I'm looking at getting a new bass boat but without the boating equivalent of Edmunds or Kelly Blue Book, if feel like I'm at a huge disadvantage when I talk to a dealer.  Aside from considering a Tracker or Nitro product since they use a national pricing structure, how do you know what's reasonable?  I thought about calling my credit union to see what loan amounts they've approved for the models that interest me, although I don't knop if they'll give out that info.   My other thought is to use the NADA guide and increase the estimates to compensate for depreciated values.

I'm looking at something along the lines of a Triton TR186, Nitro 581, or ProCraft 18-19 ft.

I understand the dealer's service deptartment is also a huge consideration for where to buy as well, but I have to start somewhere.

I've read the articles on this site which are very helpful in general terms but did not address this issue.

Any suggestions are more than welcome.

Tight Lines Everyone.

without the boating equivalent of Edmunds or Kelly Blue Book

NADA has boats and also boat trader on line has a new boat pricing guide.

Shellback, I'm gonna give you some sage advice. I would STRONGLY suggest a used boat for the sake of depreciation. A boat purchase is far from a good investment. I bought my first boat brand new (18ft 150efi) and I ate my shorts selling it to buy a bigger boat. I bought my used bigger boat (Tr-20 225) for the same price as my brand new boat. There are Some KILLER deals out there on used boats. The BEST way to find out what a good price is on a used boat is to compare and contrast asking prices. Best places to find comparisions are Boat Trader in your area. THese are found at most gas stations.

ON line the best places are

another site

http://www.bassboatc.../boats4sale.htm

I take all the models and how old of a boat they are that I am interested in and start taking notes. If you do this for a good week or 2 you can get a very good idea of what's cheap, whats fair and whats high.

If you still want to go the new route the best way to do it is beat the pavement and go from dealer to dealer and tell them specifically what you want and have them give you a quote. Then go to another dealer and do the same. Tell them upfront you are a serious buyer and you are not there to kick tires and they will treat you serious. Once you get all your quotes nows the time to deal. Do it the same way you do a car. Like I said used boats you'll save ALOT of money upfront. There are tons of 1-4 year old boats that don't get used very much and are like new. HOwever there are dangers of buying used boats but you need to know what to look for when buying used.

T Mike

Well I believe I got a pretty good price on a fully rigged new tr186 with a 150 merc, the $ was 26,500 complete out the door includeing trailer. I have not pulled the trigger yet but I only have 1 more place to price check but so far none I have checked have gotten close. hope this helps.c

I agree with Triton Mike.  New boats depreciate fast.  I bought one new and ate it big time a couple years later when I sold it.  Todays boats and outboards are very well built.  You can easily find something in your size and Horsepower you're looking for at thousands off what a new one will cost and will be just as reliable as new.

If you have to have new remember most boat manufacturers have a couple models in each size category, an entry level (cheaper model with fewer bells and whistles and fewer options available) and the elite model.  The entry level model is the better buy.

If your going to purchase a new boat, also check out the Ranger 188VS.  06 is the first year they made them so you probably won't find a used one.  I have one and it beats all my expectations.  Great boat!!

Depending on what options and type of engine you are getting like The Dictator said 26,000 seems pretty reasonable on a brand new 186. Before I got mine last year I was looking around alot and found alot of different prices. If you find prices from 2005 you're gonna see that for 06' they came up about 1500-2000.

bassdocktor

If your going to purchase a new boat, also check out the Ranger 188VS. 06 is the first year they made them so you probably won't find a used one. I have one and it beats all my expectations. Great boat!!

I've been thinking about a Ranger too.  How did you know you were getting a good price?

 I got on-line, got several dealers phone no's from Florida to Kentucky, called them and got their best price.  Then contacted my local dealer and he matched my best price.  Even if he didn't, it's worth a drive somewhere to save 2 or 3 thousand dollars.  If you get one make sure you get it with the 175.

 Good Luck!