Boating Secrets

Just look around, and you’re sure to find someone or someplace selling a boat. With the amount of boats that are out there, it’s hard to believe that manufacturers keep making them. But there are some specific places you should look to when you have decided to buy a boat.

Start with a local trader magazine that is usually available at most grocery or convenience stores. These publications usually have listings within a certain geographical area. Look through these magazines also so you can get some type of idea what you can expect to spend on a boat.

You can also look online at www.boattraderonline.com, or sites like www.ebay.com to try and find a deal. Pay special attention to the location of the seller, however. You will probably have to pick the boat up yourself, so be sure it’s within driving distance. Also, you should not buy a boat sight unseen or just rely on pictures to tell the whole story on the boat. Visit the seller and look the boat over thoroughly before you agree to buy it.

There are many boat shows held all over the country – usually in the spring when boat buying is at its peak. By attending a boat show, you will be able to see all sorts of different makes and models before you buy. You can ask questions from the company reps and have a better idea of which boat is best for you and which one you should choose.

Local dealers are also great spots to find some good buys on boats. Most dealers will carry both new and used boats as they often take trade-ins from people who want to buy up. Boat dealers can offer you more financing options with extended warranties and service departments that can take care of your boat if anything should happen to it.

Many marinas will allow you to rent a boat for a day. The good thing about this option is that you can try out various types and brands of boats before you buy. They may not always have a variety of brands, but they will most likely be able to offer up different types of boats so you can see which type fits in with your lifestyle best.

You could go with a boat broker as well. These are specialists who will look for the best boat bargains out there and find you what you need. Boat brokers have access to resources that everyday people don’t usually have, so they can be great in helping you find the boat of your dreams.

Of course, you should always look in your local newspaper’s classified advertisements to see what’s available in your area. You will have mostly used boats in there, but you can also find a real bargain when you know what to look for.

Finally, there are classified ads online as well. www.craigslist.org and www.postaroo.com will have a lot of regions you can look in to find a good used boat. Again, be sure that you will have the opportunity to look the boat over before you buy it, so don’t pick a boat from an area where you will have a difficult time getting to.

Once you decide on a boat, you will want to consider your options for paying for it.