by catch.and.fillet » Mon Mar 29, 2010 5:52 pm
IMO if this is your first boat, find one that's a year or two old and that you can sell! Buy it from a dealer, you might pay a little more for it than you would from private but the dealer will answer all of your questions and stand behind it. You'd be surprised how many boats are returned/sold after a year. I bought mine from Rockport Marine. I went over there looked at what he had on the lot and made friendly with the salesman and told him what I was looking for not being specific about brand or model. I also visited about 6 other dealers in that area. I also went as far east as New Orleans. I left each one giving just the basic things I wanted: lengths, draft, how many persons, use, etc. My Ranger was 18 mos old with 50 hours on the motor and I paid slightly more than JSmoke did. The guy traded it in for a new 2410. This was the third time this sack of money did that moving up each time. I saved a ton of money. The key is "time and patience". I waited about 4 months before the right deal came up. I must have looked at 25 - 35 boats new and used.and took at least 10 water tests. Patience pays off.
This is my second boat. First one I bought new and took a bath when I had to sell it because of relocation two years later.