When you come aboard with the intention to make a major purchase, a boat show can be overwhelming. Look at all the choices and salespeople! You don’t want to overlook an affordable model nor be pressured into something you’ll immediately regret.

The best way we know to keep your blood pressure and budget in check is to narrow down the options before heading to the show. When you arrive with a plan, finding the right boat at an affordable price will be nearly stress-free.

Pre-Show

• Identify What kind of boater are you — an adventurer, an explorer, a person who loves the wind in her hair, or a lover of calm seas? Will your boat be merely transportation or your vacation spot? Compile a list of the features that support your ideal boating experience.

 

• Include Share your list with those involved in your boating lifestyle. They’ll tell you what you forgot and probably add a few features they want when boating with you.

 

• Investigate Visit the boat show’s website for an exhibitors’ list. Which manufacturers and dealers have the boats that fit the majority of your list and ballpark budget?

 

• Explore Read and compare features of vendors and brands. If you can’t find all you need on a dealer’s page, check the manufacturer’s website for specifics.

 

• Consider Search for reviews. When looking at magazines and blogs, consider any financial relationship between seller and site. Boat owner forums may get to the nitty gritty, but don’t take uniform praise or panning as gospel — instead, look for trends. Does a dealer consistently gets raves for after-market follow-up or do owners of a certain boat model complain from forum to forum about the same problem?

 

• Calculate Use the manufacturer’s suggested pricing to launch your budget session. Add in the costs of a summer berth, insurance, fuel, maintenance, storage, and the after-market must-haves of your first few seasons. Be realistic; you want to spend your free time on the water, not working a second job. If necessary, revisit your list and see what you can cut out or look into brokers selling previously owned vessels that fit your wants and needs.

 

• Apply If you’ll be financing your purchase, reach out to a financial institution or reputable vessel finance company. Secure a pre-approved boat loan and, when you get to the show, compare the offered terms to show special dealer financing.

 

Show Time

• Plan Having the exhibitor’s list already, plan a route that includes all the boats you want to see.

 

• Adapt If the lines of a vessel don’t appeal in person, keep walking. Alternatively, stop if you spot something that appeals more than it online.

 

• Assess Are the stairs to the bridge narrow, the galley an obstacle course, or the head only suitable for those under five-fee-tall? Move along.

 

• Chat Tell the salesperson your main reasons for buying a boat and the features you desire most. He or she will describe what fits your bill, but if it exceeds your budget, say so. There should be room to negotiate and/or there may be a trimmed-down model that will float your boat (so to say).

 

• Question What’s included in the base price, what are the dealer-added costs, and what does the dealer add after the vessel leaves the factory? What’s the warranty and does it cover post-manufacturer add-ons?

 

• Buy Read the contract presented and make sure all the terms you discussed are included. If you’re buying the floor model, be wary of agreeing to take “as is” if the show continues past your purchase. Have the dealer ensure it will take care of all wear, tear, and damage done by the public or the show’s boat transporter before you take delivery.

 

• Or not If you’re not prepared to buy when the salesperson reaches for a contract, say so. Request a brochure and a business card and write down what you discussed before you walk away.

 

• Try again If you shopped the show at the beginning, try calling or returning to the show floor as the event draws to a close. You may score a deal on a boat that was previously out of your price range.