Boat show deals

[Bob Erfish]

Does anybody here have any experience buying a boat at the Fargo boat show? Is there generally a large selection of fishing boats available to look at? Deals to be had? I’m in the market for a new boat but want to wait to get the best deal I can on a new one.

 

[Ruddy Duck]

I don't know about the fargo ones but in Bismarck it is typically an extra warranty and maybe a little money off. I think the best deals on new boats are typically holdovers that are bought in the spring. Also, don't be afraid to travel it can save you big money. What brands are you looking for?

 

[Bob Erfish]

I’ve got it narrowed down to probably a Lund impact or maybe an alumacraft or aluminum ranger. I’d like to see as many boats as possible under one roof though. The Minneapolis boat show is awesome, just not sure what to expect from the one in Fargo

 

[Rut2much]

Boat shows are fun to go to gawk and get some good info/insight on the latest and greatest, but the buying opportunities sure don't seem like shopping in the bargain aisle though. Just a good marketing opportunity for all the different dealers IMHO.

 

[Sum1]

I’m all about buying local but when you can go into Minnesota and save thousands that usually trumps the local thing for me. Just saying

 

[gonefshn]

Keep one thing in mind when buying a boat out of town. How often you use it and repairs. While any local dealer will have to provide warranty work on it, you can rest assured if you bought it out of town that you're boat will be on the bottom of the list to get done with the dealers regular customers being on top (the way it should be IMO). I've found a better approach is to look out of town and get a good firm price, then go to your local dealer and see if he'll match it. Chances are he will or at least come close enough that the few extra bucks are worth it. Boats are fairly high maintenance and summer is short. That deal isn't such a deal if it's sitting in line to get worked on for weeks or you're spending all your time and gas driving it back and forth to the original dealer to get work done.

 

[shorthairsrus]

I always hear buy from local dealer -- they will work on you faster.

a. under warranty i really dont think it matters - from my experience - they want your business and warranty work helps pay the bills.
b. out of warranty - they work what can i get done fast and make $$ - again my experience and i have had good and bad but most were good and they told me within a day when i would get it back when i brought the rig in. I have never had one say we going to put X in front of you because he bought his rig here.

Bottom line is you dont have to drive back and forth to the original dealer. My experience is too is that dealers switch brands sometimes more often then i switch boats.

The other thought that i have is that my hope is that i am not a regular customer of my dealer's repair shop. I dont want to be on a first name basis. If I am then i will switch brands when i buy my next motor. I have an etec and maintenance is nill and no i am not even close to be mechanically inclined i did most of the required main to stay with the warranty requirements - they were minor. I also have a bud that has a 4 stroke merc same size as mine - again in both of ours ibothof ouropions# the maintenance is nill. Both of us have never had any major issues. The warranties now are unbelievable in term of years. If you have issues my experience that i see in every case a underlying problem exists -- you need a dealer that is willing to dig for that problem and not just throw parts at it. That you can only find out by asking others. Again my opinion only.

The boat itself having issues - - 9 times out of 10 it will be some after market part the manufacturer uses or some part that was added. Exception is ribber!!

Good luck and yes the boat shows are good -- fall imo is better. This talk of a recession would lead me to be buying next fall if it happens. Boats are the first items that dont sell in a recession.

Good luck and good fishing!!!! short

 

[honkerslayer]

I ordered a new boat last winter for delivery this spring. I priced through dealers across a wide area SD, MN, and ND. The best price I got was from the local dealer. The caveat there is what brand and who the dealer is for that brand. Not all local dealers are equal. I was super happy to buy local and it has already paid dividends for me. There were a few minor things wrong and my dealer fixed them super fast and treated me awesomely. I lost no fishing time and had zero hassle.

 

[eyexer]

Right now is the best time

 

[Bob Erfish]

Right now is looking like the best time to get a deal. I’m looking at a 185 Trophy with a 150 Suzuki- does anyone have experience with this motor? Pros/cons? Thanks in advance