If you’ve always dreamed of owning a boat, but didn’t think you could afford it, you’re in luck. At Blue Water Boats, we have a great selection of used boats for you to choose from! Buying a pre-owned craft is a great way to get a vessel for an affordable price. Read on to learn what you should do before buying, and give us a call at our Cape May Court House, New Jersey location when you’re ready to see some models for sale. We also proudly serve Atlantic City, New Jersey and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania!

Create a Budget

You should start by building a budget for your used boat. You don’t want to get pulled into buying a fancy new model outside of your price range! Make sure your budget accounts for more than just the sticker price. You’ll need to budget for gear, fuel, insurance, maintenance, and more. It’s important to know going into the dealership what you can and are willing to spend on your used craft.

Don’t Forget to Research

Every successful investment starts with some research. You’ll want to decide what kind of used craft you want. This could be a fishing boat, a pontoon, or something else. Narrowing down your search will make it easier to find models that fit your needs.

Once you start looking at used boats, think about how many passengers you want on board. You’ll need to pick a model that can accommodate all of your occupants.

Ask for All Available Information

When it comes to buying a used boat, you want to make sure you’re purchasing a model that’s in good condition. Ask for the maintenance history as well as how many previous owners there have been. Knowing how well a used vessel has been taken care of will help you decide if it’s worth the money. 

Conduct an Inspection

One more important part of buying a used boat is performing an inspection. You’ll want to check for any signs that the vessel is going to have problems down the road. Examine the exterior and look for any sizable cracks. Check for corrosion, mildew, rot, and rust. Exterior damage could be a sign of problems beneath the surface too. You should also test the oil and fuel and see what the consistency is. The status of the oil and fuel can give you a good idea of the condition of the engine.

Are you ready to pick out a used boat? Reach out to Blue Water Boats today and we’ll help you find the right model. We are located in Cape May Court House, New Jersey and proudly serve Atlantic City, New Jersey and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania too. We can’t wait to help you find the vessel of your dreams!