New to all this. Go used or go new?

[Washedout]

Noob here. So we've been looking for a used ar190 or 192, even an ar210 or 212x. Seems like they sell fast or are a pile of sh1t and we haven't had luck. so we just put a hold on a new 195s but feel like we've been raked across the coals for pricing etc.. are we going at this right? With these Yamaha boats are you better off finding used or just getting a new boat. Mind you were new to this. We're looking for something to take the kids out wakesurfing, tubing on lakes and maybe hit the intercoastal every other weekend.

 

[FLBulldogger]

You've come to the right place for all the questions you have now and the questions to come. As far as new or used its a ongoing debate but a short answer is that if you are going to look new you are going to pay close to MSRP on these boats, the dealer may sweeten the deal with in store discounts, Yamaha financing, etc but with the way the boating industry is going its going to be tough trying to get a "deal" on a new boat. @HangOutdoors posted a good article on the current state of the boat biz a couple of days ago, that may help you with the mindset of used or new. We have bought 2 used boats in the past 5 yrs and have had great success...but it took a LOT of looking at crappy boats to find them. Your best bet is to scour the boards here for info on what to look for, keep an eye on the Classified section you can find nice boats there sometimes. Also you may want to indicate where you live so those close by may know of a boat they have info on for sale. Good luck!

 

[Beachbummer]

Used vs. New is a long and ongoing debate, the search function will provide some fun reads of past threads. It depends greatly on how you value your money too, and how much your are willing to spend.

Also, boats are not built to precision tolerances, in high speed lines. The process is more like that of building a new house. Finish when new is generally not perfect, and a few things may need cleaning or adjustment. Warranty service can take a week or two, not a day or two. The warranty is awesome to have for piece of mind, but the urgency to resolve is not there.

For these reasons, I choose used.

A 4-8 year old boat, of a proven vintage, with all kinks worked out, can be had for cheaper and upgraded to your liking+a little saved in case of needed repairs you can take to any mechanic or do the work yourself. This boat could potentially provide service for another 8-15 years with reasonable expenses.

Others will tell you the new boat smells awesome and does not come pre-blemished, and the warranty is awesome to have, in case something goes horribly wrong, and nobody elses hands have ever touched their boat. And they would be right too.mostly, And if you value these things over saving some money, and don't mind waiting a little for service at the dealer vs DIY, new might be right for you.

My humble contribution to your debate is that if you are interested in new, talk to the service department and be willing for your own happiness to accept slow and crappy warranty service, because that's what most, except a few with exceptional dealers, seem to get. (Might be the complainers speak louder too, but I have bad taste from demanding services after payment, so I value warranties lower than others)
If you value you warranty at $300 without your boat for 4 weeks and it still makes sense to you to buy new, go for it.

We have plenty of happy buyers from both camps. Most are pretty happy.

Best of luck!

 

[HangOutdoors]

From my experience, and I just purchased new 1 month ago and my musings are such....

1) Determine how much you want to spend and CAN spend on this boat purchase.
2) How will you use the boat? You have already mentioned kids, watersports cruising.
3) Figure on size of boat. We went with the 21 footer, the room is much better than the 19 foot. Since kids have friends and parents we would been short on size, size is something you cant add on.
4) Determine how you are going to store the boat during the season and what you are going to pull it with. Does the size boat you want above fit into this?
5) Do you want 1 or 2 engines. We liked the dual engines for safety concerns in case one fails we could limp back in, especially with kids.
6) Are you mechanically inclined and will you be doing your own work on the boat. Some don't have time or don't want to eat up all their spare time working on their boat. Balance, input into boat with your time and enjoyment and finances.

Once you have these questions answered, it should lay bare what type of boat, new or used you would be looking for. They say buy your second boat first, but that may not be always doable.

In our case we determined that we wanted to spend in the low 40's at most. The 19 footers were coming in way under that and the size was a bit small and only 1 engine. We liked the 212 but the price even used was over what we wanted to spend. Not what we could spend. There is a big difference. A used 210 wasn't much cheaper than a new one at the time. A used 212 was still more than a new 210. So at the end of the day we went with a new 2020 AR210. We wakeboard, tube and soon Zup, swim and fish and lounge around and cruise. It is a good fit. An awesome boat and we couldn't be happier. the 212's + would give a much better Wave and have the 1.8 engines, but we are not serious into wake surfing, they eat up more gas and the cost was outside our parameters. Someday we may upgrade or we may never.

That is the best I can contribute from our personal experience. Good Luck.

 

[zipper]

A lot of good information here, I always buy used...but whatever you do, "buy your second boat first".

 

[HangOutdoors]

@zipper Nothing wrong about buying used if you know enough about the boats and boat you are buying. I may buy our second boat used, if that day ever comes, since I will be comfortable working on them and everything that I will run into after this purchase and what to look for. I just didn't want to spend another 20-25k right now and have to work on it potentially more as I am getting back into boating after 20 years.

 

[Washedout]

Man thanks all for the warm welcome and the insights. Much appreciated!! We are in central FLA and have a bunch of options. Talked to the dealer a little more today and have a better feeling.

 

[DeeKranze]

I was in same situation almost a year ago. Wanted something new but really did not want to pay all the extra fees for buying new. Found an 18 SX195 a little over 2 hrs away for almost 10K less than new w/ 20 hrs on it. Drove to see it and many things for it, were still in bubble wrap. Older gentleman, bought boat for his camp in Adirondack Mtns here in upstate NY and when he got it to his camp, realized it was way too much motor for his little lake. Put a small scratch port side that I will someday repair, otherwise, boat was like new. Brought cash and got it for 27K and still has Yamaha warranty for another year. I realize not everyone has same luck as I did, but I waited and looked at and test drove about 5 different Yamaha 19 footers, before buying. Patience paid off....so far. Good luck and happy buying.

 

[Washedout]

Still waiting for the new 195s to show up... But it got me thinking. What should I be looking at when I get this thing? Should it have 0 hours on it? That kinda stuff.