Boat show shopping

Welcome to the heart of the boat-show season. In January and February, dozens of domestic and international shows — about half of all events listed by DiscoverBoating — dot the calendar. Chances are, there’s a venue near you, and chances are, even if you’ve got a boat now, you’ll still go to shop.

Whatever your current boat-ownership status, we thought we’d take time to create a questionnaire for boat shoppers. How you answer these questions should steer you toward making the right choices. Below the list are some useful links for anyone hoping there’s a bright, new piece of fun fiberglass in his or her future.

First, let’s look at overall questions you might want to ask yourself to help you decide what kind of fishing boat to buy:

1. What kind of fishing do I want to do MOST of the time? Be realistic!

2. What are the usual water and weather conditions associated with that fishing? (This will help you determine the size and type of hull.)

3. What’s the depth of water in which I’ll be fishing most of the time?

4. If I truly want to fish offshore, how far will I normally run to get to the fishing? (This will help determine what kind of fuel capacity you’ll need.)

5. In colder regions and where foul weather is common, one of the main questions is: Does the boat offer protection from the elements?

6. If I fish in shallow water, will I often visit flats that are a foot or less deep, and/or will I ever need to pole my boat? Also, will I frequently negotiate open expanses of water to get from one shallow zone to another?

7. Do I want to fish in tournaments? If so, will I fish tournaments seriously, for money, or just for fun? Is run time to the hot spots key to success in those tournaments?

8. Do I want to be able to trailer my boat to different locations?

9. Which family members and friends are most likely to fish or boat with me, and what are their ages?

10. Besides fishing, what other uses will I have for this boat? Cruising? Overnighting? Picnicking? Swimming? Wakeboarding/water skiing/tubing? Hunting?

Next, let’s consider how well the boat is outfitted for fishing:

1. How many livewells does it have, how big are they and where are they located?

2. Does the boat have a release well should I need it?

3. How many rod holders does it have and is there space to add more?

4. Is there adequate storage for a cast net, assorted tackle and necessary safety gear, food and supplies?

5. Is there adequate deck space from which to throw a cast net?

6. Is the boat big enough to comfortably fish the anglers I would normally plan to take? And, is the space well laid out for multiple anglers?

7. Does the boat have a large enough anchor locker for the necessary chain and rode where I’ll anchor to fish?

8. Does the boat have deck space at the bow for a trolling motor? Does the boat come pre-wired for a trolling motor?

9. Is there adequate cockpit space for fish fighting?

10. Can I pass a rod easily around the engine(s)?

11. Are there any amenities for keeping/prepping baits?

12. Does the boat come with outriggers or mounts for outriggers?

13. Is there room for a downrigger and/or an outlet to plug in an electric rigger or reels?

14. Does the boat feature a seaworthy transom design; in other words, what’s going to happen if I have to back down in heavy seas?

15. Is the gunwale height high enough for comfortable stand-up fishing without being too high for shorter anglers to pump-and-wind?

And finally, here are a few questions about boat details that you might want to consider:

1. Is the console big enough for the electronics and gauges I want?

2. What about visibility over the console? How unobstructed is the view for me and perhaps for other helmsmen/women of different sizes?

3. If my boat will host family members and children, does it provide adequate safety for youngsters? In other words, are the gunwales high enough? Does the boat feature a broad enough beam for stability in all seas?

4. Do I need a cabin or other area for family members to retreat from the elements?

5. Do I want entertainment aboard? (TV, DVD, stereo, etc.)

6. How many cup holders has the vessel? Are they convenient to where guests sit?

7. Does the boat have ample seating?

8. Does it have any kind of platform or dining table?

9. If this is a family boat, does it have an optional head? Fresh-water shower?

10. And finally, is the boat comfortable, and do you feel safe riding in it at top speed?

That last question should lead you to sea-trial any boat that has met your parameters and is affordable for you and your family. Here are some links to sources that can help you further narrow down your choices.

