| Looking to buy a boat? Here are 4 tried and true | | | | very well here in Florida. Every street here has at |
| ways to save some money and get more boat for | | | | least one or two boats on it, in a driveway or parked |
| your buck. | | | | next to the house. In today's tough financial times, |
| 1) Don't buy from dealers. As with car dealers, boat | | | | people are very willing to sell the boat that they can't |
| dealers are going to sell the boat for what they | | | | afford to use. This is a method many of the boat |
| believe is the going "selling" rate. This is usually far | | | | dealer's use to keep their lots full of boats without |
| above what you could get it for in a private sale or | | | | spending all their profits. |
| at auction. | | | | 4) Attend government auctions. This one is hit or |
| 2) Look on Craigslist. There are a lot of people who | | | | miss, most often the dealers will be there in force |
| need to sell their boats quickly, and I have seen quite | | | | and you don't stand a chance. But, every once in a |
| a few good deals on Craigslist over the past 6 | | | | while you can luck out and get a terrific deal. Just be |
| months or so. As with all dealings with Craigslist, BE | | | | willing to fail quite a few times and realize that there |
| CAREFUL! Don't give out more personal information | | | | is no guarantee you will succeed, but if you do it will |
| than is necessary, make sure you see all the required | | | | often be well worth it. Also realize that boats at |
| paperwork before handing over payment, and check | | | | these auctions can be in almost any condition from |
| the boat out thoroughly before deciding to purchase. | | | | beaten and abused to only a few months old, so if |
| 3) Offer cash for a boat you see on someone's | | | | you don't mind fixing a boat up you usually won't |
| property. If you can afford it, this is a great way to | | | | have as much bidding competition on the more "well |
| get a boat, believe it or not. At least, it has worked | | | | used" boats. |