Anyone looking to buy a new boat?

B

BayAreaBoater

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I am. But it's not what it used to be! So many dealers have gone belly-up that it makes boat shopping very hard. And if you do find a dealership, they have very few new boats in stock. They want you to order one out of a catalog. I don't have a problem with ordering one, in fact I would prefer it (my last three boats were ordered), but it would be nice to see one in person and demo it before commiting to buy it. Especially new models!

After owning so many boats, I generally know what I want. I just want to be able to see stuff like upholstery and carpet colors (I hate being force-fed into the numerous brown interiors and gel-coat colors these days), gel-coat color options in person (instead of on a computer screen) and the biggest thing, actually riding in one.

I've been to five different boat factories over the years and during one purchase, I actually visited while my personal boat was being built. That was an unforgettable experience! I actually got to work on it for about 15 minutes. I installed a trim piece in the cockpit. Of course, the worker was right there making sure I did it right (I joked with him that I would never file a warranty claim on my own work! LOL!). They let me sign my name and date on the fiberglass that was covered up by the trim piece and took a picture of the moment. What a blast!

Anyway, I'm in the hunt for a 24' to 26' bowrider to replace the one that I sold a few months ago. So far I have been to the Sea Ray, Chaparral, Glastron (too small) and Cobalt dealers. Talk about sticker shock! WOW!!! [:-bigeyes]

Yeah, they want top-dollar, but don't want to stock a boat. In the past when I have ordered a new boat, I made the deal based on them not having to pay any flooring or other associated costs with stocking a boat by taking delivery as soon as it was delivered to them.

I'm going to take a trip to SoCal soon so I can check out a few other brands and also to check prices with the dealers down there to compare with the local ones. I don't have a problem with buying down there as long as the price is right. I know all about "buying local", but if I can save a chunk of change by buying out of the area, I'll do it. In fact, been there and done that!

I always enjoy the hunt, but these days it's a tougher one, that is for sure!
 
I was looking at bowriders for a while when I wasn't going to get into another big boat.
Then I found a deal on another 40' so I went for it.
But when I was looking I was all over the country, even had a deal almost signed in Georgia.
It was on a 2012 Regal Fasdeck. I didn't see Regal on your list, but you should check this boat out.
There are some leftovers out there and it's a real nice boat for the money.
 
"I'm going to take a trip to SoCal"

My thought exactly. I expect there will be many more options down there. Good luck and let us know how your search goes!!!!

BTW, I love your story about the factory visit! How thrilling that must have been.......
 
If you have never been to Minnesota you could try the Larson plant. I did a tour there a couple of years ago and was very impressed.

Mike
 
I bought a new boat in 2005. A 27' Express Cruiser. Now it's like I'm in a house that was bought at the height of the bubble. It's a good boat, but I can't give it away. To sell it would require me coming to table with a boatload (no pun intended) of money. Definitely the absolute worst thing I ever did. If you're convinced the boat you're going to buy is the absolute last boat you'll ever buy (and it isn't - believe me!) or if you have money to burn then buy new. Given the market these days, there are tons of boat out there in great shape and at really great prices (because ... ummm ... boats aren't selling now!). IMHO you should never, ever, ever, ever, buy new.

But hey - that's just me.
 
IMHO, you have to be insanely wealthy or just insane to buy a brand-new boat. You will take a huge hit on depreciation.

There are a ton of great used boats on the market that already have all the extras installed (that you will pay for to put in a "new" boat). It is a buyer's market. Look used, and save yourself a load of money.
 
I just love my 1995 24ft Trophy....small enough to trailer, big enough to handle Monterey Bay. All tricked out for fishing and comfortable enough for two or three to sleep on. Spent many hours (day and nights) on the delta, many days chasing salmon on the bay and many delightful days on the Sea of Cortez in Mexico. Some folks knock Bayliner but she has never missed a beat. Great hull and drive train, the most important, but not great on trim and cleats and the like. She's paid for and has never let me down. To get rid of her and spend fifty or sixty thousand to trade up.....not going to happen. I admire from afar the Grady Whites, the Wellcrafts and the other high dollar boats but I love that Bayliner and much like me, she is old and dependable.

