Is Now the Time to Buy a Boat? - 05/27/20
BoatTEST Newsletter May 27, 2020
Is Now the Time to Buy?
Biting the bullet on a big down payment is always hard to do because of macroeconomic uncertainty.
Newscasters are virtually all saying that we are in unprecedented times. That is true for the nation – but not for the boat industry, economically. It goes through these financial tsunamis with great regularity. To name a few: the 1973 oil crisis, the 1979 19% interest rates, the 1990 10% luxury tax, the 2000 Dot Com bubble burst, the 2008 meltdown, and now the COVID-19 pandemic. Every time macroeconomics takes a hit, boat buying and the boating industry are staggered, sometimes nearly KO’d.
But, if history is any guide, there is now a window of buying opportunity that will not come along again until the next economic rise and fall. And, when that happens again, in all likelihood, prices will be 20% higher than today. Find out why the window of opportunity won’t last long...
Features Video
Hampton Yachts Endurance 720 Skylounge LRC:
Longer Range Luxury Motoryacht
Hampton Yachts Endurance 720 Skylounge LRC
That the Hampton Yachts Endurance 720 Skylounge LRC can be run above typical trawler speeds is a major benefit when a captain needs to get away from weather or an owner just wants to arrive at his destination sooner – thanks to her twin 1135-hp diesels. Obviously, this yacht looks more like a motoryacht than a traditional trawler, but don’t hold that against her, because she can travel at 8.8 knots and get 1.1 nmpg. She carries 2,000 gal. (7,570 L), weighs 123,000 lbs. (56,104 kgs), and has stabilizers. Her Skylounge is huge, one of the largest we have seen on this size boat, so she effectively has two salons. More...
Test Video
Grady-White Canyon 306:
Designed for Offshore Work
Grady-White designs and builds the Canyon 306 to be a rugged sportfishing boat first and foremost. But the manufacturer also knows full well that even bluewater center consoles also have to spend some time on cruising duty. Her 10’7” (3.23 m) beam is one of the wider in class and it creates a cockpit that has ample space for fishing and entertaining. More...
Schedule a Test Drive Dealer Contact Request Pricing Request
One of the newest categories in recreational boating, Crossover Bowriders provide the best attributes of open-bow models and dayboats and, in some cases, cuddy cabins, into one versatile vessel. Some have hardtops, while others are open. Some have outboards and others are stern drives. But one thing they all have is versatility. VirtualBOATSHOW.com has 10 Crossover Bowriders on display. To visit the boat show – admittance is free – click here...
VirtualBOATSHOW.com Crossover Bowriders Docks
Features Video
Cruisers Yachts 46 Cantius:
American Ergonomics in an Express Yacht
Captains will find plenty of headroom to drive while standing up on the 46 Cantius.
The Cruisers Yachts 46 Cantius may look like she has Euro styling, but she is definitely designed for the American market because she has Yankee ergonomics. For example, even though she has a sleek profile, she also has 6’6” (1.98 m) of overhead clearance at the helm because American captains like the option of being able to drive standing up or sitting down. Belowdecks, there is more than 6’ (1.8 m) of head room in the salon, and generally spaces are larger, seats and beds are wider, and engine room access is better. More...
Boating Safety
Coast Guard Rescues Pair Adrift After 2 Weeks
The Coast Guard rescued two men after they were adrift for two weeks.
The United States Coast Guard and a good Samaritan rescued two fishermen who were adrift for two weeks and had been presumed lost at sea. Domingo Jiminez, 45, and Ramon Castillo, 29, both from Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic left Samana, in the island nation on May 2. Three days later, the USCG Sector San Juan watchstanders received a report from a concerned family member that the pair had not returned from a fishing trip. More...
Has Your Life Changed in the Last 90 Days?
If the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic has changed your prospects, you’re not alone. Now might be a good time to start thinking about leasing your late model, premium boat. By leasing your boat on days that it would otherwise sit idle in a slip, it can be earning income for you to help pay your monthly finance payment, slip rental, and insurance payment. BoattestLEASING will market, manage, and maintain your boat – plus, pay you 100% of leasing fees received – all in one, easy turnkey package. Find out more by contacting general manager Greg Sweeney at (727) 200-3474 or [email protected].
Boating News of the Week: Episode #7
If you missed BoatTEST's video news of the week webcast last Friday morning, you can now see it in "re-runs." Episode #7 included an interview with Geoff Leech, senior director of marine services at Sirius Marine, the 2019 USCG Accident Report, highlights of the new Sharrow mass-produced SS loop prop, the Riviera 505 SUV and Jeanneau NC 37, and much more. Check out all of our weekly videos...
See Episode #7 See All Episodes
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