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Boat Buying

Your Guide to Buying your next or your first Boat...

Congratulations you have made one step towards Boat Ownership. Yachting-n-Boating.com will guide you through the process of buying a Boat on your own or through a Dealer or through a Broker. Which one is right for you? Let's take a look at Boat Buying Tips...

We have all done it, scan through a website or Boat Magazine looking at the Boat (or Yacht) of our dreams or maybe just a Boat you (and I) can realistically afford. At this point you know which Type of Boat you want and you choose Boat Ownership as your Boating Option.

But wait! What about that old Boat or Yacht? Need to sell this first before buying your new Boat or Yacht? Yachting-n-Boating.com is here to help. We can offer Boat Selling Tips that can turn that old Boat into CASH. Don't get caught with two Boat payments. These tips can move your Boat in today's market - FAST. Boat For Sale - Buyers Wanted!

The Game Plan: (do your research)
Buying a Boat on your own is a great way to teach yourself the ins and outs of a Boat. This way you can learn what to look for when inspecting a Boat and find potential problems before you Buy. Also at this point you know what your Budget is and what you can afford. So our first step is get on the internet and start scanning for either a New or Used Boat For Sale. I know, we haven’t discussed (yet) the best way to choose from either a New Boat or a Used Boat.

New Boat:

The good -
The bad -
The ugly -

Used Boat:

The good -

The bad -

The ugly -

Used Boat Buying Tip: If you have you eye on a Used Boat For Sale the first thing you must know are the Number of Hours on the Engine(s). This is a good indication of its use. Be careful of those Boats that are a few years old and with a lot of Hours on the Motor(s).

On-line Sites displaying Boats For Sale are extremely user friendly and allow you to add your budget range you can afford, what location are you interested in looking (hometown or out of town) for you New or

Used Boat, Year, Make and Model, Length(LOA), Hours on the Engines, Number of Engines, Gas or Diesel, etc…) plus many photos or tours of the Boat so you can get a strong feel for the one you select. This is very targeted and saves you lots of time. This research is necessary because once you educate yourself on your favorite Type of Boat (and I’m sure there are a lot out there of that Type) and find the right price range - you can then get out there and start touching & feeling the real thing!

Alright, the internet isn’t your best friend or computers aren’t your thing. Here are a couple of alternative:Boating Magazines - go to your local book store or Boating Supply store to find racks of 'Boats For Sale' and education or informative magazines that can give you the basics of Boating. The For Sales Magazines are just like the internet with many pages to scan through to find the right Boat or Dealer for you.

Boat Shows - If you haven’t attended one of these events, YOU MUST! These Boat Shows get your heart pumping and your mouth watering to get out there and Boat! Remember Boat Shows are showing only new, top of the line models (most of the time) so stay focused and remind yourself of what you can afford to take to the dock! Boat Shows tour the Globally in the generally the same locations every year so there will be one in your town or nearby soon! Shows are a great place to educate yourself and always fun for the entire Family.

NADA Guide - Understand the value of your purchase. www.NadaGuides.com can be very helpful in learning the value of your future Boat. Sellers of Boats seemingly always expect a better price for their Boat than the actual value. www.NadaGuides.com gives the buyer an upper hand in the deal.

Go It Alone: (not really, Yachting-n-Boating.com is here to help) We’ve done the research and your a little more savvy about Boats then you were before...now your on the road headed to see a private sellers Boat that is For Sale. It’s a Used Boat (private sale usually means-Used Boat) with low hours and 18-months old.

When you arrive it’s on a trailer out of the Water (when inspecting a Used Boat, always view it out of the Water) and in the owners garage (this is a good sign – protected from the weather)...now as you walk around the boat you can see a lot, such as scratches, dents, dings, bottom paint, etc… if that checks out then jump into the Boat and visually inspect the cabin, head (toilet) and other areas. When it comes to the engine(s) look them over, looking for oil in the bilge or the smell of oil. Now STOP. If you not a marine mechanic then we suggest hiring one before Buying. Have a marine mechanic give it a 'once over' before you cut the check and make the commitment This is a small price to pay to avoid engine troubles down the road. Remember don't stop at the engine(s) there are many other motors and mechanisms on-board that need attention as well such as generator, bilge pump, blower, water heater, refrigerator, stove, trim tabs, bow thrusters and more. Your Boat may not have all these extras but if it does get them checked for proper operation before you cut the check and make the commitment.

Boat Dealer:
You want to buy new or trade the Boat you have, then let’s go see a Boat Dealer. You’ve done your research or your old Boat is cleaned and ready for trade now your prepared to start looking for the new one. Boat Dealers will assist you in the process of choosing the right Boat that fits your budget and in most cases work on securing a Boat Loan as well. This process of Buying a new Boat simpler, then doing it on your own. They will go out of their way to ensure you pick the right Boat for you, complete the paperwork for you and be sure all is under warranty. The warranties that come with the Vessel should all be transferable if you ever sell (good selling feature when your ready to sell). Unlike having to find a mechanic, the Dealer has them on site and whether new or used you'll get a Boat is great working order. Don’t let them push you into something you dislike because remember there are many other Boat Dealers down the river!

Boat Brokers:
So what's the difference between a Boat Broker and a Dealer? Good question, a Boat Dealer is located at one location with a show room, a Boat yard and sometime on the Water for those quick test rides. A Boat Broker assists Boat (and Yacht) Owners with selling their Boat or Yacht. Brokers generally deal with larger vessels such as Yachts. They do not have a show room or one location; they go to where the Boat or Yacht is either at the owners waterfront home or at a marina. This process is very personalized and is a lot like working with a real estate agent.

Additional Boat Buying Tips:

Don't buy the Boat at their retail price, negotiate. You'll find that you can push for at least 5% or 10% off the price. If buying through a Dealer or Broker, ask about their Boat Show prices.

Don't buy the Boat without a Sea Trial. The Sea Trial happens after your offer has been accepted. The Sea Trial is important, this is your time to test everything on the Boat while out on the Water. You won't be alone you'll have either the Owner or the Boat Sales Person or the Boat Broker with you to explain and show you everything about the Boat. That is their responsibility, ask questions.

Don't buy the Boat without checking the history of the vessel. Find and review maintenance logs, (i.e. when was it bottom painted, engine tuned, etc...) mechanical or electrical work done and any other work done including accessories added to the vessel that were not added from the manufacture. Now if you buy new just review what the warranties cover and for how long.

Don't buy the Boat without having the Owner, Boat Sales Person or the Broker throw in necessary Coast Guard Safety Equipment plus anchor, rope and fenders. Not a costly add-on so negotiate that in the deal, this will be you out on the Water faster.

Don't buy the Boat 'sight unseen'. You must see, inspect and have a Sea Trial before you cut the check and make the commitment!

You're ready! Get out there and BOAT!

Ready!? Let's go. Best Priced Boats is one way to find the Best Deals on Boats & All of Your Boating Needs. Our website sells boats, accessories and books related to boating.