Buying a New Boat vs. a Second-Hand Boat

Hi boat lover!

So, you’ve decided to finally get that boat of your dreams, so you can enjoy the boating lifestyle.

It’s so good and I understand there’s nothing quite like it.

So, would you be buying a new boat or getting a second hand, used boat for sale?

“Perhaps you’re still undecided about that dilemma”.

It’s quite a common situation with a lot of people. As Christmas and the year-end holiday season draws nearer, we feel this is something we should discuss.

Deciding between a new boat or buying a used boat for sale is often a tough call.

I guess you’ll be looking for your answers right here.

Well, I promise you’ll find your answer, but it may not be what you expect.

If you’re thinking of buying a boat, there are a lot of things you’ll need to consider.

And because circumstances vary with everyone, you’re not likely to get a straightforward answer in this regard.

But wait, is buying a new boat worth it?

As mentioned above, it’s not something you can easily answer “yes” or “no” to.

Whether a new boat would be your best option will depend on your needs as well as considering a few other things.

Regardless of whether you’d be buying a new boat or buying a used boat for sale, there are pros and cons on both sides.

Buying a new boat comes with a lot of options and benefits.

Likewise, there are cons and considerations you’ll need to carefully iron out.

If after considering your options you still find it worthwhile, then you’re good to go.

If not, maybe you can consider buying a good quality second-hand boat.  And let’s hope you may be lucky enough to find a ‘nearly new’ pre-owned boat at genuine boat buying value.

(NOTE: Are you thinking of buying a boat this holiday period? You can check out our ‘Nearly New Collection’ of Boats for Sale here!)

Pros and Cons of Buying a New Boat

Buying a new boat is somewhat like buying a new car!

• You get to choose a lot of things by yourself

You can choose your choice of specs, the latest designs, features, equipment, etc. when you order a new boat.

You can expect everything to work as new, and without any sort of blemish or marks.

If you go for a new boat, you can often decide what layout you want.

You can decide the color of your upholstery and fabrics, your choice of optional extras, and even the hull color, in some cases.

Simply put, with a new boat, you won’t have to adapt to someone else’s specifications or tastes.

• New boats come with a warranty

This is not forgetting that you’ll also get a warranty for your new boat, the installed equipment and engines.

For most people, this is usually a strong enough reason to go to the “brand new” way.

BUT…

As it turns out, there are also a few cons when it comes to buying a new boat.

While some of the pros of a new boat may not be present in a used boat, some of the cons that come with buying a new boat are often non-existent if you’d be buying a second-hand boat for sale.

• New boats are more expensive than used boats

Compared to a used boat, a new boat will most often be way more expensive.

Exchange rates, shipping costs and commissioning costs can even contribute more to this especially for imported brands.

Although there are always a few exceptions, it’s true for most cases.

• New boat orders usually have a long wait time before delivery

In most cases, you’ll also have to wait before your order for a new boat gets built, shipped, and then delivered to you.

Except if you’re buying a stock boat from a dealer, you may have to wait for as much as a year or even longer in some cases.

If you accept the stock boat from a dealer, you lose the benefit of being able to choose what you really want in your new boat.

• You may need to make a deposit to secure your order

To buy a new boat, you’ll most likely be required to make a deposit to secure your order and then progress payments throughout the build.

While this may not be a problem if you’re buying from a credible dealer with a great record, it can be problematic should the unexpected happen to your dealer or manufacturer.

 This is a risk that shouldn’t be lightly dismissed.

• It’s usually difficult to test drive since your boat will be unavailable

Most people would also like to test drive or sail the boat they intend to buy.

If you’re buying a new boat, your boat will most likely be unavailable.

Though there may be a test model, slight differences in engine or setup, weight, and size, “may” mean that you will not get the “exact” feel of what you’ve ordered.

• New boats depreciate faster than used boats

New boats, depending on the brand, model, and market will usually depreciate by at least 10 – 20% during the first year of purchase.

This is not usually the case if you’d be buying a used boat for sale.

• You’ll spend time and effort on warranty issues

It’s true that while your boat is new, there will be numerous teething issues and defects that take your attention and time during the first year.

So, do expect to spend a certain amount of time and effort following up and working with your boat dealer for attention to your warranty issues.

So, should you buy a new boat or is a used boat the best option for you? Let’s see!

