Buying The Right Boat

It’s a rare day that we don’t think about buying a boat. Never mind the clichés about a boat being a money pit. If you shop well and give your beloved boat some TLC, the odds of having a problem are minute. But it all begins with buying the proper boat. Before you make the leap, ask yourself a few questions that will help you focus on the kind of boat you will need. Thankfully, Lake-area marine dealers are qualified to guide you through the sometimes-arduous process of buying a boat. Steve Lemens, sales representative at Glencove Marine in Lake Ozark, agrees.

“There are several key questions when helping the customer decide which style of boat suits their family needs,” he explained. “What type of boat are you looking for? A cruiser, a sport boat, a go-fast boat or a ski boat? To pick the right boat you have to ask, how do you plan to use the boat? Do you intend to sleep aboard? How big is your normal crew? Are you looking for the thrill of speed? Are you interested in a closed deck or a bow rider? These questions will help to narrow the search. Once the customer has decided on the type of boat, you can then present them with the features and benefits of that choice.

Spending a little quality time with a customer is vital, notes Marine- Max sales manager Collin Heimensen. “We invest time with our customers exploring their needs,” he explained. “For example, if you are looking for a boat to pull an inner- tube for your grandkids, it would be a completely different boat than you would need for weekend trips to the other end of the Lake living aboard. We listen to our customers’ needs and dreams, then locate the right model that is the best fit.”

Boat shows are an excellent resource for would-be boat owners, or for those who want to upgrade their stock. Experts caution not to buy the first boat you see at the show. Boat shows are a great place to review products from the various builders and dealers, obtain brochures and gain some knowledge of local dealers. The Recreational Boat Building Industry encourages new boat owners to “buy a dealer” instead of buy a boat. Many first timers buy a boat from the want ads and that could be a mistake. Buyers lose the safety net and security good dealers provide.

“Many customers appreciate the peace of mind of a new boat,” Heimensen noted. “Today’s manufacturer’s warranties are quite comprehensive. There is also an abundance of new technologies available in new boats. Many people aspire to own a new boat, and the purchase is seen as an achievement from their perspective.”

Glencove’s Lemens added: “Ownership depends on the affordability of the purchase.” The quality of boats can become the deciding factor. Some brands of boats are extremely expensive when new, but can be purchased used at a reduced price. The purchase may be decided on the availability of warranty, age and hours of the boat. Sometimes a higher quality used boat is a better value than a new boat of lesser quality.”

The warranty is something to consider. “New boats come with warranties which mean no repair bills for several years, plus you are not buying other peoples’ problems,” Mark Bowman of Kelly’s Port said.

Or consider used All marine dealers at the Lake have an inventory of used boats, and will stand behind what they sell. “If they are a first-time boater, I suggest they consider a used boat until they figure out how much they will actually use the boat and how much the family actually enjoys the boating experience,” Bowman explained. “Also, if they have a certain budget it may make more sense to put them in a larger used boat than a smaller new boat. Again, this won’t be the last boat they buy, but if it is the wrong boat it will be the last boat they buy from that particular dealer.”

Used boats don’t come without problems either, and to find that perfect one can be a time consuming headache. If you are spending a considerable amount of money on a boat, you might consider having it surveyed by a qualified marine surveyor.

Says Lemens: “An advantage of a used boat is that it allows the customer to purchase a well maintained boat that has taken ‘the depreciation hit’ that as consumers we always worry about. It also helps the consumer purchase a larger boat, better quality brand, larger motors and more optional equipment. This may consist of generator, air conditioning and other equipment you may or may not need, but would be nice if it came with the purchase at a reduced price. And, as always, the purchase price can sway a consumer to purchase new or used.”

Ask at the local marina for a recommendation and make sure that the surveyor is a member of one or both of the marine surveyor associations. You can call the National Association of Marine Surveyors (NAMS) or the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (SAMS) for a recommendation of a surveyor in your area.

Whatever the purchase, keep in mind five simple rules: Safety, handling, reliability, styling and resale. Going Global Those of us who live at the Lake take for granted the impact we have on the rest of the country. Our 15-or-so golf courses are well known; the Lake hosts dozens of popular fishing tournaments every year; we have some of the best lodging available in the Midwest.

And people come from all over to buy boats here. “We deliver boats all over the world,” Heimensen said. “In the month of September, our Lake Ozark location delivered boats in Missouri, Colorado, Florida, Kansas, Iowa, Sweden and Turkey. We use the same process to match a boat to a customer here at the Lake as we would to use in the Mediterranean. The key is to listen and offer advice to find the right boat that will bring the most enjoyment to the family who will be using it.”

It’s the same for Glencove and Kelly’s Port. With huge inventories of both new and used boats, and with some of the most respected boat names in the business, each of the marinas gets inquiries from all over. “A customer can see hundreds of boats in a short amount of time at the Lake compared to most other areas,” Bowman explained. “If they are buying a new boat and with the idea they will boat here and other lakes or rivers, we can sell it to them.” Regardless of where the boat is headed, the process of selecting a boat remains the same, according to Lemens.

“Different waters need different equipment for both safety and longevity,” he said. “Boats heading to saltwater have to be protected in several different ways. Depending on the style of the boat, close-water cooling, fresh water flushing kits, sea strainers and anti-fouling paint for the bottom need to be considered. If the boat is to be used on big open water, the addition of upscale electronics such as radar, autopilot and chart plotter may be needed for safety and comfort.”

There is universal enthusiasm among local boat dealers for the sport of boating and for their respective products. The Lake of the Ozarks is all about recreation — in many forms. Yet, boating remains the No. 1 thing to do here.

“I believe that boating is the greatest family recreation. Everyone in the family will have fun, and the memories will last a lifetime. Use your boat!” Heimensen said. See your favorite dealer at any of the upcoming boat shows to find the perfect watercraft for your lifestyle.

Sources: Powerboat Reports for a review of boats you are considering; Boat US Guide to Buying and Selling a Boat.

Tags: Boating Tips, Boats, Glencove Marine, New Boats, Used Boats

Category: Featured, Sports & Toys