2013 Fishing-Boat Preview

2012 Fishing-Boat Preview

Better Boating Tips for Better Buying

Make it Yours: 25 Steps to Buying and Equipping Your Ultimate Fishing Boat

BoatU.S. Guide to Buying and Selling a Boat

Buying a Used Boat

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In this expanded Better Boating column, we’ve teamed up to offer some timely ideas and suggestions to readers who have an interest in sealing the deal on a new boat/power. — Eds.

Seal the Deal

Simple Steps to Improve the Boat-Buying Experience

Most industry experts agree that the best time of year for consumers to buy boats is “whenever they’re ready.” But those who learn a little more about the boat-buying process can reap financial rewards and better enjoy the experience.

“The first thing you need to do, if you haven’t decided, is to determine if you want a new or used boat,” says Keith Ammons, Discover Boating’s expert on all things nautical, nicknamed “The Boating Guy.” “Typically, what I say is that if you’re new to boating, buy new. If you’re an old salt, you can look into the used category.”

New boats, like new cars, depreciate quickly on the front end. The average boater usually upgrades every six years. By the time new boaters have owned their prized possessions that long, they know more specifically what they like, and they’ll have endured the initial depreciation drop.

Attending Boat Shows

If you want to buy new, the second question becomes “When should I buy?” Ammons says. September through February comprises the boat-show season, and Ammons confirmed that deals can be had at shows.

Here’s his reasoning:

• • All the current-model-year vessels are phasing out, and manufacturers may be offering incentives to dealers that they can pass on to consumers.
• • Manufacturers want to find out how many new models they’ll need to build; they gauge that at both fall boat shows and winter boat shows.
• • Manufacturers want to know which options buyers prefer on new-model-year boats, and they want to get a few of those early hulls in consumers’ hands (ditto on the incentive possibilities here).
• • Many dealers may be represented at one given show, allowing buyers to shop deals.

(To find a list of boat shows, consult BoatUS or NMMA.)

If you do plan to buy at a show, go in prepared to close the deal, Ammons says. Some buyers opt to attend multiple shows for initial research, but many now spend time online at resources such as Discover Boating and Grow Boating for boat-buying basics.

Narrow your choices to three or four boats, and know how much you want to spend. Account for storage, insurance and operating costs, and shop financing options. Finally, sea-trial your top two choices either at the show or through a dealer before you go.

Local Boat Buying Options

If boat shows don’t fit your buying schedule, you may choose to shop dealers in your region. Be aware, however, that this process will not resemble your last car-buying experience. Buying a vessel and buying a car can differ vastly. Ammons and Terry Leitz, director of the Marine Industry Dealership Certification Program for Grow Boating, point out several key distinctions:

• Profit margins are smaller on boat purchases, so buyers shouldn’t expect big discounts.
• • Even the largest manufacturers make perhaps 1,000 boats a year.
• • Boat dealers don’t set up shop next to each other in any kind of “dealership row” like car salesmen.
• • Some boat manufacturers allow any dealer to provide warranty coverage to any buyer (as most car manufacturers do); however, some boatbuilders require buyers to return to the selling dealer for warranty service.

“One thing I’d want to know as a consumer is how long the dealer has been in business,” Leitz says. “That’s not to say there aren’t very good new dealers, but I’d want to know.”

How long a dealer has sold a particular boat line may also be a valuable piece of the puzzle. “Obviously, the longer the dealer has been involved with that brand, the more knowledgeable he’ll be and the better relationship he’ll have (with the manufacturer),” he says.

As you talk with a dealer, find out how he will support you and your boat. If you live in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and want to buy from a dealer in Miami, will you be able to go to a Lauderdale dealer for warranty work? If you dock at a local marina, does your dealer have access to that marina to provide service?

“This is like any other decision,” Leitz says. “You have to decide if you’re comfortable with the level of support that’s offered.”

