Should I wait for the Toronto Boatshow?

[Jer_H]

Hi all,

 

I am in the market for a new boat, and am wondering if it would be worth waiting until next year for the boat show. Does the concentrated number of vendors result in competitive pricing, or would I be getting a better deal on a new '09 this time of year?

 

Any experiences you have had would be greatly appreciated.

 

(I'm presently looking at the Princecraft SS 172)

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Jeremy

[Grimace]

I think the best deals are in the fall when the in stock boats come off floor plan.

[Jer]

You might save a few bucks by waiting...but how much is being on the water this year worth to you?

[John]

In my humble opinion you get more of the dealers attention and stand a better chance of a deal come late summer or early fall. The downside is that inventories are lower than they are now and you may need to compromise.

 

Personally, I hate trying to compete with tire kickers at shows. They are a great place to take a look-see and narrow down your selection but I wouldn't buy during all of that hype....

 

Welcome aboard by the way.

 

I have a Pro 174SS that I bought new in 2008. Shoot me a PM and I will give you some insight into the dealers that I shopped.

[Stoty]

Dude...speaking from personal experience....I say DONT waste your time at the boat show.

I was in the same boat last year, and wow, the "deals" at the show.....were hardly that.

Maybe I hit a bad year, or the recession was at fault, or whatever, but the best a guy could do on a brand new bass boat for me was $500 off. He wouldn't even throw in life-jackets either.

 

I agree with Grimace, the best deals are in the fall when people/places dont want to bother wasting money on storing boats over the winter.

[Harrison]

I think the best deals are in the fall when the in stock boats come off floor plan.

 

Bingo!

 

As for the boat show, it is a great place to do research. And sometimes a good deal could be made on a boat like you are looking for becasue there are a few of them around at different dealers. Certain boats(i.e. bass boats) have somewhat limited inventory with alot less dealers representing them.

[Banger68]

I got several quotes at the boat show. Then I went around to the dealers and they all beat that quote when they know I was also looking elsewhere.

 

There are a couple incentives from Mercury and Minn Kota that I got for my boat. You tend not to get these in the fall as much.

 

I was fairly picky about what I wanted (options, colours, ect) so I bought in the spring. If your not so picky might be able to swing a deal in the fall leftovers.

 

A few other thing to watch out for too. Interest rates will be going up this summer if you are getting a loan and there is a chance the US dollar going to start comimg back. That will drive up the price of anything that has to be ordered.

Edited April 13, 2010 by Banger68

[Grimace]

Good points Banger

Edited April 13, 2010 by Grimace

[fish_fishburn]

I would shop around for one that is 2 or 3 yrs old and lightly used. You could save a fair chunk of change rather than buying new.

[Jer_H]

Thanks for all of the excellent information. I've heard from several sources interest rates are on the way up. I've considered buying used, but the boat I want is so specific that either I'm not looking in the right places, or there isn't any available in the used market.

 

Either way, once I make a decision on the 2-stroke vs 4-stroke dilemma I'm hoping to make a purchase!!

 

Jeremy

[Banger68]

Sounds like you are going through the exact process I just went through. The one thing I found odd about the Pricecraft was the lack of proper rod storage.

 

I decided on 2 stroke, but it took me awhile to decide.

[Roy]

Sounds like you are going through the exact process I just went through. The one thing I found odd about the Pricecraft was the lack of proper rod storage.

 

I decided on 2 stroke, but it took me awhile to decide.

 

That model has 7' rod storage.

[Banger68]

That model has 7' rod storage.

 

There is a 7' compartment, but nothing to hold the rods.