Buying a Sailboat: Process and Checklist

Step 1 - Find a dealership that sells the range of boats you think you are interested in.

Having a dealer close to where you live can be a big benefit and save you lots of time.

Step 2 - Choosing your boat. Choosing a boat is a very personal decision. Sometimes that can be a hard question to ask yourself, but be honest with yourself and you will be that much happier with your purchase. Obviously you wouldn't want to go and buy a racing sailboat if your intention is to cruise the bay with family.

Step 3 - Choosing the right gear. Many boats come stock with excellent gear and electronics, but undoubtedly you will want to add an item or two to your new boat. If you can dream it, you can find it.



Step 4 - So HOW do you BUY the boat?

There are two different scenarios when it comes time to buy the boat, depending on the location of the boat. Scenario one is that the boat is in stock at the show docks. Most dealers will require a down payment of 10% to start the purchase process, and "close" the financing with 90% of the purchase price within 10 days. The remaining 10% is due on delivery day.

Scenario two is the boat needs to be ordered from the factory. 20% starts the process and get's the boat ordered. You close on 80% of the purchase price when the boat ships from the factory, and we return 10% at that time. You pay the final 10% on delivery day. Your Dealer don't start commissioning and installing equipment until she is 90% funded (after closing).

You can finance most boats over 20 years! It is incredibly easy to finance a boat and some dealers have thier own inhouse financing department to make financing a new boat even easier. There are also tax benefits to owning a boat whether it is a second home or being placed into charter.

So when will she be ready? If the dealer had to install alot of gear, the most it should take is 6 weeks from the point that she arrives on our docks or at the yard. (For boats above 50', plan up to 10 weeks.)

Then the big day arrives, DELIVERY DAY! The day you have been waiting so anxiously for.You'll go through a thorough "Walk Through", of the Quality Control Manager which will take about 2-3 hours. The delaer will go over everything from where your thru-hulls are to how to plot a course on the new chartplotter. They'll go over all of your warranty paperwork.

From there, you are in the very cable hands of the dealer after sale service department. They will check with you to make sure everything is as it should be and that there is nothing left to do except to enjoy your new boat and go for a cruise!