Should I buy a new or used boat?

Weighing up whether to buy a new or used boat? If you’ve been dreaming of buying your own boat, here’s everything you need to know to help make an informed decision on new vs second hand!

Start by considering how often you’re planning to use your boat. If you’re going to head out fishing every week, or waterskiing with the kids most weekends then it may be worth investing in a new boat with the latest Yamaha Outboard engine and a brand new trailer… and of course if you’re interested in the latest model Cruise Craft, Yellowfin or Quintrex then a new boat is for you!

If you’re already considering re-sale value or planning to hold onto your boat for just a few years then a quality used boat may be better value. Like most vehicles, boats do depreciate over time but in our experience there will always be interest in quality, well-maintained boats from trusted boating brands.

Just as when you’re buying a second hand or used car, you can see the condition of the boat and trailer by checking for dents, any rust or signs of wear and tear but the engine and mechanical parts are another story. The best way to avoid mechanical issues with a second hand boat? Organise a pre-purchase inspection to identify any potential concerns and avoid unwanted surprises -or unforeseen costs.

At Hunts Marine, our pre-purchase inspection includes compression testing the engine; checking  steering condition and operation; we load test the battery; check the engine computer’s history and provide a download where possible; check the gearbox to make sure there’s no water in it and run and test motor checking control box and gear shift operation, trim and tilt operation, cooling system and operation of gauges.

To ensure you’re getting what you pay for, we run all of the tests that we carry out when trading or purchasing our own used boats and present the results to you in a thorough written report.

If you buy a used boat from Hunts Marine then these tests have already been run, we give the motor and trailer a full service and all our secondhand boats come with a full engine warranty and guaranteed title.

Whether you’re buying a new or used boat, one of the key factors is ongoing costs. We’ve put together a simple guide on how much it costs to buy and run a boat here and of course by spending the time maintaining and caring for your boat will mean fewer issues and lower costs down the track.

Buying a boat can be a big decision, but with a stunning coastline on our doorstep and hours of enjoyment fishing, waterskiing, knee boarding or exploring, it’s one you won’t regret!

Hunts Marine has a great range of quality, clearly priced new and used boats in our Carlton, Wollongong and Batemans Bay Stores – and our friendly, expert team are always on hand to help find the best boat for you! To find out more about our range or to discuss the best type of boat for you, give us a call on (02) 9546-1324.