Meeting Boatbuilding Industry Standards

Consumers may also investigate whether the dealers in their region have qualified for Marine Industry Dealership Certification. Over the past two years, Grow Boating has operated this voluntary program as a way to improve customer satisfaction. The organization has certified about 440 dealers so far, out of an estimated 4,000 nationwide.

Dealers who wish to become certified pay for and attend an all-day workshop that covers seven major areas, including customer relations as well as employee and facility requirements. Dealers must also document sales and service procedures and include mandatory customer follow-up.

After the workshop, Grow Boating’s third-party contractor visits the dealership to verify that it meets the certification criteria. Dealers must provide quarterly documentation and become recertified annually, though that process does not currently require a site visit.

Certified dealers must also post the organization’s consumer bill of rights in a visible location. “We can’t guarantee a perfect experience, but we’re going to have a repeatable experience for the consumer,” Leitz says. “If something goes awry, there’s a system in place to address consumer concerns.”

Industry customer-satisfaction reports support the certification process. “Consumers report increased satisfaction with their dealers that are certified versus noncertified,” he says. “Not only do they have a better experience at the dealership, they have higher satisfaction with the product, be it boat or engine.”

Finally, Leitz says, look for a dealer who wants to know more about your boating habits and is willing to find a boat to fit your needs rather than fit you to a boat on the show floor. “You’re building a relationship,” he says. “The question is: Do you want a short-term one or a long-term one?”

— By Chris Woodward

Financing: It May Feel Different Than Before

Fear not! You can still readily find financing to support your purchase of a new or used boat. But the process has changed somewhat. For example, some former marine lenders like Wachovia, Key Bank, Regions and Citizens National have stopped marine financing. But most still look forward to underwriting your new baby. With that said, these lenders now look askance at using your home-equity credit line to fund the down payment on your boat. In today’s global financial climate, all parties have become much more cautious and conservative.

According to Bob Allen, who manages Trident Funding in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the simple facts are these: “If you plan to borrow less than $100,000, expect to get it for 10 or 15 years instead of 20. And the less money you want, the higher the interest rate you’ll pay.” Allen confides that borrowing more than $100,000 garners you both the best rates and best terms. “Other considerations,” Allen continues, “include pretty much an across-the-board requirement for a 20 percent down payment. Don’t expect any 10 to 15 percent-down deals anymore. Plus, most lenders now require a marine survey on used boats more than two years old.” Allen says that some things haven’t changed, however. For example, lenders regularly include the sales tax in the total loan amount, then provide 80 percent of that total. And of course, everyone demands proof of insurance at the closing. At press time, rates ranged from 6.99 to 7.25 percent. “Interestingly, rates didn’t go down when the prime went down in the fall,” says Allen, noting how many consumers were “miffed” at that fact.

“In addition, lenders have gotten just slightly tighter on credit scores: Where 660 used to be fine, most companies now prefer 680 to 700. Another recent change is that most lenders now require two years of tax returns when they didn’t ask for any before,” Allen adds.

By the way, tightening of credit also resulted in dealers being more careful about trades. Don’t plan on getting financing on a boat older than vintage 1978.

Allen and others agree that if you want to buy a boat, there’s still plenty of money around. In fact, though people are quieter about it, there are still lots of boats being bought and sold — even today.

— By Dean Travis Clarke

Repowering: Alternatives Abound

Everyone agrees that fiberglass boats just don’t go away. With proper care, they can virtually last forever. So the reasons for buying a new boat and selling the old stems more from our personal desires for something different, something bigger or smaller or … just different. But as you’ve heard constantly in the media, we live in troubled economic times. Much about our boat buying has changed, from financing to what we can afford in good conscience.

So even though the time may be ripe for getting a better deal on a new boat than at any time in history, perhaps your circumstances dictate that you should hold onto old tried-and-true for a while longer. But have you thought about spiffing it up a bit? A new paint job? More advanced electronics systems? Or how about removing those old power plants that don’t have the benefit of the latest engineering and technology and replace them with more fuel efficient, cleaner and quieter propulsion?

