Buying the Right Used Boat

There’s nothing like cruising or sailing around in your very own boat, but getting one can be expensive. One of the best ways to stretch your budget is to buy pre-owned, so we here at Roger’s Performance Marine have put together some tips for buying the right used boat to help you rest easy with your purchase decision. To learn more, or to see the used boats we have for sale, contact our stores in Centerville and Hurricane, Utah, today!

Budget

Even when buying a pre-owned boat, it’s unlikely anyone’s going to have enough money sitting around to pay the entire sticker price. We recommend you budget around financing, which means paying between 10 and 20% of the sticker price up front, then paying off the rest in monthly installments with interest. Check your finances to see how much you need to save before you can safely make that down payment, then to see how much you can afford to pay monthly before you start your boat hunt.

Research

Used boats are great because they tend to have been on the market for a while, meaning there’s plenty of information about them from independent reviewers and customers. Do some research on the type of boat you want and what brands and models in that category have the best reviews online. Take information from the internet with a grain of salt, but pay attention to any consistent trends.

Ask Questions

Once you’ve found a boat listing you’re interested in, ask the seller any and every question you can think of. Learn about the boat’s maintenance history and number of previous owners to see how well the boat’s been cared for and if it’s changed hands a suspicious number of times. Also check to see if any parts or systems have been replaced and when the next recommended service date is.

Inspection & Test Drive

If you’re satisfied with the answers to your questions, take a look at the boat’s exterior and interior to check for any obvious warning signs. You’re looking for damage, rust, corrosion, mold, mildew, rot, and any other maintenance issues. Also check interior controls to make sure they work smoothly and don’t stick, and that all of them actually perform the expected operation.

If you’re still happy with what you see, ask to take the boat for a test drive. You’re not just making sure it works properly, although that’s certainly vital. You’re also seeing how it handles and whether it matches your needs and experience level.

Ready to hit the water? Contact us at Roger’s Performance Marine for more information, or to see the used boats we have waiting for you. We proudly serve the people of Salt Lake City and St. George, Utah—let us serve you today!