Buying a new boat

[bear]

Any insight on a new boat purchase?  Wondering if listed price is what is expected to pay or if I need to talk them down?  Try to get them to throw in gear?  Never bought a new boat. Thanks guys

[jay.sharkbait]

Any insight on a new boat purchase?  Wondering if listed price is what is expected to pay or if I need to talk them down?  Try to get them to throw in gear?  Never bought a new boat. Thanks guys

If it’s the type of boat that lives in the water make sure you have moorage before you buy.

[bear]

Any insight on a new boat purchase?  Wondering if listed price is what is expected to pay or if I need to talk them down?  Try to get them to throw in gear?  Never bought a new boat. Thanks guys

If it’s the type of boat that lives in the water make sure you have moorage before you buy.

Don’t need moorage.

[Crunchy]

with the sportsman show and boat show soon there after there should be some decent boat pricing.  If you got 2-3k below asking you did well.  Maybe go the extras route, and pay msrp but get extra goodies thrown in

[MADMAX]

I’ve bought a NW jet and a Hewes brand new from the shows
The dickering is expected
Have fun

[jackelope]

Boat market is crazy right now. Not sure dickering will get a guy too far right now. If you don’t buy it, someone else will.

[pbg]

anything you think you would need for the boat like downriggers, kicker motor, rod holders, pot puller ect. get them with the boat its only a few extra dollars on your payment compaired to the thousands you will need to come up with after you bring the boat home

[hiway_99]

With the current market I would doubt there's any negotiation on price.  What are you looking at?

Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

[duckmen1]

Yeah I was told until fall to receive a simple jon boat because they are so far behind on production.

[MADMAX]

Call em


http://nwmarineandsport.com/new/

[Stein]

If they have dealers, shop around as prices and availability differ.  If possible, find a dealer close to where they make them as the delivery fee is lower.

If you can buy in Oregon, you won't pay tax on the motor or any accessories if you get them on a separate invoice.

Make sure you know exactly what comes with it, lower prices sometimes means they didn't buy the second row of seats, canvas or some options that are expensive to add later.

Get at or near max rated hp unless you are very sure you don't need it.

Be picky on the trailer, check the load capacity of the trailer and tires compared to the boat and add on kicker, gear, fuel, etc.  Dealers scrimp on trailers all the time.  Get a trusted brand of trailer with some type of bearing greasing system.

Develop a budget for stuff you need to add when you get it home, then leave at least 2-3 days and 50% more budget.  It amazed me all the stuff that needs to be added to a new boat to make it fishable - or pay someone to do it.  Extra battery, sonar, VHF, downriggers, extra electrical stuff, rod holders, net holder, storage stuff, kicker, kicker fuel line, WN numbers, dock lines, bow line, fenders, motor bluetooth adapter, battery charger, pot puller plug, list is pretty long actually.

Get insurance before you pick it up so you're covered on the way home.  Look into insurance for the kicker, electronics and fishing gear, it's only a few bucks a year and stuff disappears all the time.

Break in the motor according to the manufacturer's instructions, takes about 1/2 day in a lake.

[Badhabit]

Stein has been there done that based upon his post. I've been there done that as well and complely agree. Good luck on your new purchase whatever it is.

[shootem]

Try to get them to at least include equipment to make the boat water legal. If I recall it requires fire extinguisher, lifejackets, throwable flotation device, visual and/or sound signaling device. Different size boats have different requirements. Also, enough batteries.
You can also see about store credit and/or discount so when you want to add things you have their money to spend or a good discount to use. Maybe buy at their cost. Be cautious about the electronics. If they are add ons make sure you pick the product not them. I got a older model fish finder/GPS thrown in when they picked rather than a newer one I would have chosen. Good luck. Let us know what you end up with.

[bear]

Pretty much set on a Raider boat. The reviews are so good.  Still on the fence about hard top or soft. Pro fisherman 220 or Mariner 208/218.  First priority is the Columbia for salmon but I’m planning on doing some crabbing and shrimping as well.

[Stein]

I would go hardtop in a heartbeat unless you need to fit it in a garage or some other constraint.  My least favorite boating activity is putting the top up and down 6,000 times a season.  Bigtime first world problem for sure.

You can also mount stuff up there which is totally out of the way.

[dc]

As far as the hard top/soft top thing goes, I will respectfully disagree with going with a hard top.  Yes taking the soft top on and off can get old. But with the soft top at least you have a choice.  There will be days when you have a boat load of people and or gear and it gives you more room.  There will also be days when you are anchored up and its is just to hot and stuffy to have the cover on.  Or the days when the wind is blowing the wrong way and taking the top off or down is the only way to keep fishing without blowing all over the place.  And of course the top comes in very handy on those cold, rainy days when a heater will enable you to be in a t shirt and be plenty comfy.   

[Stein]

Good points dc, I've fished out of a hard top but haven't owned one.  It probably comes down to what and where you are using the boat.  I fish Puget Sound 99% of the time with a few spring koke trips and probably 4 tubing trips to a lake.  The tubing trips are the only time I don't have the top on, all the rest of the time it goes up either for protection from rain, wind or salt splash when running around.  With my top, it's either up or off the boat, I can't store it on the boat in the down position so it's all or nothing.

