It’s no secret that fishing opportunities in the Great Lakes region are almost endless. Bass, walleye, trout, salmon, panfish, musky, you name it, the Great Lakes region has something for everyone bitten by the sport fishing bug. The vast majority of these fishing opportunities require using a boat to access the best bites. So, sooner or later, an avid fisherman finds themselves in the boat buying market.
Fishing boats these days represent a sizable investment. Before laying down cold hard cash, it’s wise to do some research.
Research First
This might sound overly simplistic, but before showing up at a marine dealer or boat show, it’s wise for potential boat buyers to do some homework. Researching what brands and models of boats are out there to choose from is time well spent. It’s also useful to identify which brands are sold by which dealers.
Check out the advertisers in these pages and online reviews to see what others are saying about those boat brands and pay particular attention to the reviews aimed at the dealers themselves. When buying a boat, everyone wants a good price, but it’s just as important to find a marine dealer you can depend on down the road.
When a check is written for that new or used boat, the spending is just beginning. Boats also need routine maintenance, parts and service down the road. If a boat is purchased from a dealer whose service department is sketchy, needless frustrations are likely for years to come.
It’s good to have a general knowledge of what boat, motor and trailer packages are selling for, but take package prices with a grain of salt. The problem with pricing is dealers play games with how a boat is equipped, which in turn influences the bottom line accordingly. Since it’s often difficult or impossible to compare apples to apples in the boat business, it’s wise to have an understanding of what the individual pieces of the puzzle sell for.
Warranty Information
While doing research, dive deep into the warranty packages provided by the respective boat, outboard motor and trailer companies. Warranties vary greatly among the different marine brands. This is especially true among boat brands. A good warranty should not only offer extended protection on the boat hull but should include coverage on other key parts of the boat, including the electrical systems, pumps, carpet or vinyl flooring and furniture.
Check out the fine print and it becomes quickly obvious that most boat warranties are based on a sliding scale. In other words, the longer an individual owns a boat, the less coverage the warranty provides. Just because a brand has a national footprint doesn’t mean they offer the best warranty coverage. It pays to research warranty information carefully and thoroughly.
Also, dig deep enough to confirm if the boat warranty is transferrable to a second owner. Should selling the boat down the road be necessary, a transferrable warranty (even if it’s only a partial warranty) will go a long way toward making the resale process a smooth transition.
Pre-Financing
Unless cash is available and the plan is to purchase the boat outright, take some time and visit with a trusted lending institution. Figuring out a budget long before stepping onto the floor of a marine dealer or boat show is time well spent. Getting pre-approved in a boat deal gives the purchaser peace of mind and also the power to negotiate the best deal possible.
While dealers tend to push their customers towards the lending institutions they do business with, it’s important to understand that the boat buyer is under no obligation to use the dealer’s financing options. By doing some financing research, it’s possible to locate a better interest rate that can save thousands of interest dollars over the life of the loan.
As with any loan situation, the better your credit rating, the lower the interest rate will be. If credit score is an issue, consider putting down a substantial cash down payment to offset the higher interest rate associated with poor credit scores. Obviously, the smaller the amount that is financed, the less money the boat deal will ultimately end up costing.
Package Pricing
These days, it’s common for boat dealers to offer package prices that include the boat, outboard motor, trailer, electric motor and usually some sonar and GPS mapping equipment. Here’s where things get sticky because dealers tend to put the least expensive accessories and equipment on a boat to keep the sticker price down.
The last thing anyone wants to own is a boat that is underpowered or one that has an inadequate electric motor or entry-level sonar. It’s far better to pick the boat, motor, trailer and accessories that suit your budget and fishing needs than finance the whole package in one purchase price. Buying the boat in one place and the accessories in another creates issues unless you’re a qualified boat rigger who has the skill set and desire to mount these accessories yourself.
Trade-Ins
Most boat dealers will take a boat in on trade for a new or upgraded model. The problem is dealers are going to offer wholesale numbers for that trade, then turn around and sell that boat for retail value. It’s almost always a better deal to sell a used boat outright and, in turn, use that cash as a down payment on a new or upgraded model.
Compromises
Like it or not, every fishing boat is a compromise of sorts. There is no such thing as a fishing boat that does everything well. Because a bass boat isn’t ideally suited for Great Lakes trolling and a Great Lakes boat isn’t going to handle shallow water like a bass boat, it’s important to have realistic goals when it comes to choosing a fishing boat.
It’s wise to pick a boat based on the kinds of fishing an angler is most likely to do. The most common fishing boats fall into one of several categories, including bass boats, crappie boats, multi-species V-hulls, Great Lakes/Blue Water boats, Heavy Gauge Aluminum boats and Flats boats.
Bass boats are designed specifically for bass fishing, and most of these boats are configured for two anglers. In some situations, bass boats can make good panfishing boats and they are also useful for jigging applications for other species like walleye.
Crappie boats are normally aluminum Mod-V hull designs that resemble bass boats, but with some key differences. Normally, crappie boats are set up to fish out of both the front of the boat for pushing presentations and the back of the boat for pulling presentations.
Multi-Species V-Hulls are available in both fiberglass and aluminum models. Sometimes these boats are called “hybrids” because they are useful for both open water trolling presentations and rod-in-hand casting or jigging presentations.
Great Lakes and Blue Water boat models are typically larger V-Hulls made from fiberglass. These boats are large enough and heavy enough to be ideally suited for offshore trolling and drifting applications.
Heavy Gauge Aluminum boats are aluminum hulls built from thicker sheets of aluminum compared to traditional aluminum boats. Normally, a traditional aluminum hull is going to feature .100 or .125 thickness hull material. A heavy gauge boat will feature a hull of around .160 thickness. Most of these heavy gauge hulls are built with a strong West Coast influence, including console forward or cabin style designs.
Flats boats are fiberglass models designed for running skinny water and are primarily sold in coastal areas. A flat’s boat can, however, be useful for other fisheries, especially near-shore Great Lakes waters, rivers and inland lakes.
As a fisherman, boat owners end up picking one of these commonly available boat types with the knowledge each favors a certain kind of fishing.
Used Boats
Boats these days are built better than ever before. It’s common to find used boats that have lots of life left in them. Buying a good quality used boat can save an angler thousands of dollars compared to a new boat, but used boats also come with their own list of issues.
The only way to tell for sure if a used boat is in good condition is to have a qualified mechanic look over the boat carefully to inspect the hull, engines and accessories to be sure they are in good shape, functioning properly, the maintenance schedule has been kept up to date and accessories have been rigged to manufacturer standards.
If someone is trying to sell a used boat and won’t allow for this inspection, it’s best to avoid buying that particular boat regardless of how attractive the price might be. Boat repairs can get expensive in a hurry and it’s best to avoid buying someone else’s problem.
If a boat checks out mechanically and the price is right, the option of re-powering the boat, adding new electronics and an electric motor can offer the boat buyer a functional fishing boat at an overall cost that is much less than a new fishing rig.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the process of buying a fishing boat can be complicated and expensive. It’s best to take some time, do the research and find a trustworthy dealer or individual to do business with. Rushing into a boat deal can only end in frustration and money poorly spent. Remember, a fishing boat is much like an automobile. The moment you roll it off the showroom, it starts to depreciate in value. Taking your time and making a smart purchase that suits your style of fishing will save you a lot of money and frustration in the long run. More importantly, making an informed decision on a fishing boat can lead to years of fun and relaxation. That’s what fishing is supposed to be all about.
