So you’ve decided to invest in a pontoon boat to fill your weekends with relaxing water activities, ha? Good for you!
You can use this much-loved boat for fishing, sunbathing, water-skiing, and other countless things.
Yet, have you ever thought to wait for the best time to buy a pontoon boat so that you can get irresistible deals? If that’s the case, we’d like to help you save some cash by pointing you in the right direction!
Let’s answer your question in-depth, shall we?
When Is the Best Time to Buy a Pontoon Boat?
Sadly, there’s no concise answer to this question because good deals can suddenly appear any time of the year. However, you should know that the off-season is when these deals are more likely to happen. Yes, we mean the six months of fall and winter with December being the best month to buy a pontoon boat.
It’s pretty reasonable if you think about it. Usually, no one will think to invest in a new pontoon boat during these seasons because they won’t be able to use it then. At the same time, the sellers will also want to get rid of their stock pretty fast.
As a result, the prices of boats may go down, and you can take advantage of this knowledge.
Another cool reason why winter may be the best time to buy a pontoon boat is that it’s when many boat shows are held. During this period, boat dealers tend to go to great lengths to come up with the best deals to catch the attention of people who watch the shows.
Therefore, it’s always a good idea to track the prices of pontoon boats during fall on a dealer’s website. In winter, consider attending boat exhibitions for a higher chance of reduced boat prices.
Pontoon Boat Buying Tips to Keep in Mind
If it’s your first time buying a pontoon, you may need some guidance to ensure that you get the perfect pick for your needs. Here are a few tips for beginners to keep you on the right track.
1. Think About the Overall Cost of Investing in a Pontoon Boat
A lot of us make the mistake of thinking only about the initial price of a pontoon that we forget about other costs. You need to make sure that your budget will handle everything else that comes with the purchase so that you don’t become overwhelmed later.
Take a moment to estimate the costs of the following factors before making up your mind about a pontoon boat deal.
- Annual maintenance
- Fuel
- Accessories that you wish to add such as a new sound system, extra handlebars, etc.
- Off-season storage
To have a good idea about these prices, you can ask the dealer or other people who bought the same boat model that you intend to buy. This way, your decision should be well-thought and backed up by research.
2. Consider Where You’ll Be Boating
This is another important thing to keep in mind before buying a pontoon. Figuring out the type of waterway you’ll be boating in should prevent you from spending a large sum of money on a boat that may not be suitable for you in the end.
Therefore, you must ask yourself if you’ll be mainly taking the boat to a small lake, a big lake, or maybe coastal water? Do you need a boat for rough waters or to use in a calmer environment?
Once you answer these questions, you can pick a boat that’s made specifically for the type of waterway you’ll use it in. This way, you could rest assured that your hard-earned money is spent in the right place.
3. Your Activities on the Boat
The way that you plan to spend your time on the pontoon can help you a great deal when it comes to making a successful purchase. Will you be fishing, sunbathing, doing water sports, or hosting small gatherings?
Finding these details out should make choosing a boat layout a piece of cake.
What to Consider When Buying a Used Pontoon Boat?
Investing in a used pontoon can be a fantastic idea if your budget doesn’t support buying a new one. To score a good deal, follow the tips in the previous section besides the ones below.
- Visit a dedicated used boat website for more credibility (iBoats.com, Boat Trader, Boats.com, etc.)
- Consider buying from a local dealer for more peace of mind (although it can be a bit pricier than dealing with a private seller)
- If you go to a boat dealer, inspect the boats on sale carefully for any signs of damage
- Ask the dealer or seller about the condition of the hull, pontoons, shift and throttle, deck, and gauges
After knowing all the information you need, it’ll be up to you to decide if the used boat is worth the price.
When Is the Best Time to Sell a Pontoon Boat?
If you’re upgrading to a newer model, you might start thinking about the best time of the year to put the pre-existing boat up for sale. According to professionals, you’ll have a higher chance of getting a good price for your boat around spring and early summer.
This is when everybody is preparing to buy a boat to get in the water during the summer season.
Even better, some boat experts noticed that people are more likely to look for boats for sale on Sundays and Mondays. Therefore, if you wish to post an ad, aim for these two days, especially at 8 pm. But what’s the reason behind the rise in people’s interest during this time?
The most probable answer is that the weekend is when most of us look for ways to have fun and focus on our hobbies. When people have settled in for the night, these thoughts can easily find their way to everyone’s minds.
Final Thoughts
Knowing the best time to buy a pontoon boat is necessary if you wish to save some cash. So, it’s a great idea to start your search for the perfect pontoon in fall and winter.
On the contrary, selling a pontoon boat is best done in spring or the beginning of summer.
Now that you know all the buying details, are you ready to hop into the water yet?