7 Points to Consider to Visit a Boat Dealership
Buying a new or used boat is not a piece of cake for everyone, especially those purchasing a vessel for the first time.
Let’s take the example of James.
James cracked a cheap deal for the boat from a dealer and got the delivery of your first boat at your place. Initially, he felt delighted but soon discovered a small leak in the starboard leg. James contacted the dealer, and they agreed to the service but needed him to bring the boat to their service center, which is 60 miles away from his home!! He did not own a tow vehicle, so he connected with the local dealership. They also agree to the service, but it will take them an enormously long time and an unusually high rate because they are not the authorized service provider of his boat’s brand. In both scenarios, James faced trouble because he did not correctly check the vital parameters to select the right boat dealership.
Do you want to face a similar situation? Of course not, right? Don’t worry. Here we are listing a few top tips from marine experts to select the appropriate boat dealership and have a great experience.
1. Search Right Boat Dealers in BC, Canada
You will say this is an obvious point that comes first. Yes, we agree. But it is also crucial to find the right dealership and get coordinated sales & service from them.
You can search online about the local boat dealership in your area on Vancouver Island. Once you find the options on the web, visit their website, and navigate through their products, services, certificates, and other information mentioned. Connect with them to ask and verify the details. You can even check their social media accounts and Google reviews to know what the people say about the dealer.
Some companies might look a little bit far from your residence, but if they have authorized certificates of the boat and boat motor brands, it is good to go with them rather than dealing with a nearby unauthorized dealership.
2. Visit the Showroom
Before finalizing the deal, we recommend stopping by the boat dealership to find their marine inventory, service facilities, storage options, team size, and other details.
Prepare a list before you visit. A few questions can include:
- What is your purpose for buying a new vessel or engine?
- Are you an avid fisherman looking for an offshore fishing boat?
- Will you use your vessel for commercial purposes like search and rescue, whale watching, or other purposes?
- Do you need a family boat to enjoy fishing and boating both during vacation?
- What is your budget, and how much can you tinker with it?
- Do you want your vessel equipped with modern, entertaining, valuable marine electronics and accessories?
Once you have the list ready and if you have some specific model in mind, call upfront to the boat dealer and ask for the availability. They might have some fishing boats in the showroom and some in the storage. Check if they require to book an appointment before the visit or not.
You can get good knowledge when you visit the boat dealer’s showroom and ask for information. You can find new options you might not have even considered before.
3. Delivery
You can also discuss the delivery options for your vessel with the dealer and check if it suits your preferences. Ask them about the service pickup and drop-off process. Get the idea about how you can tow, launch, use, store, and look after your vessel on your own. A good boat dealer will also provide a proper boat maintenance plan to keep it in good condition for a long duration.
4. Negotiation
Pricing and negotiation can be stressful when you purchase a large product like a boat. Due to many reasons, the vessels’ costs can be higher than your expectations. You can discuss with the dealer the pricing in detail and if there is a scope of discount or other benefits. A reputed boat supplier will have multiple options of new and used boats for sale in BC, which can make your shopping easy and comfortable.
5. Boat Trailer
Purchasing a trailer for your vessel relies on the boat brand, your budget, and towing availabilities. Many boat manufacturers do not provide a trailer with the boat, so you have to buy it separately. A right boat dealer would help you determine whether you should buy the trailer or not. They also recommend you a suitable option based on your boat model.
6. Preparations
Check if the dealer provides the service of making your vessel water-ready. It can include but is not limited to boat cleaning, selecting and attaching propeller, oil checking & replacement, batteries and other electronics component checking, boat loading & unloading, and fuel fill up. There are a lot of parameters that need attention to make the boat ready to go on the water. Hence, we recommend getting professional advice and help from the dealer before the purchase.
7. End of Season
Everyone gets excited about buying a new vessel and going on the water for a pleasant boating or fishing experience. No one wants to get the boating season over. But the weather is not in our hands. We have to prepare for the boat storage as well before the end of the season. A one-stop boat dealership in British Columbia will also provide boat winterization services. Depending on your vessel type and condition, it may require servicing before the winterization or the re-launch for the next season. If you have the right dealer with you, they will help you deal with all such parameters.
Conclusion
We have tried to cover as many essential factors as possible to consider before visiting the boat dealership. Suppose you are looking for commercial vessels, small inflatable rigid hulls, welded aluminium boats, or offshore fishing boats for sale in British Columbia. In that case, you can connect with Alberni Power & Marine. We have a large 8,200 square feet boat showroom, engine showroom, a 5,200 square feet 4-bay service facility, parts department & customer service center, and a 30,000 square feet area for boat storage. We have a long-time experienced sales and service staff who will provide the correct solution for your boating needs.