[h2ofowlr]

I think boat prices are up about 6%.  You stand to loose a bit more right now unfortunately.  The happiest days are the day you buy a boat and the day you sell the boat.     I just sold my big boat back in April.  I think I missed it 3 or 4 times.  Don't miss the long waits at the marinia or having to get up at 3:00 to get a spot at the marinia.  This past year was crazy with boaters on the water.  I saw that 40K more people had purchased fishing licenses in 2020.  I believe it.

[GWP]

I was going to say ‘don’t’, and since I have three I am an ‘expert’! 
Like has been stated, really think about where and what you want to do with it. Keep in mind things ‘change’ so your needs may change as well. Hard to guess on that part though. It is really difficult to have one boat that does everything you want. Best of luck!

[jeffro]

Buy newer used, let the other guy bite the depreciation
Probably already equipped, and ready to fish.
Lots available with so many out of work.
Kinda like a new car, loses 30? Percent driving off the lot.....

[fowl smacker]

Buy newer used, let the other guy bite the depreciation
Probably already equipped, and ready to fish.
Lots available with so many out of work.
Kinda like a new car, loses 30? Percent driving off the lot.....

Not really though.  Seems like 15 yr old used sleds are more valuable now than they were then.

[GWP]

Wife and I were in Bass Pro, I think it was, and were looking at a new boat on the floor. As the salesman was walking up the wife said, “Just buy it, it’s pretty!” as a joke as she really likes the boat we have that is similar. I thought the salesman was going to have a heart attack! He got very excited. Until he found out she was kidding.

[Encore 280]

B = BAIL
O = OUT
A = ANOTHER
T = THOUSAND

[bear]

Buy newer used, let the other guy bite the depreciation
Probably already equipped, and ready to fish.
Lots available with so many out of work.
Kinda like a new car, loses 30? Percent driving off the lot.....

Not really though.  Seems like 15 yr old used sleds are more valuable now than they were then.

Ya. Many are worth what people paid for them ten years or more later. 

[h2ofowlr]

B = BAIL = Bust
O = OUT
A = ANOTHER
T = THOUSAND

[fishngamereaper]

I could make money on my 6 year old Hewescraft right now...

Not a great market. Aluminum prices are high.

I would buy new over used. Prices aren't that different.

Raider is a good boat. Ive owned two hewes, basically the same as raider since the owner's where once business partners and split year's ago.. hard top all day long..my first hewes was  soft top and now I have a full cabin.  Protection from the elements, both sun and rain. Lockable door is a piece of mind for secure gear storage. And I can sleep on it. The extra weight is nice to rides better than a lighter soft top version.

[GWP]

I could make money on my 6 year old Hewescraft right now...

Not a great market. Aluminum prices are high.

I would buy new over used. Prices aren't that different.

Raider is a good boat. Ive owned two hewes, basically the same as raider since the owner's where once business partners and split year's ago.. hard top all day long..my first hewes was  soft top and now I have a full cabin.  Protection from the elements, both sun and rain. Lockable door is a piece of mind for secure gear storage. And I can sleep on it. The extra weight is nice to rides better than a lighter soft top version.

How big is the one you have now? Do you know 'about' how much weight the top adds? Been looking at an older one...

[Stein]

Buy newer used, let the other guy bite the depreciation
Probably already equipped, and ready to fish.
Lots available with so many out of work.
Kinda like a new car, loses 30? Percent driving off the lot.....

Not really though.  Seems like 15 yr old used sleds are more valuable now than they were then.

Ya. Many are worth what people paid for them ten years or more later.

I remember when I thought the only cost of owning the boat was the initial purchase and a splash of gas.

With the prices of metal and supply/demand, I'm sure I could flip both my boat and truck for a tidy profit (as long as I don't count all the other stuff besides the purchase price).

[fishngamereaper]

I could make money on my 6 year old Hewescraft right now...

Not a great market. Aluminum prices are high.

I would buy new over used. Prices aren't that different.

Raider is a good boat. Ive owned two hewes, basically the same as raider since the owner's where once business partners and split year's ago.. hard top all day long..my first hewes was  soft top and now I have a full cabin.  Protection from the elements, both sun and rain. Lockable door is a piece of mind for secure gear storage. And I can sleep on it. The extra weight is nice to rides better than a lighter soft top version.

How big is the one you have now? Do you know 'about' how much weight the top adds? Been looking at an older one...

I'm running a 22' now. Full cabin is about 600lbs more than a soft top.

[GWP]

Cool. Thanks for the reply! I have gone back and forth on the hard top. Lost out on a Hewes with a hard top, but the 'no top' one is still around.
I have fished a lot with 'no top', and the majority of the time it is fine, but there are days when it would be nice to get under a bit of cover. Or be able to sack out for a bit in a cabin.

