its been asked before i'm sure!!!!!

[spillytalker]

well i got this little problem, my oldman doesnt fish nearly enough for me to be satisfied plus he most likely wont let me take his new boat to the fishing areas i want to fish, also considering hes more of a lake kind of guy!!!, then recently i just found out my step dad is selling his 22 ft welded aluminum fishing machine which we went out quite abit last year, but that means my fishing this summer has just gotten to a minimal..... I am now in the looking to buy a boat stage!! i know down in the states is the way to go from what i hear and seen, but is it really that good a deal? and how hard is it to get it across the border? and if unable to drive across to pick up a boat, what would be best to ship it or have it hauled on a tractor trailer!!???

any suggestions and help would be greatly appreciated and if anyone knows any good sites to get some info would also be awesome too!!

Thanks

SpillyTalker!

 

[finaddict]

Ok Spilly you have a lot of questions here.

Is the states the best place to purchase a used boat?Well it was for me, but you had better have some patience when you go looking. Use the most common broker pages (Boat.com, yachtworld.com,boattraderonline.com) as well as Craig's list and a few others. Do your research in advance and pick the size, type, year and budget you have and be prepared to see alot of CRAP before you find your boat. Be prepared to have to spend a lot of time at the computer. The big advantage of shopping in the states is the selection, but it can also drive you crazy.

Once you have a few that you want to contact you will need ot do even more homework. Ask all the right questions from engine hours and use to habits of the owner and place of storage. If you find a boat that you are prepared to put an offer on, always make it subject to a marine and mechanical inspection by a SAMS (Society of Acredited Marine Surveyors) surveyor as well as a reputable mechanical shop tha specializes in whatever motor is hanging from the boat. This will cost you between $300 and $600. Be prepared to walk away from any boat that does not measure up fully and completely. Don't be too surprised when the photos that come back from the surveyor make the most beautiful boat in the world have more than a few blemishes. I had to walk away from two boats that I had surveyed before I found my girl. And no matter what if you are going to buy a boat sight unseen there will be a certain element of gamble in your decision.[8] In the end I am delighted with my purchase so far.

As for shipping, if you are not going to bring it across the border yourself, I would recommend the reverse auction site called "U-Ship.com