Obviously, if you have outboard power, you can trade your two 150s for a single 300 or the like. Check with your dealer or manufacturer to see what’s recommended. Changing out outboards is easy. Swapping your old gas-guzzling gas inboards for newer ones or for diesel power — now that’s more involved. The best way to research this is to contact your nearest diesel distributor and ask if they’ve made such changes on any other boats. You’ll likely need to adapt your engine mounts, gear box, wiring harnesses, fuel tanks and possibly the exhaust. In some instances, this may be a relatively simple switch. In others, you may decide it’s quicker and easier to buy a new boat. The manufacturer and engine distributor can be most helpful.

— Dean Travis Clarke

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Boat Improvement

You probably know someone with a crazy obsession. Maybe it’s a neighbor who hoards old newspapers. Or your brother-in-law who is hooked on fantasy football. Or your aging Aunt Ida who decorates each room with dolls – their menacing eyes tracking you, even while you sleep.

Or perhaps, like many anglers, you have a crazy obsession of your own. I know I do. To paraphrase Forrest Gump, it’s my boat.

I’m preoccupied with ways to improve it, almost constantly implementing upgrades. For example, in the last six months alone, I have completely re-wired the battery system, installed an AIS receiver, networked the radar with a heading sensor, refinished the non-skid sole in the aft cockpit, installed a footrest at the helm, and bought a bigger anchor. The list goes on, including routine maintenance such as changing the engine oil and gear lube, replacing filters, oiling the teak, and fixing scratches in the gelcoat.

Even as I write, I’m contemplating new projects.

Fact is, I spend more time working on the boat than I do fishing aboard it — at least four hours of boat work to one hour of fishing. However, lest you think I’m building something akin to a Winchester House afloat, I don’t believe I’m all that different than most serious boating anglers.

OK, maybe I’m a bit more obsessive, but the best captains I know take a huge amount of pride in their boats. And it’s not just about looking good or boasting about the latest high-tech gadgets. It’s about catching fish.

The way I look at it, once you’re out fishing, your boat is an island. And you want everything possible on your island to help you catch fish, whether it’s the latest in broadband sonar or a slick new rack for organizing leader material. Plus, the last thing you need is a busted part like a dead battery, worn-out livewell pump or a leak in your hydraulic steering interferring with your precious fishing time or, worse yet, creating a safety issue.

That’s why I’m obsessive about boat improvement. It’s an investment in future fishing, my way of helping ensure that every minute spent on the water is as productive as possible for me and my crew. If that makes me sound as crazy as Aunt Ida, all I can say is that my boat doesn’t stare back.

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I have four favorite locks – two for the trailer and two for the boat itself.

**** This lock is designed to secure your trailer when you’re not towing it, clamping around the coupler to prevent thieves from hitching up and towing the trailer and boat away. I really like the bright yellow finish – a warning to thieves that it’s going take a lot time to hack away at the lock if they attempt to hijack this trailer boat, and even then they might fail. The Reese Universal Coupler Lock retails for $24.98 at lowes.com.

**** Add this wheel immobilizer to a coupler lock, and would-be thieves will definitely think twice before trying to steal your trailer boat. You’ll need spoke wheels for this lock to work on your trailer. Once attached, its bright color is a warning flag that this heist might take more time than a thief is willing to risk. The Bull Locks Jaws Wheel Clamp retails for $67.99 at cruisercustomizing.com.

**** Steering wheel locks work well on cars. So why not on boats? This lock prevents the wheel from spinning, so a thief can’t even think about driving your boat away until he can defeat this bright yellow steel bar. That’s just too much hassle and time for most crooks. The Club Twin Hooks Steering Wheel Lock retails for $24.95 at amazon.com.

Perko Locking Battery Selector Switch Without battery power, a would-be thief can’t start the motor and steal your boat. That’s what the Perko Locking Battery Selector Switch is all about. When you leave, turn the switch to the “off” and remove the key. This will thwart any attempts at theft, even if a crook hot-wires the ignition. The Perko Locking Battery Selector Switch retails for 49.44 at westmarine.com.

