Buying a boat or a personal watercraft can be a lifestyle changing experience, so how does a person know which boat is going to suit them best? There are plenty of factors and details that make or break a happy boat purchase for people. A few experts from the boat sales industry lent us some advice to help you make the proper decisions when either buying or upgrading a boat.

Do your homework. The first (and most important) piece of advice that all of the experts tend to agree on is making sure customers understand exactly what they are looking for in a boat. People that are seriously pursuing a boat purchase need to make sure they ask themselves a lot of questions about what it is they specifically want to use the boat for, such as:
How many people are you planning on having in the boat?

• Do you plan on entertaining friends on the boat, or is it going to be just your family?
• If you have children, how many do you have?
• Do you live on a lake or are you planning on traveling with your boat on a trailer?
• What size of lake are you planning on using your boat on, big or small?
• What are the regulations on the lakes on which you wish to use your boat?

What is going to be the primary use of your boat? Do you plan to fish, or are you going to use your boat for water sports? Are you looking to have a boat to cruise and relax in? Or, all of the above?

There is no "best" time of the year to buy a boat; it is not always price that makes it the best time of year to buy. It is true that there are times of the year when it may be easier to find cheaper prices on boats, but price is less important than finding a boat that fits your needs. If you buy a boat in autumn you may have a chance to order your boat to arrive in the spring. This can be a way to avoid winterizing your boat for that winter. When you purchase a boat at the end of the season it usually means that you are getting a leftover boat that did not sell during the season. New models can be found at boat shows and at the dealers in the early spring season.

Use boat shows to your advantage. You can have a great buying experience at a boat show, but be prepared for anything while shopping there. The experts think that boat shows are really great for educating customers on new boats and personal watercrafts. They also warn people not to be lured into a purchase for the wrong reasons. If you are planning on buying a boat at a boat show, tour dealers before and after to make sure that you really are going to get the best deal. Don't fall for the gimmicks and the free giveaways. Do not buy a boat because there is a vacation package that comes with it. Focus on the boat you are buying, and make sure you are buying a boat that fits your needs and desires. Buying a boat in the location where you will use the boat can be an advantage. There will be less hauling, and more readily available service at your disposal. Purchasing a boat at a show is not always convenient in this way.

By Geoff Higgins