Buying A Boat from A Dealer Versus Private Seller
If you are getting ready to buy a boat, many sunny adventures are ahead of you. However, the first step, of course, is finding the right route to buy your boat. Buying a boat from a private seller in Florida is only sometimes what it seems. Thousands of small-time boat owners might be ready to pass off their watercraft to a new owner, which puts the onus on determining if you're getting a good deal on the buyer.
It's important to weigh the pros and cons of buying boat from a dealer versus a private seller in order to know where you'll find the best opportunities, price service, and overall boating experience. Riva Motorsports & Marine of the Keys has sold and serviced boats off the coast of Florida and worldwide for over 40 years, so we can share with you a little key knowledge about how to get the best from your boat purchase this year.
The Benefits of Buying From a Boat Dealer
Buying a boat from a certified dealer is a lot like buying a car from the dealership: it comes with perks. You will enjoy service quality, availability, and of course, a boat service station where you are already a valued customer.
Guaranteed Quality
A boat dealer puts their reputation behind every boat purchase. You can rest assured that your boat is sea-worthy and in beautiful condition before you set foot on deck because the dealer has taken responsibility for its maintenance, care, and readiness for sale.
Convenient Location
Buying a boat from your local Riva Motorsports dealer is easy because we have many locations along the South Florida coast and all over the world. Wherever you call home, your local Riva boat dealer will be conveniently close by. You won't have to travel to pick up your boat or have it serviced.
Service After the Sale
Speaking of service, boat dealers typically have a boat service center and often prioritize purchasing customers to keep their vessels in top condition. This adds to the convenience as well as the luxury of local boat ownership.
Building a Relationship
You have the opportunity to build a relationship with your local boat dealer should you ever want to buy another vessel or trade yours in for something new.
Dealing with a Private Seller
Buying a boat from a private seller in Florida puts more pressure on the buyer to ensure they get a good deal. Private sellers often have their own reasons for selling, unlike dealers who always have the same reason and may not share their motivation with the buyer.
Uncertain Maintenance or Quality
You will need to bring a boat mechanic onboard (and pay for their time) to perform a complete inspection of any boat you buy from a private seller. If they are selling because the boat has fallen into disrepair, you could be buying a boat that won't be seaworthy or safe. There might also be a reason why the seller didn't just sell their boat to a dealer to be resold more smoothly.
Inconvenient Locations
Sellers often want you to come to pick up their boat from wherever it was last docked - whether that's on the other side of Florida or the other side of the world.
Lost Titles and Other Complications
Many private boat sellers have lost their title or other key paperwork, which can delay and complicate the purchasing process.
No Warranty
Independent sellers do not provide a warranty on the boat, meaning they will not offer repairs or refunds if something goes wrong.
The Importance of a Boat Loan
A boat loan is the best way to get your vessel on the water quickly and ensure your purchase doesn't directly impact your finances. Boat dealers like Riva Motorsports & Marine of the Keys can connect you directly with boat financing to make your purchase both available and affordable.
Getting the Best Deal When Purchasing a Boat
Riva Motorsports & Marine of the Keys is proud to have been selling watercraft on the Florida coast for over 40 years. We are a full-service Yamaha, Sea-Doo, Wellcraft, Blackfin, Robalo, Skeeter, E-Z-GO, and CF Moto Dealer with a Boat Service Center that will treat you like a priority customer every time you come back with your boat. Our multilingual staff is eager to help, including services from our business locations all over the world.
When you purchase a boat with a Riva Motorsports & Marine dealer, you get the best possible experience, both a local boat dealer as a partner and a network of boat service locations near any port you might visit. When choosing to buy a boat from a dealer vs. a private seller, we decide as simple and rewarding as possible. Come to the dealership to find your next (or first) watercraft and join the Riva Motorsports & Marine family.
