By Brady L. Kay
Gradual steps are okay…for 5-year-olds and bicycles, but a lot of people could save some sanity, as well as money, by being a little smarter in their approach to buying a new pontoon or deck boat this year.
As we turn the corner and dive into 2023, there might not be a better time to hit the boat shows. With supply chain issues and the cost of materials on the rise, you should be looking at buying a boat that will fit your needs for several years down the road and not just for this upcoming summer. For some, the plan to buy a new boat every couple of years still works. However, those working with a tighter budget may want to look ahead a little.
Maybe a 90hp outboard would be plenty of power for you and your young kids, but you might want to consider where your family will be in five or so years. You may not want to admit it, but kiddos grow up fast and soon you’ll have teenagers who will most likely be into water sports. The need for a larger outboard might have you looking to buy a new boat with more power in a couple of years after you’ve outgrown your current setup.
Or maybe you’re looking at a large entertaining-style pontoon that is rated for up to 15 passengers that caught your eye at a boat show. But in reality you seldom go out with more than just one other couple and you don’t really need all of that space. Knowing how you plan to use your boat will help with the decision so you’re not looking to trade it in next year for a boat that is more manageable and fits your needs better.
With the demand for boats so high in the past couple of years a lot of buyers were grabbing what they could find on the boat show floor or following a truck loaded with new boats to their local dealership in hope of finding something that wasn’t already pre-sold. The balance is finally returning so if you have an odd request or some custom ideas that you’ve been hesitant to ask for in the past, this could be your year to get the boat you’ve always wanted.
We’ve done all the heavy lifting by putting together this Buyer’s Guide issue that we feel is the best place to start your search for your next boat. The categories include best-selling, fishing, entry-level and luxury/performance models that will help narrow your search when you start heading out to those shows.
Just like buying a home, these unique crafts range all over the monetary spectrum. From performance pontoons and entry-level models to fishing-specific boats and feature-loaded deck boats, we’ve got you covered. Read and study the categories you’re most interested in. Look at the photos. Make a short list of the manufacturers you’re truly considering. Note the builder’s geographic location. In some cases, parts and service may be more easily obtained if the plant or dealer is within close proximity to you or your lake.
Now it’s time to get to those shows. Talk to as many of the manufacturers or their dealers at the show as you can. Tell them how you intend to use the boat, what your budget is and what your recreational needs are. Listen carefully to what they say. Take notes. Collect info and specifications. And most of all have fun.
It’s time to start locating that perfect boat and I hope our Buyer’s Guide gets you excited for the boating season. On behalf of the PDB staff, we sincerely hope you make the best boat-buying choice of your life and have the greatest boating season ever. We wish you the best of luck in your shopping efforts as you hunt for a boat that you can enjoy for many years to come.
