New boat buying questions...

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

Ok i asked a question in another post, and decided that i should start my own.

I have been looking at a lot of boats

New and used.

I would like to know if boat dealerships are like car dealerships. Can you dicker with them, will they throw in options?

One of the guys i fish with has a NR seahawk with a 150 yamaha on an OS bracket, he said 10 years ago they threw in the kicker and fish finder for the asking price of the boat, so they did wheel and deal with him. But is it still that way???

I don't need the argument of this boat is better than that boat. I do know my boats. I have spent time in boats from most of the manufacturers in the NW.

I will be buying a 20 foot boat with the off shore bracket with the 140-175 horse outboard.

I have seen a few that were 4-5 years old with reasonable hours for reasonable prices. I will be buying in jan-mar time frame.

[fishinmike]

I think it is different than 5-10 years ago. There are much fewer dealerships around now so I think they don't want to give up much. If you are not in a hurry, wait for the sportsman show and the boat show. There are pretty good deals on last years boats with lots of extras.

[Lingcod]

  I know Honda will run specials, and also finance you if you're looking to buy on time. At the shows you can usually talked them into throwing in a couple down riggers.

[Hunterman]

If they want to sell the boat they will dicker.  Go in with what you want not what they want. Go to your bank and see what the boat your looking at is worth, then go from there. Look at the options at what they will cost separate compared to the sticker price, and work that angle. Like I said, if the want to sell the boat they will dicker. Also go with your financing already to go. Don't let them do it. Remember, "Money talks, and BS walks". That's what we did when we bought our Jeep. The dealer wanted 27,000.00 we walked out the door for 17,000.00

Hunterman(Tony)

[Ridgeratt]

There is a Blue Book for watercraft just like auto's.


When I bought my latest boat I went and made a list of everything it had on it, Then I went and did a Blue book comp. Went back to buy the boat showed the guy what the bank/Blue book said it was worth. Then I posed the question: Lets say I'm selling the boat you have listed and you knew the boat was only worth this much would you give what your asking?

 That well give both of you a place to start that might make common ground. If the craft is what you want you could adjust your top end as well.

http://www.nadaguides.com/Boats

[Wacenturion]

Consider buying a used one from a private party.  Usually they come with a lot of additional options you won't have to buy later.  If they want to sell it bad enough they will probably accomodate a reasonable reduction.

Lot like buying a car in that lots can afford to set on a vehicle thay have listed over book.  Same vehicle from a private party if you watch the ads....cheaper, lower miles, and one owner in many cases than the one on a lot.

Some good deals out there............

[LndShrk]

Ok i asked a question in another post, and decided that i should start my own.

I have been looking at a lot of boats

New and used.

I would like to know if boat dealerships are like car dealerships. Can you dicker with them, will they throw in options?

One of the guys i fish with has a NR seahawk with a 150 yamaha on an OS bracket, he said 10 years ago they threw in the kicker and fish finder for the asking price of the boat, so they did wheel and deal with him. But is it still that way???

I don't need the argument of this boat is better than that boat. I do know my boats. I have spent time in boats from most of the manufacturers in the NW.

I will be buying a 20 foot boat with the off shore bracket with the 140-175 horse outboard.

I have seen a few that were 4-5 years old with reasonable hours for reasonable prices. I will be buying in jan-mar time frame.

All dealers are going to be different.

But yes you can very much negotiate prices.  My approach was pretty simple when I bought my TJ at the boat show. I knew exactly what I wanted and what I wanted to spend. They put the package together with a price and we spent 2 days going back and forth until we hit an agreement.

FWIW, On the 20' with offshore bracket and kicker etc. Go 150hp min. I have the 140 on mine and it planes and runs fine but I really wish I had the bigger motor as the 140 has to work harder to push the boat loaded etc.

[cohoho]

A lot of great used boats on CL that can be had pretty cheap if your talking with cash, exceptional deals to be had. 

I saved 30K+ buying my Wooldridge from a bank on a repo... 

But then again, it isn't exactly what I want, 100%... 

Heck yea, I would dicker with the sticker - the dealers aren't selling as like they want you to think and are willing to deal.  I have been discussing options for a  bigger boat here soon and they (dealers) are willing to give freebies and upgrades for sure.

[gasman]

All good info here 

And I am keeping an eye on this thread. I have the same plans on buying a boat this spring also 

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

Thanks for all the advice..

I asked Boulton for a quote. Looks like a 20 foot fish hawk with an O/S bracket with a 115 yamaha can be built in 90- days for 36,500.

I found said boat at a dealer for 34,900 a 2014 model.

It is a good time to buy right now, as not many people are fishing right now. It will get more costly as the year goes on.

[rackattack]

It is a good time to buy right now, as not many people are fishing right now. It will get more costly as the year goes on.

Grow a pair and buy one then!

[huntnphool]

I'd look hard at pre owned boats. Like coho said, there are a lot of great deals out there right now.

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

Most of the pre owned i am seeing right now have 3-500 hours on the motors... Not sure i want to tackle the big motor issue. One of the things i am looking at new for. I know how i will care for the motors.

[Westside88]

I wouldn't count used boats out, but when I bought mine I'm 99 I found I could do almost as well on a new one. I prefer the Portland boat show! I think the shows have some decent deals. I was able to get full canvas set thrown in (about $800 option)

[cohoho]

New motors designed for 1500-2000hrs easy.  300 hrs is just getting broken in....