anyone have /had a boat?? can you hagle the prices like a car

faster100

This won't be till tax time next year if at all, But anyone on here own a boat, or bought a boat/jetski new??

We are looking at the sea doo jet boats.. just looked tonight at a Barneys. which is big down here in my erea..

But can you hagle the prices like a car dealer.. The jet boats new start at $10,000 so can you get them down from there? and jet waverunners,, sheesh these things are 6300.00 to start and go up towards $9,000 crazy when you can get a small boat for that much..

So just checking to see if at a large boat/jetski/motorcycle shop that sells all RV items i mentioned new and used.. can you negioate the price??

Thanks......

may end up with something used but really want a new sea doo jet boat.:)

rskarvan

Everything is ALWAYS negotiable.
Just play the dealers against each other for the same/similar boat.
Also, go to boat shows. Thats a great way to quickly
do some A vs. B price shopping. Generally, boat shows occur in the winter and they have the best prices.

Make certain that the dealer throws in a boat cover and a spare tire for the trailer. Also, make sure all the little details like batteries, bearing buddies, etc. are included. Some states require on-board fire extinguishers. If you are buying a boat, make sure that you don't get stuck buying all the accessories too.

RuSsMaN

Originally posted by rskarvan
Everything is ALWAYS negotiable.

Words to live by.

Cheers,
Russ

HBombToo

Just from my experience, for what its worth, buy in the fall and used within 5 years. If you buy used typically all the accesseries are included. You can easily get a personal loan for a boat and roll it out over 7 years if ya want.

Bigger is always better because if you think audio guys get upgrade fever just waite till your a boat owner! Big hole in the water that you just keeeeeeep throwing cash at!

HBomb

F1nut

Originally posted by HBombToo
Big hole in the water that you just keeeeeeep throwing cash at!

and throwing and throwing.........


Buy a used one, new boats depreciate faster than cars or anything else for that matter.

shack

I agree

BUY USED!

There are tons of good deals on used boats. Someone has to have one...and then realizes how much gas that sucker really uses...and then realizes that dock gas prices are $1 per gallon higher....slip rentals are expensive...pulling a boat on a trailer is expensive....maintence is expensive...the lakes are too crowded and full of PWCs...etc...etc...etc... If you think the audio hobby is expensive...try boating!

Having said all of that if you really want one (and it is fun!) a nice used boat can be had for a very reasonable price. They depreciate must faster than cars and it is not uncommon to get a 2 or 3 year old boat with less than 100 hours on the motor. I grew up on a lake and have bought and sold 4 used boats (ski and runabouts) over the years. Sold the last one about 4 years ago when I pulled it out of the garage for the first time of the season in late July and the battery was dead and it was going to cost 70 bucks for a new one. Pushed it back in the garage and then sold it to my brother in law for what I paid for it 5 years earlier.

There is a common saying that can be very true...The two best days in a boat owner's life are the day he buys it and the day he sells it.

burdette

I once heard that the best way to find a great deal on a boat is to drive around and find the one sitting under the nice cover.. with tall grass grown around the wheels.. walk up, make an offer to buy it. I agree buy used. I haven't myself, but do know family and good friends that have gone through the horrors of boat ownership.

As for everything being negotiable, I agree. I had a class project in grad school in a Negotiations course that was to go into a 'regular' store, like a supermarket, and negotiate a lower price on a common good like a candy bar. Most people got a better price. Heck, anymore, I almost feel like I've failed in the shopping process if I haven't negotitated SOMEWHERE along the way.

rskarvan

I usd to think that used boats were the way to go.
I spent 3 years searching almost every week for a simple used 14 foot aluminum boat with a 10HP motor and trailer. NO LUCK. The ones that I did see for sale cost $2500 and didn't even run. I couldn't freak'n believe it.

Finally, I broke down and looked for new ones and experienced some serious sticker shock.

New 14' aluminum boat: $3000
New 10HP Mercury motor: $2000
Trailer: $1000

Yep - it was going to cost $6K for a simple fishing boat.

