Boat Show Buyer Checklist: Questions Before You Buy
By Captain Robert B. Kolb, Coast Guard-licensed captain, 30 years on the water
The short answer
Before you fall for a boat at the show, ask three things: am I ready for this boat, how does it handle at low speed and in wind, and can I dock it at the marina where I'll keep it. Bring these questions to the dealer and to the sea trial.
About you
- How much time have I actually spent at the helm, not as a passenger?
- Have I docked a boat this size, with this propulsion setup?
- What hands-on instruction will I get before I take it out alone?
About the boat
- How much windage does it have? High-sided boats catch wind like a sail.
- Single engine, twin engines, and is there a bow or stern thruster?
- Is it over 35 feet? Length adds docking difficulty.
- Can I sea trial it, including a departure and a return to a dock?
About where you'll keep it
- Which marina, and what is its docking difficulty grade?
- Will the boat fit the actual slip, depth and fairway?
- How does the approach change when the wind shifts?
Then get the Boat Handling Report for the boat you're considering (paid).
Take the free Readiness AssessmentCommon questions
What should I ask at a boat show?
Ask how the boat handles at low speed and in wind, what engine and thruster setup it has, whether you can sea trial it including docking, and whether it will fit your marina's slip.
Should I buy a boat at a boat show?
DockWise can't make that decision for you. Make sure you've reviewed your own experience, the boat's handling and your marina before committing, and do a sea trial.