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Miami Boat Show

The National Marine Manufacturers Association announced today that new-powerboat sales increased an estimated 10 percent in 2012. The organization also stated that additional increases this year could amount to 5 to 10 percent. Growth will depend on continued improvement in consumer confidence and in the housing market.

The NMMA reports that this is the first year since the beginning of the recession that the industry has seen healthy growth across the powerboat market. However, smaller boats — under 27 feet — are leading the charge. The organization also attributes this resurgence to a trend toward more Americans participating in outdoor activities.

On both accounts, I’m elated. Boating and fishing create lifetime memories and offer participants hours of stress relief from long, hectic days at a desk. More adults seeking outdoor recreation also translates to more children enjoying the water too. And that’s hopeful news for the future.

The NMMA’s announcement comes on the eve of this week’s New York Boat Show and just six weeks from the opening of the Miami International Boat Show. If you’re one of those potential boat buyers who has been waiting for better economic news, perhaps the time has come. If you want to start daydreaming, check out our 2012 Miami show coverage and some tips for improving the buying experience.

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Trailer Talk: If you plan to tow your boat, your dealer can set you up with a new boat trailer, but make sure it will suit your style of boating. For example, since you’re a saltwater angler, your trailer will get dunked in the brine, so avoid a painted steel trailer that will rust away in three years or less. Insist on an aluminum or galvanized steel trailer. These hold up much better in salt water.

If you plan to use fairly shallow launch ramps, an all-roller trailer might be a good choice, especially for large boats that need to be winched onto the trailer. On launch ramps that are fairly steep, bunk trailers work just fine. Finally, make sure the trailer fits the boat well and is rated to carry the gross weight of the boat, fuel, water and gear, as well as the weight of the trailer itself. You will usually find the capacity plate on the trailer tongue.

Tab Please: If a dealer tells you that a particular boat does not need trim tabs, don’t take his word for it. Just about any hull can benefit from a set of trim tabs. They allow you to adjust the running attitude, correct for a list while making way, reduce your planing speed, control porpoising and jump on plane quicker. About the only exceptions might be catamaran hulls that don’t really have areas on the sponsons to mount tabs and stepped hulls, which are designed to ride up on a cushion of aerated water, somewhat negating the benefits of tabs. With any other type of power boat, insist on a set of trim tabs.

Play it Safe: Your dealer may offer to throw in the basic safety gear – life jackets, throw cushion, signal flares and fire extinguisher – as part of the deal. But there are other important safety items to consider. For example, an EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon) is an excellent addition if you plan to fish offshore. When activated, these devices will broadcast an emergency signal to first responders such as the Coast Guard, alerting them to trouble and leading them to the EPIRB location. A PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) can do the same, but it is meant to be registered to and carried by an individual rather than a vessel. Also, PLBs must be activated manually. Other safety gear to ask about includes an automatically inflatable life-raft pack and a waterproof handheld VHF radio in case your main VHF fails.

Air it Out: In southern climes, an air-conditioning system can be a godsend, allowing you to beat stifling heat and humidity, particularly if you plan to overnight on the boat during the height of summer. Air conditioning is offered as an option on most new cabin boats of 30 feet or more, so ask your dealer about this. Also, make sure it’s of sufficient capacity to handle all of the cabin space in your new boat. Finally, keep in mind that air conditioning also requires support systems, including a shore-power system to provide AC electrical power and a generator, if you plan to use the air conditioning while away from the dock.

Water on the Brain: Most big boats have on-demand freshwater systems for the galley, head and transom shower as standard equipment. Freshwater systems are also offered as options on boats less than 30 feet in length, and they come in handy for washing up after cleaning fish or before meals. So don’t hesitate to ask your dealer if such a system is available. And while you’re at it, look for the raw-water washdown system – a must have item on virtually all saltwater fishing boats.

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