Conference vicki::boats

Steve,

First, anything... and everything is negotiable!!

I don't believe that a NADA-like book is available for the boating industry
that lists the dealer's cost. So, you need to work the best deal you can. 
Definitely shop around and compare.  It may be difficult to find dealers
relatively close to each other that care the same line of boats.  (BTW...I
think Green's Marine in Hooksett, NH carries Larson). 

Once you find comparable boats, play one dealer off the other.  Items 
such as extra gas cans, life jackets, anchors, fire extinguishers, line, and 
even extended warranties can and should be considered as "throw-ins" to 
sweeten the deal.

Good luck!

    re: .2
    
    Actually, there is something similar to a NADA "blue-book" - although I
    don't know who publishes it. When I was trying to put together a deal
    on a new boat this late spring, each dealer pulled out the same
    color/size book, and used it to determine what a particular used hull and
    outboard motor were worth.
    
    /dave

	Yes, note 387 has some info about the "Blue Book" for used
boats, although I wouldn't think that it would help much for new boat
buying.

	Is there an "Edmunds" for new boats? One that lists MSRP, Dealer
cost, and such? I've never seen one, although that doesn't prove much.
Have you tried sources like the better bookstores?

	I can say one thing... The amount of markup in a boat is at least
as much as a car, if not much more. As for buying now or December... The
boat buying season is over already, and has been since August. You'd
be saving the dealer storage and likely winterizing by buying now...

good luck,

Rick

ps. Is that a 4 cyl Larson? Is a V6 available?

    re: .4  Ooops!
    
    Of course - you're right (forgot this was a new/first boat thing).
    

    I bought a new 20' Searay about this time last year.  What I found is
    that you need to locate a dealer who has an 'excess' stock of last
    years ('95) model.  Most dealers had already cleared out their old
    inventory and were only willing to quote us list price for new boats
    that they would be ordering.  If you can find some dealers with '95
    stock, they will be more willing to mark down the price.  Of course, if
    you can find a '95 in Feb or March it will be even cheaper, but they are
    much harder to find then.
    
    If you have picked out a particular boat or 2, call the manufacturer
    and get a list of all their dealers in the general area.  Then call
    them all and see who has what for leftovers.
    
    We did that and ended up buying the boat in Springfield Mass.  That's
    a good 2hrs away from where we live in NH, but it was worth it.  We
    saved $3500 over the 2nd best quote we got for that boat.
    
    Good luck,
    Mark
      

    You will probably find that even in the middle of the summer you can
    work 15% off of retail for a clean sale (ie no trade).
    
    Some manufacturers have programs that give dealers more incentives
    to sell in the fall. Four Winns will give its best discounts in fall,
    with the discounts tapering off in the spring. I was told of some fall
    discounts (last fall) that were over 25% off on Four Winns. So right
    now, 20-25% off of retail should be do-able until at least Jan 1 or so.
    
    Scott
    
    

    
    Im not sure how you do things over there but over here the dealers are
    responsible for doing the fitout. 
    
    soooo one dealer uses top of the line fittings and the boat is
    naturally more expensive. another dealer uses cheap and nasty fittings 
    which look great for a while but fall apart later.
    sometimes a bargain isnt a bargain.
    
    tks 
    the other reg
    
    

    This is a seller's market right now and bargain hunting is NOT !
    
    If you wish to have the "best" deal possible, go to the dealer closest
    to where you intend to boat.  Relationships in the "boating" game make
    the difference over the long run.  The best you can do right now is
    probably HALF TIDE MARINA, Mashpee, Mass; 508-477-2681; ask for Bob
    Scozzari or Dick Howard.  They will treat you right and stand by the
    boat they sell.  You could probably negotiate a price on a slip for
    next season as well.
    
    Good boating,
    
    Stan

>                     <<< Note 1242.9 by SHRCTR::SGRODIN >>>
>                             -< Half Tide Marina >-
>
>    This is a seller's market right now and bargain hunting is NOT !
>    
 

	It is? What signs have you seen to indicate this? Does stable,
somewhat reasonable interest rates automatically suggest a "seller's
market"? 

thanks,

Rick

    re: .9
    
    I'd be interested in how you came to the "seller's market" conclusion,
    as I'm still seeing 10-20% discounted MSRP's locally...
    
    

    Fall season is usually good for buyers. Lots of used stuff on the
    market because owners don't want to store/winterize that boat they
    only used a few times for another year.