Your Questions Answered: Tips for First-Time Boat Buying
We asked Dan Lauer from MarineMax Nisswa about his best advice for new boat buyers.
With the many types of boats out there today, shopping for one can sometimes be overwhelming—at least, that’s the feedback we’ve gotten from many new boat seekers! This opinion is especially the case since we are currently in the prime season for boat shows, which many first-timers around the nation attend. So, to help break down the process, we’ve asked one of our experts to help guide us through with some great advice!
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Recommendations by our Sales Consultant Dan Lauer
Considering the start of the year is a prime time for buying boats, we asked Dan Lauer from MarineMax Nisswa Marine, a sales consultant who has worked within the industry for five years. Dan has lots of knowledge about boats and has owned a few himself, with his most current being a 23-foot Premier Solaris with an upgraded engine—a must-have for water sports. He also has a knack for ice fishing, his favorite hobby.
Visualize Your Day on the Water
The first thing Dan recommends is visualizing what you plan to do on the water and how you want to spend your day. Are you picturing floating in the water next to your boat, reeling up a fish, or slowly cruising and enjoying the breeze? There are many ways to enjoy your time on the water.
Asking the Right Questions
In addition to visualizing, Dan advises asking yourself questions to help narrow down which boat may be best for you and your family. Here are some questions to get you started.- Why do I want a boat?
- What are the most important features I need in a boat?
- What support from a dealer is most important to me (service, financing, insurance, events, classes, etc.?)
- Where will I store my boat?
- How many people do I plan to bring out on the water?
- How often will I be using my boat?
- Does this boat fit my budget?
- What activities will I be using this boat for?
For more Q&As, MarineMax has fantastic online resources to sort out different types of vessels and become more familiar with various features and amenities. There’s even our handy Boat Finder Tool, which will guide you through questions in a quick and easy quiz. Plus, our sales consultants at your local MarineMax are experts in helping you find the right boat.
Trending Boat-Buying Video
If you’re interested in more ways to discover a new boat for the first time, check out the following video from MarineMax Boating Tips. With more than 3.7K views, this popular video covers what to expect during your first boat purchase. Boost your buying knowledge with just one click.
Boating Tips
Tips For First Time Boat Buyers
Making a Difference by Building Relationships
When you purchase a boat at MarineMax, we not only help you during the process—it goes way beyond that. It’s about the experience, such as helping people, discovering what works best for all their boating needs, and building relationships that make a difference. And as for Dan, that’s what he likes doing when asked what he enjoys most about his work. “I would say, that’s just my favorite part—relationships and just helping people,” says Dan. He also brought up continuous relationships after the sale, which is what the MarineMax Experience is all about by bringing boaters back—not only for sales and service but to enjoy events put on by stores, such as boating classes, exciting Getaways!® on the water, and more!
Need a Question Answered by an Expert?
Thank you to our sales consultant, Dan, and a special shout-out to all the boaters who helped make this segment possible! Don’t forget to let us know what you want to hear, and keep those questions coming! We appreciate and encourage you to submit anything boating-related you’d like to know that an expert can help answer. Just let us know by filling out the form below!
All the best for your boating adventures to come!
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