[lovlakes]

Still looking for a deck boat. Thought we would buy late model used, but we are now seeing a couple ads for some extremely good prices on 2007 new boats.

1) We will be able to test drive the same model and engine, but the exact boat is already winterized. So, can we assume that it will be OK? Certainly that would be how we would order a car.

2) Is their a ball park for shipping a boat long distance. Seems I heard $1.50/mile?

3) Anyone know a rule of thumb about how much value you would consider a new boat warranty to be worth? I ask because the makers have these rules that if you are not the original owner, only the hull warranty lasts. So, buying new may have some $ advantage if the price is right.

[seabuddy]

New boats come with two warranties in general. A boat warranty and a engine/drive warranty. The engine warranty seems to be easier to get work done from a non-selling dealer. Some boat dealers, not having the profit on a boat sale, find ways to make boat warranty claims on a out-of-state sale un-attractive.

I once bought used and in that purchase, the engine had a problem which ended up requiring a replacment, new engine. In that case, an engine warranty would have been worth 40% of the purchase price (what the replacment engine cost added to the used rig's price). In other boat purchase cases, everything works great and there are no warranty issues. So my answer to your question about warranties is...it varies. Personally, after being burnt once, I really go after factory warranties on any boat purchase. I do not like dealer warranties that much, though.

[lovlakes]

Thanks seabuddy. Sorry to hear about your troubls. Sounds like the manufacturer's warranty could be worth a lot....depending on luck.

So...if we can afford it, might just be worth the extra money.

[tashasdaddy]

you but new, you get the manufacturers warranty,
buy used, "let the buyer beware" most 'are as is, where is.'
sure a dealer might give a 30-90 day warranty on a used boat.