Sponsored Content: Tips To Finding Your Dream Boat

Maple Leaf Marina

Jan 11, 2022

Buying a boat is one of the most exciting purchases you will ever make. With so many styles, brands, features and colours to choose from, you may be overwhelmed with the process. Questions like; where do I start and what is the best option for my family often has buyers stumped.

 

With boat show season upon us, your chances of getting your dream boat have never been better. With this 4-step process you can easily navigate the boat show buying experience. After all, buying a boat should be fun, and now is the time to start planning for next summer!

Define your boating essentials.

Figuring out your boating style is the first step! It is helpful to consider your perfect day on the water; this allows you to narrow down your options. Are early morning fishing trips on your schedule, or is spending the afternoon with the kids surfing your ideal Saturday? Ask yourself; where am I boating, how many people, and what is the atmosphere? Answering these questions will help determine essential aspects of your future boat, such as hull shape, boat size and your “nice to have” vs “can’t live without” features.

Do your research in advance.

Once you’ve established your top boating activities, it’s time to compare the brands in the marketplace. Take into consideration aspects like budget, availability and brand reputation. If you are a long-time boater, this may be easier for you to decipher. But, if you’re new to the scene, you may notice that many boat lines appear to produce similar products. By comparing key factors such as, construction, performance, finishes and warranty while doing your research you can hone in on boat lines that fit your lifestyle with confidence.

Maple Leaf MarinaBuy where you boat.

An often-neglected aspect of buying a boat is considering who will take care of you post-purchase. It’s important to find a reliable dealership that can prioritize customer service, offers a fully stocked parts department and has reliable storage options to ensure you stay on the water all summer.

Schedule an in-person consult in advance.

Don’t get lost in the crowd. Once you know your top brands and dealerships, schedule a time to meet with respective sales representatives during the boat show. Give yourself uninterrupted one-on-one time to view your top choices.

Whether you’re a seasoned boater or new to the scene, boat-buying tools like the Dream Boat Finder at mlmarinas.com/boat-show/ are a helpful way to start your journey.

Related Articles


Pursuit S268 Sport CC

By Andy Adams

The Pursuit S 268 Sport centre console is a do-it-all kind of boat with a solid sense of style. Centre console designs have been developed for the southern blue water sport fishing enthusiasts (and this boat would raise fish with the best of them) but the Pursuit S 268 Sport centre console offers far more utility and enjoyment than just fishing.

Read More


Destinations

Bayfield Marine Turns 40 with Big April Events

(l to r) Holly, Adam, Pat, Ron, Shelley

Ron and Pat Reder started out in October 1984 across the road from where they are right now on the Bayfield River in Bayfield ON. The store front was about 10 x 20 and the rest of that side of the building was a stock room, wood finishing room, then behind that was more back stock and the lunchroom. Expanding every few years for the store front, then moving over to this new building five years ago, this year with Adam, Shelley, and Holly are carrying on the business.

Read More