what to expect at delivery

[lucky7]

question for anyone who has purchased a new boat, did the dealer splash it with you? the place i am buying from is maybe 2 miles from the water, so i dont know if i would be out of line asking the salesman to go for a 1/2 hour ride with me to make sure all is ok before i trailer it 100 miles home. do you think they will offer? should i hve to ask?

 

[tommays]

Re: what to expect at delivery

The Sea Trial "should" be part of the deal on my boats it was in the sales contract

You shold be told about how the controls work and the correct way to start the motor as there are so many different types now


I would not want to sign off and drive a 100 miles without a ride and to see that it launches and loads correctly on the trailer

 

[Ret USN CPO]

Re: what to expect at delivery

I concur. I just bought a new boat about 6 weeks ago. I live about 85 miles from the showroom. When I took delivery, the salesman spent about 4 hours going over every inch of the boat with me and my family. He told me he prefered to have all who were going to operate the boat on a regular basis to be there at delivery so he could be sure we all understood what was what.

After going over every thing, we went down to the ramp, put the boat in the water and spent another hour on the lake going over all the stuff that couldn't be done in the parking lot.

I am completely satisfied with the delivery and knowing that my boat was in top operating condition before leaving the dealership.

Would I have just loaded and left without putting in the water...no way.

 

[Geo2008]

Re: what to expect at delivery

Until you sign the paperwork, you are large and in-charge, after signing...not so much.

If he wants to sell the boat to you then tell him that a live lake test is one of the keys to selling you the boat.

Stand firm on what you want, remember this guys job is to make as much $ as possible, that is why he went to work today. Without you the customer he has nothing!

Geo

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: what to expect at delivery

wheather new or used. you need a test run, before accepting delivery.

 

[aspeck]

Re: what to expect at delivery

All dealers I know do a "buyer's drive" to make sure they know how to operate the boat, and to make sure that all is operating correctly at time of delivery - this way the buyer cannot say, "But that was broken and didn't work when I took delivery." So it is in THEIR best interest to do the inspection/test with you. Have fun, and don't be afraid to ask questions!

 

[KeyWestBoater]

Re: what to expect at delivery

I bought a new boat a few months ago. For sure the deal was dependent on me having a sea trial (well river trial in my case) and my acceptance of the performance of the boat during the trial. If I don't like it then I don't buy it! I sure wouldn't sign a sales agreement without it being contingent upon the seal trial. Furthermore get it in writing that your deposit is 100% refundable if you don't want it after the sea trial. One dealer I went to said that I would not have to buy the boat but they would have to keep my deposit towards another boat. Needless to say I didn't do business there. The dealer I eventually bought from didn't obligate me to anything if the sea trial didn't turn out well.

 

[woodee148]

Re: what to expect at delivery

Same here, They are delivering my boat to Simcoe this Saturday morning. We do a one to two hour orientation and away we go!! I would have to check the fine print to see if I actually have it in the contract that I can back out once I water test it. The dealer has a reputation to uphold and I would like to think they would honor our verbal agreements.
Your dealer should have offered this and I would insist on the water test and orientation. It would be absurd to drive away (unless you have already owned this model of boat) without a good grasp on how the boat works.

 

[dave11]

Re: what to expect at delivery

When I bought my new boat, we had to go more than a couple of miles to the water. Spent probably 45 minutes on the water. We cut it short because the weather was deteriorating. I wouldn't consider buying a boat without a sea trial. The salesman shouldn't mind. It will get him away from the store and on the water. He gets to play at work.

 

[ovrrdrive]

Re: what to expect at delivery

My experience with it is that they surely won't offer to do anything more than they have to.

My first boat I got to drive before I bought but that was mainly because they were having an "open house" and had lunch and several boats already in the water. I'm sure they would have done it for me anyway there, but they urged me to attend their open house for it.

I'm in negotiations to buy a new boat right now but a test ride hasn't been brought up at all yet. The one I'm buying is sitting on the lot with no battery in it and I would assume no gas either. To be perfectly honest, I really don't have a need to test it out. I know what I want and what I'm getting, and my research and opinions have led me to this boat. I don't have any worries that I'll be able to get it on and off the trailer, and that if something isn't right that I'll drag it back down there (all of 10 miles from home) and they'll make it right. There is only lakes and rivers in this area and I can't see what a smooth water trial of a bay boat will accomplish other than to burn someone else's gas for a trip.

At this point of the game I'm more interested in total selling price, options, and finance APR. I know the boat will deliver...

If I was driving 100 miles I would probably feel differently about it though, and it never hurts to test it out. You're talking about a $60 drive at least to take it back with today's gas prices...

 

[MaggieRose]

Re: what to expect at delivery

Taking delivery from the dealer or a used boat. Sea trial is a must. Dealer should offer it. If not, DEMAND IT!