A Guide for Buying a New Boat

Buying a new boat can be a daunting task. Not only are there dozens of different boat types, but there are several major brands as well, each trying to outdo the others by releasing multiple new models that boast the latest technology every year. It is very easy to become overwhelmed or confused, especially for an inexperienced boater. That is why the experts at White’s Marine Center have created this guide to purchasing a new boat.

Purpose

The first thing that you should do is identify the main purpose for which you will use the boat. Some boat types are simply better for certain activities than others, and in many cases brands will add features to a model to help it better fit a particular purpose. Knowing what kinds of activities you will be using the boat for can narrow down your choices by quite a lot and make things much easier.

Boats are used for many purposes, but the three most popular boating activities are watersports, fishing, and cruising. If you are a watersports enthusiast, you should check out jet boats, wakeboard boats, ski boats, and personal watercraft. If you prefer to use your boat for fishing, look up center console boats, flatboats, and bass boats. For cruising, pontoon boats, deck boats, express riders, motor yachts, and bowriders can all offer you a fast and smooth sailing experience.

Brand

There are several brands on the market, with subtle differences between each. Which one is best for you will be determined by your individual needs, so do careful research on the pros and cons of a brand that interests you. One piece of advice that we can give confidently is to be careful when purchasing from less well known or popular brands. The less popular a model, the less spare parts are produced for it, potentially making maintenance harder and more expensive.

Budget

A boat is a major purchase, and it is very important that you make a budget and stick to it. You should also remember to factor in extra costs like insurance, safety gear, and future maintenance in the budget. If you only consider the price of the vehicle itself, you can easily end up spending more than you meant to spend.

Go for a Test Drive

You should always take a boat you are interested in purchasing for a test drive if possible. A test drive will help you get a feel for how well the vehicle can meet your expectations and match your interests. It also gives you a better idea of how it feels to operate the craft. If you take the test drive and decide you don’t like how the craft handles, you can always just go back to searching.

We here at White’s Marine Center wish you luck in finding the perfect new boat for you. To view our selection of new boat models or to get help finding a model that suits your needs, visit our dealership in Pittsburg, Missouri. We are proud to serve the western Missouri area, including communities like Springfield, Missouri and Kansas City, Missouri.