I am going to make a new boat purchase this year. I have a dealer in the area that carries both boats I am considering, but has not shown much interest in negotiating. I have several questions. How do warranty issues typically get resolved if you buy a bot at a boat show? I know that the exhibitors at Atlantic City will be dealers, but not in the area I live in. Can I expect good warranty support from my local dealer? How much negotiating room is there in the price a dealer quotes? I have seen postings in other forums with prices listed as much as $10,000 less than i am being quoted. I'm looking at a Hunter 290 or a Catalina 310, so $10,000 is a significant percentage of the price. Any experiences or opinions would be welcome.
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Warren
Buying a boat at a boat show
It took many hours to fully and properly negotiate a firm deal. I do not know how it is possible to do this at a boat show. Therefore, I expect that it should be possible to negoitate a conditional deal. Try to make a deal conditional on certain options such as electronics etc. give yourself a certain amount of time, days to determine options etc. If you spend to much time with the dealer they will probably insist on finishing a deal later. This should give you the flexibility to negoiate wisely and not make a bad deal.
It took many hours to fully and properly negotiate a firm deal. I do not know how it is possible to do this at a boat show. Therefore, I expect that it should be possible to negoitate a conditional deal. Try to make a deal conditional on certain options such as electronics etc. give yourself a certain amount of time, days to determine options etc. If you spend to much time with the dealer they will probably insist on finishing a deal later. This should give you the flexibility to negoiate wisely and not make a bad deal.
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Dave
Hi John: I have seen some very attractive pricing at boat shows, that being said, make sure everything is in writing on the contract. Oral promises are hard to enforce. DO NOT expect dealer support from a non-selling dealer. One of you main questions about your new boat is commishioning and warranty support from the SELLING dealer. Catalina has provided me with excellent factory support and advice, via telephone and internet. We came close to buying a new C310, but settled for a 1996 C30 MKIII, because of the cabin layout and our needs. Good luck and Fair winds Dave, S/V Westwind
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Barry
Boat Show Deals
Hit the show early. The show deals are usually very well documented with details about what is included. Bring this information to your local dealer. Tell them you're buying THIS WEEK and may do business with him if he matches the show deal. If he says NO then walk. I wouldn't do business with a dealer unable to negotiate with. Barry
Hit the show early. The show deals are usually very well documented with details about what is included. Bring this information to your local dealer. Tell them you're buying THIS WEEK and may do business with him if he matches the show deal. If he says NO then walk. I wouldn't do business with a dealer unable to negotiate with. Barry
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Kerry Roller
Check the 300 mile radius
Good Luck John, This is one of the best times. Many of the dealers have only so many delivery slots for this year. They can be tough if they have more buyers than delivery slots. I check pricing from Seattle to San Diego for my 2000 C36. Price the cost for delivery via surface or Sail. Yes, on the dealer service. Get it in writing. Once I had my deals, a dealer within 70 miles of my slip made the best deal. He has provide great service. In addition, I have a new sailig friend. A dealer I had worked with for months blew the deal by not working the price. Be flexible on delivery. A few months now for thousands of dollars, you should enjoy your boat for many years into the future. I got the electronics package. GPS, Autopilot, Radar, Autopilot and Chartplotter. Poor install at the factory. Fixed in the field. Great job. Lots of margin in the add ons. Compare the electronics from the factory to a local firm. Don't spend the $ on the factory stero. $1400 vs: $200 for a local job. If you get a loan. The boat loan guys know a lot about the local dealers. The Catalina is a great boat and company. This is my second. Personal opinion, go for the biggest boat now. If you have a family, more room the better. The dodger and cockpit table have been great for my area. We have many friends on board. The dodger makes the cold weather OK for many of my family and friends. Good Luck and Fair Winds, KR
Good Luck John, This is one of the best times. Many of the dealers have only so many delivery slots for this year. They can be tough if they have more buyers than delivery slots. I check pricing from Seattle to San Diego for my 2000 C36. Price the cost for delivery via surface or Sail. Yes, on the dealer service. Get it in writing. Once I had my deals, a dealer within 70 miles of my slip made the best deal. He has provide great service. In addition, I have a new sailig friend. A dealer I had worked with for months blew the deal by not working the price. Be flexible on delivery. A few months now for thousands of dollars, you should enjoy your boat for many years into the future. I got the electronics package. GPS, Autopilot, Radar, Autopilot and Chartplotter. Poor install at the factory. Fixed in the field. Great job. Lots of margin in the add ons. Compare the electronics from the factory to a local firm. Don't spend the $ on the factory stero. $1400 vs: $200 for a local job. If you get a loan. The boat loan guys know a lot about the local dealers. The Catalina is a great boat and company. This is my second. Personal opinion, go for the biggest boat now. If you have a family, more room the better. The dodger and cockpit table have been great for my area. We have many friends on board. The dodger makes the cold weather OK for many of my family and friends. Good Luck and Fair Winds, KR
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Kerry Roller
One more item Dealer discounts at Marine Stores
Some dealers have great arrangements with the local marine stores. If you are going to purchase a dingy, engine, or other equipment, get them to allow you to use their discount.