Finally, I found my fishing boat - for sale on the side of the road. It was a 16' fiberglass starcraft tournament bass boat with a 60HP mercury motor and a matching trailer for sale for $8400. Hmmm

I talked to the owner and found out that the engine had NEVER been started even once and the boat was still sitting on the original plastic and had yet to float.

Bought a battery and I'm good to go. WOO-HOO.

faster100

Thanks everyone,we are so torn on what to do, Jetski, Jet boat, new/ used.. we wouldnt have all the cash to buy from a private owner thus why we want to buy from a dealer or new.. Yet we don't want another payment as we just got the Xterra 3 months ago.. Then thier is insurance, trailer tags, all the gear, life jackets and all.. It's not cheap and the things keep adding up.. so we will see,

reeltrouble1

Dude,

Hold on to your hat!!! I have owned boats for twenty years. They are absoulutely great for families.

Now as far as mixing your audio hobby with boating?? Well if you are like me enjoy being thorougly happy and completely broke.:D

Take your time, someone mentioned the boat shows, they are a great way to see a bunch of boats in one day. Be careful, plenty of snake oil dealers, make sure you compare carefully and cover all that will be included with the sale.

There are some great used boats on Boatrader.com along with new boats, a good place to get a feel for the market on what you want.

Good Luck, be happy to help you out with any boating terms or equipment questions.

faster100

yes it will require long thought and planning.. we wen't to a local nice park today, they have a huge lake and people were everywhere jetski's and boats, sheesh we will have to get one or the other..

any help is appreciated.. We won't be on the market till Tax time next year, we are also going to start saving alittle now and do all the research before hand so we don't get burnt to bad..

looks like fun, but expensive.. we don't mind the being broke part as long as we are having fun at it..

brettw22

Ya know, one thought that I'd have is to see if you have a mutual friend that has an interesting in having a boat or seadoo to see if you guys wanna split the costs. That'd be a good way to go if y'all work out a plan as to when each can use the craft. I've known a few people that have gone that route and it's been somethin that's worked out well, as long as one or the other isn't a greedy lil **** that doesn't get the concept of sharing.........

STUFFMD

Hey Faster,
Been a boat owner for years..if your looking new..try going to one of the major boat shows, best deals of the year there....if you are thinking used...buy in the fall...guys don't want to have their boat stored if their getting rid of it. Some of the best deals of the year to be had that time of the year that way...and never buy used in a warm climate...will cost you thousands more. A lot of used boats on the internet you can resurch. Also if you will be in fresh water make very sure the boat was not used in salt...the salt corrods and damages everything...engine on out..unseen rust everywhere...
My 2 Stuff

STUFFMD

Wow some of my worst spelling of the year on that reply...and oh yes...you can definately haggle on the price of a new boat...just like a car......more likely to deal with you again in the winter and fall than in the spring, summer, depending where you live.
Stuff

Janusch

I bought a 26 ft boat last year and me and the family had a blast in it. I'm in the northern part of the country and fall is the best time to buy. Of course if you do that get ready to shell out some bucks to winterize and storage before you get the boat on the water.

Personally I would not be a jet ski, I would go with the jet boat. Part of the fun of boating is sitting on the water, drinking a beer, and B.S.ing with some friends. That is a little hard to do on a jet ski. Also with a little bigger boat it opens the world of fishing, water sking, and you have the option of putting a binimi for some shade.

Good luck

p.s.
A key ingredant to having a good boating season is to make the First Mate happy. My wife had to have an enclosed head on any boat I bought. Make sure you find out her minimum Req.:D

HBombToo

Originally posted by Janusch
I bought a 26 ft boat last year and me and the family had a blast in it. I'm in the northern part of the country and fall is the best time to buy. Of course if you do that get ready to shell out some bucks to winterize and storage before you get the boat on the water.

Personally I would not be a jet ski, I would go with the jet boat. Part of the fun of boating is sitting on the water, drinking a beer, and B.S.ing with some friends. That is a little hard to do on a jet ski. Also with a little bigger boat it opens the world of fishing, water sking, and you have the option of putting a binimi for some shade.

Good luck

p.s.
A key ingredant to having a good boating season is to make the First Mate happy. My wife had to have an enclosed head on any boat I bought. Make sure you find out her minimum Req.:D

YUP! he said it better than me

Evile Twin