DBH
 
Ahoy all!

Thanks for the responses. I appreciate them all! You've all posted some great information and words of wisdom.

Regarding the new vs. used, yeah, I fully understand the value of buying used (or even a "non-current" new one, especially these days) and I started out by buying used ones from small runabouts up to mid-size cruisers. As a side note, my very first boat was a 14'er that my Dad and I built ourselves (actually rebuilt. It was a 14' Chris Craft kit boat). After going through nine used boats of various sizes (two foot-itis) and styles, and getting my "feet wet", I started buying new ones.

I've always enjoyed the hunt and especially the negotiating part. Some folks can't stand it. I love it and thanks to my career (in a round-about way), I am good at it (well, good enough). Heck, during one of my purchases in which I was dealing directly with the owner of a very small boat shop that sold fairly high end boats, he ended up going to the ER with chest pains a few hours after I left! (without closing the deal) He was okay, it turned out to be stress (and maybe a few too many doughnuts! LOL). But the following week when I went back to see him to close the deal, he immediately told me, "I'll drop another thousand if you make the deal today. And that is my FINAL offer!". He then told me about the ER visit. He was chuckling and kidding around with me while we wrapped up the paperwork. He REALLY wanted to sell that boat!

The trouble for me with buying used is that I am VERY picky about my boats. Some would say anal. Pretty much the only person that I would buy a used boat from is, well, me. LOL.

In fact, over the years, two different buyers of my boats have purchased two boats each from me. They kept in touch with me (as quite a few of my buyers have. Some are now good friends of mine) and when I decided to put them up for sale, I told the guys and they didn't hesitate in buying them. They knew how I kept the boats maintained, and how I equipped them to begin with. They couldn't go wrong.

Anyway, despite trying, I just cannot find a used boat that is in the condition (or equipped) the way that I would like it. Sure, it's possible to recondition and re-equip a boat, but these days, I just do not want to deal with it. Plus, a MFG's warranty is a valuable thing. Especially these days.

I looked at some non-current boats, but amazingly, some of these dealers store their boats outside and uncovered! Rain or shine! It blows me away!

On that same note, the 24' boat that I recently sold was purchased by me as a non-current. It was two model years old when I bought it. But, I only purchased it as an investment to eventually flip (and use it along the way). I never intended on keeping it as part of the family. The bottom line was that I got a screaming deal on it, paid cash for it, used it for two years and sold it for about 5K more than I paid for it.

Now I am looking for a boat to call my own and keep a while. Probably my last boat of this type (24' to 26' open bow or "deck boat" as some MFG's call them). I currently have my cruiser and a small fishing boat. I will be selling the fishing boat later this year and I will be replacing the cruiser with a trawler type boat in a year or two. That will probably do it for me with boats. Trawler type boat and a bowrider. We have been using the motorhome more and more these days and would like to start taking longer trips in it. RV'ing is a nice way to go.

CurrentSea, I like Regals, but unfortunately, I heard their long-time dealer went out-of-trust and high-tailed it to Florida leaving his customers high and dry. I am not aware of a replacement dealer as of yet. I did take the Regal factory tour years ago in Orlando. Nice operation.

Deltabighat, I've owned five Bayliner's (new and used) over the years. Never had a problem with any of them. They recently pulled out of the cruiser market in the U.S. (unbelievable!!!) and are now concentrating on small boats. I think their largest is a 23' bowrider. The Trophy line has always impressed me with their designs.

Hogan, I'm not insanely wealthy, heck, not even close, but with the combination of buying the new boats right, keeping them maintained and equipping them properly to begin with and then selling them to the right buyer, the strategy has worked well for me.