Some dealers have great arrangements with the local marine stores. If you are going to purchase a dingy, engine, or other equipment, get them to allow you to use their discount.
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Pete
I bought my boat at a boat show
and I believe that I got a better deal because of the extra price discount that the factory gives during these shows. For the Catalina 320, this was about $6500. The only way you can tell is to compare the best price you get before the show with the show price. As for the difference in advertised price between dealers, these are often due to either including or not including the freight, commissioning and bottom painting charges. Again, for a 320, this amounts to about $8500.
and I believe that I got a better deal because of the extra price discount that the factory gives during these shows. For the Catalina 320, this was about $6500. The only way you can tell is to compare the best price you get before the show with the show price. As for the difference in advertised price between dealers, these are often due to either including or not including the freight, commissioning and bottom painting charges. Again, for a 320, this amounts to about $8500.
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Ron Doescher
new boat purchase
I recently bought a Catalina 320. I contacted two major Catalina dealers in my local sailing/service area. One was very interested in dealing with me (negotiated a deal better than the Newport, RI "boat show special"), the other basically offered whatever the "boat show special" was going to be. Needless to say, I went with the local guy who offered me a decent deal on the boat as I wanted it equipped AND gave me the personal interest & support throughout the process. The main criterion, after price, was having a local dealer with whom I could get warranty service & assistance if needed. Catalina, I know from talking with other owners, generally has an excellent customer support system, with the CEO (Mr Butler) known to man the phones at times. If you can scan the listings on this website for other owners in your sailing area, you can find out from them (a) what sorts of negotiation strategies worked, and (b) which dealers were providing the good warranty service. Also, Practical Sailor's Boat Buyer's Guide has a section on the Warranty support given by major manufacturers. Their advice is worth knowing as you go into this process. There are good books on the market that cover this topic as well. Good Luck! --Ron
I recently bought a Catalina 320. I contacted two major Catalina dealers in my local sailing/service area. One was very interested in dealing with me (negotiated a deal better than the Newport, RI "boat show special"), the other basically offered whatever the "boat show special" was going to be. Needless to say, I went with the local guy who offered me a decent deal on the boat as I wanted it equipped AND gave me the personal interest & support throughout the process. The main criterion, after price, was having a local dealer with whom I could get warranty service & assistance if needed. Catalina, I know from talking with other owners, generally has an excellent customer support system, with the CEO (Mr Butler) known to man the phones at times. If you can scan the listings on this website for other owners in your sailing area, you can find out from them (a) what sorts of negotiation strategies worked, and (b) which dealers were providing the good warranty service. Also, Practical Sailor's Boat Buyer's Guide has a section on the Warranty support given by major manufacturers. Their advice is worth knowing as you go into this process. There are good books on the market that cover this topic as well. Good Luck! --Ron
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Mike
Good Advice
There seem to be two issues here: which boat & what price. Which boat seems to me to be a no-brainer -- I wouldn't even consider buying a Hunter. If you are willing to go to AC, why not call a really good Catalina dealer, CONEYS in Huintington Long Island, New York. They are excellent. i bought a used O'Day from them and they treated me like gold. I keep the boat there because I like dealing with them. Check their website CONEYS.com
There seem to be two issues here: which boat & what price. Which boat seems to me to be a no-brainer -- I wouldn't even consider buying a Hunter. If you are willing to go to AC, why not call a really good Catalina dealer, CONEYS in Huintington Long Island, New York. They are excellent. i bought a used O'Day from them and they treated me like gold. I keep the boat there because I like dealing with them. Check their website CONEYS.com
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