Purchasing Power
Finding the perfect boat for you and your family is a simple process with the 2008 Buyer's Guide.
by Ryan McNally and Alan Jones
January 1, 2008
S
tepping through the entrance of the boat show, you gaze in amazement at the sight before
you. As far as you can see, dozens of boats in varying sizes, shapes and genres line the display
hall. You feel the rush of excitement as you survey the scene before you, but it’s also a little
disorienting: You’ve only walked 10 feet, and you’re already overwhelmed with the sheer quantity of
boats to choose from.
That’s where
Boating World’s 2008 Buyer’s Guide comes in. On the 57 pages that follow, you’ll find all
the information you need to make the buying process easier and more fun en route to an intelligent
final purchase. It all starts with our custom Rate-A-Boat form. By using the forms, you’ll be able
to go about your buying process more analytically, rather than letting emotions lead to a rash
purchase. Here’s how to get started:
1)
Visit
www.boatingworld.com/rate-a-boat/.
Print several copies of the form for the boat type(s) that you’re interested in. To make your
comparison fair, compile a list of features that you believe your prospective boat should have, and
then price each model according to this configuration. This will make it easier since some
manufacturers give you loads of standard features, while others take an “a la carte” approach.
Although you might change your mind later, price each boat with an engine package that falls
somewhere in the middle of the options. Generally, you can quickly eyeball where the sweet spot is
located.
2)
Group the boats into separate piles based on their similarity.
When you’re done with your research, you’ll go through each group and pick the best of each
one, and then compare the winners to each other. In the meantime, write plenty of notes on the back
of the Rate-A-Boat form and take pictures with a digital camera; after looking at an armada of
boats, your recall can get a little blurry.
3)
Customize your forms by changing the suggested point values in each category.
Only you know what’s most important. For example, in the cruiser section, an “iron chef” who
plans to demonstrate his or her culinary skills will place more importance on the galley than
someone whose idea of cooking is to bring along a bucket of chicken from KFC. Similarly, a person
who fishes the canyons 75 miles offshore from New York City will place more importance on
seaworthiness than someone who fishes on a small lake.
4)
Complete the first section of the rating form first.
This will help you narrow the field to three or four boats you like best. If you can,
sea-trial the finalists and complete the next section (see #5) to determine the overall winner
based on the score.
5)
Check out and rate the dealers that you’ll potentially be working with.
An important part of the boat-buying process is addressed in the final section of the form:
Talk to as many people as you can about the reputation of your local dealers. Hang around the
service area and talk to customers. Call the Better Business Bureau or check out state government
consumer websites to identify companies that have had complaints lodged against them. For dealers
with a sterling reputation, points will be added to the total; ones with a poor reputation for
service will have points deducted.
When you’re done comparing your Rate-A-Boat forms, you’ll be well on your way to making the
best possible buying decision for you and your family. But the Rate-A-Boat sheets are just the
start of this year’s Buyer’s Guide. You’ll also find photos and specs for more than 130 new boats,
along with “What’s Hot” features about each boat and models you may want to compare it to. There
are also articles on the best time to buy, what you need to know about boat certification, and the
truths and myths regarding boat insurance. And beyond the plethora of boat-buying information, you
also get critical tips and info on new engines and key accessories to make your boating lifestyle
more safe and fun. So flip through the pages that follow, and get started on making 2008 your best
boating year ever.
Click on a link below to jump to a specific section of the 2008 Buyer's Guide:
•
Runabouts/Bowriders
•
Pontoons
•
Cruisers
•
Deck
Boats
•
Cuddy
Cabins
•
When
To Buy: Prime-Time Boat Buying
•
NMMA
Certification: Certify It
•
Insurance
Myths: Fact or Fiction
•
Power
Play: Engines
•
Accessories:
Shopping for a VHF radio
•
Accessories:
Shopping for boat shoes
•
Accessories:
Shopping for a cooler
•
Accessories:
Shopping for boat cleaners & waxes
•
Accessories:
Shopping for a fire extinguisher
Next month’s installment of the 2008 Buyer’s Guide will include information on new fishing
boats, fish ‘n’ ski boats, watersports boats, personal watercraft, tow vehicles and more. Stay
tuned!
