Question:
I'd like to do a quicky survey on what has/will motivate you in your
current/future boat decisions..
A lot of you all know me, those that don't just want you to know I'll always
help as much as possible any boat rigging/driving issues you might have.
I've been put in charge of fishing boats now at Rick Carter Marine in Marble
Falls TX. I'm getting ready for boat shows, and would like to have as much
input as possible.
Our fishing boat lines are Bass Cat, Champion, Lowe, Alumicraft, and Shallow
Sport. Mercury and Yamaha.
Now the questions are....
How much research did/will you do before you make your decision?
What is the final reason you will/did choose your particular boat?
Price?
Reputation?
Service?
Looks?
Would you make the same decision now if you know everything you do? If not,
what would you have rather done different?
Did/will you take a test ride before you bought/buy? How important is that?
How much do you think that dealer made/will make on your boat? What do you
consider "fair"?
Is/was a particular pro influential in your decision?
If any, what was unpleasant about your boat buying experience?
Answer:
- Several months of boat shows, trips to dealers, and online research
happened before I bought my boat. Let's put it this way, I decided in the
early summer of 2002 that I wanted my own little bassin rig, and I didn't
buy it until February 2003. I "considered" and researched everything from
inflatables to 21+' glitter rockets. Ended up with a G3 Pro 175 aluminum
mod-v hull.
The only other thing I could add here would be warranty. The warranties
included with the various parts of my boat appeared to be in-line with
industry norms, and would've been a red flag had they not.
I would've gone ahead with the largest HP OB the hull was rated for.
Otherwise, very happy with the boat my research led me to. But to get that
extra HP would've meant a mandatory move to 4-stroke tech and added way too
much to the cost IMO, and there was a wait for a model with the bigger OB on
it. (My hull is rated for 75HP, I got a 60HP, and Yamaha's only 75HP I could
find at the time was a much more expensive 4 stroker).
No test drive. Wasn't important to me as my boat is a little aluminum mod-v
hull. Had I been eyeing $30k-$40k boats though, I would have liked at least
a ride in one if not being able to drive it myself first. Anything over
$40k, and I am going to demand a test drive or I will not buy it (I would
have had to finance such a boat, and if I am to pay for it over years of
time with interest tripling the amount the boat eventually costs me, I will
drive it first or not buy it...)