Manticore999, yeah I feel for you. Lots of folks are in that situation. All too often, I see the ads that state, "only asking the payoff amount". Unfortunately, the p/o is usually a lot higher than the current market value. In reality, the payoff amount has nothing what-so-ever to do with the current market value, but some folks just can't write a check for the difference. The upside in your case is that it sounds like you have a real nice boat that you can enjoy anytime and anywhere you want. That, is priceless. And you give good advice.

The search continues...

[:-captain]
 
You don't need a regal dealer I never used the dealer. Most warranty work can be done by anyone and regal will reimburse you. If motor work then any licensed volvo dealer can do the work. With a boat that size any warranty work will probably be motor related. Other than the hull and seats, regal doesn't make much else on the boat and any issues they will tell you to call the oem.

In my opinion a bowrider is something where new makes sense. I would take a new leftover before a used one. The extra $10k you will pay is worth the warranty, the thought you own since new, and peace of mind. Big difference buying a bowrider new and a 40 footer.
 
I checked Regal's web site and their dealer is in Corona (SoCal). I see they have a 24 FasDeck and the 2500 Bowrider.

It seems that a lot of the MFG's are going "retro" with the tri-hull look. If not a true tri-hull, they resemble one. It seems that the squarish bow gives more room for the bow passengers, yet the hull is still a deep-v.

I'll add Corona to my list of stops in SoCal.

[8D]
 
Like I said. I had a deal on the 24 Fasdeck but found the 4080. Make sure you get the power tower and the bigger motor.
It's a real nice boat.
 
Thanks for the tip.

Yeah, I usually go for the largest engine available. Like I said, I equip my new boats the way that most buyers would like them to be. No crazy graphics or off-the wall colors or stripped down boats.

Try to find a boat that is in stock that has trim tabs. It's tough! Sure, I know that you can put them on pretty much any boat after the fact, but rarely at a cost that is less than what you would pay for when you get them from the factory. And trim tabs should be on most any boat that is over 18'.

Nothing makes me laugh more than a guy that buys a new Grady White fishing boat and then puts a $200 fish finder on it. That is what I mean by properly equipped... ;)

I bet you love those IPS drives. I've never had the opportunity to pilot a boat with them but I sure would like to give them a try!
 
Hurricane is another brand that I might consider. A friend of mine has their 237 deck boat that is about ten years old and though it isn't the model that I would want, the fit and finish is good and the designs of their other models seem very useable as well.

I was talking with a buddy of mine at the yacht club earlier and he was talking pontoons. Sure, I know they are roomy, safe and practical, but they are not what I want for what might just be my last sport boat.

A few other brands that I might consider are: Southwind, Rinker, Stingray and Reinell.

Mastercraft builds a nice boat and they used to have a model that was do-able for me, but these days I think they are pretty much for the hard-core wake boarders or the testosterone and silicone crowd.

I'm kind of all over the place as far as brands and reputations go, but I got over buying something to impress others a long time ago. I buy what works for ME, not to impress someone that I don't know and certainly don't care for.

And the LAST thing that I am looking for in a boat is to impress some of the knuckleheads at the yacht club... ;) [:-tong2] [}}:-|>>]
 
BAB,

I have always imagined myself in a 34 to 36 foot Uniflite, many of them built to WWII standards to be used by the Navy. I love their lines, interior cabin design and plain on the water living layouts......a beautiful boat in all respects....maybe one day

DBH
 
^^^^^^^

I also admire the classic Uniflite's. I was fortunate enough to acquire an original Uniflite brochure for not only the retail consumer but also one with some military specs. It is in a large format a lot like a newspaper.

I would love to get my hands on a Salty Dog or a Salty Pup and I would be happy to spend some cash on a ground-up restoration.

Like you, I also admire the 34 Sportfish. It has an awesome design that gives you a great cockpit for fishing and a very comfortable cabin for cruising. The 34 doublecabin is an awesome cruiser and you still see quite a few of them in the Delta.

Chris Craft bought out Uniflite and continued to build a few of the larger models a few different ways. On some, they used the Uniflite hull but a new Chris Craft designed deck and cabin superstructure. On others, they simply started building them as Uniflite did but with the Chris Craft name.

