are no dealers within 2,000 miles of me, but you can find an Evinrude dealer anywhere.

Unless it's a smokin deal, don't put any money down on it, just keep looking. If you know what you want and are ready to buy, you will be amazed at what pops up. There are great deals on boats in good shape that need to be sold fast for one reason or another, you just need to be ready to pull the trigger with no hesitation when they show up.

I've found some great deals by just asking about boats parked in peoples yards, or by watching Craigslist. You typically have less than one day after you find it to decide if it's a good deal, so do as much research on what you may want before you even think of buying something. You can always buy something at full value, so if you don't need it today, then keep looking for a good deal.

 

[sidechoke67]

Re: How important is buying a used boat locally?

Thanks for all the great posts.

Collectively, you've all talked me into exercising some patience and sticking to local dealers and sales. Thanks!

 

[Blue Water Runner]

Re: How important is buying a used boat locally?

There is no way I would let a dealer hold 85% of the money unless I was holding the boat with a piece of paper that states I still owe them 15%. Something just does not sound right about that.

 

[arboldt]

Re: How important is buying a used boat locally?

Excellent advice from all posters so far.

If a dealer asked me for 85% down, my first thought would be that he was short of cash and really needed my working capital. That would make me wonder just how long he'd stay in business, and I'd be concerned he or the boat would even be there next spring, no matter what the paperwork said.

 

[BAYLINER185]

Re: How important is buying a used boat locally?

WOW ZIGGIES post sounds a lot like my last purchase. I drove about 400 miles round trip to go see and buy my last boat. I had called the dealer and talked to them then when I got there I was able to talk to the owner of the boat. He lived in my town so when I got the boat back to my place I was able to meet him and he was able to take a lot of his belongings out.

I problably wouldnt have gone that far to buy a boat but this was an incredible deal for a very very well maintained Bayliner cruser. Im having some work done now that was needed that the previous ower never knew about it needing but me being so anal and wanting to make this 93 cruser look and operate as good as my 07 open bow it was a no brainer to do what Im having doen this winter to insure next season will be worrie and trouble free. Expect your used boat to need some work for small hidden problems and you wont be shocked when it actually does need a trip to the machaninc!


If you are looking at a good boat and the price is good then driving a great distance shouldnt even be a factor unless there are a ton of them real close to you. Just be sure to ask questions and look things over to your satisfaction!

 

[G1K]

Re: How important is buying a used boat locally?

I'll chime in, drove from Buffalo, NY to Amsterdam NY to pick up my '92 Stingray this summer. I found it on my way back from a deal gone bad on a fourwinns I had found on ebay, located in Boston MA.



The stingray was on consignment and I got a heck of a deal on it, and it performed flawlessly all season. the only thing I had to mees with was the trailer, the 3 crossmembers were completely rotted, as in not safe to drive the trailer down the driveway. I havea welder and got the steel to replace them for free, but even considering the extra work the boat was still a screaming deal.

Keep your eyes peeled for boats FSBO infront or peoples houses, and on craigslist. There area deals out there if you look long enough.


I don;t think 4 hours is bad if the oat is good, but like others have said, 85% down? Now way. Not unless the $ was held in an independent escrow account.

Ryan

 

[gkp200]

Re: How important is buying a used boat locally?

I listened to all the advice of buying locally to get better service (warranty and other). I found the boat I wanted 14 hours away from me and went though my local dealer to purchase. It cost me an extra $1500 to $2000 to do so. Guess what? Two months after my purchase, the dealer went out of business and now my nearest dealer is 140 miles away. Next time I'll but it direct and save the money.

 

[Holy Mackinaw]

Re: How important is buying a used boat locally?

Maybe I missed it, but why can't you take the boat out now and test it why wait till spring? Yeah, it'll be cold, wear a turtle neck. don't wait do it now, with what ever you decide.

 

[ziggy]

Re: How important is buying a used boat locally?

Maybe I missed it, but why can't you take the boat out now and test it why wait till spring?

hum, this is the lake i frequent, the main marina. was taken a couple a weeks ago, it's been 7*F at night lately...

looks like the original poster is in ny. i don't know, maybe 4 hrs would put him south enough for water instead of ice. if he went that direction........?

my boat was 540 miles away. my merc dealer is a mile away. no warrenty on my 75. but i got no problems getting parts and service for my mercruiser from them...... i'd even go so far as to say they treat me more than right...... cudos to premier boating center.com.......

 

[Holy Mackinaw]

Re: How important is buying a used boat locally?

Yeah, that would mess up your prop. I thought Rochester was only 2 or 3 hours from Lake Ontario. My bad. excuse the street talk I've got 4 kids.

 

[akwalker]

Re: How important is buying a used boat locally?

Yeah, that would mess up your prop. I thought Rochester was only 2 or 3 hours from Lake Ontario. My bad. excuse the street talk I've got 4 kids.

Rochester is on Lake Ontario, but the bays and areas close to shore are getting hard quick.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: How important is buying a used boat locally?

Interesting I'm originally from Patersonville NY, right next to Rochester. I heard things have changed quite a bit up there since we moved away or our last visit. It would be nice to make it back up there to visit with family, friends of the family, and see the old homestead.