Whether you are looking for a new bass boat or a “new to you” boat, there are several factors that come into play. Price is often a major factor, but there are plenty of other things to consider.
Boulder Boats has three locations throughout the west coast; Visalia, California, Henderson, NV, and Mesa, Arizona. They have helped countless customers into the perfect boat for their needs.
Greg Espinoza deals with boat buyers daily at Boulder Boats and shared four things that many customers consider when looking for a used boat. Boulder Boats Marketing Director Cason Kirkpatrick also walked us through the intricate process that they use before they list a used boat and how they handle trade-ins and consignment boats.
Fit Your Fishing Style
With multiple locations on the west coast, Espinoza has learned that an individual’s fishing style plays a significant role in deciding on the right boat, both for new and used bass boats.
“The biggest thing is to get what you are going to use and the features that matter to you. Bass anglers here in the desert don’t care as much about Power-Poles as they do at our Visalia location because a lot of those guys fish the Delta,” he said.
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Electronics
Beyond that, electronics are another big part of the decision process.
“Anglers are often loyal to one brand or another, and that is important to many people. I always advise them to take a look and see how ‘upgradeable’ the boat is,” said Espinoza. “If you don’t like the graphs that come on a particular used boat, look to see if a 10” or 12”, or whatever size, of your favorite brand, will fit and if it can be installed on that boat.”
Trailers Matter
When shopping for a boat, often the outboard, electronics, trolling motor, and other parts take center stage. They are easy to quantify and compare, but Espinoza says to check the trailer.
“Never underestimate the condition of the boat trailer. It is always a good idea to ask when it was last serviced because it is a vital part of the package,” he said. Boulder Boats inspects every trailer before selling a used boat to make sure it meets their high standards.
Will it Fit?
Espinoza said that one of the most significant factors for getting a new or used boat often comes down to storage. “That is something that a lot of people ask, and they want to know the exact length on the trailer and if they can get it into their garage,” he shared.
As a service to their customers, they often take multiple measurements with the outboard lowered and if possible, with the swing-away tongue pushed out of the way. On the rare occasion, they have even “garage fitted” boats as an additional service.
Fully Inspected
Buying a used bass boat can be scary for buyers as there may be a fear that you are just buying someone else’s problem. When buying a used boat from Boulder Boats, buyers can be assured that the boat has been inspected thoroughly.
“We do a full inspection on every boat we take in and fix and repair each boat as needed. Besides the basic things like the outboard inspection, we make sure the prop is correct for that outboard and that it is in good condition,” said Kirkpatrick. “We’ll fix fiberglass and do repairs on anything we find so we can make this the newest boat possible. It will be 100% clean, ready to start, and enjoy the water.”
Trading In Your Boat or Selling on Consignment
If you are looking to get a different boat, Boulder Boats can also help you sell your old one via trade-in or consignment.
“It all starts with customers either reaching out to us online or stopping by one of our locations. We then have individuals who go through everything on the boat during the valuation process,” added Kirkpatrick. “For consignments, we start with a ballpark number and go over what we can guarantee when your boat sells. There are no percentages or anything; it will be a flat dollar amount of what you will receive.”
If you are trading in your old boat, the process is similar but even easier at Boulder Boats.
“We will give you a price based on the condition and value, and it will be reflective of any repairs we have to make to get it ready to sell,” he said.
They also make it clear upfront the additional fees for inspection, admin fees for transferring loan and titles (if necessary), and a monthly storage fee for consignments.
Boulder Boats has become a favorite for boaters across the west coast thanks to their excellent service and because they carry some of the top brands in boating. They are a helpful group who will do everything they can to make the process of buying your next boat as painless as possible.
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