buying a new ski/wake boat - how to negoiate fair deal

[clubmyke]

i am buying my first boat and was wondering if it is like buying a car. nobody pays MRSP.<br /><br />do you offer a certain amount over invoice ? <br />basically, how can i get a "fair"deal ? <br /><br />any tips would be appreciated.<br /><br />thanks,<br /><br />mike

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: buying a new ski/wake boat - how to negoiate fair deal

Mike,<br />exactly like buying a new car. Do you know what brand/model boat you are most interested in? Check with two dealers of that brand/model. You may have to contact the factory to get the next closest dealer. As an example, I have a local Malibu dealer in the Twin Cities, but I have heard that driving to Wisconsin to the dealer near Crandon is VERY worth the time. I have heard that from several locals. You also have to consider warranty and service issues. Will you be doing the maintenance yourself or have it professionally done?<br /><br />Where are you located, and if you don't mind me asking, what boat(s) are you looking at? I am a tournament barefooter and am fairly knowledgable on current models. I know a lot of people in the biz.<br /><br />I would also recommend comparing two similar models of competing manufacturers to try to negotiate a better price on the model you are interested in.<br /><br />There are a lot of good choices on the market right now for ski boats. I would really look at the quality of the construction and the options you like for your main use of the boat (wakeboarding, slaloming, barefooting, etc.).<br /><br />Good luck and enjoy!<br /><br />Post back if you have any questions I (or the thousands of others here) can help you with!

 

[clubmyke]

Re: buying a new ski/wake boat - how to negoiate fair deal

i live in north san diego, ca and will be using the boat for lake only.<br /><br />currently looking at the centurion, malibu, gekko (no local dealer). will be using it for wake and waterski<br /><br />the weight of the boat is limited to 3200 without trailer due to tow vehicle ( honda pilot- i was told to go with aluminum trailer to save weight)<br /><br />thanks,<br /><br />mike

 

[RatFish]

Re: buying a new ski/wake boat - how to negoiate fair deal

exactly like buying a new car.

Not my experience.

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: buying a new ski/wake boat - how to negoiate fair deal

Yes, Ratfish, you are right, not exactly, but close. I have never purchased a new boat, but I know of lots of people who have. <br /><br />Mike,<br />those are all great boats. Too bad you don't have a local Gekko dealer. They are a great value. Have you looked at Moomba? They are also a great value. Since you are in CA, take a look at my personal favorite, Sanger. They are built in Fresno. They rival Malibu, but are lesser known.<br /><br />You may have trouble getting an aluminum trailer with a tournament boat. I have never seen one offered as an option. If you are looking to save weight, go to the used market and take a look at some of the outboard barefoot boats. Almost every major manufacturer has made them...Malibu, Sanger, Ski Centurion, Mastercraft, Brendella, even Ski Nautique for a short time. Most of these are lower profile and because of the outboard, weigh considerably less. Usually less than 2200 lbs (without trailer). They will still throw a fat wake if you add some ballast and use a extended pylon or tower.<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[Solittle]

Re: buying a new ski/wake boat - how to negoiate fair deal

From what I have read here the major difference between buying a new car and a boat is the invoice amount for a car and what the dealer has in it can be found out fairly easily. Not so generally with a boat.

 

[lakelivin]

Re: buying a new ski/wake boat - how to negoiate fair deal

The other major difference is that you can usually find different dealerships for the same car manufacturer within spitting distance and use the competition between them as a powerful negotiating tool.<br /><br />Obviously boating dealerships use a different model and distance often makes it less than practical to talk to more than 1 dealership for a particular manufacturer. <br /><br />Hopefully Sangerwalker's advice about comparing similar models of competing manufacturers to try to negotiate a better price on the model you are interested in might help overcome this difference.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: buying a new ski/wake boat - how to negoiate fair deal

Try to find a Dealer you are comfortable with. Check his service reputation first and formost. Ask for references.<br /><br />If you choose the right dealer the price may not be as important. Ask the Dealer Salesman how long he has been with the Dealership. The longer the better. <br /><br />In the end there is one two letter word that will save you a lot of money - "NO". Remember they will never raise the price in the negotiation, so when you say "NO" it is not good engough they will either let you walk or come down. Be Prepared to walk, as you can always come back.<br /><br />Check the Dealership first, and do not get stuck on one brand only, since when you have no alternates it is hard to negotiate.

 

[clubmyke]

Re: buying a new ski/wake boat - how to negoiate fair deal

thanks for the advice everyone... will be looking at the sanger v-215, malibu vlx(2004), malibu v-ride, 2004 mastercraft x-2.<br /><br />thanks,<br /><br />mike