Also, the very popular 48' Camargue with the cockpit is a direct splash of the original Uniflite boat. They also sold a few of the same boat w/o the cockpit, but they weren't anywhere near as popular as the 48'er. They were imported and sold by a guy named Jerry that had offices at Ballena Bay in Alameda and at Village West in the office next to Bob's. Unfortunately, he sold the same actual boat three times (to three different buyers) and it caught up with him. I wish I was a fly on the wall when the one buyer came aboard to see his new boat and he bumped right into one of the other buyers that said that he was the owner! Ooops!!!! Jerry kept one boat at the docks in Village West and used it to sell off of. He made a deal with the new "owner" to refrain from "moving aboard" for a short period of time while he used it to sell more. At one point, the pyramid crumbled and he was out of trust with the money for all three (on paper) boats. When the jig was up and the heat was on, Jerry took off for Hong Kong and hasn't been seen since.

As I peruse craigslist from time to time and come across an ad for a Uniflite, I'll always click on it just to check out the pics of it. I've seen some beauty's, and sadly, some that have been beat to crap.

And those clear blue flybridge venturi windscreens looked just perfect up there!

[:-king]
 
I pretty much wasted my time looking at seven FSBO late model boats over the weekend. And we're talking Cobalt's, Sea Ray's and Chaparral's, not cheap boats.

It's amazing that so many sellers don't know the definitions of words like, "excellent condition, bristol, garaged since new, turn-key, flawless, sweet", and the most over-used term, "10", really mean. All those words and more were used in the various ads. [:-boggled]

After asking the right questions over the phone and clarifying with the sellers that I am very particular, they all pretty much said that their boats would fit my requests.

Well, sellers lie. Most out of my sample, anyway.

Of course, they are sellers, and they want to sell something, and it (generally) doesn't cost them anything for me to drive to their boat, though two of the boats were located at storage facilities where the sellers had to drive there too.

When I started pointing out flaws with the boats (after being told the above words), some of the sellers got hot under the collar. And I am not talking minor issues. I found things like broken skegs on the lower units, SS props with jagged edges, upholstery seams splitting and sun-burned (in a boat that was "stored inside since new" but was kept alongside his house when I looked at it), heads that were "never used" but had mold and residue of bodily fluids in the bowl, keels that had been ground down to the glass mat, and the ultimate was that when the engine hatch was opened and I was expecting to see a 5.7 and actually found a 5.0, I told my better half let's go home, I'm done for the day!!! (his ad said V-8, but he told me 350 over the phone). [:-banghead]

And I'll save the pricing for another post after my blood pressure drops back to normal. [:-headache]

I am keeping the number of the seller of one of the boats though. It's a maybe.

I'm heading to the Sac boat show this weekend. We'll see...
 
I suspect most sellers are looking for a dummy to buy their boat and it pi$$es them off when you show up LOL
 
Well, I made it to the Sac show. It was nice smelling the fresh fiberglass, and it's great to have a boat show again (even though it was shared with the RV show), but as far as boat shows go, I'd rate it a six out of ten.

Sure, it was at Cal Expo, but only in one building. It was in the pavillion where they usually have the livestock judging for the State Fair, next to the race track.

Not a lot of boats per se, mostly a scattering of models from the various brands that the dealers carry. I priced a new Sea Ray 260 deck boat. It "listed" for $113K and the "boat show" price was $99K. Yeah, a hundred grand for a 26 (really a 24) foot boat!

Anyway, no boat deal for me yet.

The search continues...
 
B.A.B

You hit upon a question I have asked, without adequate answer, for years. Here in Fresno, you can buy a 4000sq ft home overlooking the river for around 500 to 600 thousand dollars, or the same not overlooking anything for 350,000. Shop for a new 40 to 50 foot yacht with maybe 800 sq ft of usable living space and you would pay the same or in any cases a great deal more. Yes you are on the water and it moves and has great scenery but the big house also comes with land you own and generally always appreciates unlike the boat. Just don't know why boats are so damn expensive

DBH
 
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