Hi fellas. I am new to the board, I am hoping to buy a boat in th next year. I have been pricing some already, both private sellers, and dealers. Iam curious as to how much I can expect a dealer to come off of their asking price. For example A Triton TR 186 (2000 model) is priced at $16,495 but NADA is 13,500. Will dealer come down that much? Also, how important to a dealer is moving a boat in certain length of time, or will they let one stay on lot for quite awhile, how does it compare to car dealer? Thanks, and look forward to talking in the future.

I wouldn't expect a dealer to move much, if at all, from their quoted price, although prices can vary quite a bit depending on what part of the country you live in.  I've seen prices differ by several thousand between, say, California and dealers in the southeast.  I've known people who traveled a pretty far piece and still saved money even after the cost of the trip.

To me, the cost isn't as important as the service AFTER the sale.  Joe Blow might be shoving new boats out the door way below what others are asking, but what will he do when something goes haywire?  Are his mechanics good?  Will they go the extra mile to get your rig serviced in time for your tx or trip?  Most dealers will take in work they didn't sell in the first place, but their customers will come FIRST.  (There are exceptions to this.  Just sayin'........)

Iam curious as to how much I can expect a dealer to come off of their asking price. For example A Triton TR 186 (2000 model) is priced at $16,495 but NADA is 13,500. Will dealer come down that much? Also, how important to a dealer is moving a boat in certain length of time, or will they let one stay on lot for quite awhile, how does it compare to car dealer? Thanks, and look forward to talking in the future.

Situations vary from dealer to dealer and deal to deal.  Some boat mfgs. are set up to give the dealer more room to operate than others.  Dealerships need to make around 20% profit overall to keep the doors open.

If done properly, the used boat should have been traded for at close to NADA wholesale.  The asking price will be above NADA retail plus any repairs done by the dealership to get it sale ready.

All dealerships want to turn boats quickly.  However, some of them buy dogs that just won't hunt (called new noncurrents) and hang around the lots for years eating up the profits because of high interest floor plans.

Boat dealerships are similar to car dealerships in that lots of people are getting a piece of the profit pie.  They also get year end unit kickbacks from boat and motor mfgs.  Mid year unit incentives are provided by mfgs. to get their inventory down, etc.

How much they will come down depends on how much they have in the unit and how long it has been on the lot.  Sometimes they have to bite the bullet and sell boats below cost just the make them go away.

You did not mention if the Triton is a new noncurrent or used.  I assume it is used since it will soon be 8 years old.  The selling price will depend on if it is a consignment boat or dealer owned boat.  There is usually more room to operate in dealer owned units.

If I were interested in it, I would ask for a copy of the shop inspection sheet to see what was done and why.  Then I would make a cash offer of $12,000 contingent on a good lake demonstration and see how they react.  You might be surprised.  You should also keep a deal breaker handy.