Buy new now or wait for used?

[Craig P]

After 4 years with my 16' Tracker ProGuide Deep V, I made the decision that I want a true Bass Boat.  With this in mind, the current market due to Covid is just crazy so I decided that if I was ever going to make a move, now would be the time to get the most value out of my boat, so I sold it today.  It went quick and I did very well on it.

 

With Covid and where I believe the economy will go the next 12 months (down...) I initially thought I would wait until next Spring to swoop in on a Covid purchaser who may then need money more than the boat they used just a handful of times.  However, it appears that there is a dealer near me who has the exact boat I want in stock.  So, would you wait for a "potential used" deal or would you just go buy the new boat that is in stock now?  "In Stock" is a rare thing with boats today but I would not expect it to be next year.

 

Thoughts?

[Scott F]

There are those who believe the economy is going the other way. Boats new and used are in short supply. What do they say about a bird in the hand? ………..

[rtwvumtneer6]

I finally decided I was going to buy a boat, which is also going to required a vehicle upgrade for towing.  Made the decision with my fiance and went as far as to establish a budget.

 

I can get a few extra thousand in trade for my current vehicle, but the new one would need to be ordered.   

 

Started pricing boats, and a couple year old model of what I am looking for is going for basically the same price as a new one.  But new ones can't be found either.  In fact, I haven't even seen one in person yet.

 

I'm also struggling with what to do, and it's frustrating.  

 

If you have the means $ to do it, and what you want is under your nose...

[Craig P]

42 minutes ago, Scott F said:

There are those who believe the economy is going the other way. Boats new and used are in short supply. What do they say about a bird in the hand? ………..

Good point about the economy and this thread should not turn into that discussion but I do see people who were bored during Covid getting out of the boats and RVs they bought. And bird in hand, I hear you there!

[K1500]

I would expect some pretty big increases in MSRP over the next few years. Just look at the Bass Tracker that used to be $10k a few years ago, now it’s $15k. If you found the boat you want new and the price isn’t too bad and you have the means, I vote new/now instead of waiting. 

[Craig P]

10 minutes ago, K1500 said:

I would expect some pretty big increases in MSRP over the next few years. Just look at the Bass Tracker that used to be $10k a few years ago, now it’s $15k. If you found the boat you want new and the price isn’t too bad and you have the means, I vote new/now instead of waiting. 

 

That is actually one of the things on my mind as well.  Will this year's MSRP just get bumped up another K or so next year?  Most likely.....

[gim]

If the boat you want is in stock, and you need a boat...1+1=2.

[Junk Fisherman]

I wouldn't want to go boatless for the rest of the year.  Get it now and start fishing.  

[GaryH]

14 hours ago, rtwvumtneer6 said:

I finally decided I was going to buy a boat, which is also going to required a vehicle upgrade for towing.  Made the decision with my fiance and went as far as to establish a budget.

 

I can get a few extra thousand in trade for my current vehicle, but the new one would need to be ordered.   

 

Started pricing boats, and a couple year old model of what I am looking for is going for basically the same price as a new one.  But new ones can't be found either.  In fact, I haven't even seen one in person yet.

 

I'm also struggling with what to do, and it's frustrating.  

 

If you have the means $ to do it, and what you want is under your nose...

If the boat is the one you want and fit your finances then I say pull the trigger and enjoy. Tomorrow is not guaranteed.

 

 

 

[roadwarrior]

18 hours ago, Craig P said:

...it appears that there is a dealer near me who has the exact boat I want in stock.  

 

Thoughts?

Make your best deal and buy it now.

 

[TOXIC]

There are still deals out there depending on how hard you are willing to look or how far you are willing to go for a deal.  But in all reality it’s no different than any other time selling and buying.  You got more than expected selling and are paying more than expected buying.  Nets  out to the same deal as before prices went up.  

[GaryH]

4 hours ago, TOXIC said:

There are still deals out there depending on how hard you are willing to look or how far you are willing to go for a deal.  But in all reality it’s no different than any other time selling and buying.  You got more than expected selling and are paying more than expected buying.  Nets  out to the same deal as before prices went up.  

So true..

[A-Jay]

23 hours ago, Craig P said:

After 4 years with my 16' Tracker ProGuide Deep V, I made the decision that I want a true Bass Boat.  With this in mind, the current market due to Covid is just crazy so I decided that if I was ever going to make a move, now would be the time to get the most value out of my boat, so I sold it today.  It went quick and I did very well on it.

 

 it appears that there is a dealer near me who has the exact boat I want in stock.  

 

Thoughts?

 

Buy it ~ before someone else does.

And start making New Boat Memories . . . .

Fish Hard

A-Jay

 

[Boomstick]

It can always be tough gauging what the used market will do, but it's been expected for years that the price of new boats will just continue to rise due to many factors, both in the cost of parts and manufacturing to economic ones. So if that holds true, a used boat in a couple years could be more than a new boat today and that's time lost on the water in it.

[Craig P]

Just a follow up. The “issue” has worked itself out, unfortunately, sending me back to the drawing board.

 

I really liked the Ranger Aluminum RT series. I felt it was a quality boat at a great price point but after reading some reviews of people who have received them recently, I am re-thinking now.

 

It appears the Rangers are getting the same treatment as Trackers in build quality and workmanship now.  I had hoped that the Rangers would remain better built since Morris took over but they appear to not be and now get the same build attention as Trackers.  Shavings everywhere, stripped screws, hatches not aligning, trailer issues, etc.

 

Having owned a Tracker, I pretty much accepted their quality and workmanship as they are cheap but I just can’t pay for a Tracker at a Ranger price.  Time to expand my horizons.

 

 

[Jig Man]

If you are looking for aluminum, check out Xpress and GIII.

[Captain Phil]

Sounds familiar.  I put my pontoon boat on Craig's list last week.  I had a serious buyer in 20 minutes.  I sold it for more than I paid for it.   Now I have no boat.  What happens in this economy is a crap shoot.   It could be the roaring twenties or 2008 all over again.  One thing is certain, the price of a new boat is not going down.  Labor and material prices are rising.  The bargains are going to be in used boats that people buy and never use.   If you found the right boat and you have the money, buy it now.  Life's too short to sweat the small stuff.

[Bankc]

Used boat prices will come down, probably around this fall or winter.  The thing is, they're not going to return to where they were two years ago.  Once prices go up, they don't like to come back down without a strong reason.  The market has already proved that it will tolerate the higher prices, so people will probably still ask them for a long time.  It'll take a hard hit to the economy or some other major factor to bring boat prices back down to where they were.  I don't see new boat prices coming down.  They'll likely stay where they're at, since people will obviously pay it.

 

But it's up to you.  Used prices should come down once new boats become plentiful.  If you want to wait out a year or so, you'll likely save yourself a bit of money.  But, you'll be without a boat during that time, and what's that worth to you?  Personally, I'd hold out for a good deal.  You might find one sooner than you think.  But I kind of enjoy hunting for good deals.  Not everyone does.  

[Captain Phil]

“If you get lucky, if you make a lot of money, if you get out and buy a lot of stuff, it’s gonna break. You got your biggest, fanciest mansion in the world. It has air conditioning. It’s got a pool. Just think of all the pumps that are going to go out. Or go to a yacht basin any place in the world. Nobody is smiling, and I’ll tell you why. Something broke that morning. The generator’s out, the microwave oven doesn’t work. Things just don’t mean happiness.” Ross Perot  ?

 

[Krux5506]

Yeah I wouldn't buy a Tracker at a Ranger price, but I'd definitely consider a Lund for a Ranger price.