BOAT BUYING: Boat Options That Should Be Standard
When buying a brand new boat, there’s the sticker price on the showroom floor and then there’s the actual price, often pushed several hundred to several thousand dollars higher when you’re forced to add on “options” that you won’t leave the dealership without. I just bought a new car and, during the negotiations, made the dealer [...]
When buying a brand new boat, there’s the sticker price on the showroom floor and then there’s the actual price, often pushed several hundred to several thousand dollars higher when you’re forced to add on “options” that you won’t leave the dealership without.
I just bought a new car and, during the negotiations, made the dealer throw in some so-called options, like floor mats and roof rack cross bars, for free to seal the deal. Try it with your boat dealer, too. Here’s a list of a few things to look for:
COMPASS–Why this is ever listed as an option is beyond me. They’re inexpensive for the manufacturer to include, and no self-respecting boater is leaving the dealership without one. Sure, the fancy GPS/Charplotter unit you installed has all the answers. But if your electrical fails, the basic compass is your ticket home.
COAST GUARD KIT–You can’t boat without these basic safety items on board such as flares, air horn, life jackets, throwable pfd, anchor, fire extinguisher–why should you leave the dealership without them? Could you imagine a car company offering seat belts as an option?
BATTERY SWITCH–Even with a single battery, you’ll want the ability to shut off the power to all but the bilge pump if you’re leaving your boat unattended for a long stretch.
