I would rather die than buy a brand new car. If you think I’m being dramatic, I will freely volunteer my husband’s cell phone number and he can vouch for me, as we’ve had many “discussions” about this. I love buying things that are redone, refurbished or just plain used because it allows someone else to bear the depreciation of my investment. But after doing some of my own research, I’ve found that line of thinking doesn’t always apply to pontoons and for lots of good reasons.
When it comes to selling a pontoon boat, even in this economy, people are still asking top dollar for boats that are in good condition. And they appear to be moving inventory. I went through several different websites that helped people resell their boats in all different parts of the country, and boats that were one to two years old were going for 10 to 20 percent less than what a new one would cost. So in other words, you could theoretically spend a little more money and get a boat that has every feature you want plus definitely hasn’t been mistreated by a previous owner because you’re the first owner.
Given the nature of boats, not having to deal with the wear and tear that another person imposed is also a blessing. I love my dog, but I have instilled bad habits in her that would annoy other people. People love their boats but don’t necessarily maintain them in the same way you would. It’s just the nature of life. Even something as seemingly minor as not washing the boat down properly can cause mildew issues that could easily become a huge headache for a second owner. Hopefully you would pick up on something like this during the buying process but let’s be honest, wouldn’t it be easy to miss something wrong given the intricate working process of ‘toon?
Another thing to consider are the incredible advancements that every manufacturer makes on a yearly basis. Take my word for it: these employees are passionate about bringing you the best product possible. If you buy a used Harris FloteBote, you are going to miss out on its Touch Screen Control. If you buy a used Sanpan, you might not get their Soft Touch expanded vinyl, which is so nice you might as well sell you house and move on to the boat full-time. Older model JC Manufacturing ‘toons don’t have the Sea grass flooring which will rock your world. In other words, if you can afford it, why not buy new? As a pontoon enthusiast, you deserve to take advantage of everything the industry has to offer.
I am definitely not beating up the idea of buying used. I do believe that if you are patient and vigilant, you can find a boat that will provide many a year of happy memories. Some companies, including Manitou, G3, Sun Tracker, Sylvan and Starcraft and others have warranties that are transferable to a second owner. It can be a risk but a truly good deal can be worth it. In the end, it’s all about buying the boat that’s perfect for you.