[fishngamereaper]

Cool. Thanks for the reply! I have gone back and forth on the hard top. Lost out on a Hewes with a hard top, but the 'no top' one is still around.
I have fished a lot with 'no top', and the majority of the time it is fine, but there are days when it would be nice to get under a bit of cover. Or be able to sack out for a bit in a cabin.

I used to run a 17'. Thought I would never go hard top let alone full cabin. Ran my 17' without the softtop for years, then never ran it without the top, rain or shine.

Then boat shopping for bigger boat  I was leaning 3/4 top, then full top and ended full cabin with bulkhead door. I absolutely love the full cabin. Re steer station is a dream. Full control from the deck, it's a game changer for me when I fish alone or with my kid. Being able to lock up all my gear and the bonus of sleeper seats was a big deal maker to.

[jackelope]

I could make money on my 6 year old Hewescraft right now...

Not a great market. Aluminum prices are high.

I would buy new over used. Prices aren't that different.

Raider is a good boat. Ive owned two hewes, basically the same as raider since the owner's where once business partners and split year's ago.. hard top all day long..my first hewes was  soft top and now I have a full cabin.  Protection from the elements, both sun and rain. Lockable door is a piece of mind for secure gear storage. And I can sleep on it. The extra weight is nice to rides better than a lighter soft top version.

How big is the one you have now? Do you know 'about' how much weight the top adds? Been looking at an older one...

I'm running a 22' now. Full cabin is about 600lbs more than a soft top.

220 OP?

[bear]

Put a deposit on a Pro fisherman. Looking for some input.
1)Gonna do a Yamy 9.9 kicker. Should I do a garmin on that or just do a bow mount electric with the gps control on that?  Looks like it will be similar in price.
2)Electronics recommendations please. Gonna need the full gammit for offshore fishing

[Stein]

Put a deposit on a Pro fisherman. Looking for some input.
1)Gonna do a Yamy 9.9 kicker. Should I do a garmin on that or just do a bow mount electric with the gps control on that?  Looks like it. Ya be similar I. Price
2)Electronics recommendations please. Gonna need the full gammit for offshore fishing

I am going through the same thought process.  I decided on the Garmin because of a few reasons:

1.  I don't want a bow mount hanging on the bow because I climb over it all the time on beaches as well as it would be in the way when anchoring.

2.  Weight & room - I don't want the extra weight on my boat and don't really have a great place for a big battery bank.

3.  Simplicity - the Garmin system seems simpler than having to use two motors.

4.  Throttle control on the kicker

5.  Theft - one more thing I have to figure out how to lock and avoid getting ripped off and less stuff attracts less attention.

6  Capacity - I can troll until I run out of gas under any conditions vs having to size batteries & running out of juice

7.  Compatibility - No issue with the Garmin, some of the bow mounts only work with proprietary systems.

Probably more to add to the list, I think it depends on where you are fishing and what your boat can handle.

[bear]

After some research I’m leaning toward the Lowrance hds12 live system.  It can support the radar, gps navigation, and fish finding. Any one install something like this yourself?

[Stein]

The only thing remotely tricky is getting the transducer in the right spot and the wire back to the helm.  If you don't get it right it won't work when you are running.

The wiring is simple, anyone with familiarity with electronics should have no problem.  Use quality marine components, heat shrink adhesive terminals and spray any exposed metal (terminal blocks, switches, fuse holders, etc) with anti-corrosion spray.

[fishngamereaper]

After some research I’m leaning toward the Lowrance hds12 live system.  It can support the radar, gps navigation, and fish finding. Any one install something like this yourself?

I've done all my own wiring and rigging. Pretty straight forward. Drilling holes in new boats is fun.

I used to run Lowrance but switched to Simrad. I love the Simrad system I'm running right now. 12" at the helm, 7" at the rear helm, networked to radar, etc.  If your serious about bottom detail get a Airmar transducer. I'm running a TM 150 and have been pleased with the performance. Networking everything is easy using a NMEA system as well as the plug and play links.

If you have any questions holler.

[fishngamereaper]

Screen shots if your interested. Second pick the brite flash in line with the downrigger ball drag is a hook up on a king.

[bear]

Lol. Got the boat but now can’t get 2 motors to match!  There isn’t a Yamaha 9.9 remote 25” shaft kicker in the US right now!  Told the dealer to just put Honda on and now he can’t seem to find a Honda 225. I ordered my fish finder and gps before they were sold out at least. 

[Stein]

Mix and match, that’s what the cool kids do.  I have black and grey.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[fowl smacker]

Take a look at Raymarine for your electronics.  Best there is in my opinion.

[bear]

Mix and match, that’s what the cool kids do.  I have black and grey.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just don’t wanna do that on a new boat.

Take a look at Raymarine for your electronics.  Best there is in my opinion.

Going with Lowrance hds live

[Stein]

Yeah, I get it but still did it on my new boat.  I wanted the Merc Command Thrust main but liked the Yamaha kicker much better.  Good luck, it's a bunch of money so hopefully you can get exactly what you want.