A little boat buying advice

[TritonGlenn]

OK, first let me preface this by saying this is not addressed to any one individual, or group of individuals, or certain brands of boats, or anything like that. Yes, a recent post got me thinking of this, but this is not because of that gentleman's post - that was just the mind-jogger that got me thinking about this. If you don't agree with this advice, that's your prerogative. I'm not posting this to offend - I'm posting this in an attempt to help.



1) Don't rush into anything. I learned this the hard way myself. If you have a deadline that you just "have to have" your boat, then you probably will act rashly during some part of the transaction. It's a huge, expensive purchase. Don't get wrapped around the axle about the date you simply have to own the boat. I've seen far too many people (including myself) sadly disappointed when their boat wasn't delivered on time.



2) DO NOT.... I REPEAT... DO NOT pick up your boat until it is COMPLETELY ready. I have read far too many posts on this board and others about people who buy their boats "to fish a tournament, and then I was going to bring it back to have the issues addressed". Far too many times. And you know what? I see the same thing following most every one of those posts - they have nothing but issues with the delivery or follow up visits. Don't pick it up until it's ready. Don't sign for it, don't agree to anything, don't do SQUAT! You aren't obligated to do anything. You signed a contract, and so did they. If they try to tell you that you signed a contract agreeing to buy it, remind them that they also signed that contract, agreeing to deliver the boat to you. As they have not met their part of the bargain - you aren't obligated at that point to do squat. They give you lip? Walk away. Cancel the deal. They haven't delivered on their end. Don't let them scam you into accepting something that isn't right.



3) Make them go over everything with you. Show up early, and plan to be there a while. Controls, accessories, etc... Make sure it all works before you leave the dealership. Lights, horn, livewells, bilge pump, locks, trolling motor, electronics, steering, shifter/throttle, hotfoot, auxiliary trim/tilt switches, jackplate - the whole nine yards. Why would you plunk down that kind of money without testing everything for operation before you drive away, especially if you don't live very close to the dealership?



4) Some may say "optional", but I'm a firm believer in this - Take it home and go over it with a fine toothed comb again before you take it out on the water. Check everything. You may be lucky and have a superior marine specialist like Bob rigging your boat. But you could also have the guy that looks and acts like Bill Murray as the greens keeper in Caddyshack. I check all mounting nuts and bolts, prop nut, steering, etc, etc, etc.... If it's broke, DON'T take it out! Call and take it back to the dealership right away. Why chance it? These high performance bass boats (actually, most any boat if you think about it) are not toys. You can die if things go wrong. Check it once, twice, three times if necessary. When you are happy and content - take it out for your initial ride.





Well, there it is folks. Use it or ignore it. But know that there are things that you can do to help ensure that your boat buying experience will be a good one. Things happen. Nobody is perfect. Things sometimes get missed. Buy why take chances? Do your homework, be patient, and enjoy your time on the water with your new rig.



All the best,

Glenn

 

[Bill Hamilton]

Glenn - Great advice, One additional point. Hold some of your money back. Particularly if you have any issues. If they tell you you can't do that, tell them to keep the boat and go elsewhere. Just a little insurance!

 

[Jeffry Skidmore]

Glenn,



Great advice!!!! In Tennessee we have an axiom; don't buy a pig in a poke!



To carry your advice a little further; I am looking at boat listings right now in preparation for an upgrade next spring. By the time I get ready I should have a pretty good idea of what's available at what price. Making notes along the way will help when it comes down to getting the optional equipment that I want.



Remember folks when buying new; custom = time & money! So if you're ordering custom, order way before you need it. Pay half down and half on delivery, and inspect, inspect, inspect!

 

[Scott Hammer TOXIC]

And my 2 pennies.....Like Big Dan said earlier....Check out the dealer!!



In the case of boats, you are investing in the dealer as much as the boat and you will have a continuing relationship with them. It is so important that boat brand name becomes secondary to the quality of the dealer. I would be more apt to buy brand X even though I wanted brand Y if brand X was carried by a top notch dealer. You have to assume you will have issues because 75% (guess) of you will and how the dealer performs is more important than how the boat performs. Word



TOXIC

 

[Gary Hunter]

Glenn: I sure wish I'd read your post three months ago. Now I'm stuck in Boat Dealer/Manufacturers Hell. I saw that shiny hunk of fiberglass and I just had to have it NOW. I rolled the dice and played the fool.



Live and learn the hard way, I gue$$.

 

[JR F]

I have owned so many different boats It would shock most readers..Glenn has Hit It on the head..But the Very Most Important thing IS the Dealer....I was lucky on my Nitro, Carlos got It from me and he was lucky No problems,But the dealer was pretty good with the few things that came up..I had a Sylvan dealer was a nightmare,Boat was Ok just tons of minor dealer problems,Lund was a good boat same thing Dealer Problems...Ranger was the best Dealer WAS FANTASTIC...Never had a seconds problem with getting work done and most was my fault..If you get a good dealer your life will be better and you will come upon problems at sometime....JR Now bank trash but still catchin em..