 Boating enthusiasts always have fun walking the floor at boat shows, but not everyone who cruises these elaborate maritime displays does so with a plan. Those in the market for a new boat need to "chart their course" in order to find what they want, effectively compare different products and save money. At most shows, consumers shopping for a new boat will find a wide variety of styles and designs, and that can make selecting a new one difficult. However, with a little self-evaluation, the job can be much easier. Before even attending a boat show, determine exactly what you want in your boat. Gather the whole family and find out who wants to water-ski, how many people are into fishing and whether or not the family plans any overnight cruises. Once you've decided which activities are most important, you're half-way to determining which boat you want to buy. Use the family discussion to develop a list of boat specifications that are considered most important. Mark each feature as a "must have" or a "can do without", and leave space after each item for a check mark. Determine your budget, and make a space on the list to record the prices of different boats and accessories. Include additional lines for the price of motors, options, trailers, delivery charges, make-ready charges and other costs. At the show, use the index in the show program to locate exhibits with the type of boat you desire. As you look over each model, use your check-off list to make sure each product has all the features you want, and add up the costs to see if it is within your budget. Don't forget to ask about trade-in possibilities if you already own a boat or trailer. While at the show, shop around for a good dealer as well as a good bargain. For someone looking to buy a trailer for their boat or personal watercraft, a good dealer is someone who is willing to be your partner for advice and service. Find a dealer who listens to your needs and recommends products you truly want. And finally, if you finance a boat, you will probably discover the monthly payments are more affordable than you thought. If you're shopping for a loan, you will find that a boat show is the ideal place to find a lender. Firms and companies that provide loans often exhibit at boat shows alongside sellers of boats and accessories. In addition, boat dealers often have several sources of financing including local lenders or national firms offering custom loans through boat manufacturers. When a boat show comes to your town, plan your work and work your plan and you are likely to find the boat of your dreams. Thanks to Jim White, and beOutdoors.com for their permission to reprint this article. Please bear in mind That beOutdoors.com has a copyright on this material. |
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