Buying a "team" boat: The best value in fishing boats
Have you ever heard anyone say they'd never buy a pro staff boat because they get beat up during tournaments? The majority of the time, this belief couldn't be further from the truth.
To understand why, you just need to know how most of the pro staff deals work. At the local/regional level, bass and walleye boat manufacturers fund minor discounts to anglers that their dealers select to help them sell boats. The anglers must help the dealer and boat manufacturer by working boat shows and open houses, giving demo rides, and creating exposure for the boat brand and the dealership in the fishing community. Although, specific requirements vary by manufacturer, the boat manufacturers require the angler to sell his boat and order a new model every one to two years to remain eligible for the pro staff discount.
With many fishermen on dealer pro staffs across the country, the "new-model requirement" creates a steady stream of very late-model boats on the market each year. Nearly all these fishermen take extra-good care of their boats, knowing that they must sell them every few years and that they'll be competing with plenty of other pro-staff boats. More often than not, they use the recommended maintenance products and keep the boat very clean.
Another benefit of pro staff boats is the extended motor warranty that many carry. Depending on the sponsorship or the time of year the boat was purchased, many team boats still have three to even five years of warranty remaining. Those extra years of warranty can be worth thousands of dollars.
And finally, most pro staff anglers are motivated sellers. They want to move their current boat so they can get their new one ordered. This doesn't mean they'll accept a ridiculous, low-ball offer. But it may mean they'll drive a considerable distance to deliver the boat or be open to reasonable price negotiation.
Just like cars, boats depreciate quickly when they leave the dealer lot. If you're looking for a new bass or walleye ride, scanning the menu of team boats for sale just might get you into a nearly new boat in excellent condition for substantially less money than buying new. |
