How to Purchase

Below are some handy resources to help you navigate the boat purchase and registration process.

  • How to Buy a Boat - Negotiating the Price

Chapter 7: Negotiating the Price

October 21, 2023|

This is the seventh of a 10-part series on how to buy a boat.   If you have not already seen it, check out Chapter 6 – How to Do a Sea Trial. Once you have found a boat that meets your needs and passes your inspection, the next step is to negotiate the price.  In order to increase the odds of a favorable outcome for you, the boat buyer, it is important to do some homework before you start talking figures. Assessing a Fair Value The most important thing you need to do to help you [...]

  • Chapter 6 - How to Do a Sea Trial

Chapter 6: How to Do a Sea Trial

September 19, 2023|

This is the sixth of a 10-part series on how to buy a boat.   If you have not already seen it, check out Chapter 4 – How to Evaluate a Used Boat. When shopping for a boat, taking a Sea Trial is an important step - especially if you are looking at a used boat.  This is because it will enable you to see how the engine performs under load, check that all mechanical and electrical systems are working properly, and see how the boat rides/handles.  It is also a good opportunity to learn how to [...]

Chapter 4: How to Evaluate a Used Boat

September 9, 2023|

This is the fourth of a 10-part series on how to buy a boat.   If you have not already seen it, check out Chapter 3 – Best Places to Shop for Boats. Once you have found an interesting boat listing or two, the first thing to do is contact the seller to get additional details and possibly arrange a time to check out the boat.  The goal at this stage is to learn more about the boat and the seller to help you decide whether it is worth your time to go see it. INITIAL QUESTIONS [...]

  • Chapter 3: Finding Boats for Sale

Best Places to Shop for Boats

July 25, 2023|

Chapter 3: Best Places to Shop for Boats This is the third of a 10-part series on how to buy a boat.   You can see Chapter 2 - Establishing a Budget here. Now that you have an idea of what type of boat to purchase and approximately how much you want to spend, the next step is to locate candidate boats for sale near you. However, the process is slightly different depending on whether you are wanting to buy a New or Used boat. New or Used? Approximately 3 out of 4 first time boat buyers start with a [...]

  • Chapter 2: How to Establish a Budget

How to Buy a Boat – Establishing a Budget

June 26, 2023|

Chapter 2: Establishing a Budget This is the second of a 10-part series on how to buy a boat.   You can see Chapter 1 - Identifying Needs here. Once you have decided on the type and approximate size of the boat you want, the next step is to establish a general budget to help guide your purchase.  After all, you don’t want to waste time chasing after boats that you cannot afford. If you intend to pay with cash, this step is fairly straight-forward.  You already know how much you have available and so the question becomes how much [...]

  • How to Buy a Boat - Identifying Needs

How to Buy a Boat – Identifying Needs

June 9, 2023|

This is the first of a 10-part series on how to buy a boat. Shopping for a boat can be a bit overwhelming – especially if you are a first time buyer or have not purchased a boat in a long time.  There are over a dozen boat types available and hundreds of brands to choose from.  You need to do a little homework first to avoid wasting countless hours searching every online classified listing or running from dealer to dealer. To help narrow the field and find the right boat for you and your family, you need to [...]

  • How to buy a used boat

How to buy a boat from a private seller

November 11, 2022|

The vast majority of Used boats purchased today are bought directly from a private party.  However, buying a boat from an individual instead of a dealer requires you to do a little more work and carries additional risks.  In this article, I outline the key steps to purchasing a used boat and provide suggestions for how to protect your interests along the way.  It is assumed that you have already found a used boat to potentially purchase.  However, if you are still trying to decide which type of boat to buy or where to find a boat online, be [...]

  • Runabout and Deck Boat Incentives at BoaterInput.com

How to Register a Boat

November 10, 2022|

You just bought a boat and are anxious to start using it.  But, before you can legally use it on public waterways, you likely need to register it with your state. What is a Boat Registration? Whereas a boat title designates who has legal ownership of a boat, the registration dictates whether the vessel can be legally docked, stored, moored and/or operated on public waters within that state. Nearly all motorized boats and even some non-motorized vessels are required to be registered. When you register your boat, you will need to pay a fee.  The amount typically varies based on [...]