What to consider when buying a new boat

If you’re able to find a good-quality used boat for sale – which you can, it can be a really great way to get genuine boat buying value if you care about making your boat-buying budget stretch out.

On the contrary, there are those people who prefer new things and often the idea of less headaches from maintenance is often the driving reason.

For other people, whether it is a car, a home, a bike, or just about any other possession, they just have to buy a new one!

If you fall into this category and will be buying a new boat as Christmas approaches, here are a few things you may want to consider;

What do you intend to use the boat for?

Will it function as a leisure cruiser for the family, leisure fishing, or as a sports cruiser or for racing?

What boat type will you need?

Perhaps you want a sailboat, or a trawler, catamaran, trimaran, monohulled, cabin cruiser, dinghy, houseboat, or motor yachts? The choices can be confusing and overwhelming.

What size and construction material will you need? While the size will depend on how many people would usually be onboard as well as your intended use, you can choose boats made from aluminum or fiberglass or other construction.

How about the engine or sails option?

You’ll also have to consider the electronics package as well as the trailer and tow weight if you’re considering a trailer boat.

If you’ll be buying a new boat, you want to make sure you get excellent aftersales support along with a great warranty package.

While you won’t get so much freedom of choice like these if you’ll be buying a used boat for sale, these, along with the price you must pay will basically decide the value you get for your investment.

 Buying a new boat checklist

We all want to get good value for your money with every significant purchase and buying a new boat is no different.

Aside from the basic things you must consider, here is a boat buying checklist you’ll want to check out before making your next new boat purchase.

✔   Brand                         ✔   People Capacity                                 ✔   Delivery Due Date
✔   Model                        ✔   Cost of the Boat & Engine                 ✔   Delivery Charges✔   Dealer                       ✔   Commissioning & Shipping              ✔   Total/Overall Cost
✔   Beam                        ✔   Optional Extras                                   ✔   Required Deposit✔   Power                       ✔   Optional Extras Cost                          ✔   Monthly Payment✔   Seats                         ✔   Insurance & Berthing✔   Weight Capacity

 You can get the best of both worlds!

Most people have to choose between buying a new boat or getting a good quality used boat for sale.

This is usually a tough decision to make. However, there is a way to enjoy the best of both worlds!

If you’re wondering what this means, well, I’m saying you can get a “nearly new” boat at a price way below what you’d normally pay for a newly ordered boat.

That sounds like eating your cake and still having it, but this is how it works;

BASCO’s “Nearly New” Collection at Online Boat Auction

Christmas came early for us at BASCO Boat Advisory Services. Right now, we have a range of boats in our “nearly new” collection coming up for Online Boat Auction in December.

These boats are ready for sale and are in excellent, nearly new condition.

Most of these boats have hardly been used by their previous owners.

This collection includes boats like the 2017 Azimut 43’ Magellano and the Horizon E56 Boat.

These boats have low running hours in the range of 50-210.

The Horizon E56 Boat, for example, has never been slept in.

The boat has only ever been anchored twice and the galley has never been cooked in.

These boats are all well cared for and well maintained.

They look almost new, still have the new boat smell and may pass for brand new if you weren’t told.

Boats in this ‘nearly new’ boat for sale collection will go on sale in our December 2018 Online Boat Auction.

Your Christmas and year-end holidays can’t get better than this. If you’re smart and lucky, you can end up with one of these heading into the New Year.

Christmas and year-end holidays just got better!

The 2014 Horizon E56 is in Kota Kinabalu (KK), in Malaysia while the Azimut 43 Magellano is in Singapore.

You can have it shipped or driven to your destination, in Australia, or anywhere else to kickstart the Australian Christmas/summer holidays.

Even more, you can schedule a free holiday in KK or Singapore and enjoy endless fun in the Asian tropics.

After the holiday, you can easily ship to your destination, be it Australia, or elsewhere. Some people also decide to leave their vessels back in Asia where they can always return to have a good time whenever they please.

Whatever you decide to do with your “nearly new” boat, it’s going to be a great deal of fun and value for you.

Who says you can’t eat your cake and have it? Right here, you can get the best of both worlds.

Remember, this offer won’t last forever

You have to act fast and enquire today. Buy a nearly new boat at genuine boat buying value through our next Online Boat Auction. You don’t have to wait before you get your boat for the holidays; you can just buy and sail away!

Check out our ‘Nearly New Collection’ of Boats for Sale here!