If you’re in the market for a boat – you have two options. You can purchase a brand-new one or you can go with a pre-owned (used) model.
While purchasing one off the showroom floor can be pretty darned exciting, a used boat provides some serious perks for the majority of boating enthusiasts. The trick is to do your homework so that you know what to look for while you’re out searching for the right one.
That’s where Mercury Pro Team member Brian Latimer can help.
“If you’re looking to save some money and have something you’re proud of, a used boat is a great way to go,” Latimer said. “And if you take some key things into consideration, ask yourself some important questions, you can buy a used boat with confidence.”
Transforming a used boat into the perfect ride
Latimer is a professional fisherman who spends the majority of his year fishing freshwater out of a brand-new tournament-ready bass boat. However, come the offseason, he and his family often head to the coast to do some fishing and recreation. Thus, he was wanting to buy a saltwater bay boat.
By asking himself a few simple questions, he realized he needed a boat that was family friendly yet versatile enough to fish from, all while not wanting to sink a ton of money into something he wouldn’t use all that often.
The result? He found a seller with a used, 20-plus-year-old Pathfinder 2200 V bay boat that did everything he needed without the new-boat price tag. Then he upgraded the boat with a new Mercury 150hp Pro XS® outboard, upgraded the trolling motor to a MotorGuide® Xi3, and then took the time to buff out any blemishes. It's now a boat that does everything he needs, at an economical price and that still looks great out on the water.
Boat-buying questions
Whether you’re looking at a new or used models, buying a new boat is a big investment. So, before you commit to purchasing a brand new one, Latimer recommends asking yourself four important questions.
- How are you going to use it?
You’d think the money is the first issue you should think about when buying any boat, but it’s not,” said Latimer. “It’s how are you going to use the boat? For fishing? Family? For work?
“You need to be very clear on what you’re going to use the boat for and how often you’re going to use it.”
Once you know what you'll use it for, you can decide on the best boat style and size for your needs. Other boaters, anglers and marine dealers can offer advice in this area, and you can do plenty of research online.
- Do you have the vehicle to tow the boat you need?
Latimer considers this a sleeper that’s often overlooked in the excitement of purchasing a boat.
While most of the focus is on the boat, you also need to make sure you have the appropriate vehicle to get it from your home to the water. Not having a vehicle with enough towing capacity or enough braking ability can be very dangerous. It can be much harder to stop and much more difficult to control a vehicle that is too small to handle the boat it is towing.
- Where are you going to store the boat?
Few things will ruin your investment in a boat more than leaving it outside and uncovered to face the elements. So, take some time to figure out if you have a good place to store the boat and the dimensions of that storage space. That will help you narrow down the size boat you need. Many Mercury Authorized Dealers can recommend a marine storage facility and/or marina where you can store the boat if you can't keep it at home.
- What’s your budget?
Finally, we come to the money part. Obviously, price is a huge driver in this decision, but so is staying within your budget.
“If you have to work all the time to afford the boat, you won’t have the time to use it,” said Latimer, “and that defeats the purpose of owning a boat in the first place.”
Advantages of opting for a used boat
OK. You’ve asked yourself the questions above and put together a plan. Now it comes down to choosing the new or used route for the boat you want to purchase.
For Latimer, used boats offer some significant pluses that make them a great option in certain scenarios.
- Cost: Investing in a new boat is a great choice if you want all the latest features. If you're willing to give up some of those features, a used boat can offer some cost savings. And if you’re not going to be using the boat every week, that saved money makes even more sense, because who wants to spend extra money on something they won’t be frequently using? Plus, you could always repower that boat and get an engine with all the latest technologies, which is a huge bonus.
- Customization: When Latimer buys a used boat, he says it allows him to customize the boat to however works best for him as the owner. That may mean upgrading the trolling motor, repowering your boat with a new engine or even changing out the trailer wheels just because he likes the way they look.
- Pride: There’s nothing like working on something, restoring it and taking care of it. That’s something Latimer says he feels a lot with his used boats. While people may fear used boats for things like scuffed gel coats, Latimer embraces them, knowing a little manual effort can often take those scuffs out, making him all the more proud of his boat.
If you find the perfect used boat but want more power, efficiency or modern technology, repowering with a new Mercury outboard is a great option. Upgrading your engine can improve performance, fuel economy and reliability while extending the life of your boat. Mercury offers a range of outboards to fit your needs whether you’re looking for quiet and efficient power or high-performance capability. Visit your local Mercury Authorized Dealer to explore your options and get expert advice on repowering your boat.
If you ‘d like to learn more about Brian Latimer, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or follow him on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.