I started looking at new boats last winter, and now have been looking at used. Here’s the question: new boat, show special price 26000, I think in house financing was about 2%. Used boat, 5 yrs old, similarly equipped, 20000.Is tthis enough difference to go used? I’m thinking for 6 grand, I’d go new.
Problem with a 5 year old boat is that the motor warranty is about up. I’d personally go new just for the purpose of having a warranty on my motor.
This coming from a guy who’s boat is currently in the shop having warranty work done. 
You can probably talk a couple grand off that 20G just so you know. That makes the difference 8 grand. You can do a lot with 8 grand. It would be fun. But then again it’s nice to have a brand spankin new boat.
I personally wouldn’t buy w used boat. I go on large lakes and reliability is a major factor! u never know how the previous owner took care of the motor. That’s just my opinion
I was going to buy used but I couldn’t find what I wanted so I found a leftover 2012 with a pretty good discount. Really my wife found it. 
What kind of boat are you looking at? I would say that a five year old boat that is that close to new boat price is really overpriced, but like others said, try to make a lower offer on it.
I ran a 95′ evinrude for the past few years and it was super reliable, so don’t let people tell you that a used boat is automatically not going to be reliable.
I purchased a used boat back in 2008 it was then 3 yrs old I paid just over half the price as new and got almost everything my list of wants and needs, motor had 2yrs of warranty left and boat had 10hrs on it for a 3yr boat very low hrs, u gotta put your time in if u want to find that stellar deal trust me I looked at allot of beat boats for the price I was looking to spend. If u have the cash id go new but I had a budget and stuck to it until I found that deal I couldnt pass up. Good luck with decision-making 
do your homework, test them out. No Sales Tax,at least here in Minnesota,Save a ton! Think about it, most boats here in the upper Midwest have very few hours on them, takes patience
I’ve bought new in the past and bought used this year. Now I’m in the process (expensive) of replacing the motor, trailer and other unreliable things. I think if you plan to keep the boat long term – buy new and under warranty.
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do your homework, test them out. No Sales Tax,at least here in Minnesota,Save a ton! Think about it, most boats here in the upper Midwest have very few hours on them, takes patience
Shef is exactly right. Unless your new boat price includes tax, the difference is more like $7500.
The majority of “problems” experienced with modern outboards are the result of owner neglect and lack of maintainance. Fuel is left in the tanks for months on end, no filter or water sep is ever installed, batteries go flat, tires dry rot in the sun, bearings dry out, etc, etc, etc. Most outboards and boats suffer vastly more damage due to a lack of use.
If you think about it, the members of this forum are way out of the “normal range”. Lots of joke potential there, but what I mean is in terms of hours of use put on their boats.
Mr. Average Boat owner, on the other hand, is more like my neighbor. Owns a nice Crestliner 17 footer bought brand new 4 years ago and he takes it out faithfully once ever 3-4 weeks. He drives to a local puddle aobout 5 miles away, runs the engine about 8 minutes to get out to the fishing spot, and then returns home 3-4 hours later. Total use in a year = 4-6 hours of engine run time.
If you take your time and educate yourself a little on the boats, mechanicals, and prices, you’ll come out WAY ahead with a used boat. The key is never, never, never buy a boat in Prime Time (April to June).
I bought my dad a boat in the late winter this year. Most people would say I got screwed because the asshat owner lied to me and said it didn’t leak. It did, and it was a BAD leaker.
But here’s the kicker. Did I get screwed on the deal? Not really, because I bought outside of prime time so even including an expensive repair, considering I got him to throw in the brand new iPilot trolling motor and color graph, I figure I’m about even on the deal becuase I paid well below market value for the boat AND I got the electronics thrown in because he wanted to move the boat.
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I’ve bought new in the past and bought used this year. Now I’m in the process (expensive) of replacing the motor, trailer and other unreliable things. I think if you plan to keep the boat long term – buy new and under warranty.
Why would you do this? Sorry, but I have to ask.
Grouse
I guess more what Im
asking is, whats the breaking point on a 26k boat, to where used is a better option. I dont think 6 grand is enough, but I did forget the sales tax.
Does mn still tax only the trailer on a private deal?
I like Grouse’s thinking. Buy a used boat in off peak time–say a Sylvan Backtroller this fall.
This one doesn’t leak a drop! 
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I guess more what Im
asking is, whats the breaking point on a 26k boat, to where used is a better option. I dont think 6 grand is enough, but I did forget the sales tax.
Does mn still tax only the trailer on a private deal?
OK, so a new boat assuming it’s $26000 with all dealer options and prep, including tax and registration fees (and assuming you’re NOT buying it in the 7 country metro area where taxes are higher), you’ll pay:
26000 * 6.875% tax = $27,787 + registration. So your $26k boat will be within spitting distance of $28,000 by the time you can get the hull wet.
So it’s not really $6k difference, it’s really $8k.
Nobody can tell you if $8k is “worth it”. Every decision comes down to your view of the cost vs benefits.
I will say, however, to be honest with yourself about the “benefits” of a new boat. I see a lot of guys playing the “it’s under warranty card”.
Sure, that takes some cost out of the equation, but to me time = money. I’ve read several recent “New Boat Gone Bad” agony stories very recently on these forums. Just because it’s under warranty doesn’t mean it isn’t a huge freaking hassle that can have you crying bitter tears if new goes wrong. You may not end up spending money, but you will have all the hassle and frustration to deal with.
For a used boat you have to pay tax on the value of the trailer + you have to pay a transfer fee to tranfer the trailer license AND the boat license.
Yes! You MUST transfer the so-called “permanant” trailer license in MN! It’s only permanant in the sense that it never needs to be renewed BY THE NAMED OWNER. You must transfer it to get it in your name.
Grouse
tough choice if you can save 8K on a 28,000 purchase I would say thats worth the savings. 8,000 is alot of extra cash for boat repairs and other things needed.
On the other hand if you plan on keeping the boat forever new might be the way to go. I have had good luck buying cars and toys a couple years old so I will continue until I get burnt.
Each person will have there own personal opinion about this topic. It can be like the old chevy vs. ford debate type of thing. I think a person really needs to just figure out what they want without much outside influence. Their are advantages to both situations, you just need to figure out what works best for you and be happy with your decision no matter what someone else thinks.
I myself have bought new boats since 1998. I am very picky about my boats condition. I don’t see many used boats in my area that I would be interested in. That is just me being picky. I am sure someone will pipe up and say well it doesn’t take a brand new boat to catch fish. That is true, but I also did not ask the person for a blessing to buy the boat. I bought it because that is what I wanted.
My point here is to think about what “you” want and go for it. If its your choice, the boat is a good purchase no matter what you do. 
Hang on…
I’ve bought 10 boats in my lifetime and I ALWAYS thought I was going to keep it forever. So I’d strike that idea out of the conversation.
As for new vs used or “is it worth it”?
I prefer used.
A) Save money right now.
B) Not ALL new boats are bullet proof right out the door.
C) Hidden extras – electronics, trolling motors, radios, covers, etc… can be added to new, but normally come with used.
D) A proven Track Record – buy from someone you trust. But do not buy any boat without a test drive. If boat owner refuses a test drive, then I guess you have your answer. A forthright owner would give you the skinny on the nuances of said boat and how it handles different waters. New boat salesmen are normally “Yes, yes, no problem” people.
I know that when I’ve sold a boat in the past, I want the new owner to love that boat as much as I did when I got it.
And I look for that same passion when buying a used boat.
Best of luck in your search.
The Dog.
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