| Those of you who have the money and plan to | | | | associated with new boats. The previous owner |
| keep one fishing boat forever, should buy it new. | | | | has also already hassled with the dealer to get |
| If you happen to be on a budget and skeptical | | | | the warranty service taken care of. |
| about owning a boat, you should buy it used. | | | | A used boat normally hasn't be used very much |
| Buying used is great for some, although it isn't | | | | at all. A boat will sit a majority of the time, which |
| always the most glamorous decision. The oceans | | | | is nothing like a used car. You can find many |
| and lakes are filled with boaters who are far | | | | boats with less than a couple hundreds hours of |
| wealthier than most. Many boaters go well beyond | | | | engine time. For the sake of comparison, look at |
| their means and finance their boats at extreme | | | | how many hours are on the engine of your car. |
| levels. | | | | A used boat will already have scratches and dings, |
| What really counts with a used boat is being out | | | | so you won't feel half as bad when you add a |
| there on the water. Someone who is out there | | | | few of your own. When you purchase your used |
| every weekend on his beat up boat is a great | | | | boat, you should leave at least a grand to outfit |
| boater. A businessman who only has time to ride | | | | the boat and make any necessary repairs. |
| on his 60 foot yacht once or twice a year isn't | | | | A used boat will normally come with dock lines, |
| considered a boater at all. | | | | life jackets, spare props, a radio, safety |
| If you look around the water, you'll se that the | | | | equipment, and other nice additions. New boat |
| little boats are the ones that move, while the big | | | | owners will have to pay hundreds of dollars for |
| boats are the ones that never move. Those that | | | | these kinds of things. |
| are too busy earning money and never have the | | | | The wild card is, of course, whether or not the |
| time to go boating shouldn't really have a boat at | | | | previous boat owner did the proper maintenance |
| all. | | | | of the boat. Prior to buying you should always get |
| New boats can lose half of their value in less than | | | | the boat surveyed to be sure that it's in |
| 2 years. With a used boat, the previous owner | | | | reasonable condition. This way, you'll know your |
| has already fixed the problems that are | | | | getting a great used boat. |