By: Ashley Lizzi on December 16th, 2022

Ask These Questions When Shopping at a Boat Show

As a boater, pulling the boat out and storing it for the winter can be really depressing.  I dread this every year and wonder how I'm going to stay busy in my off time during the cold months.  Boating brings so much joy to my family and me that we start the countdown to spring immediately.

If you can relate to us, then you should know that there are a few things you can do as a boater to stay preoccupied through winter.  Aside from avidly searching the web for your next boat, you can also attend a boat show.

Finding and attending your local boat show is a great way to shop for your next boat.  You’ve got a plethora of brands under one roof, lots of salespeople and manufacturer reps there to answer questions, and you get to touch and feel a lot of the models you would typically only see online.  

So, if you’ve done your research and found the show nearest you, why not spend a day shopping?  Assuming that you’re planning on going to a boat show, here is a list of the must-ask questions and considerations you should be prepared to discuss with your local dealer.

Logistics and Towing

Whether you already own a boat, or this will be your first vessel, I recommend considering the logistics first and foremost.  Yes, the process is subject to change depending on the boat you buy, but the opposite can be true too.

You may be in a situation that puts limitations on the boat you can purchase.  For example, if you have a dock at your home where you plan on parking the boat regularly, you may be limited on the size of the boat you can buy as it will be dependent on the amount of dock space you have.

The same goes for boat lifts.  If you have an existing lift, you should first make sure the boat you plan to purchase can fit on that lift.  Or be open to purchasing an entirely new boat lift, if you’re sizing up.

In the same breath, you should also be considering your tow options.  If you plan on towing the boat yourself, do you have a boat trailer that will work?  Is your truck’s towing capacity enough to pull the new boat?  

If you don’t plan on towing the boat but rather want the dealer to handle towing, pulling, launching, etc., you still need to plan ahead.  Make sure and discuss this with the dealer before purchasing the boat.  

They may also offer storage, which is super convenient.  Keep in mind, however, if the dealer is not storing the boat for you, you must make sure to have a winterization plan in place.  This is a good time to shop for storage units or shrink-wrap services in your area.

Take it from me, when we upgraded from another brand to a Barletta pontoon, we found out that our storage unit was not tall enough to fit the boat once we arrived to drop it off.  Talk about having to scramble for a backup plan!

List of Questions

• What size is the dock and/or boat lift I expect to use?
• What size boat trailer do I have and am I willing to upgrade?
• What is my truck’s towing capacity?  
• Do I need a larger truck?
• What is my storage plan, and does it work for this new boat?
  

Meet Your Boat Dealer

There will likely be multiple dealers at one show.  Some dealers travel from far to attend these shows, which means not all of them are local to you.  Assuming you did your research, you should know if your local dealer will be at the show.

I cannot stress the importance of only buying from your local dealer enough.  This dealer should be located where you plan to boat.  There are only so many dealers, so having a relationship with the one that’s local to you is critical.

Dealers will prioritize their customers, aka the people who bought from them.  Keep that in mind if you run into an issue in the middle of boat season and need to get your boat to a dealer quickly.

Don’t expect that dealer nearby to service your boat if you didn’t buy from them.  This industry is not like the automobile industry.  There are a limited number of service centers compared to the number of boats in use.  This is just one of the reasons you should only buy locally. 

Once you find your local boat dealer at the show, it’s time to start building that relationship.  This is the time to figure out if they offer winterization services, storage, and so on.  Anything you might need as an owner; this is the time to ask.

List of Questions

• What services do you offer regarding winterization?
• If offered, when should I book winterization services so that I’m staying ahead of it?
• What should I expect on delivery day?
• Do you offer dockside service calls?
• What if the boat is dead in the water and needs to be towed?
• Am I expected to tow the boat in for service?
• Whom should I call when I need service?
• How can I be the best partner for your service center?
  
  

Buy the Boat

Now comes the fun part, once you’ve considered the logistics and everything that comes with them, it’s time to browse and shop for your new boat.  There isn’t a better place to see, touch, and feel all different types and brands of boats under one roof than at a boat show.

There are so many watercraft of all kinds parked throughout the convention center that it can become overwhelming.  Take a deep breath, you did your research, and you know which dealer booths you’re looking for.

That will help you narrow down where to shop for a boat once you’re in the door.  Take your time, make a day of it, this is a big decision.  I recommend sitting in the captain’s seat, checking out storage, playing with the features, examining the helm, and the list goes on.  Get to know the boats you’re interested in and take note of the ones that make you want to go back for another look.

While browsing, you’ll most likely meet dealer reps and manufacturer reps.  For instance, the Barletta sales team attends as many shows as they possibly can.  They’re an awesome resource because they’re from the factory and their knowledge of the product is second to none.

Whomever you connect with at the dealer’s booth, make sure you’re prepared.  Here’s a list of questions and considerations to cover when discussing the boat itself.

List of Questions

• Talk about what your perfect day on the water entails
• What type of boat is right for me?  V-hull?  Pontoon?  Deckboat? 
• What series is right for me within the brand I chose?
• What floor plan is best for me?
• What length is right for me?  
• Inboard or outboard engine?
• What size engine should I go with?
• Can I use this in saltwater? (If applicable) 
• Are there different steering options?
• Tritoon or bitoon?  (If you chose a pontoon)
• What features and upgrades are imperative to me?
• What is the warranty?
• What routine maintenance should I expect with this boat?
• When should I order the boat to get it by summer?

Boating by Next Summer

At this point, you should have a great place to start when shopping at a boat show.  This article should be a jumping-off point that will help you break the ice and find your way to that perfect boat.  It will also help you avoid making the most common boat show mistakes.

Before you go, check out this must-have printable boat show checklist.  Take it with you as a guide and your buying process should go smoothly.  Boat shows are hugely popular and well-attended most of the time.

Bring the family along, make a day of it, and take your time.  The process of buying a boat should be fun, not stressful.  We’ve got plenty more boat show info on where this came from in the Barletta Learning Center so that you can prepare ahead of time.