Advantages of Buying a Used Boat
While it might be tempting to purchase a boat that’s brand-new, it’s going to be an expensive endeavor. If you’re new to the world of boating, you may not be sure what you want and you may be on a tighter budget, which is where the idea of used boats becomes more appealing. There are a number of reasons why you might buy a used boat over a new model that are worth considering when you begin the shopping process.White’s Marine Center in Pittsburg is your Missouri used boat dealer. As such, we’ve created this quick guide to let you know some of the advantages of buying a used boat.
Saving Money
Boats, like many land vehicles, depreciate in value when they’re taken off the sales floor. “Depreciation” is a drop in value that is instantaneous and continuous, but evens out after the first year or so of ownership. This means that the folly of another buyer can be your saving grace: a gently-used boat will cost thousands of dollars less than a comparable new model without really looking or feeling “used.” People sell boats for all kinds of reasons and you can reap the benefits of their loss by saving the money that would have otherwise been lost to depreciation. Your insurance rates on a used boat will also be lower.
Free Add-Ons
When you start shopping for used boats, you’ll likely come across boats that have an assortment of after-market accessories that come with them, since the previous owner isn’t going to need those items any longer if they’re no longer going to boat. This won’t be the case for every used boat on the market, but you may be able to find a used boat that has its own trailer, life jackets, emergency supplies and other vital pieces of equipment that you won’t have to purchase yourself.
The previous owner may also have outfitted the boat with upgrades like plusher seats, rod holders, additional storage and other perks that you can benefit from. This means you won’t have to install any of this equipment yourself, saving you both time and money.
Access to More Choices
Another great reason to buy your first or next boat used? You’ll be spoiled for choice. Buying a new model means that you’re relegated to whatever has been released in the last year or so, which limits your choices severely. Used boats can be anywhere from a few months old to decades old, which means you’ve got far more options available to choose from.
Test the Waters
If you’ve never owned a boat before, then the prospect of such a large expense may be daunting. After all, you have no idea what you want in a boat if you haven’t tried one out. You’ll do yourself a favor by buying a used boat that you can try out for a season, then pay off more quickly before you trade it in for something more suitable, or you can just sell it back to the dealer if you decide that owning a boat isn’t for you.
As you can see, there are many benefits to purchasing a used boat over a new model. We hope this guide proves helpful to you in your quest. Ready to shop some models? Browse through our website to take a look at our full inventory of used boats for sale. We even provide financing options if you’d like to make use of them. White’s Marine Center proudly serves the greater Kansas City metro as well as the city of Springfield, MO.