Especially when they are considering buying a boat. Since boats can be very expensive to own, getting a discount is a major coup in life. The money saved can go towards the average $400 a month it costs to own a boat after the purchase price has been paid.
In general, boats are cheaper at boat shows. Dealers who advertise at shows want to generate positive attention, and they can do this by selling boats in front of crowds. To achieve this, they often offer discounts at boat shows in order to entice potential buyers.
It is best to do some good research as there are special places where you can get a boat at a huge discount. To learn about those places and if boat shows are an excellent source for cheaper prices, just continue reading our article. It has the information you want to know about.
The cost of new boats
In order to clearly see the difference in purchasing a new boat at a dealer as opposed to buying one at a boat show, here is a little chart showing you the prices at the dealers
| No. | Type of boat | Purchase price |
| 1 | Sailboat | $12,000+ |
| 2 | Jon Boats | $500 to $5,000 |
| 3 | Catamarans | $10,000+ |
| 4 | Deck Boats | $20,0000 to $50,000 |
| 5 | Airboats | $30,000 to $100,000 |
| 6 | Fishing Boats | $25,000 to $100,000 |
| 7 | House Boats | $50,000+ |
| 8 | Speed Boats | $75,000+ |
| 9 | Cabin Cruisers | $100,000 to $500,000 |
| 10 | Yachts | $300,000+ |
As you can see some of these at new prices are very daunting and hard to reach for the average person. That is why going to a boast show is a very good idea
Is it cheaper to buy a boat at a boat show?
Usually, this is one of the best times you can purchase a boat. Not only are the dealers and boat-making brands motivated, if you know your stuff, but you can also negotiate an even better deal.
Dealers are prepared to offer between 10 and 30% in discounts right off the top. That means big savings if you are looking at a top of the line model. For example, a $100,000 could be yours for between $90,000 and $70,000.
For a smaller boat, like the Jon Boat models, your savings won’t be as great, up to $1500, but it is still a savings and makes purchasing a boat worthwhile. What makes shopping at a boat sale so great is that the competition for your hard-earned dollars is great.
You will have many different brands and models to choose from. Plus you get to see these boats up close and personal. That makes inspection simple and easy to do. The dealers are not going to hide anything from you as they want you to be happy with your purchase and they do not want to go home with the boat.
Are boat shows the best time to buy?
Not always. They are a great opportunity to get a good deal on a new boat but they may not be the best time to buy. There is an argument that the end of the month may be the best time to buy a boat as salesmen need to make their quotas.
However, some boat companies deny that quotas exist yet, their boat prices always seem to be lower the nearer the end of the month comes. Summer is definitely not the best time of the year to make your purchase.
The reason for saying that is because traditionally, summer is the start of the new boat model season. That means that Spring may have you finding some good deals. But, Spring is probably not the best time either to buy a boat.
The best time may be in the Fall when the boating season ends for some people. They are looking at a long winter of storage and those fees can get quite high. there may be more motivated sellers at this time of the year than any other, outside of boat shows.
Of course, there are some people who say that any time of the year is a good time to buy as boat models can go fast, and between 2008 and 2013 the economy lowered the total number of boats made each year.
There are fewer boats on the market which means you need to make your decision as soon as possible. Just keep in mind that motivated sellers appear every month.
How do I get the best deal on a boat?
The first step in getting the best price possible will be in doing your research. Learn as much as you can about what makes a good boat good. Also, learn what makes a good boat bad. Being prepared is half the battle.
Then during your research find the right questions to ask. These questions will target items like warranties, brand quality, engine capability and longevity, and so on. make sure you get the answers you need to hear in order to make a wise decision.
Also, learn about the competition and their deals in order to leverage the dealer selling the model you want to own. Using the competition is a great way to lower the price. Just be careful as this strategy also has a way of backfiring on you.
Then when you have made your decision, make sure to return on the last day of a boat show. You may be surprised and get an even better deal than you thought you could. There are lots of reasons why you can get better discounts and additional perks when you wait till the last day.
Sometimes, the salesman just wants to make his time at the boat show worth it, and getting a sale on the last day does just that for them. One last piece of mind, determine your budget for the purchase and stick to it.
Can you save money at a boat show?
Yes, it is possible to save money at a boat show. The salesmen are usually very motivated as it costs them money to be there and they want to cover expenses as well as make a good commission.
That is why you see many prices discounted between 10 and 30%. But, that discount is off the price at the boat show. It may not always be the best price you can find. According to one dealer, the companies spend lots of money on space at the boat shows as well as on transportation fees.
The prices of the boats may be elevated a little bit to cover those prices, along with the discounts given. The best time to buy at a boat show is the last day. Dealers are not wanting to haul their boats back to their dealerships.
They are very anxious to sell their models and will be very happy to make some good deals for you. So while some dealers claim that buying at the dealership is the best way to save money, boat shows are better locations and will save you some cash.
The best thing to do is study the market, visit some dealers, get some fats and then make your purchase decision.
The pros and cons of buying at a boat show
No matter what you do, there will always be some positives and negatives that will influence your purchase of a boat. Here are the good and bad points of buying at a boat show:
Pros:
- More models to choose from- you get a lot of brands and models to look at and compare. A bigger choice gets you some better prices
- Competition works for you- you get to talk to different salesmen and compare their deals with all the other salesmen you are talking to about their boats. Competition has a way of driving the price down to where you want it to be
- Easier to negotiate- the salesmen want to sell their boats. They do not want to bring them back to the dealership. This means they are in the mood to negotiate
- Make an educated decision- you get all the information about the models you are interested in. This helps you make a more educated and smarter decision.
- Get great advice- not from the salesmen but from your fellow boat enthusiasts. they may have information your salesman may not know about and that can help you in the long run.
Cons:
- A tough decision- there will be too many boats to decide between and you may pick the wrong one.
- High-pressure sales- this is always a danger when you go to a boat show. These salesmen are experienced and ready to play hard ball and use high-pressure sales tactics on you.
- Limited selection- while there are lots of boat models to view, they will only be new boats not used
- No test driving- this is a hassle but it is one of the risks in buying at a boat show. There is no way for you to test it out before making your final decision.
Some final words
When it comes to boat buying it is best to know your stuff and ask the right questions. Then it is good to tour the different models on sale before making your decision. Then go to the boat show on the last day to make your purchase.
