Canadian boat buyers visit Michigan looking for deals

Mlive.com reports boating season in Michigan is kicking off with the West Michigan Spring Boat Show at the Terrace Point Marina.

According to the story, local boat brokers are expecting strong sales to Canadian buyers looking for deals.

Canadian currency buys more boat in the United States than before, with the sales of the largest boats going to visiting buyers. Another factor generating sales are low boat supplies in Canada.

Source: Mlive.com

MarineMax Premium Certified Pre-Owned program begins with Sea Ray boats

MarineMax is looking to change the way people think about buying used boats with its new Premium Certified Pre-Owned program.

Customers looking for a gently used, late-model Sea Ray will be able to buy with confidence, thanks to the new MarineMax Premium Certified Pre-Owned program.

While the program is initially starting with only Sea Rays, look for it to expand to other brands, including Boston Whaler and Meridian.

Currently, only Sea Rays that are three years old or newer are being considered, and they must have a clean disclosure history and a maximum of 400 hours on their engines.

“The used-boat market represents the majority of transactions in the boat business, and we’re by far the largest used-boat dealer in the country,” says MarineMax Director of Operational Excellence David Witty. “Companies like Lexus, Mercedes and other luxury car makers have been able to change the used-car mentality with their certified pre-owned programs. What it’s done is to differentiate those dealers from the typical ‘buy-here, pay-here’ used-car lot. It’s created real peace of mind for the owners, and that’s what we want to achieve with our Premium Certified program.”

MarineMax is kicking off this program by offering late-model
Sea Ray boats that have actually undergone a comprehensive inspection. “Every Premium Certified boat we sell will have an up to 150-point inspection,” says Witty.

“If there’s an issue noted, it will be taken care of, and each of these vessels will get a one-year extended warranty, which will be backed by Brunswick’s Product Protection program. The owner will then be able to have the confidence of knowing everything has been looked at and anything we’ve found has been taken care of.”

Source: Marine Max

Boat sales still strong with affluent buyers

While fears over the economy and a troubled housing market have contributed to sluggish boat sales, the Los Angeles Times reports that some boat buyers think now is great time to dive in and get the boat of their dreams.

According to story, these boat buyers are affluent, have their own businesses, and have cash saved to weather turbulent economic times. With slow boat sales bringing prices down, these buyers are tempted by bargains that offer more boat for less money.

What kind of boats do they buy? One word...big!

Buyers seem to want luxury and room, with 60 foot yachts or larger as popular choices, offering features ranging from granite counters to hot tubs.

Source: Los Angeles Times

RESOURCES:

• YachtTrader.com
• Browse Hatteras Yachts on Boat Trader
  
• 35th Annual Newport Boat Show

Alaska legislators consider bill addressing business dealings between boat manufacturers and dealers

Alaska legislators are considering a bill that addresses business dealings between manufacturers and dealers. The bill, H.B. 303, addresses several areas of concern for boat, engine and powersports dealers, including nonrenewal requirements, warranty, succession and transfer of agreements, allotment of inventory and product damage responsibilities. The bill was introduced Jan. 15 by Rep. Mark Neuman, a Republican, and has bipartisan support from representatives John Harris, Bill Thomas, Bryce Edgmon and Kurt Olson.

“HB 303 will benefit Alaskan consumers and Alaskan marine and powersports dealerships by creating a more favorable business environment in which to buy or service boats, four- wheelers, snow machines, and outboard motors,” Neuman said in a statement.

He adds that Alaska is unique because consumers who use these products for recreational purposes also rely on them as a primary method of transportation.

The National Marine Manufacturers Association opposes the bill and similar bills that have been introduced in other states. The NMMA says legislation governing manufacturer/dealer relationships is unnecessary, and the industry-wide push for improved manufacturer/dealer agreements is gaining hold.

One focus of the bill in Alaska is the hot-button issue of warranty service and claims. The bill proposes that manufacturers who do not reimburse proper claims within 30 days must pay the dealer an interest rate of 1.5 percent a month on the claim.

“Throughout Alaska and especially in the bush, the cost associated with remedies for warranty issues through services provided by dealers is extremely burdensome to both consumers and dealers,” Neuman said.

The bill also calls for advanced notice from manufacturers before they can cancel or fail to renew an agreement, change a dealer’s territory or add a new dealer within an existing dealers’ territory.

The bill was heard before the Alaska House Labor and Commerce Committee in late January.

Source: Soundings Trade Only Today

Boat buyers can still get credit in tight market

Recent financial headlines concerning tightening credit have some loan seekers concerned, but the HeraldTribune reports that boat buyers might not have to worry.

The story focuses on the market for boats and boat loans in Southwest Florida. Both boat builders and lenders feel secure that those seeking to buy a boat should few problems

Irwin Jacobs, president of Genmar Holdings Inc., is among those interviewed. Jacobs says that boat buyers with decent credit have good chances of getting the financing they need.

Russian yacht buyers heat up the market

The Moscow Times reports on the surge of yacht sales in Russia.

Wealthy Russians are buying big boats that range from $500 to $1,000,000 dollars, increasing yacht sales 300 to 400 percent.

Fueling the increase in yacht sales are buyers using the boats as investments, or just to show off.

Smaller yachts are usually imported to Russia, while bigger models are built domestically.

One in four Americans went boating last year

TBO.com features a story that reports offers insights and statistics about boating from the National Marine Manufacturers Association.

According the story, the National Marine Manufacturers Association says...

• There are 12 million registered boats in the nation.
• 8.4 million of those boats are outboards
• 50 percent of buyers list fishing as the primary reason for owning a boat.
• One in four Americans went boating last year.

How do you pick the right boat for you?

If you are shopping for a new boat, you might feel swamped by a tidal wave of new terms and the choices.

The News Leader of Springfield, Missouri, features advice on picking out the right boat for you.

The article advises that you consider your needs first before shopping around. Do you want to take your boat on leisurely fishing trips, or do you want the power and speed to glide over the ocean?

Choosing the right motor is crucial. Picking the cheapest motor is not always the best option.

Before embarking on any boat purchase, talk to your dealer and ask questions. New boat buyers can overlook options available to them. A wise dealer can guide you in the right direction to find the boat you need.

Do you have any advice for new boat buyers? Leave a comment and tell us your story.

If you know what boat you need, or you just want to browse, check out the selection of new and used boats on Boat Trader Online.