Don't get taken for a ride on your own boat!
5/25/2004 1:27:00 PM by Kelly Braden
Probably the best thing about buying
a boat is that it’s not as unnerving as visiting a car dealership. On a
whim, I recently pulled into a car dealership to check out cars and
immediately felt like a caged monkey. As I shut the car door, a
salesman – coiled near the entrance like a starving python – sized me
up and down before slithering toward me.
Fortunately, buying a boat isn’t nearly as stressful. But, many sales
people or private owners won’t hesitate to unload a boat on someone
unsure about what they really want. In order to better stack the odds
in your favor, here are a few things to clarify in your mind before you
make that first visit.
How much money do you wish to spend? As with just about everything,
trying to conserve money often compromises quality and safety. New
boats will have a longer lifespan and will provide optimum performance.
Used boats can provide good quality for much less than a new one.
Whether you choose a new, used or demo boat, make sure it has industry
standard parts in good condition.
If you buy a used boat, make sure the seller is indeed the owner. Not
all boats are required to have a title document proving legal
ownership. If such is the case but it has registration numbers on the
boat, ask to see the most recent registration form. If the seller
cannot produce it, be wary. Take a close look at used boats from out of
your state. Ask to see all out-of-state title documents or registration
documents. If there are none, you may be buying a stolen boat. If the
seller tries to rush you or seems uncomfortable answering questions, a
red flag should go up in your mind. It’s safer to trust your instincts
and walk away, especially if the deal seems too good to be true. After
deciding to make the purchase, first ask the seller for I.D. with the
reasoning that you will be drawing up a bill of sale in order to
register the boat. If the seller refuses or tries to get you to buy the
boat without identifying himself, back out.
Don’t hand over the payment until a detailed bill of sale is transacted
and signed by you and the seller. The bill of sale should include the
seller's name, contact information, full description of the boat and
accessories, any hull identification number or registration number, the
date of sale and the price paid. If the seller’s I.D. doesn’t match
what you were told, leave. The fact that a boat is stolen is often
uncovered during the registration process. Having detailed information
can help establish a case against the fraudulent seller.
Ask if there’s a manufacturer’s warranty or extended service plan, and
if so, exactly what it does and doesn’t cover. The same applies to
insurance policies that may be transferable. Read any warranties,
service plans and insurance policies carefully. If anything isn’t
clear, get the answer in writing.
Determine the main uses of the boat so you know the size hull desired,
its design/material, how you want it rigged, power needed and even the
type of prop. Doing so lessens the chance of your getting talked into
something you’re not going to be quite happy with.
Word-of-mouth and referrals will provide you with manufacturers and
dealers that are reputable. People will not hesitate to let you know if
they have had unsatisfactory dealings with sellers. If you do not know
of anyone who has a boat, consider joining a Boat Forum online. By
following these steps, you’ll end up with a boat that fulfills your
needs and increases your fun.